ASCAP on Thursday released its annual rankings of the most-played holiday songs, highlighting both traditional favorites and newer hits that have gained traction over the last 25 years.
The performing rights organization said “Santa Tell Me,” written by Savan Kotecha and Ilya Salmanzadeh and first released in 2013, topped its 2025 New Classic Holiday Songs chart for the first time. Kelly Clarkson’s “Underneath the Tree,” written with Greg Kurstin, ranked second. ASCAP said both tracks continue to grow in popularity and appeared on its broader Top 25 Holiday Songs list, which is largely dominated by mid-20th century standards.
The New Classic chart also includes holiday releases by Jimmy Fallon, Meghan Trainor, Justin Bieber and Katy Perry. ASCAP Chairman and President Paul Williams said the songs reflect how each generation of writers puts its own stamp on the season.
On the traditional side of the rankings, “Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson and Mitchell Parish returned to No. 1 on the Top 25 ASCAP Holiday Songs chart. The 1948 composition has held the top position several times since the chart began in 2002. Mariah Carey’s perennial hit “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” co-written with Walter Afanasieff, again ranked among the most-played tracks, and José Feliciano’s “Feliz Navidad” saw renewed attention following a new cover by Marc Anthony.
Johnny Marks, one of the most prolific holiday songwriters of the last century, placed four titles on the Top 25 list: “A Holly Jolly Christmas,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” and “Run Rudolph Run.” ASCAP said it compiles its charts based on streaming and terrestrial radio data for songs represented by the society.
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is a membership association of more than 1.1 million songwriters, composers and music publishers.
