Elvis Presley’s Career Predated The Hot 100; Now He’s Back On The Chart

There will forever be a big question mark hanging over Elvis Presley’s performance on the charts in America. Many of his early smashes predated Billboard introducing one definitive ranking for the most popular songs in the U.S., the Hot 100. That tally was inaugurated in 1958, by which point Presley was already a star. Some longtime fans argue that other, similar lists that existed—where the rocker had succeeded—should be counted toward his historic Hot 100 total, though technically, they do not.

That debate rages on—though according to Billboard charts, there’s only one real answer—as does the American public’s love of Presley’s music. While some of his most famous tracks never reached the ranking, the late powerhouse is back on the competitive list once more thanks to one of his most successful releases.

“Blue Christmas” reappears on the Hot 100 this week. The track narrowly misses out on becoming a top 40 smash once more in America—at least on this list—but it will likely crack that region when the charts are refreshed, as listeners in the U.S. can’t seem to get enough of the sad tune.

Presley mounts an often-annual comeback onto the Hot 100 with “Blue Christmas,” which surges in popularity when the end of the year returns. It is one of dozens of holiday classics that find their way to the Billboard charts as interest in the season rises.

“Blue Christmas” has thus far peaked at No. 18 on the Hot 100. Despite the fact that it was released in 1964—Presley’s version, at least—the tune has only earned 14 stays on the chart. It adds to that sum nearly every December, now that a track’s placement on the tally is influenced by streaming activity and an uptick in radio airplay, as programmers embrace renewed love of all things Christmas.

Presley doesn’t only appear on the Hot 100 with “Blue Christmas,” as the single is a cross-genre hit that Americans consume however they can. This week, the smash rises on the Streaming Songs chart (No. 32) and the Country Streaming Songs ranking (No. 5). It’s also a non-mover in second place on the Rock Streaming Songs list.

“Blue Christmas” is always the focus for Presley around the holidays, but as of this frame, it’s not the legend’s only hit single in the U.S. His recording of “Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)” is back on the Rock Streaming Songs tally this week, where it lands at No. 25. That’s last place on the chart, though it might rise closer to its No. 4 peak in the coming period or two, before the holiday season fades once again.