'Santa Claus Is Coming to Town' tops ASCAP holiday-song list

"Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," written by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespi, was the most-performed holiday song of the last three years, according to a new list compiled by the performing-rights organization ASCAP.

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers unveiled its list of its 25 most-performed holiday songs on Wednesday (12/3). ASCAP is the largest performing-rights organization, but its list doesn't include songs licensed by other organizations.

"Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" was originally written in 1934, and was recorded that same year by orchestra leader George Hall. The most frequently heard versions of the song today are by Bruce Springsteen and The Crystals.

Two songs entered the ASCAP holiday list for the first time: "Santa Baby," written by Joan Javits, Philip Springer and Tony Springer; and Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime."

The McCartney song, which was first recorded in 1979, is the most-recently penned track on the list.

ASCAP's 25 most performed holiday songs are:
1. "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," written by J. Fred Coots, Haven Gillespie

2. "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)," Mel Torme, Robert Wells

3. "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," Ralph Blane, Hugh Martin

4. "Winter Wonderland," Felix Bernard, Richard B. Smith

5. "White Christmas," Irving Berlin

6. "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow" Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne

7. "I'll Be Home for Christmas," Walter Kent, Kim Gannon, Buck Ram

8. "Jingle Bell Rock," Joseph Carleton Beal, James Ross Boothe

9. "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," Johnny Marks

10. "Little Drummer Boy," Katherine K. Davis, Henry V. Onorati, Harry Simeone

11. "Sleigh Ride," Leroy Anderson, Mitchell Parish

12. "Silver Bells," Jay Livingston, Ray Evans

13. "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," Edward Pola, George Wyle

14. "Feliz Navidad," Jose Feliciano

15. "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," Johnny Marks

16. "Blue Christmas," Billy Hayes, Jay W. Johnson

17. "Frosty The Snow Man," Steve Nelson, Walter E. Rollins

18. "A Holly Jolly Christmas," Johnny Marks

19. "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," Tommie Connor

20. "Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)," Gene Autry, Oakley Haldeman)

21. "(There's No Place Like) Home For The Holidays," Bob Allen, Al Stillman

22. "Santa Baby," Joan Ellen Javits, Philip Springer, Tony Springer

23. "It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas," Meredith Willson

24. "Carol of the Bells," Peter J. Wilhousky, Mykola Leontovich

25. "Wonderful Christmastime," Paul McCartney