The festive season is in full swing, and one of the best ways to set the magical mood is with Christmas soundtracks. From nostalgic singalongs to modern holiday hits, the people of Ireland certainly have their favourites. Research has revealed that music has a strong connection to nostalgia, which is why certain Christmas songs can make us feel like kids again, bringing back happy memories of holidays past.
Virgin Media Ireland has done the hard work for you, analysing top Christmas songs, Spotify streaming data, artist earnings, and Google search volume from November 2023 to October 2024 to reveal the Christmas hits that Ireland just can’t stop listening to.
This year’s list is a mix of timeless classics and pop perfection, showing that the magic of Christmas music never fades. Whether it’s the heartfelt story of Fairytale of New York or the shining anthem of Mariah Carey’s hit, these songs have become a big part of our holiday traditions.
Here’s a closer look at the top 10 Christmas songs of Ireland’s all-time favourites.
Fairytale of New York by The Pogues & Kirsty MacColl is more than just a Christmas song; it’s a cultural treasure in Ireland. With 12,100 monthly searches, it’s clear that this bittersweet ballad remains a firm favourite during the festive season. The song tells a touching yet gritty story of love, dreams, and heartbreak set against the backdrop of Christmas Eve. The song has been streamed over 401 million times on Spotify, earning an impressive €1.4 million for the artists. Whether played at Christmas parties or sung along to in pubs, it’s an essential part of Irish Christmas tradition.
The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole is the musical equivalent of sitting by a cosy fire with family and friends. Known for its signature opening line “Chestnut's roasting on an open fire”—this song is searched 6,600 times a month in Ireland. With over 504 million Spotify streams, it has brought in €1.8 million for the late Nat King Cole’s brand. This classic never goes out of style and continues to create cosy Christmas memories for generations.
Last Christmas by Wham is the ultimate holiday heartbreak anthem. Its catchy melody and bittersweet lyrics capture the ups and downs of love during the festive season. In Ireland, 3,600 people search for it online, while its incredible 1.57 billion Spotify streams have earned a whopping €5.8 million for Wham. Whether you're hosting a mini concert in the car or reminiscing about past romances, this song has a way of sticking with you.
Michael Bublé’s version of Silent Night transforms this classic carol into a serene and soulful experience. With 2,900 monthly searches, Irish listeners clearly find comfort in Bublé’s smooth, rich vocals. The song has been streamed 119.8 million times, earning €445,000 for the Canadian singer. Whether it's playing during mass or while decorating the Christmas tree, Bublé’s version brings a perfect blend of calm and magic to the holiday season.
Jingle Bells by Frank Sinatra is a festive favourite that’s as lively as it is timeless. Its jazzy arrangement and Sinatra’s unmatched charisma make it a standout among Christmas classics. With 2,900 monthly searches, it’s clear this version of Jingle Bells still gets Ireland in the holiday spirit. Its 267 million Spotify streams have earned €993,000 for this legendary singer, proving that Sinatra’s magic never fades. From wrapping presents to baking Christmas pudding, this song fills every holiday moment with fun and energy.
All I Want For Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey is the modern-day queen of Christmas songs. Since its release in 1994, it has become an international favourite, with 2,400 monthly searches in Ireland alone showing its continued popularity. With 1.8 billion Spotify streams, the song has earned a massive €6.9 million for Mariah, solidifying her status as the ultimate Christmas music icon.
Lily Allen’s Somewhere Only We Know offers a gentle and heartfelt addition to Christmas playlists. This stripped-down version of the Keane classic gained fame after its use in a memorable Christmas ad, and it hasn’t left holiday playlists since. In Ireland, 2,400 people search for it, while its 361 million Spotify streams have earned €1.3 million for Lily.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer by Dean Martin brings the classic story of Rudolph to life with charm and style. It’s searched 1,900 times a month in Ireland and is loved by people of all ages. With 185 million Spotify streams, it has earned €689,000 for Dean Martin’s brand.
White Christmas by Bing Crosby is the ultimate holiday classic. With 1,600 monthly searches in Ireland and 498 million streams on Spotify, it has earned €1.8 million in royalties. As the best-selling single of all time, it remains unmatched in spreading Christmas cheer. Whether you're dreaming of a snowy winter wonderland or enjoying a quiet moment by the fire, this song brings the perfect touch of holiday magic.
Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee brings the party to life with its toe-tapping rhythm and cheerful energy. A hit since the 1950s, it’s still searched 1,600 times a month in Ireland, while its 1.05 billion Spotify streams have earned €3.9 million for Brenda. Perfect for Christmas parties, this song never fails to get people in the festive spirit and keep the energy high.
Check out the full list of Ireland's top 40 favourite Christmas songs in the table below:
Song Name
|
Artist
|
Number of Spotify Streams
|
Estimated Earnings
|
Search Volume
|
Fairytale of New York
|
The Pogues & Kirsty MacCol
|
401,694,610
|
€ 1,494,303.95
|
12,100
|
The Christmas Song
|
Nat King Cole
|
504,424,258
|
€ 1,876,458.24
|
6,600
|
Last Christmas
|
Wham
|
1,575,786,249
|
€ 5,861,924.85
|
3,600
|
Silent Night
|
Michael Bublé
|
119,860,350
|
€ 445,880.50
|
2,900
|
Jingle Bells
|
Frank Sinatra
|
267,066,464
|
€ 993,487.25
|
2,900
|
All I Want For Christmas Is You
|
Mariah Carey
|
1,875,905,164
|
€ 6,978,367.21
|
2,400
|
Somewhere Only We Know
|
Lily Allen
|
361,007,631
|
€ 1,342,948.39
|
2400
|
Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
|
Dean Martin
|
185,308,566
|
€ 689,347.87
|
1,900
|
White Christmas
|
Bing Crosby
|
498,948,569
|
€ 1,856,088.68
|
1,600
|
Rockin Around The Christmas Tree
|
Brenda Lee
|
1,050,601,017
|
€ 3,908,235.78
|
1,600
|
Merry Christmas Everyone
|
Shakin' Stevens
|
457,737,766
|
€ 1,702,784.49
|
1,300
|
Driving Home For Christmas
|
Chris Rea
|
526,987,084
|
€ 1,960,391.95
|
1,000
|
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
|
Frank Sinatra
|
121,855,451
|
€ 453,302.28
|
1,000
|
Jingle Bell Rock
|
Bobby Helms
|
998,589,170
|
€ 3,714,751.71
|
1,000
|
Frosty The Snowman
|
The Ronettes
|
101,967,758
|
€ 379,320.06
|
880
|
Let It Snow
|
Dean Martin
|
653,284,268
|
€ 2,430,217.48
|
720
|
Stop The Calvary
|
Jona Lewie
|
90,830,561
|
€ 337,889.69
|
480
|
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
|
Judy Garland
|
171,433,540
|
€ 637,732.77
|
390
|
It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
|
Andy Williams
|
869,496,850
|
€ 3,234,528.28
|
390
|
I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday
|
Wizzard
|
157,986,484
|
€ 587,709.72
|
390
|
Lonely This Christmas
|
Mud
|
98,830,115
|
€ 367,648.03
|
390
|
Stay Another Day
|
East 17
|
63,410,279
|
€ 235,886.24
|
390
|
Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer
|
Elmo & Patsy
|
32,617,882
|
€ 121,338.52
|
320
|
It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
|
Michael Bublé
|
1,028,347,848
|
€ 3,825,453.99
|
260
|
Merry Xmas Everybody
|
Slade
|
152,603,625
|
€ 567,685.48
|
260
|
Step Into Christmas
|
Elton John
|
294,902,599
|
€ 1,097,037.67
|
260
|
Do You Hear What I Hear?
|
Bing Crosby
|
188,806,015
|
€ 702,358.38
|
260
|
Blue Christmas
|
Elvis Presley
|
380,788,129
|
€ 1,416,531.84
|
260
|
Sleigh Ride
|
The Ronettes
|
551,403,965
|
€ 2,051,222.75
|
210
|
One More Sleep
|
Leona Lewis
|
215,264,029
|
€ 800,782.19
|
210
|
All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth
|
Nat King Cole Trio
|
83,724,165
|
€ 311,453.89
|
210
|
Wonderful Christmas Time
|
Paul McCartney
|
506,366,054
|
€ 1,883,681.72
|
170
|
Christmas Time (Don’t Let The Bells End)
|
The Darkness
|
39,611,311
|
€ 147,354.08
|
170
|
Feliz Navidad
|
Jose Feliciano
|
684,812,181
|
€ 2,547,501.31
|
170
|
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
|
The Ronnettes
|
36,653,926
|
€ 136,352.60
|
170
|
A Winter’s Tale
|
David Essex
|
16,054,842
|
€ 59,724.01
|
140
|
Christmas Wrapping
|
The Waitresses
|
37,718,541
|
€ 140,312.97
|
140
|
I Believe In Father Christmas
|
Greg Lake
|
34,073,614
|
€ 126,753.84
|
110
|
A Holly Jolly Christmas
|
Burl Ives
|
460,423,052
|
€ 1,712,773.75
|
110
|
All Alone On Christmas
|
Darlene Love
|
22,749,259
|
€ 84,627.24
|
110
|
These songs help create the perfect festive atmosphere. Whether they bring back happy memories or simply get us into the Christmas spirit, these tunes are loved by many. As we celebrate with family and friends, these songs will continue to be a special part of our Christmas celebrations for years to come.
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Methodology & Sources
Using Google Keyword Planner, we analyzed the number of searches for top Christmas songs from November 2023 to October 2024. The search count represents the total monthly searches over the past year, based on the available data from Google.
For the number of Spotify streams, we used direct data from Spotify.
To estimate earnings, we used a Streaming Royalties Calculator that breaks down royalties by platform.
Raw data can be found here.
