The holidays might look a little different this year, but The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publisher’s top seasonal songs are bringing much-needed comfort and cheer to listeners at home. With holiday music taking over the radio waves earlier than ever, ASCAP, a professional membership organization of songwriters, composers and music publishers, announces the Top 25 ASCAP Holiday Songs of 2020 – a soundtrack to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.
Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (written by Carey and her fellow ASCAP songwriter Walter Afanasieff; published by Universal Music Group Publishing, Sony/ATV, Kobalt Music, Tamal Vista Music) takes the #1 spot as the most-played holiday hit, according to an ASCAP analysis of streaming and terrestrial radio data. Holiday music fans have made the joyous tune more popular every year; it consistently tops the Billboard Holiday 100 Chart and last year became the first holiday song to hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 since 1958. Popularly dubbed the “Queen of Christmas,” 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.”
“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,” said ASCAP Chairman of the Board and President Paul Williams. “It is a true joy to celebrate the talented songwriters behind the music keeping the holiday season bright in these trying times.”
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