The top Christmas song every year since 1958
The Years Without a Christmas List — Take Three (1986-2000)
Once again, Billboard stopped reporting on the top Christmas songs for more than a decade. In this time, no Christmas songs appeared on the Hot 100, making it a remarkably poorly-documented period.
While there was limited information regarding which singles were most popular during these years, Billboard was still running its Top Christmas Albums list (now known as Top Holiday Albums). Thus, the top song for each year will be determined by the top album.
1986: Spitting Image, "Santa Claus Is On The Dole," 1986
1987: Kim Wilde and Mel Smith, “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” 1987
1988: Run-D.M.C., "Christmas in Hollis," 1987 (A Very Special Christmas)
1989: New Kids On The Block, "This One's For The Children," 1989 [Hot 100, peaked at #7]
1990: Barry Mannilow, "We Wish You a Merry Christmas/It's Just Another New Year's Eve," 1990 (Because It's Christmas)
1991: Mannheim Steamroll, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," 1988 (A Fresh Aire Christmas)
1992: Amy Grant, "Grown-Up Christmas List," 1992 (Home for Christmas)
1993: Vince Gill, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," [Hot Country Songs, peaked at #54, top Christmas album]
1994: Kenny G, "Miracles," 1994 (Miracles: The Holiday Album)
1995: Mannheim Steamroll, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," 1988 (A Fresh Aire Christmas)
1996: Kenny G, "Miracles," 1994 (Miracles: The Holiday Album)
1997: Hanson, "Christmas Time," 1997 (Snowed In)
1998: Celine Dion, "I'm Your Angel," 1998 [Hot 100, peaked at #1, top Christmas album]
1999: Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli, "The Prayer," 1998 (These Are Special Times)
2000: Charlotte Church, "Silent Night," 2000 (Dream a Dream)