Holiday hits are taking over the Billboard Hot 100, with the entire top 10 and top 16 spots being decorated by festive tunes. Among these seasonal songs, Ed Sheeran and Elton John’s “Merry Christmas” is making a notable climb, jumping four places to No. 38. This marks the song’s first week in the chart’s top 40, as well as a milestone 60th top 40 hit for Elton John and a landmark 25th for Ed Sheeran.
Collaborative Success
The collaboration between Sheeran and John, which they co-wrote, was released in 2021 and initially peaked at No. 42 a year later.
Chart Performance
During the tracking week of Dec. 20-26, “Merry Christmas” garnered 20.2 million official streams (up 38%), 2.8 million in radio airplay audience (up 25%), and sold 2,000 copies (up 59%) in the United States, according to data tracker Luminate.
Chart Milestones
Elton John now ties Beyoncé for the ninth-most top 40 Hot 100 hits, dating back to the chart’s inception on Aug. 4, 1958.
Most Top 40 Billboard Hot 100 Hits:
- 206, Drake
- 165, Taylor Swift
- 89, Lil Wayne
- 81, Elvis Presley (whose career predates the Hot 100’s inception)
- 78, Kanye West
- 74, Nicki Minaj
- 72, Future
- 63, Eminem
- 60, Beyoncé
- 60, Elton John
- 57, Kendrick Lamar
- 55, Travis Scott
Legacy of Success
Elton John’s first top 40 entry on the Hot 100 was on Dec. 19, 1970, when “Your Song” climbed 49-38. He maintained a streak of appearing in the top 40 every year through 1999, setting a record 30-year streak. In 2021 and 2022, he returned with his 58th and 59th entries, “Cold Heart (Pnau Remix)” with Dua Lipa (No. 7 peak) and “Hold Me Closer” with Britney Spears (No. 6).
From 1972 to 1986, John charted 36 consecutive Hot 100 hits in the top 40, including 20 top 10s out of 29 in his career and seven No. 1s out of his nine total.
In addition, John holds the record for the longest span of top 40 Hot 100 appearances for a solo artist, excluding holiday songs, at 54 years and two weeks. The Beatles have the longest span among all acts, with 59 years, nine months, and three weeks.
Ed Sheeran’s first top 40 entry on the Hot 100 was with “The A Team” on Nov. 10, 2012, and his most recent entry in the region was “Eyes Closed” in July 2023.
Chart Methodology
The Hot 100 combines U.S. streaming, radio airplay, and sales data to determine chart rankings. Digital singles sales from full-service digital music retailers are included, while sales from direct-to-consumer sites are excluded. All charts dated Jan. 4, 2025, will be updated on Billboard.com on Dec. 31.
FAQs
Q: How many top 40 Hot 100 hits does Elton John have?
A: Elton John has achieved 60 top 40 Hot 100 hits, tying him with Beyoncé for the ninth-most in chart history.
Q: What is the significance of Ed Sheeran and Elton John’s collaboration “Merry Christmas”?
A: “Merry Christmas” marks Ed Sheeran’s landmark 25th top 40 hit and Elton John’s milestone 60th top 40 hit, showcasing their enduring success in the music industry.
Credit: www.billboard.com
