merry xmas Before its release, "Merry Xmas Everybody" received about half a million advance orders. 350,000 copies were bought upon its release.[citation needed] It became the third song by Slade to enter the UK Singles Chart at number one in its first eligible week on 15 December 1973, the sixth number one of their career,[8][17] and the fastest selling single in the UK. It also marked the first time 2 consecutive number ones had entered at that position, previous number one "I Love You Love Me Love" by Gary Glitter having also entered at number one. Polydor, Slade's record label, were forced to use their French pressing plant to keep up with the demand, and the song eventually went on to sell over one million copies,[citation needed] becoming the Christmas number one of 1973, beating another Christmas-themed song, "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday" by Wizzard.[18] "Merry Xmas Everybody" remained number one until mid-January, and stayed in the Top 50 for nine weeks.[19] That it remained in the charts after Christmas caused confusion for Holder, who wondered why people continued to buy it.[9]
The single's original B-side was "Don't Blame Me", which later appeared as an album track on their 1974 album Old New Borrowed and Blue.[20] In a 1979 fan club interview, Lea said: ""Don't Blame Me" was a time-filler, I think that it was created as that. When it was used as a b-side, we didn't even know it was being used, it was chosen by the offices. We were in America recording the Christmas single, there was a rush to choose what to put on the back of it, and that track happened to be used."[21]
In 1985, the song was given its first 12" vinyl release. An extended remix version of the song was created by Lea and Peter Hammond for the release.[22] In 1989, it received its first release as a CD single, which sold 15,000 copies in the UK.[23] That same year, the song was sampled by the novelty pop music act Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers for their song "Let's Party". "Let's Party" would reach No. 1 in the UK,[24] and was also a success across Europe.[25
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