Most Annoying Christmas Carols

Most Annoying Christmas Carols

It would seem that one in three Aussies cringe at the sound of Mariah Carey's "All I want for Christmas is you" according to new research1 from Virgin Mobile. The pop princess' tune topped the list of the most irritating Christmas carols of 2011.

Aussies named 'Santa Baby' (16%) the second most irritating carol, with 'I saw Mummy kissing Santa Claus' (15%) a close third. Other carols that drive Aussies up the wall, in order, are: 'Away in a Manger' (9%), 'Jingle Bell Rock' (7%), 'Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer' (5%).

The most annoying carols list follows the revelation that 36% of Aussies would prefer not to listen to Christmas carols whilst shopping, with one in every six (16.57%) saying that having to listen to Christmas carols is one of the most annoying things about Christmas shopping.

To relieve shoppers from Mariah's high pitch acapellas and help them hold on to their Christmas cheer when shopping, Virgin Mobile has launched Australia's first headphone loan program as a unique and cheeky way of helping Aussies avoid naff Christmas carols.

Available at selected Virgin Mobile stores in Westfield shopping centres, the headphone loan program allows shoppers to borrow a set of MP3 headphones pre-loaded with tunes from the Telco's free digital radio station 'Radio Free by Virgin Mobile' so they can shop free from naff Christmas carols.

"We've discovered a number of Christmas carols that drive people crazy, with Mariah Carey's tune topping the list and we wanted to provide relief to shoppers this festive season with our headphone loan program. Christmas shopping is supposed to be fun and festive, not stressful as it often is, so if you find carols cringeworthy, grab a pair of headphones and enjoy the carol-free sounds of Radio Free By Virgin Mobile," explains Virgin Mobile Marketing Director, David Scribner.

The headphones feature up to two hours of the most popular songs around via Radio Free by Virgin Mobile. Radio Free by Virgin Mobile plays music 'for the people, by the people', letting listeners vote for their favourite music and then broadcasting the most popular songs.

The Top Ten Most Irritating Carols
1. All I want for Christmas - the Mariah Carey version 34.33%
2. Santa Baby 16.47%
3. I saw Daddy kissing Santa Claus 14.98%
4. Away in a Manger 9.42%
5. Jingle Bell Rock 6.85%
6. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer 5.16%
7. Silent Night 4.86%
8. Santa Claus is coming to Town 4.56%
9. Jingle Bells 3.37%
10. Little Drummer Boy > 1%

The research was conducted online by Pure Profile in November 2011 with 1,000 Australians aged 18 and over. The data was weighted to the latest population estimates derived from the Australian Bureau ofStatistics.

The headphones on the loan program feature a set Radio Free by Virgin Mobile playlist, however the free digital radio station can be streamed live either online www.radiofree.com.au or on your mobile (via a freeapp for iPhone and Android). For more information on Radio Free by Virgin Mobile head to: www.radiofree.com.au
Virgin Mobile wishes everyone a very merry Christmas (minus the naff carols)!