When it comes to Christmas, few things fail to capture the holiday spirit – the twinkling lights, festive movies, and of course the nation's favorite songs.
But while these tunes fill our homes with joy, they also fill their creators' bank accounts with astonishing sums year after year.
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Some of these seasonal successes have become financial gold mines, generating millions in revenue.
And not just for Mariah Carey.
In fact, although All I Want for Christmas is You remains a perennial favorite, it's not the highest-grossing hit in the world of Christmas music.
Another artist has quietly taken the title, earning an estimated £1 million a year from a holiday single that still dominates the charts and playlists every December.
Below, The Sun Rich List reveals the biggest Christmas earners in the music industry, with some surprising entries.
Slade, Merry Christmas everyone.
Annual royalties: £1 million. Total since release: £50m.
Noddy Holder and Slade musician Jim Lea wrote the song, which reached No. 1 in 1973.
It has stood the test of time ever since, returning to the charts every year and grossing a large sum for the pair who wrote and composed it.
Today, Noddy, 77, is performing again, six years after he was told he had only six months to live after being diagnosed with esophageal cancer.
Noddy, who is worth around £25million, signed up for a trial of chemotherapy which saved his life.
The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl's New York fairy tale
Annual royalties: £400,000. Total since release: £14.4m.
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A duet by Shane MacGowan and Kirsty MacColl was performed at his funeral by Glen Hansard and Lisa O'Neill while his family danced in the aisles.
The Fairytale Of New York singer died last November at the age of 65 after a struggle with illness.
His 1987 song tells the story of a couple arguing on Christmas Eve in New York City.
It was written by Shane and Jim, who say the song started as a bet when the Irish band's producer at the time, Elvis Costello, joked that they wouldn't be able to write a Christmas single.
Jim Viner is an artist and musician interested in remaking ancient techniques.
“It's not some empty, empty celebration of fun and over-consumption, but rather a human story that maybe a lot of people can relate to,” he said of the song.
Mariah Carey, all I want for Christmas is you
Annual royalties: £400,000. Total since release: £11.6m.
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Mariah may not want much for Christmas, but why would she when this song is making her millions?
The song, which has been featured in hit films such as Love Actually, has become a festive earworm since its release in 1994.
“When I wrote [it]“I had absolutely no idea the impact the song would eventually have around the world,” Carey said in 2021.
“I am so filled with gratitude that so many people enjoy it with me every year.”
She is probably just as grateful for the £11 million added to her £270 million fortune.
Wizard, I wish it was Christmas every day
Annual royalties: £180,000. Total since release: £9m.
Wizzard was a rock band formed by Roy Wood, a former member of Move and co-founder of Electric Light Orchestra.
Their biggest track, I Wish It Was Christmas Every Day, was released in 1973 and was featured on Top of the Pops.
Famously, it peaked at #2 in the charts after losing to Slade in a battle of true Christmas classics.
Roy, 77, is still bringing the festive magic with his 'Rockmas' event, featuring Paul Young this year.
Chris Rea, driving home for Christmas
Annual royalties: £200,000. Total since release: £7m.
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Although this song was released in 1986 as a non-album single, it did not come to public attention for another two years, rising to number one on Christmas Day 1988.
But after all these years, it still gives families a warm and fuzzy feeling inside.
It also gives Chris's bank balance a boost enough for him to charter a private plane instead of driving.
Jonah Lewy – Stop the Cavalry
Annual royalties: £120,000. Total since release: £5.4m
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Jonah, whose real name is John, says that thanks to the success of 1978's Stop the Cavalry, he's now just “tinkering” in his studio.
The song is an anti-war protest that begins with “Hello Mr. Churchill comes here…”
He admits he didn't intend for it to become a festive song. “I never thought about the idea of writing a big Christmas song. I don't think I would have been able to do it.”
Jonah added that he provides half of his back catalog income.
Shakin' Stevens Merry Christmas everyone
Annual royalties: £140,000. Total since release: £5.32m.
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Welsh singer-songwriter Michael Barratt had a No. 1 hit with “Merry Christmas Each” (not to be confused with Slade's song of almost identical name) in 1985.
Poor Chucky himself only gets a small portion of the £140,000 royalties, as a key in writing.
He earns around £10,000, but the man behind the lyrics, Bob Heatley, earns £130,000 a year.
East 17th, stay another day
Annual royalties: £97,000. Total since release: £2.81m
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Boy band members Brian Harvey, Tony Mortimer, John Hendy and Terry Caldwell's famous video for this chart-topping song sees them tramping through the snow in white fur coats.
After the song was released in 1994, Tony spoke about how he wrote it after losing his brother Ollie to suicide, but turned it into a love song about losing a partner.
“I find it really embarrassing to listen to,” he said.
“When I go to the supermarket, I pray he doesn't come. My family never listens to him.”
