Discover the Surprising Annual Earnings of The Darkness from Their Iconic Christmas Song
The Darkness, the band known for their hit “Christmas Time (Don’t Let the Bells End),” has an interesting financial story behind their iconic Christmas song. Released in December 2003, the single quickly gained popularity, earning approximately £1 million in its first month alone. However, the band’s lead singer, Justin Hawkins, recently revealed that the ongoing royalties from the song may not be as substantial as many fans expect.
Revenue from “Christmas Time (Don’t Let the Bells End)”
The song skyrocketed to number two on the UK Singles Chart, narrowly missing the Christmas number one spot. It was recorded at the famous Abbey Road Studios and has since become a staple of holiday playlists. Despite this success, Hawkins emphasized that the revenue structure for music has changed significantly, especially with the rise of streaming services.
Impact of Streaming on Royalties
In an interview from 2018, Hawkins discussed how streaming has altered the economics of music payouts. He noted that the earnings from streaming are significantly lower than expected. “You don’t make as much from that as you might imagine,” Hawkins explained. He compared their current earnings to what they might have made had they released the song in the 1980s.
- Physical sales peaked at 385,000 copies during the 2003 holiday season.
- The song has garnered over 46 million streams on Spotify.
- Royalties are mainly derived from publishing deals and sync fees, rather than streaming plays.
Current Earnings and Market Trends
Hawkins revealed that typical royalties from modern streaming platforms amount to only small fractions of a penny per stream. While “Christmas Time (Don’t Let the Bells End)” continues to perform well, the financial benefits do not match the song’s widespread recognition. Instead of lavish spending, Hawkins jokingly mentioned upgrading his grocery choices when he hears the song play.
Legacy of the Song
Despite the financial constraints, “Christmas Time (Don’t Let the Bells End)” remains a defining moment for The Darkness. It is celebrated each December, and in 2023 the band recorded a new version to commemorate the song’s 20th anniversary. Hawkins expressed surprise at its enduring popularity, stating it still sounds good each holiday season.
Top Earning Christmas Songs
The financial landscape for classic Christmas songs is varied. Here are the top five earning Christmas songs, illustrating the different revenue potential:
| Song | Annual Royalties | Total Revenue Since Release |
|---|---|---|
| Slade, Merry Christmas Everybody | £1 million | £50 million |
| The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl, Fairytale of New York | £400,000 | £14.4 million |
| Mariah Carey, All I Want for Christmas is You | £400,000 | £11.6 million |
| Wizzard, I Wish it Could be Christmas Every Day | £180,000 | £9 million |
| Chris Rea, Driving Home for Christmas | £200,000 | £7 million |
While “Christmas Time (Don’t Let the Bells End)” may not yield the riches speculated, it remains a significant piece of holiday music history for The Darkness and their fans worldwide.
