Kelly Clarkson, Katy Perry, & More Light Up the Top 10 ASCAP New Classic Holiday Songs Chart

With the holidays in full swing, The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), a professional membership organization of songwriters, composers and music publishers, unwraps the ultimate soundtrack for the season. Celebrating the songwriters behind the latest trending tinsel tunes and cherished seasonal standards alike, ASCAP has the Top 10 ASCAP New Classic Holiday Songs and the Top 25 ASCAP Holiday Songs for 2024. 

For the second year in a row, Kelly Clarkson’s “Underneath the Tree,” co-written with acclaimed hitmaker Greg Kurstin, takes the top spot on ASCAP’s New Classic Holiday Songs chart, which comprises songs released in the last 20 years. Grammy-winning and genre-defying singer-songwriter Laufey’s “Christmas Magic” sparkles as the newest addition to the New Classic chart, captivating holiday listeners alongside Katy Perry’s “Cozy Little Christmas” and Justin Bieber’s “Mistletoe.” 

ASCAP’s seasonal standards continue to delight listeners with "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" by acclaimed Broadway composer Meredith Willson coming in at #1 on ASCAP’s Top 25 Holiday Songs chart. No holiday would be complete without Mariah Carey’s iconic “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” The now classic song, co-written by acclaimed songwriter-producer Walter Afanasieff, turns 30 this year and returns at #8. Another familiar tune on the ASCAP chart, beloved bilingual singalong “Feliz Navidad” by José Feliciano, continues to shine in the holiday canon at #17.

Johnny Marks’s fireside favorites “A Holly Jolly Christmas,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” take three of the top 25 spots – a feat that defines Marks as the ultimate holiday hitmaker. Originally written between 1949 and 1962, his timeless songs have been covered by countless artists including Kacey Musgraves, Meghan Trainor, DMX, Ingrid Michaelson and Dan + Shay to name a few.

Below are the top 10 most-played ASCAP New Classic Holiday Songs of 2024* and the top 25 most-played ASCAP Holiday Songs of 2024**, all written, co-written or arranged by ASCAP songwriters and composers. Each song is listed with ASCAP-licensed songwriter credits and copyright date.

THE TOP 10 ASCAP NEW CLASSIC HOLIDAY SONGS OF 2024:

1. “Underneath the Tree” by Kelly Clarkson and Greg Kurstin (2013)

2. “Santa Tell Me” by Savan Kotecha and Ilya Salmanzadeh (2013)
3. “Snowman” by Greg Kurstin and Sia (2017)
4. “Mistletoe” by Justin Bieber and Adam Messinger (2011)
5. “Like It's Christmas” by Gian Stone (2019)
6. “Cozy Little Christmas” by Ferras Alqaisi, Katy Perry and Greg Wells (2018)
7. “Santa, Can't You Hear Me” by Kelly Clarkson (2021)
8. “Believe” by Glen Ballard (2004)
9. “Christmas Magic” by Laufey (2024)
10. “Oh Santa!” by Mariah Carey and Jermaine Dupri (2010)

THE TOP 25 ASCAP HOLIDAY SONGS OF 2024:

1. “It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” by Meredith Willson (1951)
2. “Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson and Mitchell Parish (1948)
3. “Jingle Bell Rock” by Joseph Carleton Beal and James Ross Boothe (1958)
4. “A Holly Jolly Christmas” by Johnny Marks (1962)
5. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” by Johnny Marks (1958)
6. “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow” by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne (1945)
7. “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” by Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie (1934)
8. “All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Walter Afanasieff and Mariah Carey (1994)
9. “Winter Wonderland” by Felix Bernard and Richard B. Smith (1934)
10. “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Edward Pola and George Wyle (1963)
11. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Ralph Blane and Hugh Martin (1944)
12. “White Christmas” by Irving Berlin (1941)
13. “Frosty the Snowman” by Steve Nelson and Walter E. Rollins (1950)
14. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” by Johnny Marks (1949)
15. “The Christmas Song” by Mel Tormé and Robert Wells (1946)
16. “Jingle Bells” (Frank Sinatra version), arranged by Gordon Jenkins (1958)
17. “Feliz Navidad” by José Feliciano (1970)
18. “Santa Baby” by Joan Javits, Anthony Springer and Philip Springer (1953)
19. “Here Comes Santa Claus (Down Santa Claus Lane)” by Gene Autry and Oakley Haldeman (1947)
20. “Silver Bells” by Ray Evans and Jay Livingston (1950)
21. “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” by Dr. Seuss and Albert Hague (1966)
22. “This Christmas” by Donny Hathaway and Nadine McKinnor (1970)
23. “Deck the Halls” (Nat King Cole version), arranged by Nat King Cole and Leland Gillette (1960)
24. “Underneath the Tree” by Kelly Clarkson and Greg Kurstin (2013)
25. “Baby It’s Cold Outside” by Frank Loesser (1944)

*Based on an analysis of ASCAP streaming and terrestrial radio data and continued ASCAP membership for songs with a copyright date after 2004.

**Based on an analysis of ASCAP streaming and terrestrial radio data and continued membership in ASCAP.

About ASCAP

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is a membership association of more than one million songwriters, composers and music publishers, and represents some of the world’s most talented music creators. Founded and governed by songwriters, composers and publishers, it is the only performing rights organization in the U.S. that operates on a not-for-profit basis. ASCAP licenses a repertory of over 20 million musical works to hundreds of thousands of businesses that use music, including streaming services, cable television, radio and satellite radio and brick and mortar businesses such as retail stores, hotels, clubs, restaurants and bars. ASCAP collects the licensing fees; identifies, matches and processes trillions of performances every year; and returns nearly 90 cents of every dollar back to its members as royalties. The ASCAP blanket license offers an efficient solution for businesses to legally perform ASCAP music while respecting the right of songwriters and composers to be paid fairly. ASCAP puts music creators first, advocating for their rights and the value of music on Capitol Hill, driving innovation that moves the industry forward, building community and providing the resources and support that creators need to succeed in their careers. Learn more and stay in touch at www.ascap.com, on X and Instagram @ASCAP and on Facebook.

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