A very Barnesy Christmas

Deck the halls, Jimmy Barnes is at the top of the ARIA Albums Chart once more with the debut of Blue Christmas, leading the festive season cheer as music from Mariah, the Bocelli Family, Michael Bublé and Wham! begins to climb the charts again. 

Barnesy was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2005 with six ARIA Award wins. Blue Christmas is his 20th studio album and marks his 15th ARIA #1. It also comes in at #1 on the ARIA Vinyl Albums Chart. On his latest success, he said: “This is a fantastic Christmas present and I’m grateful to receive it. It’s been a rough week given that I’ve withdrawn from summer touring to have surgery.  

“I’d like to say that the warm reception for this album has put a spring in my step, but that would be a medical miracle right now. Instead, I’ll just say thanks to everyone who keeps listening to my new music and thank all the people behind the scenes for their help. I wish everyone the happiest of holidays and can’t wait to get back onstage next year.” 

ARIA CEO, Annabelle Herd, said: “As the year comes to an end and the Christmas albums make their way up the charts again, I’m thrilled to be congratulating an Australian artist on leading the charge with a #1 debut, let alone an icon like Jimmy Barnes. His contribution to Australian music over decades is almost untouchable, from shaping the face of local rock and roll, to children’s albums and everything in between. Congratulations again Jimmy.” 

Continuing the trend for Australian music icons, The Seekers make a return to the Albums Chart with Carry Me debuting at #10. The album celebrates the 60th anniversary of the group and is its first release since the sad passing of long-time lead singer Judith Durham in August. 

Finally, marking the official start of the festive season, Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You sits just outside the top 10 on the Singles Chart at #11, climbing from #50 last week. First released in 1994, the single topped the ARIA Singles Chart in 2018 and has returned to #1 every Christmas since then.