America’s Most-Searched Christmas Songs—Nostalgia Rules

~  America’s Most-Searched Christmas Songs—Nostalgia Rules, TikTok Drives Discovery ~

Brenda Lee topples Mariah Carey as the queen of Christmas pop – but José Feliciano’s “Feliz Navidad” is the rising star of Christmas.

Google search data analyzed by Chordify reveals a festive shake-up in America’s most-searched Christmas songs. While Brenda Lee’s Rockin’ Around the Christmas Treereclaimed the top spot across ten states, José Feliciano’s Feliz Navidad became the fastest-growing Christmas hit of the fall, fuelled by TikTok remixes, nostalgic playlists, and a new generation of guitar and piano players looking up “Feliz Navidad chords” and “how to play Feliz Navidad on guitar.”

Across the country, search behaviour shows a clear theme: Americans are blending nostalgia with musical curiosity. Classic hits from the 50s to the 80s aren’t just being streamed; they’re being played, covered, and learned on instruments from ukulele to piano — with Chordify users leading the trend.

“This year’s Christmas charts show how streaming culture and social media have blurred the borders between genres, languages, and generations,” said Gijs Bekenkamp, CMO at Chordify. “We’re seeing Gen Z discovering classic hits their grandparents grew up with — and giving them new life through TikTok and guitar tutorials.”

Key Findings

Brenda Lee reigns supreme

“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” was the most-searched festive song in 10 states — including Alabama, Maryland, and Tennessee, proving that Lee’s 1958 hit is still America’s go-to for classic Christmas joy.

Searches for “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree chords” and “sheet music” saw a notable rise among beginner guitarists this year.

Feliz Navidad goes viral

Feliciano’s bilingual anthem led in Florida, New York, and Texas, showing that “Feliz Navidad chords” and “how to play Feliz Navidad on guitar” searches skyrocketed, making it the most viral Christmas comeback of the fall.

Wham! nostalgia spikes

“Last Christmas” dominated seven northern states, including Michigan and Washington, with “Last Christmas tabs” among the most-searched queries for guitar learners.

Mariah still the modern queen

“All I Want for Christmas Is You” led in six states, including California and New Jersey, though its overall dominance dipped slightly compared to previous years. Piano players continued to search heavily for “All I Want for Christmas Is You sheet music.”

Regional favourites shine

From Hawaii’s love for “Mele Kalikimaka” to Louisiana’s obsession with Ariana Grande’s“Santa Tell Me,” local culture still shapes America’s holiday playlists, and the way fans want to play them.

Which States Are Searching Most for Christmas Chords?

Beyond festive listening habits, Chordify’s analysis found that states like Texas, Florida, and New York not only led in Christmas song searches, but also ranked highest for “Christmas chords” and “how to play” queries, particularly around “Feliz Navidad” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.”

This link between listening and learning shows how Americans are transforming passive streaming into active playing, bringing Christmas classics back to life on guitars, pianos, and ukuleles across generations.

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• Imprisoned for Christ: Saint Nicholas
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