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Digital Age Reveals Number One Christmas Carol
09/12/2009
Digital Age Reveals Number One Carol | Christmas Hits Of The Noughties Announced
O Holy Night, composed in the 19th century by Adolphe Adam and Placide Cappeau, is revealed as the best-selling carol of all time, the Official Charts Company announces today, as it publishes its first ever Official Carols Chart.
“Carols are not generally released as singles” explained Martin Talbot, Official Charts Company MD, “It has only been with the advent of the download that consumers have been able to cherry pick tracks from digital albums and reveal their favourites.
“The fact that O Holy Night has beaten more familiar carols such as Silent Night and Away In A Manger is something of a surprise, although its success is driven by the fact that popular mainstream singers such as Celine Dion, Aled Jones and Katherine Jenkins have recorded new versions over recent years.”
The full chart, which combines all recordings of the individual carols, is as follows:
The Official Carols Chart (Digital Downloads Only)
1. Oh Holy Night
2. Stille Nacht/Silent Night
3. Once In Royal David’s City
4. Away In A Manger
5. In The Bleak Midwinter
6. Ding Dong Merrily On High
7. The First Nowell
8. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
9. The Holly And The Ivy
10. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
11. God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman
12. O Come All Ye Faithful
13. I Saw Three Ships
14. Coventry Carol
15. Sussex Carol (On Christmas Night)
16. While Shepherds Watched
17. Do You Hear What I Hear
18. Nativity Carol
19. Gabriel’s Message
20. Good King Wenceslas
The Official Top 20 Christmas Singles Of The Noughties is also published today, listing the best-selling Christmas-themed singles of the decade. The two best-selling titles were both released within the decade. But again, the oldies make their mark. No less than seven of the Top 20 tracks (highlighted below) were first released over twenty years ago.
The Official Top 20 Christmas Singles Of The Noughties (digital and physical formats):
Pos. Title Artist Year of first release
1. Do They Know It’s Christmas Band Aid 20 2004
2. Christmas Time (Don’t Let The Bells End) Darkness 2003
3. Fairytale Of New York Feat. Kirsty Maccoll The Pogues 1987
4. All I Want For Christmas Is You Mariah Carey 1994
5. Proper Crimbo Bo Selecta 2003
6. What Hurts The Most/Last Christmas Cascada 2007
7. Last Christmas Wham! 1984
8. Happy Xmas (War Is Over) Idols 2003
9. I Believe In Christmas Tweenies 2001
10. Puppy Love/Sleigh Ride S Club Juniors 2002
11. Snow (Hey Oh) Red Hot Chili 2006
Peppers
12. Once Upon A Christmas Song Geraldine 2008
13. Merry Christmas Everybody Slade 1973
14. The Power Of Love Frankie Goes 1984
To Hollywood
15. Merry Christmas Everyone Shakin’ Stevens 1985
16. I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday Wizard 1973
17. Santa’s List Cliff Richard 2003
18. Do They Know It’s Christmas Band Aid 1984
19. Bing Bang (Time To Dance) Lazy Town 2006
20. Jingle Bells/U Can’t Touch This Crazy Frog 2005
Notes to Editors:
1. Chart information quoted from this release must be credited to The Official Charts Company
2. The Official Charts Company (OCC) is a joint venture between record labels’ body the BPI and ERA, the Entertainment Retailers Association. The OCC is responsible for the commissioning, marketing, distribution and management of the UK’s industry standard music and video charts and is endorsed by the BVA (British Video Association).
3. The Official Charts Company compiles its charts from sales information gathered across all key distribution (or entertainment) channels including all major high street retail chains, independent stores, supermarkets, mail order internet retailers and digital music service providers. This market research sample equates to 99% of the total UK Singles market; 98% of the total UK Albums market and 90% of the total UK DVD market.
For further information contact:
Amy Howard, Official Charts Company.
: 01480 860 530 M. 07768 891 264
E: amy@theofficialcharts.com
www.theofficialcharts.com
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