As the most wonderful time of the year fills the radio waves and streaming playlists with cheer, The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), a professional membership organization of songwriters, composers and music publishers, has announced both the Top 10 ASCAP New Classic Holiday Songs and the Top 25 ASCAP Holiday Songs for 2023. Celebrating the ASCAP songwriters behind the holiday hits, the lists reflect the number of streams and plays a song receives, including the original recording and the many covers recorded by various artists.
Kelly Clarkson’s “Underneath the Tree,” written with songwriting powerhouse Greg Kurstin, takes the #1 spot on ASCAP’s New Classic Holiday Songs chart as well as a place on the Top 25 Holiday Songs chart. Her hit “Santa, Can't You Hear Me” also makes an appearance on the New Classic chart. Two hot new 2023 chart-toppers join the trending tinsel tunes on the New Classic list: “Wrap Me Up” by Jimmy Fallon, Gian Stone & Meghan Trainor and Cher’s “DJ Play a Christmas Song,” co-written by ASCAP’s Sarah Hudson and Leland.
Brenda Lee’s recording of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” penned by Johnny Marks, shattered records this year by topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart 65 years after its initial release. Also the writer of seasonal standards “A Holly Jolly Christmas” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” Marks earns three of the top 10 spots on the Top 25, making him the ultimate holiday hitmaker.
Meredith Willson’s “It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” captures the anticipation of the season, making it #1 on the Top 25. Mariah Carey’s iconic “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” written alongside acclaimed songwriter-producer Walter Afanasieff, and José Feliciano’s “Feliz Navidad” continue to cement their status on the chart as beloved holiday favorites.
Below are the top 10 most played ASCAP New Classic Holiday Songs of 2023* and the top 25 most played ASCAP Holiday Songs of 2023**, all written, co-written or arranged by ASCAP songwriters and composers. Each song lists ASCAP-licensed songwriter credits and copyright date.
| Listen to the top 10 ASCAP New Classic Holiday Songs here: bit.ly/ASCAPNewHoliday23 THE TOP 10 ASCAP NEW CLASSIC HOLIDAY SONGS OF 2023: “Underneath the Tree” by Kelly Clarkson and Greg Kurstin (2013) “Santa Tell Me” by Savan Kotecha and Ilya Salmanzadeh (2013) “Like It's Christmas” by Gian Stone (2019) “Mistletoe” by Justin Bieber and Adam Messinger (2011) “Snowman” by Greg Kurstin and Sia (2017) “Santa, Can't You Hear Me” by Kelly Clarkson (2021) “Cozy Little Christmas” by Ferras Alqaisi, Katy Perry and Greg Wells (2018) “DJ Play a Christmas Song” by Sarah Hudson and Leland (2023) “Believe” by Glen Ballard (2004) “Wrap Me Up” by Jimmy Fallon, Gian Stone & Meghan Trainor (2023) |
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| Listen to the top 25 ASCAP Holiday Songs here: bit.ly/ASCAPHoliday23 “It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” by Meredith Willson (1951) “A Holly Jolly Christmas” by Johnny Marks (1962) “Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson and Mitchell Parish (1948) “Jingle Bell Rock” by Joseph Carleton Beal and James Ross Boothe (1958) “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow” by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne (1945) “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” by Johnny Marks (1949) “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” by Johnny Marks (1958) “All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Walter Afanasieff and Mariah Carey (1994) “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” by Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie (1934) “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Edward Pola and George Wyle (1963) “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Ralph Blane and Hugh Martin (1944) “Winter Wonderland” by Felix Bernard and Richard B. Smith (1934) “The Christmas Song” by Mel Tormé and Robert Wells (1946) “Frosty the Snowman” by Steve Nelson and Walter E. Rollins (1950) “Feliz Navidad” by José Feliciano (1970) “White Christmas” by Irving Berlin (1941) “Jingle Bells” (Frank Sinatra version), arranged by Gordon Jenkins (1958) “Deck the Halls” (Nat King Cole version), arranged by Nat King Cole and Leland Gillette (1960) “Santa Baby” by Joan Javits, Anthony Springer and Philip Springer (1953) “O Holy Night” (Mariah Carey version), arranged by Walter Afanasieff and Mariah Carey (1994) “Here Comes Santa Claus (Down Santa Claus Lane)” by Gene Autry and Oakley Haldeman (1947) “This Christmas” by Donny Hathaway and Nadine McKinnor (1970) “Silver Bells” by Ray Evans and Jay Livingston (1950) “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” by Dr. Seuss and Albert Hague (1966) “Underneath the Tree” by Kelly Clarkson and Greg Kurstin (2013) |
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