Think You've Heard 'The Christmas Song' A Million Times?

ASCAP has come out with their yearly list of most played Christmas songs, tracking the songs that have aired since October 1 (yep, they're getting played that early).

I've got to admit most of them on the top ten are in mine as well, although anything played 100,000 times or more would make anyone crazy.  Quite a few don't appear on this list, or on the expanded list from Mediaguide of the top 100 that was posted in a JS online blog. I will also admit some disappointment and surprise that the Harry Simeone Chorale's 'The Little Drummer Boy' only just edged out Bog Segar's version.

The lists also don't indicate that air play equates to demand, and I have to believe and hope that the 10-year-old Mariah Carey songs really aren't that hot. "Snoopy's Christmas," was a nice surprise on the top 100, however, while one of my favorites "Fall Softly Snow," was nowhere to be found.

So, without further ado, here's the top 10.

1. "Sleigh Ride" – played 154,327 times
Written by Leroy Anderson, Mitchell Parish
Most popular artist version performed by Leroy Anderson

2. "Winter Wonderland" – played 128,980 times
Written by Felix Bernard, Richard B. Smith
Most popular artist version performed by Eurythmics

3. "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)" – played 126,032 times
Written by Mel Tormé, Robert Wells
Most popular artist version performed by Nat King Cole

4. "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" – played 115,346 times
Written by Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne
Most popular artist version performed by Dean Martin

5. "Jingle Bell Rock" – played 114,529 times
Written by Joseph Carleton Beal, James Ross Boothe
Most popular artist version performed by Bobby Helms

6."It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" – played 109,938 times
Written by Edward Pola, George Wyle
Most popular artist version performed by Andy Williams

7."Do You Hear What I Hear?" – played 98,575 times
Written by Gloria Shayne Baker, Noël Regney
Most popular artist version performed by Whitney Houston

8. "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas" – played 94,885 times
Written by Meredith Willson
Most popular artist version performed by Bing Crosby

9. "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer" – played 91,451 times
Written by Johnny Marks
Most popular artist version performed by Gene Autry

10. "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" – played 90,175 times
Written by Ralph Blane, Hugh Martin
Most popular artist version performed by The Carpenters