How Much Stars Earn For Their Christmas Songs Each Year?
Christmas is often called the most wonderful time of the year, and for music artists, it can also be the most profitable. A successful Christmas song can generate income year after year, long after its original release. From streaming platforms to radio play and TV use, festive classics continue to earn staggering royalties annually.
While landing the Christmas number one spot helps, many songs that never reached number one still earn impressive figures every year.
How Christmas Song Royalties Work
Christmas music benefits from a unique advantage. Unlike most songs, festive tracks are played repeatedly every year, often across multiple platforms at the same time. This includes radio, streaming services, television, retail spaces, and live performances.
Royalties are generated through:
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Streaming plays
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Radio and TV airplay
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Physical sales
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Public performance licences
For artists who wrote or produced their own songs, these earnings can be especially lucrative.
Mariah Carey and All I Want For Christmas Is You
How much does Mariah Carey earn each year?
Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You is widely regarded as the most successful Christmas song of all time. Although it only peaked at number two in the UK when first released in 1994, it finally reached number one on the Official UK Singles Chart 26 years later.
The song has also broken records by spending over 70 weeks in the UK Top 40, more than any other track in chart history.
Back in 2017, The Economist estimated that Mariah Carey earns around £2 million per year from the song. Later reports from The New York Post, backed by Forbes, increased that estimate to approximately £2.4 million annually.
To date, the song has been streamed over 1.9 billion times on Spotify, with millions of plays recorded in a single day during December. It remains a festive phenomenon and a clear example of how powerful seasonal music can be.
Other Christmas Songs That Earn Huge Annual Royalties
Slade – Merry Xmas Everybody
Slade’s Merry Xmas Everybody earns an estimated £520,000 per year. Lead singer Noddy Holder has famously referred to the song as a pension plan, despite it never being intended as one. Released in 1973, it continues to chart and receive heavy radio play every Christmas.
The song has also broken records by spending over 70 weeks in the UK Top 40, more than any other track in chart history.
Back in 2017, The Economist estimated that Mariah Carey earns around £2 million per year from the song. Later reports from The New York Post, backed by Forbes, increased that estimate to approximately £2.4 million annually.
To date, the song has been streamed over 1.9 billion times on Spotify, with millions of plays recorded in a single day during December. It remains a festive phenomenon and a clear example of how powerful seasonal music can be.
Wham – Last Christmas
Last Christmas by Wham earns around £480,000 per year. Released in 1984, it reached number two in the charts, held off by Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas?.
Following George Michael’s passing on Christmas Day in 2016, the song gained even greater cultural significance and has since become one of the best selling singles never to reach number one.
The Pogues – Fairytale Of New York
Despite controversy around its lyrics, Fairytale Of New York still earns approximately £400,000 per year. The song reached number two in 1987 and remains a staple of festive playlists, even with edited versions used on radio.
Bing Crosby – White Christmas
Recorded in 1942 for the film Holiday Inn, White Christmas still earns around £335,000 annually. It is one of the oldest festive songs still generating substantial royalties and remains a Christmas classic worldwide.
Paul McCartney – Wonderful Christmastime
Sir Paul McCartney earns approximately £310,000 per year from Wonderful Christmastime. As he wrote, performed, and produced the track himself, he receives maximum royalties, making it one of the most profitable solo festive songs.
Wizzard – I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day
Released in 1973, Wizzard’s festive hit earns around £180,000 annually. Roy Wood continues to perform the song, and it regularly returns to the UK charts each Christmas.
Other Notable Christmas Hits and Earnings
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Jona Lewie – Stop The Cavalry earns around £120,000 per year
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East 17 – Stay Another Day earns around £105,000 per year
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Cliff Richard – Mistletoe and Wine earns around £102,000 per year
These figures show that even without hitting number one, a Christmas song can become a long term financial success.
Charity Christmas Number Ones and LadBaby
As of recent years, LadBaby achieved multiple Christmas number one singles, including:
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We Built This City on Sausage Rolls
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I Love Sausage Rolls
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Don’t Stop Me Eatin’
All proceeds were donated to the Trussell Trust, raising significant funds and awareness for food poverty across the UK.
Music That Creates Moments Beyond Christmas
While Christmas songs dominate the charts once a year, music plays an equally important role in weddings. Just as festive classics bring people together every December, the right music can transform a wedding celebration into something truly memorable.
As an Essex wedding DJ, I understand how powerful music is in shaping moments. From the first dance to the final song of the night, a carefully planned playlist creates atmosphere, energy, and lasting memories.
Professional Wedding DJ Services in Essex and Suffolk
Hiring a professional wedding DJ is about more than pressing play. It’s about reading the room, coordinating with your venue, and ensuring the evening flows seamlessly. Through my evening wedding DJ hire, I help couples enjoy a stress free and unforgettable celebration.
Many couples also choose to enhance their evening with venue uplighting, light up letters, a photo booth, or an audio guest book, creating a complete entertainment experience with one trusted supplier.
Book a Trusted Wedding DJ in Essex
If you’re planning your wedding and want music that truly reflects your relationship, I’d love to help. You can explore my services or get in touch via my contact page to discuss your plans and check availability.
Just like the songs that stand the test of time, the right wedding DJ helps create moments you’ll remember forever.