Kylie Minogue Celebrates Christmas No. 1 with “Xmas”

Kylie Minogue has officially claimed her first UK Christmas No. 1 and her eighth No. 1 single overall with her festive track, “Xmas.” This significant achievement comes as she outperformed competition from Wham!’s iconic “Last Christmas,” which has dominated the Christmas charts for the past two years. While “Last Christmas” dropped to No. 2 after last week’s top position, another contender, “Lullaby,” from the charity campaign Together for Palestine, secured the No. 5 spot.

A Magnificent Achievement

Kylie expressed her joy in a statement to Official Charts, saying, “It’s hard to put into words how special this feels. Being Christmas No. 1 really is the most wonderful gift.” This marks her first chart-topping single in 22 years, following “Slow” in 2003, and just her second solo Top 10 hit since “All the Lovers” in 2010. Notably, “Xmas” makes Kylie the first female artist to achieve UK No. 1 singles across four different decades, alongside establishing her as a rare Australian top performer during the holiday season. The last was Nicole Kidman, who topped the charts in 2001 with “Somethin’ Stupid,” a duet with Robbie Williams.

A Historical Note

Interestingly, Kylie has a previous connection to the Christmas No. 1 title, albeit indirectly. She participated in the 1989 version of Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” alongside other famous artists, but this collaboration doesn’t count as an official solo hit for her. Before that, she nearly took the top spot the prior year with her duet “Especially for You” featuring Jason Donovan, which was outmatched by Cliff Richard’s “Mistletoe and Wine.”

Unique Distribution Strategy

“Xmas” saw its success bolstered by strong sales of CD and vinyl formats. However, its rise is particularly remarkable as it’s not readily available on many streaming platforms; Kylie recorded it exclusively for Amazon Music. This strategy aligns with Amazon’s goal of attracting customers through unique holiday songs, which can also be accessed on YouTube. These exclusive tracks are often featured in Christmas music requests via Amazon’s Alexa devices, further boosting their popularity.

The Journey to Christmas No. 1

This is a historical moment, as it’s the first time an Amazon-commissioned song has reached the Christmas No. 1 position, although previous entries have come close. For instance, last year Tom Grennan’s “It Can’t Be Christmas” landed at No. 3, and in 2023, Sam Ryder achieved No. 2 with “It’s Christmas to Me.” Additionally, Ellie Goulding’s cover of Joni Mitchell’s “River,” released in 2019 for Amazon, made it to No. 1 just after Christmas that year. Other artists like Katy Perry, Olivia Dean, and George Ezra have also contributed Christmas tracks exclusively for Amazon.

Supporting a Cause

While “Lullaby,” which features a mix of traditional Arabic lyrics and newly written lines by Peter Gabriel, emerged as the top seller, its relative lack of streaming numbers held it back. The song features various artists, including Nai Barghouti, Neneh Cherry, Celeste, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, and Brian Eno, who aim to support Palestinian initiatives through proceeds funneled to the Choose Love charity. Eno previously noted his acceptance of the unpredictability of the Christmas singles landscape.

The Christmas Chart Landscape

As expected, the charts remain filled with festive tunes, with 27 Christmas tracks in total making appearances. “All I Want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey and Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” are holding strong at No. 3 and No. 4. Other notable mentions include songs by the Pogues, Kelly Clarkson, Elton John, and Bobby Helms, while Dave and Tems’ “Raindance” stands as a non-holiday outlier at No. 7.

Album Chart Highlights

In the album charts, Pink Floyd’s 50th anniversary reissue of “Wish You Were Here” has reached No. 1, establishing a unique record for the longest gap between an album’s first and most recent chart-topping appearances. Previously held by the Beatles’ “Abbey Road,” this record marks a span of 49 years and 252 days. “Wish You Were Here” stands as Pink Floyd’s second UK No. 1 album this year, following their live release, “Pink Floyd at Pompeii – MCMLXXII.” Interestingly, they also secured a Christmas No. 1 single back in 1979 with “Another Brick in the Wall.”

Conclusion

In summary, Kylie’s remarkable achievement in claiming the Christmas No. 1 spot with “Xmas” sets yet another milestone in her illustrious career. This festive track not only resonates with fans but also supports charitable causes, making it a noteworthy addition to the holiday music landscape.

Key Takeaways

• Kylie Minogue’s “Xmas” celebrates her first UK Christmas No. 1 and eighth overall.
• The song excludes streaming services and is an Amazon Music exclusive.
• 28 Christmas songs made it to the charts, with Kylie leading the way.
• Proceeds from “Lullaby” support Palestinian causes through the Choose Love charity.