Creating Our Own ’80s Christmas No. 1s | The Holiday Songs That Should Have Topped the Charts

If you're a music fan in the United Kingdom, there are few traditions more beloved than the race for the Christmas No. 1 single.

For decades, artists have battled for the honor of sitting atop the charts during the holiday season, creating a uniquely British cultural event that combines pop music, nostalgia and Christmas spirit.

Meanwhile, here in America, we somehow missed out on all the fun.

That's why this week on the Stuck in the ’80s podcast, Steve and Brad take matters into their own hands.

For the final episode of 2023, the gang creates a virtual list of Christmas No. 1 songs for every year of the 1980s, selecting one holiday favorite to represent each year of the decade. Think of it as an alternate musical universe where Christmas chart supremacy became a cherished American tradition.

Along the way, Steve and Brad revisit many of the songs that helped define the holiday season during the MTV era. Some are genuine Christmas classics that return to radio playlists every December. Others are overlooked gems that deserve a little more attention from modern audiences.

The discussion also explores why holiday music occupies such a unique place in our memories. More than almost any other genre, Christmas songs become tied to specific moments, family traditions and emotional touchstones that stay with us for decades.

As always, the fun comes not only from the selections themselves but from the inevitable debates. Which songs best capture the spirit of a particular year? Which artists created holiday magic that still resonates today? And which beloved classics were unfairly left off the list?

The episode serves as both a celebration of Christmas music and a reminder of how deeply the songs of the 1980s remain connected to the memories of the season.

Like many year-end Stuck in the ’80s episodes, the conversation mixes nostalgia, music history and plenty of good-natured disagreement while revisiting the soundtrack of our youth.

Whether your holiday playlist includes traditional carols, synth-pop Christmas songs or charity singles from the MTV era, there's something here for every Gen X music fan.

Most importantly, it's a chance to end the year the same way we've spent it: celebrating the music, memories and shared experiences that continue bringing us together.

If you love Christmas music, chart trivia and revisiting the sounds of the holiday season during the greatest decade ever, this episode belongs in your playlist.

The Stuck in the ’80s Podcast has spent nearly 20 years celebrating the music, movies, television and pop culture of the greatest decade ever. Support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes, exclusive livestream hangouts, behind-the-scenes content and merch for longtime listeners.

And don't forget: Spearsy and Brad will once again be part of The 80s Cruise, the ultimate floating celebration of ’80s music and nostalgia. Use promo code STUCK when booking your cabin to receive up to $250 in onboard cabin credit while sailing with fellow Gen X music fans and enjoying performances and appearances from many of the decade's biggest artists.

Happy holidays from all of us at Stuck in the ’80s. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.