The final weeks of 2024 saw a captivating blend of global superstars and homegrown Latvian talent dominating the country’s music streaming charts. While familiar holiday classics held strong,some unexpected entries added a unique twist to the festive soundscape.
In the penultimate week (week 51), South Korean pop sensation Jimin‘s single “who” reigned supreme. Classic holiday hits followed closely behind, with Wham!’s “Last Christmas” securing second place and Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” claiming third. This reflects a global trend of holiday music popularity, mirroring similar charts in the US and beyond.
Though, the Latvian charts also showcased local talent. The collaboration between the group Bermudu Divstūris and Intar busuli, “Flamingo,” made a strong debut, entering the top 20 at number five. Greta and Wiesul’s “Vai ne” also charted at number 19, demonstrating the growing popularity of Latvian artists on the international stage. Another Latvian track,”Raķešu zūtne” by Patriša and Finķis,rounded out the local portrayal at number 24.
The final week of the year (week 52) saw a shift in the top spots. Mariah Carey’s ”All I Want for Christmas Is You” took the number one position, a testament to its enduring appeal. Brenda Lee’s rock and roll era Christmas classic, “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” released in 1958, surprisingly snagged second place, highlighting the timeless nature of some holiday favorites. Wham!’s “Last Christmas” remained a consistent contender, holding onto third place. The only Latvian single to crack the top 20 was “Flamingo” by Bermudu Divstūris and Intar Busuli, landing at number 11.
Focusing solely on Latvian singles, “Piparkūkas danco” by Knīpas un knauķi took second place in week 52, though it only reached number 37 on the overall chart. Greta and Wiesul’s “Vai ne” slipped to 46th place but still held a strong position within the Latvian-only rankings. The dominance of Christmas music was undeniable,with six Christmas songs making up the top 10 Latvian singles,including Laura Reinika’s 2003 hit “Tik balti” and Siegfrīds Muktupāvel’s “Ticot,mīliot und gaidot,” a song composed in 1989 by Helvijs Stengrēvics with lyrics by Jānis Baltauss.
The Latvian music charts offer a fascinating glimpse into the global reach of popular music and the enduring power of holiday classics,while simultaneously showcasing the vibrant talent emerging from Latvia.
Holiday Hits and Homegrown Talents: Exploring Latvia’s Year-End Music Charts
This year-end season saw a captivating blend of global superstars and local Latvian talent making thier mark on the Latvian music charts. From K-pop sensation Jimin to timeless holiday favorites like Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You,” the charts paint a vibrant picture of Latvian music preferences.
Senior Editor: Welcome back to World Today news! Joining us today is Dr. Ilze Zālīte, a leading expert on Latvian music culture and trends.Dr. Zālīte,thanks for joining us.
Dr. Ilze Zālīte: It’s my pleasure to be here.
Senior Editor: Let’s dive right into the recent year-end charts. We saw a captivating mix of global hits and homegrown Latvian talent vying for the top spots. What are your observations?
Dr. Zālīte: It’s a fascinating reflection of Latvian music consumption.You have global phenomena like Jimin’s “who” dominating,but we also see heartwarming local success stories like Bermudu Divstūris and Intar Busuli’s “Flamingo” breaking into the top 20. It highlights the appeal of both international trends and the unique sounds emerging from Latvia.
Senior Editor: Speaking of local talent, how would you characterize the performance of Latvian artists on the charts?
Dr. Ilze Zālīte:
it’s encouraging! “Flamingo,” alongside Greta and Wiesul’s “Vai ne,” are grate examples of the rising popularity of Latvian artists, not just within Latvia, but on a broader platform. And looking at the dedicated Latvian chart, “Piparkūkas danco” by Knīpas un knauķi securing second place shows that homegrown holiday classics also have a notable following.
Senior Editor: The dominance of Christmas tunes is undeniable, both globally and in Latvia. What do you think drives this enduring appeal – particularly for songs like Mariah Carey’s hit?
Dr. Ilze Zālīte: There’s something inherently nostalgic and comforting about these holiday classics. they evoke strong memories, associated with family, tradition, and happy times. Plus,many of them are simply fantastically crafted pop songs that transcend generations.
Senior Editor: Looking ahead to 2025, are there any particular trends or artists you think will make waves on the latvian music scene?
Dr.Ilze Zālīte:
It’s always hard to predict with certainty, but I’d keep an eye on emerging Latvian singer-songwriters. there’s a lot of exciting talent bubbling up. and as global boundaries increasingly blur in the music world, I wouldn’t be surprised to see more Latvian artists finding international recognition.
Senior editor: Dr. Zālīte, thank you for sharing your insightful perspective on Latvian music.
Dr. Ilze Zālīte: My pleasure. It’s always enjoyable to talk about the music I love!
