Bing Crosby Marks His First Album Release in Over Five Years
Even though Bing Crosby departed this world over four decades ago, his tunes are still in high demand, particularly during the festive season. His rich vocal timbre is ideally suited for the joyfulness of Christmas, and his voice will eternally be associated with the holiday season. Many of his most beloved tracks revolve around winter, snow, gifts, and Santa, and it seems there's an unending number of collections and albums of his music to satisfy the public's insatiable appetite.
Crosby scores another chart-topping project thanks to his Christmas classics. Ultimate Christmas, the latest compilation from the late Crosby, makes a splash on various charts in the U.K., just before the New Year celebrations conclude once more.
Ultimate Christmas lands a spot on the main albums chart in the United Kingdom, ranking among the top 100 most consumed full-lengths and EPs in the nation. On this cutthroat list, Crosby introduces his latest posthumous project at position 92.
Crosby hadn't charted anything new on the U.K. albums chart for half a decade. His last triumph on the chart was way back at the very beginning of January 2020, reflecting listening habits from the tail end of 2019. On the chart dated January 2, 2020, Crosby's The Voice of Christmas debuted, peaking at position 67.
Ultimate Christmas gains traction due to newfound interest in all of Crosby's holiday tunes. However, it can be considered a 2025 hit. The current charts in the U.K. are dated January 2—a marvelous coincidence—so it's been five years to the day since he last charted.
Crosby now has a dozen appearances on the albums chart in the United Kingdom. Only three of those releases charted during his lifetime. Another trio of titles joined the list after his passing in 1977, most likely due to millions of people in the country paying tribute to his legacy by listening to his music again—and at the time, that meant buying copies of his vinyl from record stores.
Nearly half of all the albums Crosby has pushed onto the chart are Christmas-themed. Five of the 12 studio efforts from the esteemed singer and actor that have climbed the main list in the U.K. are either traditional albums or compilations suitable for December.
Ultimate Christmas also enters another ranking as it debuts. This week, the collection featuring numerous songs is new at position 56 on the Official Albums Streaming chart. Another one of his enduring timely compilations, Christmas Classics, moves up on both the albums chart (position 18) and the Official Albums Streaming chart (position 9).
The popularity of Bing Crosby's Christmas music is evident in the charts, as 'Ultimate Christmas' climbs to position 92 on the main albums chart in the UK, five years after his last chart entry. This compilation, which includes many of Crosby's classic holiday songs, also debuts at position 56 on the Official Albums Streaming chart. 'Ultimate Christmas' is not the only Bing Crosby Christmas compilation to do well this week, as 'Christmas Classics' moves up to position 18 on the albums chart and position 9 on the Official Albums Streaming chart.
Crosby's Christmas albums have been consistently successful in the UK, with five out of his 12 chart appearances being holiday-themed. His enduring popularity during the festive season is evident in the continued success of his Christmas compilations, even decades after his death.
The success of 'Ultimate Christmas' can be attributed to the enduring popularity of Bing Crosby's Christmas music, as well as the release of new collections that allow fans to rediscover his classic holiday tracks. Crosby's rich vocal timbre and ability to capture the joyfulness of the holiday season has ensured that his music remains a staple of Christmas playlists, even as the years pass.
Fans of Bing Crosby's music will be delighted to see his 'Ultimate Christmas' compilation continue to climb the charts, as well as to see other popular collections like 'Christmas Classics' continue to gain traction. The success of these albums is a testament to the enduring appeal of Bing Crosby's Christmas music, and to the continued demand for new collections and compilations that allow fans to experience his timeless holiday tunes anew.
Crosby's 'Ultimate Christmas' is poised to become another enduring classic in his long line of successful holiday releases, joining the ranks of other popular collections like 'White Christmas' and 'Merry Christmas'. Fans of all ages will continue to enjoy his rich vocal stylings and the joyfulness of his Christmas music, ensuring that Bing Crosby's legacy as a holiday music icon endures for generations to come.
