The single debuted on the UK Singles Chart in November 1982, and climbed to position number three on the chart. However, the single failed to chart in the US. The single proved to be one of Bowie's fastest-selling singles, having sales over 250,000 within its first month and being certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry one month after its release. The single has total estimated sales of 445,424 in the UK, giving Bowie one of his most successful singles. It has since become a perennial on British Christmas compilation albums, with the TV sequence also a regular on UK nostalgia shows.