Even decades after his passing, Elvis Presley continues to prove his timeless appeal, especially when the holiday season rolls around. Each December, festive listeners turn to his iconic catalog, sending the King of Rock & Roll soaring back onto the Billboard charts.
This year is no exception. Presley’s melancholy Christmas anthem, “Blue Christmas,” remains the undisputed centerpiece of his seasonal repertoire. Unlike many upbeat holiday staples, the track’s nostalgic tone sets it apart, and it has once again surged across multiple charts. On the Streaming Songs tally, it reclaims the No. 24 spot, while on the Billboard Global 200, it sits comfortably at No. 60.
Billboard categorizes “Blue Christmas” as a rock track, and it’s seeing major momentum on the Rock Streaming Songs chart — climbing from No. 5 to No. 2. It misses the top spot only because Chuck Berry’s “Run Rudolph Run” takes this year’s crown. Still, Presley’s holiday hit has a strong history here, having spent six nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1, and remains his sole chart-topper in this category. Other festive rock entries in his discography, such as “Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” previously peaked at Nos. 4 and 19, respectively.
Beyond the rock charts, “Blue Christmas” edges upward on both the Holiday Streaming Songs list (No. 20) and the Holiday 100 (No. 21). On the prestigious Hot 100, it leaps from No. 50 to No. 31, with further gains possible as the holidays progress.
Presley isn’t scoring with just one track this December. His rendition of “O Little Town of Bethlehem” makes a notable comeback on the Christian Streaming Songs chart at No. 20, a chart where it once peaked at No. 2.
These streaming boosts have reignited interest in Presley’s compilation The Classic Christmas Album (2012). The set rockets up the Billboard 200 from No. 158 to No. 55 — an impressive leap of more than 100 spots — thanks to a 78% jump in consumption, totaling 17,050 equivalent units from sales and streams, according to Luminate.
The compilation’s momentum doesn’t stop there. It storms into the top 10 on Top Rock & Alternative Albums (No. 9, up from No. 34), while reentering the Top Rock Albums (No. 7) and Top Streaming Albums (No. 44) charts.
Clearly, Presley’s music remains a December tradition for millions, proving that the King’s crown still shines — especially under the twinkle of holiday lights.
