As Kylie Minogue's modern Christmas anthem 'XMAS' claims this year's coveted festive top spot, it has edged out a potential third consecutive Christmas number one for the timeless classic, Wham!'s 'Last Christmas'. This seasonal chart battle invites us to look back at decades of musical yuletide history.
A Festive Chart Tradition
The race for the Christmas number one is a beloved British tradition, with the airwaves now full of past contenders and champions. This year, on December 22, 2025, journalists Richard Ault and Veronique Hawksworth of the Data Unit highlighted the challenge of remembering which iconic songs actually topped the charts during the festive period. While some tunes feel eternally linked to Christmas number one glory, many famous festive favourites only ever reached number two.
The Runners-Up That Stole Our Hearts
Interestingly, a trip down memory lane suggests that the songs which peaked at second place on the Christmas charts often leave a more enduring cultural impression than the actual winners. This phenomenon has been particularly noticeable in years dominated by X-Factor winners or the charity singles from Ladbaby, known for his sausage roll-themed hits.
Wham!'s 'Last Christmas', for instance, has secured the top spot in several subsequent years since its original release, but its initial chart placement is a common point of confusion for music fans. The duo, comprised of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley, have now been denied a historic third consecutive Christmas number one by Kylie's 2025 victory.
Test Your Musical Memory
So, how well do you really know your festive chart history? Can you correctly identify which perennial classics were genuine Christmas number ones and which were the celebrated runners-up? The challenge is set: it's time to separate the chart-topping festive hits from the beloved tunes that narrowly missed the pinnacle.
This festive season, why not put your knowledge to the test? Dive into the nostalgia and see how many Christmas number ones you truly remember from across the decades.
