Difference between revisions of "Entertainment/UK Christmas number ones"

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Line 10: Line 10:
 
|''Here in My Heart''
 
|''Here in My Heart''
 
|9
 
|9
−
|First UK No 1 based on record sales
+
|First UK No 1 based on record sales
 
|-
 
|-
 
|1953
 
|1953
Line 16: Line 16:
 
|''Answer Me''
 
|''Answer Me''
 
|8
 
|8
−
|was originally titled ''Mütterlein'', with German lyrics. The song was banned by the BBC owing to the religious nature of the lyrics
+
|Originally titled ''Mütterlein'', with German lyrics. The song was banned by the BBC owing to the religious nature of the lyrics
 
|-
 
|-
 
|1954
 
|1954
Line 28: Line 28:
 
|''Christmas Alphabet''
 
|''Christmas Alphabet''
 
|8
 
|8
−
|Real name Richard Maxwell. Opening lyric – “C is for the candy trimmed around the Christmas  tree”
+
|Real name Richard Maxwell. Opening lyric – “C is for the candy trimmed around the Christmas  tree”
 
|-
 
|-
 
|1956
 
|1956
Line 34: Line 34:
 
|''Just Walkin’ in the  Rain''
 
|''Just Walkin’ in the  Rain''
 
|7
 
|7
−
|was written by two prisoners in Nashville
+
|Written by two prisoners in Nashville
 
|-
 
|-
 
|1957
 
|1957
Line 40: Line 40:
 
|''Mary’s Boy Child''
 
|''Mary’s Boy Child''
 
|7
 
|7
−
|was written by Jester Hairston
+
|Written by Jester Hairston in 1956
 
|-
 
|-
 
|1958
 
|1958
Line 46: Line 46:
 
|''It’s Only Make  Believe''
 
|''It’s Only Make  Believe''
 
|5
 
|5
−
|Real name Harold Lloyd Jenkins. US Country singer
+
|Real name Harold Lloyd Jenkins. US Country singer
 
|-
 
|-
 
|1959
 
|1959
Line 52: Line 52:
 
|''What Do You Want to  Make Those Eyes at Me For?''
 
|''What Do You Want to  Make Those Eyes at Me For?''
 
|6
 
|6
−
|Real name Michael Emile Telford Miller. Born in Saint Lucia
+
|Real name Michael Emile Telford Miller. Born in Saint Lucia
 
|-
 
|-
 
|1960
 
|1960
Line 58: Line 58:
 
|''I Love You''
 
|''I Love You''
 
|2
 
|2
−
|Written by Bruce Welch
+
|Written by Bruce Welch
 
|-
 
|-
 
|1961
 
|1961
Line 64: Line 64:
 
|''Moon River''
 
|''Moon River''
 
|2
 
|2
−
|Known as “Britain’s Johnny Mathis”. Song from ''Breakfast at Tiffany’s''
+
|Known as “Britain’s Johnny Mathis”. Song from ''Breakfast at Tiffany’s''
 
|-
 
|-
 
|1962
 
|1962
Line 70: Line 70:
 
|''Return to Sender''
 
|''Return to Sender''
 
|3
 
|3
−
|was performed in the film ''Girls! Girls! Girls!''
+
|Performed in the film ''Girls! Girls! Girls!''
 
|-
 
|-
 
|1963
 
|1963
Line 76: Line 76:
 
|''I Want to Hold Your  Hand''
 
|''I Want to Hold Your  Hand''
 
|5
 
|5
−
|remained in the UK top 50 for 21 weeks
+
|Remained in the UK top 50 for 21 weeks
 
|-
 
|-
 
|1964
 
|1964
Line 112: Line 112:
 
|''Two Little Boys''
 
|''Two Little Boys''
 
|6
 
|6
−
|Written in 1902 and popularised by Harry Lauder
+
|Written in 1902 and popularised by Harry Lauder
 
|-
 
|-
 
|1970
 
|1970
Line 118: Line 118:
 
|''I Hear You Knocking''
 
|''I Hear You Knocking''
 
|6
 
|6
−
|Cover version of a song written in 1955
+
|Cover version of a song written in 1955
 
|-
 
|-
 
|1971
 
|1971
Line 124: Line 124:
 
|''Ernie (The Fastest  Milkman in the West)''
 
|''Ernie (The Fastest  Milkman in the West)''
 
|4
 
|4
−
|Novelty song inspired by Benny Hill’s experience as a milkman
+
|Novelty song inspired by Benny Hill’s experience as a milkman
 
|-
 
|-
 
|1972
 
|1972
Line 130: Line 130:
 
|''Long Haired Lover  from Liverpool''
 
|''Long Haired Lover  from Liverpool''
 
|5
 
|5
−
|Youngest member of The Osmonds, who at age 9 became the youngest chart topper ever
+
|Youngest member of The Osmonds, who at age 9 became the youngest chart topper ever
 
|-
 
|-
 
|1973
 
|1973
Line 190: Line 190:
 
|''Save Your Love''
 
|''Save Your Love''
 
|4
 
|4
−
|UK-based Italian tenor (Renato Pagliari) and English girl (Hilary Lester)
+
|UK-based Italian tenor (Renato Pagliari) and English girl (Hilary Lester)
 
|-
 
|-
 
|1983
 
|1983
Line 202: Line 202:
 
|''Do They Know It’s  Christmas?''
 
|''Do They Know It’s  Christmas?''
 
|5
 
|5
−
|Written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise money for the famine in Ethiopia. Sold a million  copies in the first week and three million copies in total. First line is sung by Paul Young
+
|Written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise money for the famine in Ethiopia. Sold a million  copies in the first week and three million copies in total. First line is sung by Paul Young
 
|-
 
|-
 
|1985
 
|1985
Line 208: Line 208:
 
|''Merry Christmas  Everyone''
 
|''Merry Christmas  Everyone''
 
|2
 
|2
−
|Real name Michael Barrett
+
|Real name Michael Barrett
 
|-
 
|-
 
|1986
 
|1986
Line 226: Line 226:
 
|''Mistletoe and Wine''
 
|''Mistletoe and Wine''
 
|4
 
|4
−
|First solo No 1 for  nine years. Written for a musical called ''Scraps'', which was an adaptation of ''The Little Match Girl''
+
|First solo No 1 for  nine years. Written for a musical called ''Scraps'', which was an adaptation of ''The Little Match Girl''
 
|-
 
|-
 
|1989
 
|1989
Line 242: Line 242:
 
|1991
 
|1991
 
|Queen
 
|Queen
−
|''Bohemian Rhapsody /  There Are the Days of Our Lives''
+
|''Bohemian Rhapsody /  These Are the Days of Our Lives''
 
|5
 
|5
 
|Re-issue of the 1975  hit, following the death of Freddie Mercury
 
|Re-issue of the 1975  hit, following the death of Freddie Mercury
Line 268: Line 268:
 
|''Earth Song''
 
|''Earth Song''
 
|6
 
|6
−
|Presented as a world conservation statement
+
|Presented as a world conservation statement
 
|-
 
|-
 
|1996
 
|1996
Line 274: Line 274:
 
|''2 Become 1''
 
|''2 Become 1''
 
|3
 
|3
−
|Third single released by Spice Girls
+
|Third single released by the Spice Girls
 
|-
 
|-
 
|1997
 
|1997
Line 286: Line 286:
 
|''Goodbye''
 
|''Goodbye''
 
|1
 
|1
−
|First song following the departure of Geri Halliwell
+
|First song following the departure of Geri Halliwell
 
|-
 
|-
 
|1999
 
|1999
Line 292: Line 292:
 
|''I Have a Dream /  Seasons in the Sun''
 
|''I Have a Dream /  Seasons in the Sun''
 
|4
 
|4
−
|''I Have a Dream'' is a cover version of an ABBA song. ''Seasons in the Sun'' is the cover of a hit for Terry Jacks
+
|''I Have a Dream'' is a cover version of an ABBA song. ''Seasons in the Sun'' is the cover of a hit for Terry Jacks
 
|-
 
|-
 
|2000
 
|2000
Line 316: Line 316:
 
|''Mad World''
 
|''Mad World''
 
|3
 
|3
−
|Cover version of the Tears for Fears song. Recorded for the soundtrack of ''Donnie Darko''
+
|Cover version of the Tears for Fears song. Recorded for the soundtrack of ''Donnie Darko''
 
|-
 
|-
 
|2004
 
|2004
Line 322: Line 322:
 
|''Do They Know It’s  Christmas?''
 
|''Do They Know It’s  Christmas?''
 
|4
 
|4
−
|First line is sung by Chris Martin
+
|First line is sung by Chris Martin
 
|-
 
|-
 
|2005
 
|2005
Line 328: Line 328:
 
|''That’s My Goal''
 
|''That’s My Goal''
 
|4
 
|4
−
|Winner of the second series of ''The X Factor''
+
|Winner of the second series of ''The X Factor''
 
|-
 
|-
 
|2006
 
|2006
Line 334: Line 334:
 
|''A Moment Like This''
 
|''A Moment Like This''
 
|4
 
|4
−
|Winner of the third series of ''The X Factor''. Cover of a Kelly Clarkson song
+
|Winner of the third series of ''The X Factor''. Cover of a Kelly Clarkson song
 
|-
 
|-
 
|2007
 
|2007
Line 340: Line 340:
 
|''When You Believe''
 
|''When You Believe''
 
|3
 
|3
−
|Winner of the fourth series of ''The X Factor''. Cover of a Stephen Schwartz song from ''The  Prince of Egypt''
+
|Winner of the fourth series of ''The X Factor''. Cover of a Stephen Schwartz song from ''The  Prince of Egypt''
 
|-
 
|-
 
|2008
 
|2008
Line 346: Line 346:
 
|''Hallelujah''
 
|''Hallelujah''
 
|3
 
|3
−
|Winner of the fifth series of ''The X Factor''. Cover of a Leonard Cohen song
+
|Winner of the fifth series of ''The X Factor''. Cover of a Leonard Cohen song
 
|-
 
|-
 
|2009
 
|2009
Line 352: Line 352:
 
|''Killing in the Name''
 
|''Killing in the Name''
 
|1
 
|1
−
|Result of a campaign to prevent the winner of ''The X Factor'' (Joe McElderry) from achieving  the No 1 single. First download-only single to become the Christmas No 1
+
|Result of a campaign to prevent the winner of ''The X Factor'' (Joe McElderry) from achieving  the No 1 single. First download-only single to become the Christmas No 1
 
|-
 
|-
 
|2010
 
|2010
Line 358: Line 358:
 
|''When We Collide''
 
|''When We Collide''
 
|3
 
|3
−
|Winner of the seventh series of ''The X Factor''. Studio version of ''Many of Horror'' by  Biffy Clyro
+
|Winner of the seventh series of ''The X Factor''. Studio version of ''Many of Horror'' by  Biffy Clyro
 
|-
 
|-
 
|2011
 
|2011
Line 370: Line 370:
 
|''He Ain’t Heavy, He’s  My Brother''
 
|''He Ain’t Heavy, He’s  My Brother''
 
|1
 
|1
−
|for various charities associated with the Hillsborough disaster
+
|Proceeds went to various charities associated with the Hillsborough disaster
 
|-
 
|-
 
|2013
 
|2013
Line 376: Line 376:
 
|''Skyscraper''
 
|''Skyscraper''
 
|1
 
|1
−
|Winner of the tenth series of ''The X Factor''. Cover of a Demi Lovato song
+
|Winner of the tenth series of ''The X Factor''. Cover of a Demi Lovato song
 
|-
 
|-
 
|2014
 
|2014
Line 382: Line 382:
 
|''Something I Need''
 
|''Something I Need''
 
|1
 
|1
−
|Winner of the eleventh series of ''The X Factor''. Cover of a song by OneRepublic
+
|Winner of the eleventh series of ''The X Factor''. Cover of a song by OneRepublic
 
|-
 
|-
 
|2015
 
|2015
Line 394: Line 394:
 
|''Rockabye''
 
|''Rockabye''
 
|9
 
|9
−
|The song alludes to the nursery rhyme and lullaby, ''Rock-a-bye Baby''
+
|The song alludes to the nursery rhyme and lullaby, ''Rock-a-bye Baby''
 
|-
 
|-
 
|2017
 
|2017
Line 406: Line 406:
 
|''We Built This City''
 
|''We Built This City''
 
|1
 
|1
−
|Mark Hoyle and his wife Roxanne. Proceeds from the charity single went to The Trussell Trust.  Parody cover of ''We Built This City'' by Starship
+
|Mark Hoyle and his wife Roxanne. Proceeds from the charity single went to The Trussell Trust.  Parody cover of ''We Built This City'' by Starship
 
|-
 
|-
 
|2019
 
|2019
Line 424: Line 424:
 
|''Sausage Rolls for  Everyone''
 
|''Sausage Rolls for  Everyone''
 
|1
 
|1
−
|Based on ''Merry Christmas'', which became a chart-topper for featured artists Ed Sheeran and Elton John in December  2021
+
|Based on ''Merry Christmas'', which became a chart-topper for featured artists Ed Sheeran and Elton John in December  2021
 
|-
 
|-
 
|2022
 
|2022
Line 431: Line 431:
 
|1
 
|1
 
|Based on ''Do They  Know It's Christmas?'' and featured Martin Lewis. Half of the money raised  went to the Trussell Trust and the other half to the Band Aid Trust
 
|Based on ''Do They  Know It's Christmas?'' and featured Martin Lewis. Half of the money raised  went to the Trussell Trust and the other half to the Band Aid Trust
 +
|-
 +
|2023
 +
|Wham!
 +
|''Last Christmas''
 +
|4
 +
|Originally released in 1984. Whamageddon is a game in which players try to go from 1 December to the end of 24 December without hearing ''Last Christmas''
 +
|-
 +
|2024
 +
|Wham!
 +
|''Last Christmas''
 +
|3
 +
|First song to be Christmas number one in consecutive years
 
|}
 
|}
 +
The UK Singles Chart began in 1952 in the ''New Musical Express''
 +
 +
LadBaby are the only act with five Christmas number ones
 +
 +
The Beatles are the only act with four Christmas number ones
 +
 +
Biggest-selling songs – 1<sup>st</sup> ''Do They Know It’s Christmas?'' 2<sup>nd</sup> ''Bohemian Rhapsody'' 3<sup>rd</sup> ''Mull of Kintyre'' / ''Girls’ School''
 +
 +
The first song to get the Christmas Number one twice by the same artist was ''Bohemian Rhapsody''
 +
 +
''Mary's Boy Child'' is the only song to be Christmas number one for two artists
 +
 +
''I Will Always Love You'' is the only song to be Christmas number one that remained in the top position for ten weeks
 +
 +
''Last Christmas'' is the only song to be Christmas number one in consecutive years

Latest revision as of 18:15, 17 January 2025

Act Title Weeks at No 1
1952 Al Martino Here in My Heart 9 First UK No 1 based on record sales
1953 Frankie Laine Answer Me 8 Originally titled Mütterlein, with German lyrics. The song was banned by the BBC owing to the religious nature of the lyrics
1954 Winifred Atwell Let’s Have Another Party 8 Pianist born in Trinidad
1955 Dickie Valentine Christmas Alphabet 8 Real name Richard Maxwell. Opening lyric – “C is for the candy trimmed around the Christmas tree”
1956 Johnnie Ray Just Walkin’ in the Rain 7 Written by two prisoners in Nashville
1957 Harry Belafonte Mary’s Boy Child 7 Written by Jester Hairston in 1956
1958 Conway Twitty It’s Only Make Believe 5 Real name Harold Lloyd Jenkins. US Country singer
1959 Emile Ford & The Checkmates What Do You Want to Make Those Eyes at Me For? 6 Real name Michael Emile Telford Miller. Born in Saint Lucia
1960 Cliff Richard & the Shadows I Love You 2 Written by Bruce Welch
1961 Danny Williams Moon River 2 Known as “Britain’s Johnny Mathis”. Song from Breakfast at Tiffany’s
1962 Elvis Presley Return to Sender 3 Performed in the film Girls! Girls! Girls!
1963 The Beatles I Want to Hold Your Hand 5 Remained in the UK top 50 for 21 weeks
1964 The Beatles I Feel Fine 5
1965 The Beatles Day Tripper / We Can Work It Out 5
1966 Tom Jones Green, Green Grass of Home 7 Written by Curly Putman
1967 The Beatles Hello, Goodbye 7
1968 The Scaffold Lily the Pink 4 Novelty song by Liverpool folk group. Based on a song titled The Ballad of Lydia Pinkham
1969 Rolf Harris Two Little Boys 6 Written in 1902 and popularised by Harry Lauder
1970 Dave Edmunds I Hear You Knocking 6 Cover version of a song written in 1955
1971 Benny Hill Ernie (The Fastest Milkman in the West) 4 Novelty song inspired by Benny Hill’s experience as a milkman
1972 Jimmy Osmond Long Haired Lover from Liverpool 5 Youngest member of The Osmonds, who at age 9 became the youngest chart topper ever
1973 Slade Merry Xmas Everybody 5 First year that groups released festive songs to try and reach the top of the charts at Christmas
1974 Mud Lonely This Christmas 4 Written by Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn
1975 Queen Bohemian Rhapsody 9 UK's third best-selling single of all time
1976 Johnny Mathis When a Child is Born (Soleado) 3 Soleado was the original melody
1977 Wings Mull of Kintyre / Girls’ School 9 First No 1 for Paul McCartney since he was a Beatle. First single to sell over two million copies nationwide
1978 Boney M Mary’s Boy Child – Oh My Lord 4 Cover of Harry Belafonte's 1957 song, put in medley with the new song Oh My Lord
1979 Pink Floyd Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2) 5 Features children from Islington Green School
1980 St Winifred’s School Choir There’s No One Quite Like Grandma 2 Choir from a Stockport primary school
1981 The Human League Don’t You Want Me 5 New Romantic band
1982 Renee and Renato Save Your Love 4 UK-based Italian tenor (Renato Pagliari) and English girl (Hilary Lester)
1983 The Flying Pickets Only You 5 A cappella group. Cover version of the song by Yazoo
1984 Band Aid Do They Know It’s Christmas? 5 Written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise money for the famine in Ethiopia. Sold a million copies in the first week and three million copies in total. First line is sung by Paul Young
1985 Shakin’ Stevens Merry Christmas Everyone 2 Real name Michael Barrett
1986 Jackie Wilson Reet Petite 4 Originally released in 1957. Wilson died in 1984
1987 Pet Shop Boys Always on My Mind 4 Cover version of a 1972 song that was a hit for Elvis Presley
1988 Cliff Richard Mistletoe and Wine 4 First solo No 1 for nine years. Written for a musical called Scraps, which was an adaptation of The Little Match Girl
1989 Band Aid II Do They Know It’s Christmas? 3 Produced by Stock Aitken Waterman. First line is sung by Kylie Minogue. Cliff Richard was also a singer on the record
1990 Cliff Richard Saviour’s Day 2
1991 Queen Bohemian Rhapsody / These Are the Days of Our Lives 5 Re-issue of the 1975 hit, following the death of Freddie Mercury
1992 Whitney Houston I Will Always Love You 10 Included on the soundtrack of The Bodyguard. No 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for a then-record-breaking 14 weeks
1993 Mr Blobby Mr Blobby 3 Novelty song performed by the character from Noel's House Party. Often ranked as the worst Christmas No 1 in history
1994 East 17 Stay Another Day 5
1995 Michael Jackson Earth Song 6 Presented as a world conservation statement
1996 Spice Girls 2 Become 1 3 Third single released by the Spice Girls
1997 Spice Girls Too Much 2
1998 Spice Girls Goodbye 1 First song following the departure of Geri Halliwell
1999 Westlife I Have a Dream / Seasons in the Sun 4 I Have a Dream is a cover version of an ABBA song. Seasons in the Sun is the cover of a hit for Terry Jacks
2000 Bob the Builder Can We Fix It? 3 Theme song from the preschool TV programme Bob the Builder. Vocals on the song are provided by Neil Morrissey
2001 Robbie Williams & Nicole Kidman Somethin’ Stupid 3 Cover of a song written by C. Carson Parks and made famous by Frank and Nancy Sinatra
2002 Girls Aloud Sound of the Underground 4 First year that the competition for the Christmas No 1 was dominated by reality television contests. Girls Aloud was created through Popstars: The Rivals and the record was released on 16 December
2003 Michael Andrews & Gary Jules Mad World 3 Cover version of the Tears for Fears song. Recorded for the soundtrack of Donnie Darko
2004 Band Aid 20 Do They Know It’s Christmas? 4 First line is sung by Chris Martin
2005 Shayne Ward That’s My Goal 4 Winner of the second series of The X Factor
2006 Leona Lewis A Moment Like This 4 Winner of the third series of The X Factor. Cover of a Kelly Clarkson song
2007 Leon Jackson When You Believe 3 Winner of the fourth series of The X Factor. Cover of a Stephen Schwartz song from The Prince of Egypt
2008 Alexandra Burke Hallelujah 3 Winner of the fifth series of The X Factor. Cover of a Leonard Cohen song
2009 Rage Against the Machine Killing in the Name 1 Result of a campaign to prevent the winner of The X Factor (Joe McElderry) from achieving the No 1 single. First download-only single to become the Christmas No 1
2010 Matt Cardle When We Collide 3 Winner of the seventh series of The X Factor. Studio version of Many of Horror by Biffy Clyro
2011 Military Wives with Gareth Malone Wherever You Are 1 Charity record
2012 The Justice Collective He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother 1 Proceeds went to various charities associated with the Hillsborough disaster
2013 Sam Bailey Skyscraper 1 Winner of the tenth series of The X Factor. Cover of a Demi Lovato song
2014 Ben Haenow Something I Need 1 Winner of the eleventh series of The X Factor. Cover of a song by OneRepublic
2015 Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Choir A Bridge Over You 1 Charity record
2016 Clean Bandit ft. Sean Paul and Anne-Marie Rockabye 9 The song alludes to the nursery rhyme and lullaby, Rock-a-bye Baby
2017 Ed Sheeran Perfect 6
2018 LadBaby We Built This City 1 Mark Hoyle and his wife Roxanne. Proceeds from the charity single went to The Trussell Trust. Parody cover of We Built This City by Starship
2019 LadBaby I Love Sausage Rolls 1 Parody cover of I Love Rock 'n' Roll by Alan Merrill
2020 LadBaby Don’t Stop Me Eatin’ 1 Parody cover of Don't Stop Believin' by Journey
2021 LadBaby ft. Ed Sheeran and Elton John Sausage Rolls for Everyone 1 Based on Merry Christmas, which became a chart-topper for featured artists Ed Sheeran and Elton John in December 2021
2022 LadBaby Food Aid 1 Based on Do They Know It's Christmas? and featured Martin Lewis. Half of the money raised went to the Trussell Trust and the other half to the Band Aid Trust
2023 Wham! Last Christmas 4 Originally released in 1984. Whamageddon is a game in which players try to go from 1 December to the end of 24 December without hearing Last Christmas
2024 Wham! Last Christmas 3 First song to be Christmas number one in consecutive years

The UK Singles Chart began in 1952 in the New Musical Express

LadBaby are the only act with five Christmas number ones

The Beatles are the only act with four Christmas number ones

Biggest-selling songs – 1st Do They Know It’s Christmas? 2nd Bohemian Rhapsody 3rd Mull of Kintyre / Girls’ School

The first song to get the Christmas Number one twice by the same artist was Bohemian Rhapsody

Mary's Boy Child is the only song to be Christmas number one for two artists

I Will Always Love You is the only song to be Christmas number one that remained in the top position for ten weeks

Last Christmas is the only song to be Christmas number one in consecutive years

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