After nearly 40 years of waiting, Wham!'s iconic song 'Last Christmas' has topped the festive charts for the second consecutive year, marking its place as the ultimate holiday classic.
Initially released in 1984, the song, penned by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley, reached number one on the Christmas charts only recently, but has since skyrocketed to the top once again, becoming the first song in history to achieve this remarkable feat.
The song's ascent to the number one spot was greatly aided by the release of limited-edition collectibles commemorative of its 40th anniversary. According to the Official Charts Company, 'Last Christmas' became the most-streamed and physically purchased song during the charting week, continuing to captivate audiences across generations.
Back at its original launch, the song was eclipsed by Band Aid’s charity single, 'Do They Know It’s Christmas?', during the festive season of 1984. This year, 'Last Christmas' faced competitors like rising pop star Gracie Abrams, who secured second place with her song 'That’s So True', and Mariah Carey’s holiday favorite, 'All I Want For Christmas Is You', which finished third.
Andrew Ridgeley, one of the duo’s two members, expressed joy for the posthumous recognition of their work, stating, “I’m especially pleased for George; he would have been utterly delighted.” Michael, who passed away on Christmas Day in 2016, left behind a legacy filled with timeless music. Ridgeley continued, reflecting on the nine non-consecutive years it took for the track to secure its Christmas number one, saying, “Thirty-seven years to get to number one, 39 years to Christmas number one, and then like London buses, they all come along at once!”
'Last Christmas' resonates deeply with listeners, evoking nostalgia and the essence of holiday celebrations. Ridgeley described the song as “almost as much a part of Christmas as mince pies, turkey and pigs in blankets,” emphasizing its integration within the Christmas tradition.
Positioned against this backdrop, the documentary 'Wham!: Last Christmas Unwrapped' provides insight and unpacks the song's creation, exploring not only the glamorous musical aspect but also carrying emotional weight. Featuring commentary from celebrities like Mary J Blige, Bob Geldof, Neil Tennant, and Sam Smith, viewers get to see how the song touches on themes of unrequited love and loss, making it resonate with so many fans.
The documentary revisits Saas-Fee, Switzerland, where the music video was filmed, bringing together individuals like Pepsi Demacque-Crockett and Shirlie Kemp alongside Ridgeley to share stories from the video's production, including untold secrets. These revelations animate the nostalgic song even more.
Kathy Hill, who played Michael's love interest in the famous video, now 68, expressed her joy reflecting back on those days. She remembered how filming the video was “so much fun and really natural. It wasn't staged – it's just a group of friends having fun. That's the magic.” Her fond recollection captures the essence of the holiday spirit shared among friends during filming.
Many of Hill's memories reveal humorous moments, such as Michael's unintentional slips on the snowy set, leading to joyful laughter rather than choreographed scenes. “George slipped down every time. Once he ended up sitting on me, laughing – and that's the bit they used. It was completely natural. We were just laughing our heads off. He couldn't stand up. It's my favorite scene,” she reminisced, adding warmth and authenticity to the song's historical narrative.
The legacy of 'Last Christmas' is undeniably significant, as its recent chart successes have proved. It brings people together and resonates with both the nostalgic longing typical of holiday music and the universal themes of love and loss.
With four billion audio streams and one billion video views accrued since its 1984 release, 'Last Christmas' has cemented itself as not just another holiday song but as an evergreen staple representing Christmas for many around the world.
Wham!’s enduring charm and their musical artistry continue to evoke emotions year after year, as fans celebrate these moments tied closely to the holiday season. The cultural impact of 'Last Christmas' is palpable, and it will undoubtedly remain at the forefront of Christmas music for years to come.
So, this holiday season, as families gather around the fireplace and advent calendars, you can expect 'Last Christmas' to be playing softly in the background, reminding us all of the joy, nostalgia, and, of course, the magic of the season.
