It's the UK Christmas number one for the second year running - and too right, we say! What a wonderful way to celebrate forty years since this Christmas pop classic - that for many of us heralds the start of the festive season - was first released. When Wham!'s Last Christmas was first released back in 1984, was anyone aware that an iconic pop classic was forming, and that future Christmases would be incomplete unless we heard Last Christmas at least once during the festive season?
Those of us who were children when Wham! first sang about love and loss have definitely grown up with this banger of a tune, as we did with that other festive pop classic, Band Aid's charity single Do They Know it's Christmas? which has also just turned forty and unlike Last Christmas, actually did hit the top spot that Christmas when it was first released. Last Christmas and Do They Know It's Christmas?... Whatever would our Christmases have sounded like without you!
It's hard to believe because that Last Christmas has hit the big 4-0 this December because it really does seem like only yesterday (doesn't everything!) that this song was released and the whole world went Last Christmas crazy - and have been ever since. And it really doesn't matter how many times we've heard this Christmas hit over the last four decades (and believe us, we've heard it a lot!) it never seems jaded and it sounds as new and uplifting as they did the first time we heard it. So as one of our fave Christmas pop hits celebrates this amazing milestone, we take a look at this amazing song and honour its enduring impact on Christmas and pop culture - as well as pay homage to Wham!'s charismatic lead singer...
Last Christmas - The Song That Changed All Our Decembers...
Just the mere mention of the words 'Last Christmas' conjures up images of Wham! duo George Michael, Andrew Ridgeley and all their mates, including their backing-singers/dancers-turned-pop-artists-in-their-own-right, Pepsi and Shirlie, happily having fun on the ski slopes; kitted out in winter clobber that just screams eighties, and later celebrating - and navigating heartache - in the most festively decked-out of cozy ski lodges. Last Christmas is the ultimate festive anthem of love, loss, and longing (and if the video is anything to go by, long lingering looks!) wrapped up in a shimmering pop bow... with a note saying I love you!
If you lived in Britain during the eighties, chances are that Last Christmas is an essential part of the soundtrack to your Christmases, past, present and no doubt future. That's right - you ain't got yourself a Christmas party unless someone's blaring out Wham!'s Last Christmas. And they don't have to worry about complaints from the neighbours because chances are that they're playing Last Christmas with the volume cranked up high too!
For a song that’s about regret and heartbreak, Last Christmas has an unexpectedly warm and uplifting feel to it. How else do you think its popularity has lasted forty years! It could be the twinkling melody or the emotion in George Michael’s heartfelt delivery, but this song totally hits the mark when it comes to capturing the bittersweet sentiments of the Christmas season, where for some of us, it's sadly not all about festive cheer but moments of feeling despondent. And while Last Christmas didn't hit the UK number spot when it was released back in 1984 (Cheers for that Band Aid!) it took thirty nine years for this Wham! classic to hit the coveted top spot of Christmas number one until - believe it not - just last year. And now it's the Christmas number one for the second consecutive year, and has gone on to become one of the best-selling Christmas singles of all time.
And by the way, did anyone spot actor Mark Monero in the video for Last Christmas? That was a good few years before he headed over to Walford and became known as EastEnders' heartbreaker, Steve Elliott.
George Michael: The Legacy, The Generosity, The Legend
The devastatingly handsome George Michael wasn't just the lead singer of Wham! - he also wrote Last Christmas. And it’s impossible to talk about Last Christmas without reflecting on the incredible talent and legacy of the legendary singer-songwriter and phenomenon that is George Michael. As everyone knows, George sadly passed away in 2016, and in an ironic and bittersweet twist on Christmas Day. Many of us still remember that Christmas when the news broke that George was no longer with us. It didn't seem real then - and still doesn't.
George Michael was far more than just an amazing pop artist. With the disbanding of Wham! there were probably many who thought he'd just be a flash-in-the-pan former celebrity - and if they thought that, they couldn't have been more wrong. George Michael was a global superstar and was undoubtedly one of the biggest musical and cultural icons of the modern age, in the same realm as David Bowie and Freddie Mercury; whose music transcends generations. With his velvety smooth vocals; charismatic stage presence, and ability to compose memorable, heartfelt songs that resonated deeply with listeners, George became one of the most beloved artists of all time. Whether it was the catchy, upbeat pop of Wham! or his subsequent soulful, reflective solo offerings that formed a major part of his career, there was always a sense of authenticity; sincerity and ingenuity in George's work.
One of the things that the fans remember George Michael for, apart from his music, is his humbleness; down-to-earth nature, and his ability to laugh at himself, whether it be his video for Outside or his appearance alongside James Corden's 'Smithy' for Comic Relief which had us roaring with laughter. Even if you weren't a fan of his music (unbelievable, we know!) and whether you knew him personally or not, you couldn't help but love the non-pretentious, self-deprecating man behind the music and the artistry.
Then there was his generosity. George Michael’s legacy goes far beyond his music; chart-topping hits, and artistic videos. He was also a remarkably private philanthropist; a patron of various charities, and donated large sums of money millions to charities supporting children; funding AIDS research, and helping the homeless. All without making a big song and dance about it! Many of us will remember photos that appeared in the nineties of an incognito George feeding the homeless alongside a charitable organization.
But it wasn’t until after George passed away that the full extent of his philanthropy was made public, with various organizations revealing that he had been supporting them for a number of years, and individuals coming forward to say that George had kindly helped their plight by funding a necessary cause while wanting to remain anonymous. As countless stories began to emerge after his untimely death, it became clear just how many lives he'd touched.
That's not to say that George wasn't without his problems which were all well-documented in the press. But George found a way to get on with things, and didn't shy away from his issues, doing his best to be open and honest about what he was going through. And compared to a good many celebrities, George dealt with his problems with grace - and even humour.
It's been eight years since the world lost this truly remarkable man. And his passing on Christmas Day adds a poignant layer to the legacy of the bittersweet Last Christmas. When anyone listens to Last Christmas now, it’s impossible not to think of George Michael. Last Christmas, one of George's most enduring and endearing works, brilliantly demonstrates George's ability to capture and illustrate emotion through music. George Michael made his mark in the world; his music will live on, and he will never be forgotten.
Sleep peacefully George x
Timeless Classic
That wistful, bittersweet melody and his heartfelt delivery remind us of both the joy and the heartbreak that often accompany the holiday season.
As we celebrate 40 years of Last Christmas, we also celebrate George Michael’s unparalleled impact on the world of music. His voice, his artistry, and his kindness continue to inspire, and the song remains a timeless reminder of his genius.
George Michael once said, “I still believe that music is one of the greatest gifts that God gave to man.” With songs like Last Christmas, he gave us a gift that we’ll cherish forever.
Some of us may not have fully appreciated the cultural significance of Last Christmas when it was first released. But ever since 4th December 1984, it's been a constant presence in our lives; our festive playlists, and Christmas parties. They represent two very different aspects of Christmas: Last Christmas speaks to the personal, emotional experiences we all go through, while Do They Know It’s Christmas? reminds us of the importance of compassion and giving back.
Four decades later, the appeal of Last Christmas is as timeless as ever, and its charm hasn't faded at all. It might be an eighties hit but it doesn't sound dated at all and has been known and loved by countless generations. It's stood the test of time, not just because of the melody; the iconic video, or the star names, but because of the emotions it evokes and the lasting memories. Not just of the song or the video, but of Christmases gone by; the eighties; childhood; family; schooldays... and the days of those fantastic boys who made it big - Wham!.
For many people, Last Christmas is a huge part of Christmas season. Whether it's being played the mall as they're shopping for gifts; in the background of the office Christmas party; can be heard faintly over the excited chatter around the table of your family's Christmas dinner, or maybe you just can't decorate the tree or ice the cake unless you're accompanied by George and Andrew.
So here’s to forty years Last Christmas and making it to Christmas number one two years in a row. As we stick on our Christmas playlists once again, let’s take a moment to appreciate the song, its cultural significance, the band, their legacy, and, of course, the legend that is George Michael.
It's so true. Christmas just isn't Christmas without Last Christmas!