This time of year, you are going to hear seasonally appropriate music. It’s unavoidable. Songs about Christmas, being jolly, snow, and so on; you know, general holiday fanfare. Entire radio stations have ceded their entire existence over to holiday songs. If you go shopping, there are songs you are going to hear over and over. Which song are you going to hear most often, though? We have the answer, and it’s definitely not what you’re thinking.
PlayNetwork, who puts together in-store playlists for 400 brands, unveiled the list of 20 songs that will be played at these stores the most. The song in the No. 2 spot? Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” You may have figured this song to finish atop the charts, and with good reason. It was No. 1 on their list from 1994 until this year. However, the elusive chanteuse has finally had her throne usurped.
The new chart topper? “Wonderful Christmastime” by The Shins. Yes, The Shins have the most played holiday song. That’s a bit of a surprise, because they are far from the most prominent name on the list. Even if Natalie Portman swore they could change our life, this is a real coup for The Shins.
And yes, if you are wondering, this is a cover of Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime.” Yes, everybody’s least favorite Christmas song. The one that makes people mad at the almost universally beloved Sir Paul. Maybe Carey can take the top spot back next year, for all our sakes.
Here’s the top 20, to help you prepare for your shopping adventures.
1) The Shins “Wonderful Christmastime”
2) Mariah Carey “All I Want For Christmas Is You”
3) Christina Aguilera “Christmas Time”
4) The Waitresses “Christmas Wrapping”
5) Jack Johnson “Someday At Christmas”
6) Kelly Clarkson “Underneath The Tree”
7) Michael Buble “A Holly Jolly Christmas”
8) Bing Crosby “White Christmas”
9) Train “What Christmas Means To Me”
10) Ella Fitzgerald “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”
11) Coldplay “Christmas Lights”
12) Jose Feliciano “Feliz Navidad”
13) Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings “White Christmas”
14) Vince Guaraldi Trio “Christmas Time Is Here”
15) Sam Smith “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”
16) Pentatonix “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)”
17) Paul McCartney “Wonderful Christmastime”
18) She & Him “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”
19) Elvis Presley “Blue Christmas”
20) Darlene Love “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)”
(Via Paste)
