It’s officially that time of year again. As the temperature drops, the streaming charts begin to heat up. If you’re looking to curate the perfect holiday music playlist 2025, you’re likely caught in the middle of the greatest festive rivalry in history: Wham! vs. Mariah Carey.
Whether you are trying to win Whamageddon 2025 or you’ve been counting down the days until Mariah “thaws out,” here is everything you need to know about the top tracks dominating your Spotify and Apple Music feeds this season.
The Chart Battle: “Last Christmas” vs. “All I Want For Christmas Is You”
For the first time in decades, the Billboard Holiday 100 is seeing a true shake-up. While Mariah Carey “All I Want For Christmas Is You” lyrics remain the most-searched phrase for carolers, Wham! “Last Christmas” 40th anniversary celebrations have pushed George Michael’s classic back to the #1 spot on the UK Official Singles Chart and the Global Spotify Top 10.
The “New” Classics
- Ariana Grande – “Santa Tell Me” (A staple for Gen Z holiday feeds).
- Kelly Clarkson – “Underneath the Tree” (Predicted to be the next “timeless” classic).
- Michael Bublé – Still the king of the Christmas Classics playlist.
Final Verdict: Who Wins 2025?
In the world of streaming data and chart records, Mariah still holds the record for most weeks at #1, but Wham! has captured the 2025 zeitgeist with a massive resurgence in the UK and Europe.
While the classics still dominate the Billboard Holiday 100, 2025 has brought a massive wave of fresh, “anti-classic” energy to our streaming feeds. From record-breaking new singles to “moody” indie carols, here is how to refresh your holiday music playlist 2025 without losing the festive spirit.
Forget the standard loop of the “Top 20” classics for a moment. In 2025, the holiday music scene has undergone a massive shift toward originality, genre-bending, and visual innovation. While the “Queen of Christmas” and Wham! still dominate the airwaves, a new batch of 2025 Christmas releases is fighting for a permanent spot on your festive rotation. Here’s something new this Christmas in the music world.
Coffee & a Playlist 
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