Chart Commentary

This year’s first Hot 100 for 2026 begins the year the only way it can, still dominating the holiday list. This isn’t a gripe; it’s the rhythm of the current era of listening patterns. The reason why the “Christmas lock” is so prominent that it makes it difficult for actual hit song writers to catch … Read more

The final Billboard Hot 100 for 2025 comes exactly as anticipated, and like clockwork, doused in tinsel and a sense of nostalgic and traditional holiday experience. Holiday music continues its domination of the Billboard Hot 100 in a one-sided affair, with the upper half of this week’s list a holiday playlist in and of itself, … Read more