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Merry Christmas! Did you know that some of our favorite Christmas songs aren't considered hits? Billboard has been studying how classic songs became popular through TV specials, vinyl, radio, and streaming. I countdown 12 Christmas songs that achieved Hot 100 success over time. Let's "have a Merry little Christmas" and take music notes.

Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena

Songs Mentioned: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4HDILVFeJyYwvIYVyT2WzD?si=4d837e9d7c69466e&pt=741b27a0be18872d6be52865c9920aa8

12. "A Holly Jolly Little Christmas" - Burl Ives (1964-1965)
11. "Jingle Bell Rock" - Bobby Helms (1957)
10. "Run Rudolph Run" - Chuck Berry (1958)
9. "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" - David Saville & The Chipmunks (1958)
8. "Feliz Navidad" - Jose Feliciano (1970)
7. "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" - Andy Williams (1963)
6. "Last Christmas" - Wham! (1984, 1986)
5. "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" - Darlene Love (1963)
4. "White Christmas" - Bing Crosby (1944)
3. "The Christmas Song" - Nat "King" Cole (1944)
2. "Rockin' Around the Christmastime" - Brenda Lee (1958)
1. "All I Want for Christmas Is You" - Mariah Carey (1994)

Media Mentioned:
"Jingle Bell Rock" - Hall & Oates music video (1983):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vyMuxxLsD0
"Jingle Bell Rock" Mean Girls Scene (2005): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lbwg1KI-mws

"The Chipmunk Song" original music video (1958):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcvlWtYqEhE

"Feliz Navidad" on Tamron Hall: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=472qpJ2Ptjs

"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" TV show clip:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73UqDX_quk0

"Last Christmas" music video (1984): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8gmARGvPlI

"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" U2 music video (1987):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmZBC92pgrE

"The Christmas Song" - Nat "King" Cole (live performance):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwacxSnc4tI

Christmas episodes:
Episode 9: 25 Obscure Holiday Songs https://www.spreaker.com/user/jesscatena/episode-9-25-obscure-holiday-songs_1

Episode 11: Mariah Carey’s #1, 25 Years Later
https://www.spreaker.com/user/jesscatena/episode-11-mariah-careys-1-25-years-late

Episode 63: “Where Are You Christmas?” History
https://www.spreaker.com/user/jesscatena/episode-63-where-are-you-christmas-histor