Wham! may have got the official Christmas number 1 in the UK, but Mariah has dominated on TikTok.

Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You continues its reign as a festive favourite, becoming TikTok’s most popular Christmas song of 2024. Garnering over 20 million video creations this year alone, the song has surpassed Wham!’s Last Christmas, which still holds an impressive 18 million creations. Despite Carey’s TikTok triumph, Wham! celebrated a win of their own by taking the official UK Christmas number one on Friday. Although, the Queen of Christmas is proudly sitting atop Billboard’s Hot 100 right now.

We’re used to paying attention to the charts at Christmas, but why bother looking at social media platforms like TikTok?

TikTok has transformed how music is discovered and consumed, particularly during the festive season. The platform’s ability to drive trends has helped tracks like Carey’s and Wham!’s achieve viral success, with millions of users creating videos to their songs. Other classics, including Brenda Lee’s Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree and Bobby Helms’ Jingle Bell Rock, continue to engage audiences, while new songs like Meghan Trainor’s My Kind of Present have found a foothold, proving that contemporary artists can also shine during the holidays.

Despite its proven cultural significance, TikTok faces an uncertain future in the US, with a potential ban looming in January 2025. If realised, this could significantly impact the music industry, leaving artists and fans searching for alternative platforms to fill the void.

Christmas music isn’t just beloved for its festive cheer; it’s also a lucrative endeavour. Iconic tracks like Mariah Carey’s and Wham!’s earn millions in royalties every holiday season. Carey reportedly brings in over £2 million annually from her 1994 hit, while Wham!’s Last Christmas adds to its creators’ enduring legacy. For independent artists, these figures highlight the financial potential of crafting a successful holiday single.

Holiday music has proven time and time again to be both a cultural and financial windfall for artists. Whether it’s a classic hit like Mariah Carey’s or a new release with TikTok potential, the festive season is an ideal time for artists to capture the spirit.

Ready to share your music with the world? Distribute your tracks with us today and reach fans across the globe, from TikTok to playlists everywhere.