ASCAP Announces the Most Played Holiday Songs of the Season (So Far)

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers has issued their first list for the 2011-12 season of the most played holiday songs by radio stations across the U.S. While this list only includes songs written by composers associated with ASCAP (as opposed to BMI, whose holdings include White Christmas), the associations history counts many of the great writers of the 40's among it's members, which is when many of these classics were written.

"ASCAP is home to America's greatest songwriters and composers," said ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams. "So it is no wonder that the top holiday songs have been written by our members. This list reflects the enduring power of music. It's a beautiful thing to realize that a songwriter's work lives on in such a way, bringing happiness and meaning to millions of people's lives year after year."

Since October 1, 2011, Sleigh Ride has aired 64,317 times, making it the most-played holiday song on radio so far this holiday season. Although it depicts a wondrous winter scene, Sleigh Ride was written originally by Leroy Anderson on a hot summer day in 1946 in Woodbury, CT. Initially composed as an instrumental piece, The Boston Pops Orchestra gave the first performance in a concert conducted by Arthur Fiedler at Symphony Hall in Boston, May 4, 1948, and Mills Music published it that same year. The Boston Pops Orchestra recorded it in June of 1949. After Mitchell Parish added lyrics in 1949, it has been recorded by perhaps the most eclectic range of performers than any other piece in western music, with Leroy Anderson's recording the most popular instrumental version and The Ronettes' recording as the most popular vocal version.

The following list uses airplay information from over 2,500 radio stations as gathered by Mediaguide for the period of October 1 through November 30, 2011 and includes all artists versions of each song.

1. Sleigh Ride - played 64,317 times - Written by Leroy Anderson, Mitchell Parish (Most popular artist version performed by Leroy Anderson)
2. Winter Wonderland - played 54,741 times - Written by Felix Bernard, Richard B. Smith (Eurythmics)
3. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) - played 50,796 times - Written by Mel Tormé, Robert Wells (Nat King Cole)
4. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! - played 49,509 times - Written by Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne (Dean Martin)
5. Jingle Bell Rock - played 47,100 times - Written by Joseph Carleton Beal, James Ross Boothe (Bobby Helms)
6. It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year - played 46,492 times - Written by Edward Pola, George Wyle (Andy Williams)
7. Do You Hear What I Hear? - played 41,633 times - Written by Gloria Shayne Baker, Noël Regney (Whitney Houston)
8. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas - played 39,885 times - Written by Meredith Willson (Bing Crosby)
9. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - played 38,395 times - Written by Ralph Blane, Hugh Martin (Carpenters)
10. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer - played 37,266 times - Written by Johnny Marks (Gene Autry)