Wham!'s iconic holiday classic "Last Christmas" has officially topped the UK Christmas Charts for 2024, marking the first time any song has clinched the festive number one slot for two consecutive years. Originally released 40 years ago, the song finally achieved number one status for the first time back in 2021, after initially being blocked by Band Aid's charity single "Do They Know It’s Christmas?" Upon the latest announcement made on BBC Radio 1's The Official Chart show, Wham! was celebrated for this remarkable achievement.
Andrew Ridgeley, one half of the duo alongside the late George Michael, expressed his delight, stating: “37 years to get to Number 1, 39 years to Christmas Number 1, and then like London buses, they all come along at once! I’m especially pleased for George; he would have been utterly delighted his fabulous Christmas composition has become such a classic, almost as much a part of Christmas as mince pies, turkey, and pigs in blankets.” His sentiments resonate with the nostalgia and importance the song holds for many listeners during the holiday season.
This year's competition was fierce, with several notable contenders. Gracie Abrams’ single “That’s So True” finished at number two, having previously topped the charts for five weeks. Mariah Carey’s perennial favorite, "All I Want for Christmas Is You," landed at number three, extending her quest for her first Christmas number one since its original release 30 years ago. Tom Grennan's new entry, "It Can’t Be Christmas," secured the fourth position, marking his highest-ever charting solo single to date.
Wham!'s achievement continued as "Last Christmas" amassed over 12.6 million streams leading up to Christmas Day along with significant physical sales, fueled by special 40th anniversary editions, including collectible vinyls and picture discs. This monumental streaming figure helped it dominate charts, affirming its status as the UK's favorite Christmas song.
Andrew Ridgeley articulated the impact of "Last Christmas," describing it as “a really wonderful Christmas song” and expressing gratitude to fans. He noted its longevity and ability to evoke the feelings of nostalgia and joy associated with Christmas: “It’s testimony to a really wonderful Christmas song... it evokes and resonates the Christmas spirit as we would all wish it to be.”
Others were eager to join the Christmas number one race, including Tom Grennan, who has been active on social media rallying support for his entry and even getting tattooed with the phrase "Christmas No.1 2024 is..." on his leg. Despite his enthusiastic effort, he respected the enduring appeal of Wham!'s classic, recognizing the strong competition it presents.
Reflecting on the historical significance of their latest triumph, Ridgeley compared Wham! to the elite company of artists like Queen and The Beatles, stating: “Artists of this caliber and songwriters, of which George was one, transcend the ages. That’s the reason why Last Christmas has endured.” Their appeal is not merely limited to the UK; it appears to be gaining traction globally, now also sitting at number 3 on Billboard's Hot 100, delighting fans worldwide.
Martin Talbot, Chief Executive of the Official Charts, emphasized the extraordinary nature of this moment, remarking, “It is incredible to think just four years ago, Last Christmas was the biggest-selling single never to hit Number 1 – now it is the first song ever to clinch two consecutive Christmas Number 1 victories.” This celebratory feedback captures the essence and significance of the track woven intricately with the holiday spirit.
Continue to culturally embrace and celebrate "Last Christmas" this holiday season, as it remains, without doubt, the quintessence of the festive genre, and with each year the demand seems to flourish. The combination of nostalgia wrapped around festive cheer must surely make this song the perennial favorite of many generations.
