How Much Does Noddy Holder Make From His Christmas Song

So, there I was, the other day, humming along to Slade's "Merry Xmas Everybody" while putting up the decorations. You know the one, right? The classic Christmas tune that gets us all singing along, "So here it is, merry Christmas, everybody's having fun..."

And then it hit me, I wondered, how much does Noddy Holder make from this Christmas song every year? I mean, it's not like he's still touring and performing it live every December, is it? So, where's the money coming from?

Let's Talk Royalties

Alright, let's dive into the world of music royalties. Every time "Merry Xmas Everybody" plays on the radio, in a store, or on a streaming service, Noddy Holder and the other Slade members earn a tiny bit of money. This is thanks to performing rights organizations (PROs) like ASCAP, BMI, or PRS for Music in the UK.

But here's the thing, folks, these royalties are tiny. We're talking fractions of a penny per play. So, while it might seem like a goldmine, it's more like a steady drip of cash.

Streaming Services and Downloads

Now, let's talk about streaming services and downloads. When you listen to "Merry Xmas Everybody" on Spotify or Apple Music, or buy it on iTunes, a portion of that money goes to the record label. They then share a cut with the artists.

But again, it's not as much as you might think. According to Music Business Worldwide, an artist needs around 250,000 streams on Spotify to make the US minimum wage.

So, How Much Does Noddy Holder Make?

Alright, let's try to put a number on this. According to Forbes, "Merry Xmas Everybody" earns around $500,000 to $600,000 worldwide each year.

Now, that's a nice chunk of change, but remember, that's split between all the Slade members, and they've likely had to pay taxes and management fees. So, Noddy Holder's share is probably a bit less than that.

The REAL inspiration behind Merry Xmas Everybody: Noddy Holder reveals

But here's the kicker, folks. That $500,000 to $600,000 is before the Christmas season even starts. "Merry Xmas Everybody" is one of the most popular Christmas songs worldwide, so it gets played a lot in December. That means Noddy Holder's royalties can triple during the holiday season.

Not Bad for a Song Written in 15 Minutes

You might be thinking, "Wow, that's a lot of money for a song written in just 15 minutes." And you'd be right. Noddy Holder has said that "Merry Xmas Everybody" was written in a hurry, and they even had to rush the recording to get it out in time for Christmas 1973.

But remember, folks, this is the exception, not the rule. Most songs, even the ones that become Christmas classics, don't make their writers rich. It's a tough industry, and the odds are stacked against most artists.

So, What's the Moral of the Story?

Well, folks, the moral of the story is, don't quit your day job to become a Christmas song writer. While it's nice to dream of a royalties windfall, the reality is that most songs don't make their writers rich. But if you do happen to write a Christmas classic, you might just be set for life.

And hey, if you're feeling generous this holiday season, why not buy "Merry Xmas Everybody" on your favorite streaming service or download platform? Every stream and download helps Noddy Holder and the other Slade members enjoy a few more Christmas dinners.

Happy holidays, folks! And remember, the next time you're singing along to "Merry Xmas Everybody," you're helping Noddy Holder pay his bills. You're welcome, Noddy.