MARIAH CAREY released “All I Want for Christmas Is You” in 1994 . . . and according to reports, every year since then, it’s been the most-played track in stores during the holiday season. So if you’ve worked in retail over the past 20 years, there’s a good chance it’s your LEAST favorite Christmas song. But this year, Mariah is no longer the top dog. A company called PlayNetwork compiles the playlists for tons of stores like Converse, Forever 21, Vans, Levi’s, Marc Jacobs, and Urban Outfitters. And they just put out a list of the 20 songs that will be most-played this holiday season. Mariah is still #2 . . . but she’s been dethroned at the top by a cover of Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime” by THE SHINS. (???) McCartney’s original version came in at #17. Here’s the list:
- “Wonderful Christmastime”, The Shins
- “All I Want for Christmas Is You”, Mariah Carey
- “Christmas Time”, Christina Aguilera
- “Christmas Wrapping”, The Waitresses
- “Someday at Christmas”, Jack Johnson
- “Underneath the Tree”, Kelly Clarkson
- “A Holly Jolly Christmas”, Michael Bublé
- “White Christmas”, Bing Crosby
- “What Christmas Means to Me”, Train
- “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”, Ella Fitzgerald
- “Christmas Lights”, Coldplay
- “Feliz Navidad”, Jose Feliciano
- “White Christmas”, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings
- “Christmas Time Is Here”, The Vince Guaraldi Trio
- “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”, Sam Smith
- “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)”, Pentatonix
- “Wonderful Christmastime”, Paul McCartney
- “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”, She & Him
- “Blue Christmas”, Elvis Presley
- “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)”, Darlene Love