“Two modern original holiday hits each dash merrily into the Billboard Hot 100’s top 10 for the first time: Ariana Grande’s “Santa Tell Me,” released in 2014 (14-9), and Kelly Clarkson’s “Underneath the Tree,” from 2013 (15-10). Both songs previously peaked at No. 11 last holiday season.
“Santa Tell Me” totaled 27.7 million official streams (up 17% week-over-week), 8.9 million in radio airplay audience (up 3%) and 1,000 sold (up 12%) in the U.S. Dec. 13-19, according to data tracker Luminate. “Underneath the Tree” rang up totals of 28.4 million streams (up 19%), 9.2 million in radio reach (up 16%) and 2,000 sold (down 1%).
(Despite higher raw streaming totals for “Underneath the Tree,” “Santa Tell Me” ranks higher on the Hot 100 and the Streaming Songs chart due to the application of weighting to all titles’ paid/subscription and ad-supported on-demand streams and programmed/radio streams.)
Reflecting that contemporary traditions have a home during the holidays, “Santa Tell Me” becomes the most recently released seasonal song to reach the Hot 100’s top 10, while “Underneath the Tree” is the second-newest. Prior to this week, Kenny G boasted the most recently released holiday top 10: His take on “Auld Lang Syne,” released at the end of 1999, hit No. 7 in the Y2K holiday season. (A mix including news clips of noteworthy 20th century events added to the original instrumental’s reach.)
Mariah Carey’s 1994 carol “All I Want for Christmas Is You” – at the Hot 100’s highest bough for a 17th total week at No. 1 – is the only other holiday song from the ‘90s to have hit the top 10. New Kids on the Block’s “This One’s for the Children,” from 1989, is now the fifth most recently released holiday-themed top 10, having risen to No. 7 that Yuletide season.” – Billboard.com
