Wizzard score first UK top 10 hit in 46 years

27 December 2019, 17:57 | Updated: 19 September 2023, 14:13

Christmas hits are timeless, and 2019 has proved a big year for chart milestones for classic festive songs.

Thanks to streaming, Wizzard's classic 1973 hit 'I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday' has risen into the UK top 10 for the first time since its original release.

Despite re-enterting the chart every year since downloads were included in 2007, this is the first time in 46 years that Roy Wood's band have scored a top 10 hit.

This week's chart - the week after the Christmas number one battle - is full of Christmas hits after millions of people streamed festive favourites over the Christmas period.

Wizzard - I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday (Official Music Video)

Elswhere, there were first ever top 40 entries for Dean Martin's 'Let It Snow' at 39 - in fact, the first time ever that the Christmas standard has reached the top 40 by any artist - The Ronettes' 'Sleigh Ride' at 34, and 'Jingle Bell Rock' by Bobby Helms at 30.

Slade rose to 19 with 'Merry Xmas Everybody', and Elton John's 'Step Into Christmas' achieved a new chart peak of number 8.

Shakin' Stevens also reaches his highest chart position with 'Merry Christmas Everyone' since it was Christmas number one back in 1985, rising to number six.

Wham! had to settle for third place with 'Last Christmas', while Mariah Carey stalled at number two for the third year with 'All I Want for Christmas is You'. Ellie Goulding's cover of Joni Mitchell's 'River' rose to number one, after its use as an Amazon Music exclusive a few weeks ago.