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How Much Stars Earn For Their Christmas Songs Each Year?

DJ Samuel Hann

The greatest time of the year is Christmas, especially if you are an artist. A Christmas number 1 can mean year after year your song is played and the royalties can be immense.


Mariah Carey - "All I Want For Christmas Is You" peaked at number 2 when it was released. it was pipped by East 17 - "Stay Another Day". But finally it reaches Number 1 on the Official UK Singles Chart 26 years after its release this year. This year it also broke another record by being in the top 40 for 70 weeks which is more than any other song in chart history.

mariah carey


But how much does Mariah earn every year from this hit?


Back in 2017, The Economist estimated that Mariah Carey jingles her way to around £2 million a year from "All I Want For Christmas Is You." But wait, The New York Post threw a snowball and upped the figure to £2.4 million, backed by Forbes.


That’s right—£2.4 million every single year for a song she wrote over 20 years ago. Talk about the gift that keeps on giving!


And if that wasn’t enough to make your stockings drop, Carey reportedly earned a sleigh-load of cash—around £48 million—when the song first hit the charts.


Fast forward to 2024, and it looks like Mariah is set to deck the halls with even more dollar signs this Christmas. Her iconic hit is already back on the Billboard Top 100, jingling all the way to number 16. And the streams? Let’s just say they’re snowballing fast.


My Stream Count says the song has been streamed a mind-boggling 1,932,308,531 times on Spotify. And this year alone? On December 1, it racked up a frosty 8,211,035 plays in just one day.

Is Mariah secretly looping it on Spotify herself, or are people just jumping into the Christmas spirit extra early? Either way, one thing’s for sure—Carey won’t be losing sleep over her heating bill this winter. Or her next 50 winters, for that matter.



Slade - "Merry Xmas Everybody" taking a massive £520,000 a year.

Noddy Holder (Lead Singer) said "it's definitely a pension plan, yes. it was never designed to be that way but it has taken a life of its own".


noddy

So who next ? You may be surprised. Its Wham with "Last Christmas" with £480,000 per year.

The lead singer George Michael died on Christmas Day 2016 and on its release in 1984 also only reached number 2, beaten by Band Aids track "Do They Know It's Christmas?" Now making it the greatest selling single not to make it to the number 1 spot. But the epic jumpers in the video may be the reason for the yearly trend of garish xmas jumpers which we are ever thankful for and raises thousands for charity each year on christmas jumper days.


wham

Next up is a controversial track by The Pogues - "Fairytale Of New York" with a great £400,000 a year.

However this year became headlines because BBC Radio 1 stated they will not play the original version this Christmas, because its audience may be offended by some of the lyrics. Again this track only reached number 2 in 1987 beaten surprisingly by Pet Shop Boys' cover of "Always on My Mind".


pogues

Next Bing Crosby - "White Christmas" with a whopping £335,000 a year.

This was recorded in 1942 for the film "Holiday Inn" a classic film repeated each year for the festive period.


Now we come to Sir Paul McCartney's "Wonderful ChristmasTime" royalties reaching £310,000 per year.

Released in 1979 Sir Paul wrote, performed and produced the song including the instruments, meaning he receives maximum royalties.


sir paul

Wizzard is next on the list with "I Wish it Could Be Christmas Every Day" dropping down to £180,000 per year.

Released in 1973 Roy Wood still performs the track today. Again he wrote and produced the track which makes it to the top 40 nearly every year still.


wizard

The next few hits and their tracks include:



Lewie - "Stop The Cavalry" with £120,000 per year, released in 1980.


East 17 - "Stay Another Day" with £105,000 per year, released in 1994.


east 17

Cliff Richard - "Mistletoe and Wine" with £102,000 per year, released in 1988.


So as you can see clinching the number 1 spot for christmas can mean some big paychecks every year and a tidy little pension fund. But not reaching number 1 doesn't mean you will not make a festive classic and still earn a fortune each year.


ladbaby

As of my last update in January 2022, Ladbaby, a British YouTuber couple consisting of Mark and Roxanne Hoyle, had achieved three consecutive Christmas number one singles in the UK charts. These singles were:

  1. "We Built This City... on Sausage Rolls" in 2018

  2. "I Love Sausage Rolls" in 2019

  3. "Don't Stop Me Eatin'" in 2020

The proceeds from these singles were donated to charity, specifically to the Trussell Trust, a UK-based charity fighting hunger and poverty. The exact amount earned from these singles for charity wasn't always publicly disclosed in detail, but it's known that they raised substantial sums for the Trussell Trust and brought significant awareness to the issue of food poverty in the UK.



While the allure of Christmas number ones and the financial success they bring is undeniable, there's another realm where music holds profound significance – weddings. Just as Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" resonates with festive joy, a skilled wedding DJ like Samuel Hann can transform your special day into a harmonious symphony of love and celebration.


Hiring a professional DJ isn't just about playing music; it's about curating an experience that reflects the essence of your relationship. Much like the iconic tunes that define the holiday season, Samuel Hann, an Essex wedding DJ, understands the importance of crafting a playlist that tells your unique love story. With his expertise in reading the crowd and creating seamless transitions, he ensures that every moment, from the ceremony to the reception, is infused with melody and magic.


As you dance the night away with your loved ones, Samuel Hann's infectious energy and personalized approach elevate the ambiance, leaving a lasting impression on all who attend. Whether it's a sentimental ballad for your first dance or an upbeat track to get everyone on their feet, his dedication to exceeding expectations shines through in every song selection.


So, as you plan the details of your wedding day, consider the invaluable role that a professional DJ plays in setting the tone for your celebration. With Samuel Hann, the Essex wedding DJ, behind the turntables, you can rest assured that your special day will be filled with unforgettable moments and timeless melodies.


Ready to elevate your wedding experience? Visit DJ Samuel Hann's website to learn more about his services and how he can help bring your musical vision to life.





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