The top Christmas song every year since 1958

The Years Without a Christmas List — Take Two (1974-1982)

Beginning in 1974, Christmas songs were once again included on Billboard's Hot 100 list. While this could have been an interesting way to see how they ranked against other popular songs, the end of the "Best Bets for Christmas" list after 1973 meant that it was hard to tell what Christmas songs were most popular among others of their genre. Thus, another decade went by without clear guidance on which Christmas songs were most beloved.

However, it wouldn't be fair for there to be no top song for most of the 1970s. For those years without official data, the top song of the year will be determined by the top album of each year, documented by Joel Whitburn in Christmas in the Charts (1920–2004). In addition to being the available data, this is also helpful as it's the time when Christmas albums

1974: The Holiday Singers, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," 1974 (The Waltons' Christmas Album)

1975: John Denver, "Christmas for Cowboys," 1975 (Rocky Mountain Christmas)

1976: The Salsoul Orchestra, "There's Someone Who's Knocking," 1976 (Christmas Jollies)

1977: The Salsoul Orchestra, "There's Someone Who's Knocking," 1976 (Christmas Jollies)

1978: The Eagles, "Please Come Home For Christmas," 1978
The Carpenters, "Merry Christmas Darling," 1978 (Christmas Portrait)

1979: Elmo N' Patsy, "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer," 1979

1980: Dan Fogelberg, "Same Old Lang Syne," 1980
"What Can You Get a Wookiee for Christmas (When He Already Owns a Comb)," 1980 (Christmas in the Stars: Star Wars Christmas Album)

1981: Dan Fogelberg, "Same Old Lang Syne," 1980
Kenny Rogers, "Kentucky Home Made Christmas," 1981 (Christmas)

Did you know...

Dan Fogelberg's "Same Old Lang Syne" has been contested as being either a Christmas song (based on the lyrics) or a New Year's song (based on the title). However, it actually peaked in popularity in late February 1981.

1982: The Oak Ridge Boys, "Thank God for Kids," 1982