‘Santa Tell Me’ Tops ASCAP’s Holiday Chart, ‘Sleigh Ride’ Hits No. 1 Again

Bassyonni

ago 2 hours

ASCAP recently unveiled its 2025 rankings of the most-played holiday songs, blending traditional classics with modern hits. The new chart reflects shifts in listener preferences over the past decade and beyond.

“Santa Tell Me” Tops ASCAP’s Holiday Chart

“Santa Tell Me,” a track by Savan Kotecha and Ilya Salmanzadeh, made a significant mark by reaching the top of ASCAP’s 2025 New Classic Holiday Songs chart. This song was first released in 2013 and has steadily gained popularity since then.

Other Popular New Classics

Following closely in the rankings is Kelly Clarkson’s “Underneath the Tree,” co-written with Greg Kurstin. Both songs are also featured on ASCAP’s broader Top 25 Holiday Songs list, showcasing their widespread acclaim.

“Santa Tell Me” – Savan Kotecha, Ilya Salmanzadeh
“Underneath the Tree” – Kelly Clarkson, Greg Kurstin

Sleigh Ride Returns to No. 1

On the traditional side, “Sleigh Ride,” composed by Leroy Anderson and Mitchell Parish in 1948, reclaimed its No. 1 spot on the ASCAP holiday rankings. This song has consistently held a prominent position since the chart’s inception in 2002.

Classic Favorites Persist

Mariah Carey’s beloved “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” written alongside Walter Afanasieff, continues to be a holiday favorite. In addition, José Feliciano’s “Feliz Navidad” gained renewed recognition thanks to a recent cover by Marc Anthony.

Influential Holiday Songwriters

Johnny Marks stands out as one of the most prolific holiday songwriters. He is recognized for placing four popular titles on the Top 25 list:

A Holly Jolly Christmas
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree
Run Rudolph Run

ASCAP’s Methodology

ASCAP compiles these charts by analyzing streaming data and terrestrial radio plays for songs represented by the organization. ASCAP, or the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, boasts a membership of over 1.1 million songwriters, composers, and music publishers.