Pop icon Kylie Minogue has clinched a major career milestone, securing the coveted UK Christmas Number One single for the very first time. Her festive track, 'XMAS', triumphed over the perennial favourite, Wham!'s 'Last Christmas', in a closely watched chart battle.
A Sweet Victory Decades in the Making
The win is particularly significant for the 57-year-old star, marking her first UK chart-topper since 2003's 'Slow'. It arrives a full 37 years after she scored her debut Number One with 'I Should Be So Lucky' in 1987. Posing with her trophy, an elated Minogue said, "It's hard to put into words how special this feels. Being Christmas Number One really is the most wonderful gift!"
She added, "I'm so thankful to everyone who's been listening and sharing the love." The victory halted Wham!'s bid for a historic triple, after the duo, comprised of the late George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley, took the festive top spot in both 2023 and 2024.
The Strategy Behind the Chart Success
Industry insiders point to a savvy promotional strategy and a key distribution deal as crucial factors in the upset. Kylie's song 'XMAS' was released exclusively on Amazon Music, meaning it was unavailable on rival platforms like Spotify or Apple Music. Experts suggest this paid off handsomely, as requests to Amazon's virtual assistant Alexa to play a Christmas song would likely have prioritised the exclusive track, with each play counting as a stream.
Minogue also embarked on a frantic promotional campaign in the final week, including a performance on 'Strictly Come Dancing' watched by nearly seven million, and appearances on BBC Radio 2. Her social media channels were filled with festive content, including clips of her dancing as 'Mrs Christmas'.
The Rest of the Festive Chart Line-Up
The 2024 Christmas chart saw familiar classics holding strong. Mariah Carey's 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' landed at Number 3, with Brenda Lee's 'Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree' at Number 4. The highest new entry, at Number 5, was the charity single 'Lullaby' by Together For Palestine, which was the week's best-selling track. The song, featuring over 15 artists, was created to raise funds for children in Gaza.
A Career Renaissance and What Comes Next
Far from being a swansong, sources close to Kylie indicate this triumph has sparked a creative renaissance. One music insider described the win as a "huge moment in her career", adding that the star is "so, so proud and happy." The success has reportedly galvanised plans for a new album, with the insider stating, "She has now realised that she is not over... A new album is in the pipeline, it is going to be brilliant."
The chart rules, where 100 streams equate to one sale, continue to shape the modern music landscape, favouring streaming giants and established hits. However, Kylie Minogue's strategic victory proves that even in this digital age, a determined campaign and a catchy tune can still deliver the ultimate Christmas present.
