On November 1st, 2012, Sean Ross at Edison Research published some information about a new study concerning Christmas Music. Edison completed a nationwide study of more than 200 women ages 30 – 49. All said they love Christmas music on the radio. The research was done to help Adult Contemporary radio stations as they plan their all-holiday music during November and December. Before this study, the last research was done in 2007 so this was the first chance to test holiday music by the Glee cast, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift and others.
The following are some interesting things that the Edison test revealed.
- 53% of the best tested songs come from 1968 or before.
- The top tested song is Andy Williams version of It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.
- The newest recording in the top 10 is Air Supply’s version of Sleigh Ride (1987).
- Newer holiday songs have a hard time gaining attention.
At this time, the list of top songs is not available to the general public. The information was sent to radio stations and will be available to us soon.
Edison did publish the list of the least liked holiday songs of 2012. The following are the ten most-disliked holiday songs of 2012 in descending order:
- Singing Dogs, Jingle Bells
- Beach Boys, The Man With All The Toys
- Spike Jones, All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth
- Barbra Streisand, Jingle Bells
- Elmo and Patsy, Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer
- Cartman, O Holy Night
- SeymourSwine & Squeelers, Blue Christmas
- Neil Diamond, O Come, O Come Emmanuel
- MannheimSteamroller, Deck The Halls
- Little Jimmy Boyd, I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
Fortunately, I don’t think I have any of these particular recordings in my iTunes account. I do look forward to seeing the top 100 performances. I would assume that Clay Aiken would have a few of his hits on the list.
To see the entire article on the study, visit EDISON
15 Days To Joyful Noise 2012!!!
It’s almost time for my local station to switch to Christmas music. You can bet I’ll be requesting something from Clay. Thanks for the gorgeous pictures! 🙂
I am sooooooooooo excited!!!! Bring it on Clay Aiken!!!!
Thank's for the article, musicfan. A very interesting read. As a non-American I didn't even know half of the songs of the worst-holiday-songs-list and checked them out … OMG some are really, uhm… well… let's say they are misguided songs , they don't have that renewed and exciting feeling about Christmas. But it was fun to check them out 🙂
On the other hand ; Clay Aiken's Christmas songs and the way he sings – are conveying the true Christmas feeling , full of warmth and joy.
Please don't laugh at me .. but I think there is magic in the way he delivers these Xmas songs.
For all of you who live in the US and have the opportunity to attend one of his concerts on his Joyful Noise Tour this winter – don't miss this chance !
You are LUCKY to have this possibility compared to people like me who live in foreign countries. *Sigh*
I'm looking forward to see the list of top 100 Xmas songs & performances.
I bet that "Mary Did You Know" will be one of them … or should be! Definitely! 🙂
im also sooooooooooo excited bring it on clay sing your christmas songs
What a Christmas gift to go to a Clay Christmas concert once again! Merry Christmas to all of us. What an interesting blog. Thanks for giving me some more photos I didn't have.
Interesting article but especially loved photos of Clay! I am very excited to be seeing a Christmas
show this year – it is a special gift for sure!