It’s not officially Christmas until you hear Noddy Holder yelling out “It’s Christmaaaaas!” or the sound of Mariah Carey’s festive whistle tones.
Throughout the years, there have been a ton of Christmas songs. Some love them, some loathe them, but the season wouldn’t be the same without them.
For anyone Driving Home for Christmas, the iconic Chris Rea hit is a must for the journey. While for those getting in their last minute shopping, coffee shops nationwide will be filling their spaces with the sound of crooner Michael Buble and the scent of gingerbread lattes.
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And while some may turn their nose up at a festive jingle, it seems writing one is an easy way to bag a cool few quid! The singers and songwriters of these seasonal hits are raking it in every single year.
What’s more, everyone always thinks Mariah is the Queen of Christmas. But turns out there’s another singer that rakes in more than Mimi – and they’re from the West Midlands.
So now, Daily Star is taking a look at how much the singer’s behind our favourite Christmas songs can earn. And it’s safe to say they don’t need to worry about buying pressies!
I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day – Wizzard
The legendary tune was released back in 1973 and has become one of the most played festive songs on British radio ever. As a result, lead singer Roy Wood is quids in each year.
It’s estimated that the song makes around £180,000 a year. But despite the chart success and sales, Roy admitted he is “usually broke” at Christmas.
Speaking to BBC in 2008, he said: “I’d rather rely on that than the modern day pension.” When asked whether the song was his pension plan, he replied: “You don’t get it at Christmas, though. You have to wait until they work it all out so I’m usually broke at Christmas!”
Fairytale Of New York – The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl
(Image: Daily Record)
Hearing this Christmas tune on the special day, might feel a tad bittersweet for some. In November this year, lead singer Shane MacGowan sadly died aged 65.
Possibly The Pogues’ most famous tune, Fairytale Of New York, which features the late Kirsty MacColl, was released in 1987. And it has become a go-to anthem amongst rowdy festive gatherings.
It’s estimated that the tune earns The Pogues £400,000 per year in royalties. But Shane was always been tight-lipped on how much he bagged from the song. He told the Guardian in 2011: “I’m not going there.”
All I Want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey is the queen of Christmas – and every year she comes out like clockwork ready to share the festive joy. And with a smash-hit recording breaking Christmas tune to promote, we can see why.
According to Daily Mail, which compiled a list of the top Christmas song earners in 2016, Mariah Carey makes as much as £376,000 per year in royalties in the UK alone. A year later, a Channel 5 documentary claimed the figure had bumped up to £400,000.
Last Christmas – Wham
This 1984 tune by pop band Wham, that comprised of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley, has become a Christmas classic. In 2016, the song was made even more poignant when George sadly died on Christmas Day.
After 36 years after its release, Last Christmas finally reached No1 in the UK Singles Chart in 2021. However, it took another two years for it to finally get the Christmas No1 spot.
That achievement came in 2023, 39 years after it was released. And the song has reportedly earned a few quid too, with The Telegraph claiming it has generated a major £470,000 in royalties each year.
Merry Xmas Everybody – Slade
(Image: Getty Images)
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Black Countryman Noddy Holder will always be known for his iconic “It’s Chrrriiiissstmaassss,” line in the rock and roll festive tune. And it’s fair to say he’s earning the big bucks thanks to the song, which was released in 1973.
In 2013, it was reported the song was generating £512,000 a year. A sizeable portion of that went to Noddy’s co-songwriter Jim Lea.
But a few years later, it was claimed that the hefty figure, which now includes online streams, is closer to one million quid a year. In the 2016 Channel 5 show, Eamonn & Ruth: A Million Pound Christmas, it was also revealed the song was the top-selling seasonal tune.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
