The Billboard Christmas charts were very odd ducks. Quoting from the book Joel Whitburn Presents Christmas in the Charts, 1920 to 2004, “From 1963 through 1972 and from 1983 through 1985, Billboard published a seasonal Christmas singles chart and did not chart Christmas singles on the Hot 100.”
There were a couple of exceptions in 1984 when two Christmas songs landed on the Hot 100; one was Do They Know It’s Christmas, #13 pop. I don’t know what the other one was. “The charts varied in size from a low of three to a high of 38 positions. The charts from 1983 to 1985 consisted of 10 positions.”
All of these songs went to #1 on the Christmas charts. They may have previously appeared on pop, country, or rhythm and blues charts. The years designated the first time the songs appeared on this particular list.
Billboard put out a pair of compilations with the songs I marked with * on them.
The Little Drummer Boy*—the Harry Simeone Chorale (1964). We had the single when I was a kid, but it was rerecorded with a slower ending.
Snoopy’s Christmas – the Royal Guardsmen (1967). I have this on an LP.
White Christmas – Andy Williams (1963). I know the song and Andy, but not this combo.
Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer* – Elmo and Patsy (1983). I own the single. This, too, was rerecorded.
Merry Christmas Darling – Carpenters (1970). Only vaguely familiar.
The Christmas Song – Herb Alpert (1968). The album cover is very familiar. Did I own this?
The #1 Christmas singles artist
White Christmas* – Bing Crosby (1969). This is the 1947 remake, not the 1942 original. I own both. Bing is this book’s #2 Christmas album artist, behind Mannheim Steamroller.
Jingle Bell Rock* – Bobby Helms (1969).
The Christmas Song* (Merry Christmas to You) – Nat King Cole (1969)
Blue Christmas* – Elvis Presley (1964)
Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town– the Jackson 5 (1970). Interesting Classic Motown animation; it was on a Billboard R&B CD collection.
Please Come Home For Christmas – Charles Brown (1972). it was on a Billboard R&B CD collection.
Jingle Bells – the Singing Dogs (1972). Not high in my rotation; at least it’s short.
Sleep In Heavenly Peace (Silent Night) – Barbra Streisand (1966). I didn’t know this version.
Step Into Christmas – Elton John (1973). I was unfamiliar with this song.
Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town—Bruce Springsteen (1985). It was included on the first A Very Special Christmas benefit CD in 1987.
Bonus
Chuck’s 2024 CPKC Holiday Train Chase: The Montreal Concert
