Here's every Christmas number one single ever

20 December 2022, 17:00

Christmas Number 1 singles
Christmas Number 1 singles. Picture: Press

Ever wondered what was topping the charts over the festive period when you were born? Or which act was at the top Christmas ten years ago? Radio X has the full list of Christmas Number 1s.

  1. 2021: Ladbaby ft Ed Sheeran and Elton John - Sausage Rolls For Everyone

    And with that, Ladbaby enter the record books as the first act EVER to have four consecutive Christmas Number 1s!

    LadBaby | Sausage Rolls for Everyone (Official Music Video) - featuring @Ed Sheeran & @Elton John

  2. 2020: Ladbaby - Don't Stop Me Eatin'

    Journey were the next in the sights for the charity sausage roll fans.

    Don’t Stop Me Eatin’ (Official Music Video) - LadBaby

  3. 2019: Ladbaby - I Love Sausage Rolls

    The second of Ladbaby's savoury-based charity singles, this time taking off the Arrows/Joan Jett favourite.

    I Love Sausage Rolls (Official Music Video) - LadBaby

  4. 2018: Ladbaby - We Built This City

    YouTube star Mark Hoyle covered Starship's 1985 rock classic and changed it to We Built This City... On Sausage Rolls. All proceeds went to a food bank charity.

    We Built This City ...on Sausage Rolls (Official Music Video) - LadBaby

  5. 2017: Ed Sheeran - Perfect

    The unstoppable rise of Sheeran continued as he notched up his third chart topper at Christmas 2017. He'd released this track that September, but a reissue that featured Beyoncé had given the song a further boost at the beginning of December.

    Ed Sheeran - Perfect Duet (with Beyoncé) [Official Audio]

  6. 2016 Clean Bandit - Rockabye

    Sean Paul and Anne-Marie join in on this genre-mixing special from the classical crossover pop act.

    Clean Bandit - Rockabye (feat. Sean Paul & Anne-Marie) [Official Video]

  7. 2015: The Lewisham And Greenwich NHS Choir - A Bridge Over You

    Charity mash-up of the Simon And Garfunkel classic and Coldplay’s Fix You.

    NHS Choir - A Bridge Over You #LoveYourNHS 2015 #XmasNo1

  8. 2014: Ben Haenow - Something I Need

    That year’s X-Factor winner, covering a song by One Republic.

    Ben Haenow - Something I Need (Official Video)

  9. 2013: Sam Bailey - Skyscraper

    Another X-Factor winner, this time covering a Demi Lovato hit.

    Sam Bailey - Skyscraper

  10. 2012: The Justice Collective - He’s Ain't Heavy, He’s My Brother

    Macca, Mel C, Robbie Williams, Paloma Faith and more cover The Hollies to raise money for Hillsborough disaster charities.

    The Justice Collective - He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother (2012)

  11. 2011: Military Wives With Gareth Malone - Wherever You Are

    Charity spin-off from the TV series The Choir - it kept Little Mix off the top.

    Wherever You Are (Military Wives with Gareth Malone) Official Video

  12. 2010: Matt Cardle - When We Collide

    X-Factor winner unexpectedly covers Biffy Clyro...

    Matt Cardle - When We Collide (Video)

  13. 2009: Rage Against The Machine - Killing In The Name

    Online campaign against reality TV show winners gets this sweary 90s classic to the top.

    Rage Against The Machine - Killing In the Name

  14. 2008: Alexandra Burke - Hallelujah

    X-Factor winner covers Leonard Cohen via Jeff Buckley.

    Alexandra Burke - Hallelujah (Official Video)

  15. 2007: Leon Jackson - When You Believe

    X-Factor winner for 2007 triumphs.

    X Factor 4, The Final, Leon Wins! (itv.com/xfactor)

  16. 2006: Leona Lewis - A Moment Like This

    X-Factor winner of the year covers Kelly Clarkson.

    Leona Lewis - A Moment Like This (Official Video)

  17. 2005: Shayne Ward - That’s My Goal

    X-Factor winner, later in Coronation Street! Maybe that WAS his goal.

    Shayne Ward - That's My Goal (Official Video)

  18. 2004: Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It’s Christmas?

    The fourth outing for the song, this time with Chris Martin, Dido, The Darkness and a rap from Dizzee Rascal.

    Band Aid 20 Do They Know It's Christmas

  19. 2003: Michael Andrews and Gary Jules - Mad World

    Mad World - Gary Jules

    The Darkness's Christmas Time (Don't Let The Bells End) was kept off the top spot by this Tears For Fears cover from the Donnie Darko soundtrack.

  20. 2002: Girls Aloud - Sound Of The Underground

    Reality TV starts its Christmas takeover - the winners of the show Popstars: The Rivals. Excellent microphone technique.

    Girls Aloud - Sound Of The Underground (Official Video)

  21. 2001: Robbie Williams And Nicole Kidman - Somethin’ Stupid

    Superstar cover of the song made famous by Frank and Nancy Sinatra

    Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman - Somethin' Stupid (Official Video)

  22. 2000: Bob The Builder - Can We Fix It?

    Neil Morrissey kept Westlife off the top with this building-centric classic.

    Bob the Builder Can we Fix it music video.

  23. 1999: Westlife - I Have A Dream / Seasons In The Sun

    The lads hit the top with a couple of 1970s covers, one's an Abba tune.

    Westlife - I Have a Dream (Official Video)

  24. 1998: Spice Girls - Goodbye

    The Geri-less girl group bid a fond farewell with their third Christmas Number 1 in a row.

    Spice Girls - Goodbye (Official Video)

  25. 1997: Spice Girls - Too Much

    They did it again! In the official year of Girl Power and the Spiceworld movie.

    Spice Girls - Too Much (Official Video)

  26. 1996: Spice Girls - 2 Become 1

    The girls hit the top for their first in a run of three with this romantic ballad.

    Spice Girls - 2 Become 1

  27. 1995: Michael Jackson - Earth Song

    Jacko kept The Beatles' reunion song Free As A Bird off the top spot.

    Michael Jackson - Earth Song (Official Video)

  28. 1994: East 17 - Stay Another Day

    Not really a Christmas song, but a few chiming bells and a snowy video made this a festive classic.

    East 17 - Stay Another Day (Official Music Video)

  29. 1993: Mr Blobby - Mr Blobby

    Yeah, this happened. You can thank Noel Edmonds.

    Mr. Blobby Music Video

  30. 1992: Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You

    From the ENORMOUS soundtrack to the movie The Bodyguard, also starring Kevin Costner.

    Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You

  31. 1991: Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody / These Are The Days Of Our Lives

    After the death of frontman Freddie Mercury in November, this was a shoo-in for the festive top spot. Here's the Double A side.

    Queen - These Are The Days Of Our Lives (Official Video)

  32. 1990: Cliff Richard - Saviour’s Day

    Sir Clifford notched up a second Christmas Number 1 with this religious entry.

    Cliff Richard - Saviour's Day (Official Video)

  33. 1989: Band Aid II - Do They Know It’s Christmas?

    Or the "Stock Aitken And Waterman Edition": Kylie, Jason, Bananarama.. and Chris Rea?

    Band Aid II - Do They Know Its Christmas (HQ)

  34. 1988: Cliff Richard - Mistletoe And Wine

    Cliff reminds you of the true meaning of Christmas. Presents and booze, of course!

    Cliff Richard - Mistletoe and Wine (Official Music Video)

  35. 1987: Pet Shop Boys - Always On Mind

    Fairytale Of New York didn't make it, this clubbed-up cover of Elvis Presley did.

    Pet Shop Boys - Always On My Mind

  36. 1986: Jackie Wilson - Reet Petite

    Thanks to a silly animated video, this 1957 rock 'n' roll classic made a comeback.

    Jackie Wilson - Reet petite

  37. 1985: Shakin' Stevens - Merry Christmas Everyone

    Shaky's era as one of the biggest-selling British artists was ending, but the country loved this festive ditty.

    Shakin' Stevens - Merry Christmas Everyone (Official Video)

  38. 1984: Band Aid - Do They Know It’s Christmas?

    Bob Geldof and Midge Ure rustled up an all-star line-up including Duran Duran, Bono, Wham!, Spandau Ballet, Culture Club and more sang to raise money for the famine in Ethiopia.

    Band Aid - Do they know it's christmas 1984 | HD - Widescreen 16:9

  39. 1983: The Flying Pickets - Only You

    Actors singing a hit by Yazoo a capella? It was incredibly popular and sums up the choral side of Christmas.

    Flying Pickets - Only You

  40. 1982: Renee And Renato - Save Your Love

    Proof that ridiculous Christmas Number 1s didn't start with Mr Blobby. Renato was an Italian-born singer who performed at his son's restaurant in Tamworth. Renee was a performer whose real name was Hilary Lester. It was hugely popular for no real reason.

    Renee and Renato - Save Your Love. Top Of The Pops 1982

  41. 1981: The Human League - Don’t You Want Me

    Phil Oakey got what he wanted for Christmas. After struggling on the edges of the charts for years, Sheffield's finest synth-pop outfit triumphed with a tale of fame, fortune and love.

    The Human League - Don't You Want Me

  42. 1980: St Winifred’s School Choir - There’s No One Quite Like Grandma

    Kids + flattering a grandparent = Christmas Gold. The biggest thing to come out of Stockport until Blossoms, this kids choir cruelly pushed the recently-killed John Lennon into second place. See if you can spot Coronation Street actress Sally Lindsay in the ranks.

    St Winifred’s School Choir – There’s No One Quite Like Grandma (Studio, TOTP)

  43. 1979: Pink Floyd - Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2)

    A rare single from the Floyd was the song that saw out the 1970s. Taken from their mammoth exploration of alienation, The Wall.

    Pink Floyd - Another Brick In The Wall, Part Two (Official Music Video)

  44. 1978: Boney M - Mary’s Boy Child / Oh My Lord

    German disco legends cover the Harry Belafonte hit from 1957, run as a medley with Boney mastermind Frank Farian's own song, Oh My Lord. Think of the royalties!

    Boney M. - Mary's Boy Child (Officical Video) (VOD)

  45. 1977: Wings - Mull Of Kintyre / Girls School

    Macca proved that he still had the golden touch with this inexplicably million-selling Scottish ode.

    Paul McCartney & The Wings - Mull Of Kintyre [Original Video]

  46. 1976: Johnny Mathis - When A Child Is Born

    Religious balladry from the veteran US singer. Everyone join in!

    Johnny Mathis - When a Child is Born

  47. 1975: Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody

    Six minutes of perfection from the legendary band, given a boost by the memorable video.

    Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody (Official Video Remastered)

  48. 1974: Mud - Lonely This Christmas

    Glam Rock 'N' Roll revivalists with an excellent Elvis parody.

    Mud - Lonely This Christmas

  49. 1973: Slade - Merry Christmas Everybody

    Noddy Holder and co beat off stiff competition from Wizzard and I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day to be the top seller in '73. This song will live on forever.

    Slade - Merry Christmas Everybody

  50. 1972: Jimmy Osmond - Long Haired Lover From Liverpool

    One for the nans. "Little" Jimmy was the youngest of the 70s phenomenon that was The Osmond family and scored his own hit, which presumably is a reference to The Beatles. Get with the times, Jimmy! We like Bowie now.

    Little Jimmy Osmond - Long Haired Lover From Liverpool

  51. And here's the rest...

    1971: Benny Hill - Ernie (The Fastest Milkman In The West)
    1970: Dave Edmunds - I Hear You Knocking
    1969: Rolf Harris - Two Little Boys
    1968: The Scaffold - Lily The Pink
    1967: The Beatles - Hello Goodbye
    1966: Tom Jones - The Green, Green Grass Of Home
    1965: The Beatles - We Can Work It Out/Day Tripper
    1964: The Beatles - I Feel Fine
    1963: The Beatles - I Want To Hold Your Hand
    1962 Elvis Presley - Return To Sender
    1961 Danny Williams - Moon River
    1960 Cliff Richard And The Shadows - I Love You
    1959 Emile Ford And The Checkmates - What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For?
    1958 Conway Twitty - It’s Only Make Believe
    1957 Harry Belafonte - Mary’s Boy Child
    1956 Johnnie Ray — Just Walkin’ In The Rain
    1955 Dickie Valentine - Christmas Alphabet
    1954 Winifred Atwell - Let’s Have Another Party
    1953 Frankie Laine - Answer Me
    1952 Al Martino - Here In My Heart

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