‘All I Want…’ Is ASCAP’s Top 25 Holiday Songs
• The holidays might look and feel a little different this year, but The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP)’s top seasonal songs are bringing much-needed comfort and cheer to listeners at home. With holiday music taking over the radio earlier than ever, ASCAP went ahead and announced the Top 25 ASCAP Holiday Songs of 2020, and not surprisingly, Mariah Carey‘s eternally popular “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (written by Carey and fellow ASCAP songwriter Walter Afanasieff) takes the No. 1 spot as the most-played holiday hit, according to an ASCAP analysis of streaming and terrestrial radio data. The song consistently tops the Billboard Holiday 100 chart and last year became the first holiday song to hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 since 1958.
Carey shared a special holiday message to fans about the song on @ASCAP on Instagram, saying, “I’m deeply grateful… and just so thankful that it is still bringing joy to so many people around the world and I know that we need that more than ever right now.” In a brief video, Carey added, “Thanks to all of our friends at radio for helping to make this happen!”
José Feliciano‘s bilingual classic “Feliz Navidad” returns to the top 25 yet again as it celebrates an incredible 50 years as a holiday favorite. In a brief video, Feliciano also thanked radio, saying, “There’s no greater reward than writing a song that has become everybody’s Christmas anthem.” He added, “I want to thank all of you for making Feliz Navidad a part of your life, and I want to thank radio for its success.”
In honor of this remarkable half-century milestone, Feliciano recently released a star-studded re-recording, retitled “Feliz Navidad 50th Anniversary (FN50),” produced by Grammy award winner Rudy Pérez, the new version of the timeless tune features 30 artists including Lin-Manuel Miranda, Shaggy, Gloria Gaynor, Big & Rich, Styx, Sam Moore, Los Temerarios, Emmanuel, Pitingo, Jesús Molina, Bertín Osborne, Pablo Montero, El Dasa, Gord Bamford, Leo Dan and Patricia Manterola.
ASCAP Chairman of the Board and President Paul Williams said, “It’s never too early for holiday music. And now more than ever, the world needs to be reminded of the hopeful spirit of the season and the cherished memories that these classic songs inspire. It’s a true joy to celebrate the talented songwriters behind the music keeping the holiday season bright in these trying times.”
• The complete list of ASCAP’s 25-Most-Played Holiday Songs of 2020 is posted at ascap.com.
