It has been confirmed that Ed Sheeran and Sir Elton John’s festive duet “Merry Christmas” has secured a second week at number one. The chart-topping single was released on 3rd December 2021 and has been tipped to win the race to Christmas number one. With only a week left until Christmas day, OfficialCharts.com have reported a fierce chart competition. OfficialCharts.com took to Instagram to announce the official start of the annual race.
The duo’s duet is the second single in which Sheeran and Sir John have released this festive period. On 17th December 2021, LadBaby released their entry for this year’s competition, the new single features both Sheeran and Sir John. The YouTube artist’s single “Sausage Rolls For Everyone” is their fourth sausage roll parody and features Sheeran and Sir John in its music video. If the single wins, LadBaby will receive their fourth consecutive Christmas number one and could also break a chart record. The British social media celebrity is currently in a three-way tie with The Beatles and Spice Girls, all three acts have achieved three Christmas number one singles.
This week’s chart also sees another record broken; 24 Christmas singles have placed within the Official Singles Chart Top 40. This is the greatest number of festive tracks which have placed within the charts so close to Christmas. Many re-entries of Christmas classics are seen within the top 10 this week. “Last Christmas” by WHAM has landed at number three, the track’s popularity has not diminished through time and continues to be a true festive favourite. One place behind is another holiday staple, “All I Want For Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey. Often referred to as the Queen of Christmas, Carey has transcended into a holiday tradition.
“Merry Christmas Everyone” by Shakin’ Stevens re-entered the chart at number six. The single was originally released on 25th November 1985 and first re-entered the charts in 2007. One of Christmas’ more alternative hits is also included within the top 10, “Fairytale of New York” by Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl lands at number seven. The folk style duet was originally released on 23rd November 1987 and is often cited as the most played Christmas song in the UK.
One of the season’s eldest hits also lands within the top ten, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee enters the chart at number eight. The track was released in December 1962 and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2008. Due to its immense popularity, the song has sold over 25 million copies and has become the fourth most downloaded Christmas single. Closing the top 10 is “It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas” by crooner Michael Bublé. The track was written in 1951 and has been recorded by many artists including Bing Crosby.
Music fans have speculated whether the hunger for festive hits can be attributed to COVID’s influence and its potential threat to Christmas. The race for 2021 Christmas number one single will close at 11:59 pm on Thursday 23rd December 2021, the winner will be announced on the Official chart via BBC Radio 1 on Christmas eve from 4 pm.
