The battle for britain’s favourite festive hit

Christmas Number One: The Battle for Britain’s Favourite Festive Hit

The Golden Ticket of Music Industry

Every year, on December 22nd, BBC Radio 1’s chart show announces the winner of the coveted Christmas number one single in the UK. It is an event that sparks excitement and anticipation among music fans, with everyone eager to know which song will top the charts during the festive season. This year, Wham!’s classic “Last Christmas” is leading the pack, but Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas” is hot on its heels. The battle for the top spot is fierce, and the strategies used by artists and record labels to win this coveted title are as intriguing as they are complex.

A Brief History of the Christmas Number One Single

The tradition of awarding a “Christmas number one single” in the UK dates back to 1958, when Guy Mitchell’s song “Sing Along with Mitch” took the top spot. However, it wasn’t until the 1970s that the concept gained widespread popularity. The 1984 Christmas number one single was won by Band Aid’s charity record “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”, which raised millions of pounds for famine relief in Ethiopia. Since then, the Christmas number one single has become a staple of British popular culture, with many artists and bands vying for the top spot each year.

The Strategies Used to Win

So what makes an artist or band successful when it comes to winning the Christmas number one single? According to Martin Talbot, boss of the Official Chart Company, the key is to release a song with confidence and a strategy. It’s not just about producing a catchy tune; it’s also about marketing and promoting your music effectively. “If you’re going to try and win the Christmas number one single,” Talbot says, “you need to go early, because people are buying physical or download sales that count for much more than streams in the chart.” This is why many artists and record labels release their festive songs in late October or early November, giving them a head start in the charts.

The Role of Charity Records

Charity records have traditionally done well in the Christmas number one single stakes. In 2014, the charity single “Food for Fun” by Children in Need topped the charts, raising over £1 million for disadvantaged children across the UK. Last year’s winner, “Don’t Stop Believin’ (Stop Crying on the Subway)” by LadBaby and his family, also benefited a good cause – raising money for a food bank in their hometown of Birmingham. While charity records are often seen as more wholesome than commercial ones, they can be just as effective at generating publicity and getting people talking about your music.

The Dark Horse Contenders

This year’s Christmas number one single is shaping up to be a closely contested affair, with several dark horse contenders vying for the top spot. Tom Grennan’s “It Can’t Be Christmas” is currently only available via Amazon Music, which could give it an edge in terms of sales. Meanwhile, Lola Young’s fast-rising song has been getting a lot of attention from music critics and fans alike. And then there are the usual suspects – Gracie Abrams, Rose, and Bruno Mars all have recent hits that could potentially win them the top spot.

The LadBaby Effect

However, not everyone is convinced that the Christmas number one single is still worth winning. James Masterson, a chart expert who has been following the charts for over 20 years, believes that the concept of the Christmas number one single has been “ruined” in recent years due to LadBaby’s dominance. Since 2018, LadBaby – aka Mark Hoyle – has won four out of five Christmas number one singles with his charity records. While this may have raised a lot of money for good causes, Masterson argues that it has also made the competition less competitive and less interesting. “Many record labels have given up trying to win the top spot,” he notes, “and it’s increasingly difficult for artists with genuinely good new seasonal songs to achieve enough momentum to get lucky.”

The Impact on the Music Industry

So what does this mean for the music industry? Will the dominance of LadBaby and his charity records continue indefinitely, or will other contenders emerge to challenge them? And how will the changing landscape of music streaming affect the way we consume and interact with festive music in the future?

It’s also worth considering the broader social implications of the Christmas number one single. While it may seem like a trivial matter, the song that tops the charts can have a profound impact on British popular culture. It can create a sense of shared experience and community among fans, who come together to celebrate their favourite artist or band. And in some cases, it can even raise money for important causes.

In conclusion, the battle for Britain’s favourite festive hit is as fierce as ever this year, with Wham!’s “Last Christmas” currently leading the pack but Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas” hot on its heels. As we count down to December 22nd and the announcement of this year’s winner, one thing is certain – the music industry will be watching with bated breath to see who emerges victorious.

Speculating About the Future

Looking ahead to future years, it’s possible that the landscape of festive music could change significantly. With the rise of streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music, the way we consume and interact with music is already undergoing a transformation. It’s also worth considering how new technologies – such as AI-generated music or virtual reality experiences – might shape the sound and feel of festive music in the years to come.

One thing is certain, however: the Christmas number one single will continue to be an important part of British popular culture for years to come. Whether it’s a charity record, a catchy pop song, or something entirely new and innovative, there’s no denying that the winner of this year’s competition will have made a lasting impact on our shared cultural heritage.

As we reflect on the past and look towards the future, one final question remains: who will be next year’s Christmas number one single? Only time will tell.