This Christmas Eve, we celebrate an incredible musical milestone as Wham!’s beloved hit Last Christmas tops the UK Christmas chart for a second consecutive year—40 years after its release in 1984.
The festive classic, written and performed by George Michael, has triumphed over contenders like Mariah Carey, Gracie Abrams, Tom Grennan, and Ariana Grande to reclaim the top spot. This achievement follows a fan-driven campaign that saw the song reach No. 1 for the first time last year.
Andrew Ridgeley, Michael’s bandmate, expressed joy at the recognition of Michael’s timeless talent. Speaking to the BBC, Ridgeley shared:
“George would have been utterly delighted that his fabulous Christmas composition has become such a classic, almost as much a part of Christmas as mince pies, turkey, and pigs in blankets. It’s a testament to a truly wonderful song that evokes the magic of Christmas.”
According to the Official Charts Company, Last Christmas garnered a staggering 12.6 million streams in the week leading up to December 25.
Adding to the celebrations, the BBC aired a new documentary, Wham!’s Last Christmas Unwrapped, last week. The film dives into the story behind the song, showcasing how Michael wrote, produced, and played every instrument before filming its iconic music video with the band and friends in Saas-Fee, Switzerland.
Interestingly, Last Christmas was edged out of the No. 1 spot in 1984 by Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas?, a cause Michael fully supported by donating all royalties from his track to the charity effort.
Michael, who tragically passed away on Christmas Day in 2016, remains a cherished part of the holiday season. Friends featured in the documentary reminisced about his love for this time of year, further cementing his legacy as a Christmas icon.