California may not initially evoke thoughts of the holiday season, but that doesn’t mean Golden State residents aren’t excited for Christmas next week, especially as they patiently wait for California sports betting movement. There may be little chance for a White Christmas in most parts of the nation’s most populous state. However, you will still find people acting merrily up and down the PCH.
One way to celebrate the season is by playing Christmas songs. At BetCalifornia.com, we were curious about locals' favorite Christmas songs. Using Google Trends, we found the top five most popular Christmas songs based on search interest scores on December 17.
As it turns out, Californians prefer traditional classics this time of the year.
Rank | Song | Search Interest Score |
1 | “Feliz Navidad” | 10 |
2 | “Silent Night” | 8 |
3 | “Santa Baby” | 7 |
4 | “Do They Know Its Christmas” | 5 |
5 | “Jingle Bell Rock” | 3 |
In a state where more than 2-in-5 people are Hispanic and/or Latino – only New Mexico has a higher percentage of the population according to federal data – it makes sense that the most popular holiday song is “Feliz Navidad” by Jose Feliciano.
The Puerto Rican crooner released the song in 1970, and it remains popular today. This week’s Billboard Holiday 100 features the song at No. 13. It’s been on the music chart for each of the 71 weeks it’s been in existence, and while it has not been No. 1, the Spanish/English tune has been as high as No. 3 on the chart.
Next on California’s Christmas music playlist is “Silent Night.” The traditional Christmas carol, first written in German, dates back more than 200 years.
While no recordings of the song are on the Billboard Holiday 100, it does top one major list according to the music industry publication. As of 2017, there have been more than 137,000 recorded versions of the holiday.
Only one other song, “White Christmas,” has been recorded more than 100,000 times, according to Billboard.
Also of interest: Top 15 Grinch States This Season.
USA Today photo by Kirby Lee.
Author
Steve is an accomplished, award-winning reporter with more than 20 years of experience covering gaming, sports, politics and business. He has written for the Associated Press, Reuters, The Louisville Courier Journal, The Center Square and numerous other publications. Based in Louisville, Ky., Steve has covered the expansion of sports betting in the U.S. and other gaming matters.
Cited by leading media organizations, such as:
