:Last Christmas
{{Short description|1984 single by Wham!}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2017}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Last Christmas
| cover = Last Christmas by Wham original 1984 artwork UK variant.png
| alt =
| caption = UK vinyl sleeve for the original 1984 and international release{{cite AV media notes |title=Last Christmas |author=Wham! |publisher=CBS Records |id=EPC A 4949 |quote=Editado e Distribuido em Portugal por CBS (Portugal) Música e Discos, Lda }}{{cite AV media notes |title=Last Christmas |author=Wham! |publisher=CBS Records |id=EPCA 4949 |quote=Made in Holland }} The Dutch-manufactured pressing contains the names of the band and of the song.
| type = single
| artist = Wham!
| album = Music from the Edge of Heaven {{noitalic|and}} The Final
| A-side = "Everything She Wants" (various)
| B-side = {{ubl|
- "Credit Card Baby" (Japan)
- "Blue (Live in China)" (1985)
}}
| released = {{start date|1984|12|03|df=yes}}
| recorded = {{start date|1984|08}}
| studio = Advision, London{{cite news |last1=Rachel |first1=Aroesti |title=Still saving us from tears: the inside story of Wham!'s Last Christmas |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/dec/14/still-saving-us-from-tears-story-george-michael-last-christmas |access-date=24 December 2018 |newspaper=The Guardian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222002453/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/dec/14/still-saving-us-from-tears-story-george-michael-last-christmas |archive-date=22 December 2017 |date=14 December 2017}}
| genre = {{hlist|Synth-pop|Christmas}}
| length = 4:27
| label = {{hlist|Columbia|Epic|CBS}}
| writer = George Michael
| producer = George Michael
| prev_title = Freedom
| prev_year = 1984
| next_title = Everything She Wants
| next_year = 1984
| misc =
{{Extra album cover
| header = Back cover
| type = single
| cover = Last Christmas by Wham UK gatefold back cover.png
| border = yes
| alt =
| caption = Back cover of original 1984 UK gatefold edition
}}
{{External music video|{{YouTube|E8gmARGvPlI|"Last Christmas"}}}}
}}
"Last Christmas" is a song by British pop duo Wham!. Written and produced by George Michael, it was released on 3 December 1984 via CBS Records internationally and as a double A-side via Epic Records with "Everything She Wants" in several European countries. The song has been covered by many artists including Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Whigfield, Crazy Frog and Billie Piper.
Upon its initial release in 1984, "Last Christmas" spent five consecutive weeks at number two in the UK singles chart—it was held off the top spot at Christmas by Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?" (on which Michael also performed). After many chart runs in subsequent years, which included three more weeks at number two, and which saw the recording become part of RCA Records' catalogue, the song finally reached number one in the UK Singles Chart on New Year's Day 2021 (chart week ending date 7 January 2021), more than 36 years after its initial release;{{cite web |last=Beaumont-Thomas |first=Ben |date=1 January 2021 |title=Last Christmas by Wham! reaches No 1 for first time after 36 years |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/jan/01/last-christmas-by-wham-reaches-no-1-for-first-time-after-36-years |website=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=2 January 2021 |archive-date=1 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101211212/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/jan/01/last-christmas-by-wham-reaches-no-1-for-first-time-after-36-years |url-status=live }} in doing so, it became the fifth UK number one single for the duo. Prior to it reaching number one, "Last Christmas" had for many years held the record as the highest-selling single never to top the charts by the Official Charts Company (OCC) with 1.9 million copies sold (not including streams).{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/whams-last-christmas-finally-reaches-number-1-and-sets-official-uk-chart-record__32041/|title=Wham's Last Christmas finally reaches Number 1, sets Official Chart record|website=www.officialcharts.com|access-date=6 January 2021|archive-date=17 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117123615/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/whams-last-christmas-finally-reaches-number-1-and-sets-official-uk-chart-record__32041/|url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Savage |first=Mark |date=1 January 2021 |title=Wham!'s Last Christmas goes to number one for the first time |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/amp/entertainment-arts-55509575 |website=BBC News |location=London |access-date=2 January 2021 |archive-date=1 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101193309/https://www.bbc.com/news/amp/entertainment-arts-55509575 |url-status=live }} This record is now held by "Mr. Brightside" by The Killers.{{Cite web|last=Savage |first=Mark |date=9 May 2024|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-68920975|title=Mr Brightside: The Killers' hit becomes the biggest song never to top charts|website=BBC News|access-date=15 May 2024}} The song reached number one in the UK after it was streamed 9.2 million times in the last week of 2020 and sold 1,555 downloads, resulting in a total of 40,149 combined sales.{{cite news |title=Wham! finally reach No.1 with Last Christmas after 36 years |url=https://www.musicweek.com/digital/read/wham-finally-reach-no-1-with-last-christmas-after-36-years/082304#:~:text=Last%20Christmas%20racked%20up%209.2,ultimately%2C%20crucial%20to%20their%20victory |access-date=6 January 2021 |agency=Music Week |archive-date=28 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228125042/https://www.musicweek.com/digital/read/wham-finally-reach-no-1-with-last-christmas-after-36-years/082304#:~:text=Last%20Christmas%20racked%20up%209.2,ultimately%2C%20crucial%20to%20their%20victory |url-status=live }} Having been the Christmas number two again in 2022, "Last Christmas" finally achieved the accolade of Christmas number one in 2023, 39 years after its initial release,{{Cite news |last=Beaumont-Thomas |first=Ben |date=2023-12-22 |title=Wham!'s Last Christmas finally reaches Christmas No 1, 39 years after release |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/dec/22/wham-last-christmas-finally-gets-no-1-39-years-after-release |access-date=2023-12-22 |issn=0261-3077}} and, in 2024, became the first song to be the Christmas number one in back-to-back years.{{Cite news |last=Savage |first=Mark |date=2024-12-20 |title=Wham! are Christmas number one for a second year |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9dp6y31qppo |access-date=2024-12-21}} Combining sales and streams, it also became the third biggest song on record in the UK.{{cite web |last=Savage |first=Mark |date=22 December 2023 |title=Last Christmas scores Christmas number one, beating Sam Ryder and Mariah Carey |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-67800521 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222180021/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-67800521 |archive-date=22 December 2023 |website=BBC News |location=London |access-date=23 December 2023}}
Outside the United Kingdom, the song topped the charts in fifteen countries and peaked within the top ten of the charts in several countries including Australia, Canada and the United States. It also reached number two on the Billboard Global 200 in January 2021. Wham! donated all of their royalties to relief efforts for the Ethiopian famine.{{cite web |last=Topping |first=Alexandra |date=26 December 2016 |title=The philanthropic acts of George Michael: from £5k tips to nurses' gigs |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/dec/26/the-philanthropic-acts-of-george-michael-from-5k-tips-to-nurses-gigs |website=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=7 January 2018 |archive-date=1 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170101113300/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/dec/26/the-philanthropic-acts-of-george-michael-from-5k-tips-to-nurses-gigs |url-status=live }} In a UK-wide poll in December 2012, it was voted eight on the ITV television special The Nation's Favourite Christmas Song"The Nation's Favourite Christmas Song". ITV. 22 December 2012. and was voted most popular song of the 1980s in Channel 5's Christmas 2020 countdown Britain's Favourite '80s Songs.{{cite web |title=Channel 5: Top ranked songs from the 1980s |url=https://forefrontmr.com/channel-5/ |website=Forefront Market Research |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417143714/https://forefrontmr.com/channel-5/ |archive-date=17 April 2021 |access-date=26 December 2021}} It was the most-played Christmas song of the 21st century in the UK until it was overtaken by "Fairytale of New York" in 2011.{{cite web |last=Chilton |first=Martin |date=15 December 2011 |title=Fairytale Of New York is true sound of Christmas |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/8957971/Fairytale-Of-New-York-is-true-sound-of-Christmas.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111215120515/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/8957971/Fairytale-Of-New-York-is-true-sound-of-Christmas.html |archive-date=15 December 2011 |website=The Telegraph |access-date=21 September 2019}}
Development
File:Wham! circa 1984-1985 (editing).jpg (left) and Andrew Ridgeley]]
"Last Christmas" had its beginnings in February 1984, while George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley were visiting Michael's parents. The song, concerning a Christmas-time breakup and the singer's recovery from it, was written by Michael in his childhood bedroom. Michael played Ridgeley the introduction and chorus melody to "Last Christmas", which Ridgeley later called "a moment of wonder".{{Cite web |last=Duffy |first=Nick |date=18 December 2017 |title=George Michael's bandmate backs campaign to get 'Last Christmas' to Xmas Number One |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2017/12/18/george-michaels-bandmate-backs-campaign-to-get-last-christmas-to-xmas-number-one/ |website=PinkNews |access-date=2 January 2021 |archive-date=18 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018115715/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2017/12/18/george-michaels-bandmate-backs-campaign-to-get-last-christmas-to-xmas-number-one/ |url-status=live }}
=Recording=
The song was recorded in August 1984, at Advision Studios, London, England. George Michael wrote, performed, produced and played every single instrument on the track. With a LinnDrum drum machine, a Roland Juno-60 synth and sleigh bells, they began recording the song in the summer, Michael having "plastered [the studio] in Christmas decorations to set the mood". The only other people in the studio were engineer Chris Porter and two assistants, Paul Gommersal and Richard Moakes. According to Porter, lyrically "you've got the happiness of the rhythm track, but against that you've got the sadness of the unrequited love".
Chart performance
=United Kingdom=
File:Christmas 85 by Wham UK single back sleeve.png
Wham! already had two number one singles on the UK singles chart during 1984, and news that they were planning a Christmas single meant that a battle for the coveted Christmas number one spot in Britain seemed set to be between Wham! and the year's other big act, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, who had achieved a third No. 1 in early December with "The Power of Love". The Band Aid single written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, produced the No. 1 single "Do They Know It's Christmas?", while Wham!'s offering peaked at No. 2 for much of the period. Wham! donated all "Last Christmas" / "Everything She Wants" royalties, the former of which exceeded £250,000 ({{Inflation|UK|250000|1984|fmt=eq|cursign=£|r=-4}}), to the Ethiopian famine relief fund.{{cite news|title=Wham call off NEC show dates|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/859551746/?terms=Wham%20call%20off%20NEC%20show%20dates&match=1|newspaper=Black Country Evening Mail|date=19 December 1984|page=3|location=West Bromwich|access-date=9 December 2023|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription}}
In subsequent years, the song entered the UK Top 40 on 15 occasions, reaching the Top 10 six times (including a run of five consecutive years between 2016 and 2020). In 1985 and 2017 it equalled its best ever chart position of number two, before finally topping the charts on 1 January 2021, 36 years after its original 1984 release. In the process, "Last Christmas" achieved the chart record for the longest time taken for a single to peak at the top of the UK singles chart after its first release, a feat that had previously been held by "(Is This The Way To) Amarillo? by Tony Christie, which topped the chart in March 2005, 33 years and four months after its initial release in November 1971. The record has since been surpassed in June 2022 by Kate Bush with "Running Up That Hill", which took 37 years.{{cite news |title=Kate Bush's Running Up That Hill is Official Charts Number 1 Single: Singer becomes 3 × Official Charts Record Breaker with Stranger Things success |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/kate-bushs-running-up-that-hill-is-official-charts-number-1-single-singer-becomes-3-x-official-charts-record-breaker-with-stranger-things-success__36605/ |date=17 June 2022 |access-date=18 June 2022 |publisher=Official Charts Company |archive-date=17 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617193926/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/kate-bushs-running-up-that-hill-is-official-charts-number-1-single-singer-becomes-3-x-official-charts-record-breaker-with-stranger-things-success__36605/ |url-status=live }}
According to analysis of PRS for Music figures, it was estimated that the song generates £300,000 of royalties per year.{{cite news|url=https://www.radiox.co.uk/features/how-much-do-christmas-songs-make-each-year/|title=From Wham to Slade... just how much do these classic Christmas songs earn each festive season?|date=21 December 2024|work=Radio X|accessdate=24 December 2024}}
{{As of|alt=By February 2020|2020|02}}, "Last Christmas" had sold over 1.90 million copies, being at that time the biggest-selling single in UK chart history not to reach number one, and the 10th best-selling UK single overall.{{cite news|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-uks-biggest-selling-singles-of-all-time__21298/|title=The UK's biggest selling singles of all time|last=Myers|first=Justin|date=14 June 2018|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=20 June 2018|archive-date=24 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624234820/http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-uks-biggest-selling-singles-of-all-time__21298/|url-status=live}} As of December 2023, "Last Christmas" has sold over 1.93 million physical copies and downloads, becoming the eighth best-selling single of all time in the UK overall. It was certified sextuple platinum in December 2023.
In December 2019, it peaked at No. 1 on both the UK Official Vinyl Singles Chart{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/vinyl-singles-chart/20191227/897/|date=26 December 2019|title=Official Vinyl Singles Chart|website=OfficialCharts.com|access-date=20 December 2019|archive-date=18 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018111142/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/vinyl-singles-chart/20191227/897/|url-status=live}} and on the Official Video Streaming Chart.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/video-streaming-chart/20191227/7508/|date=26 December 2019|title=Official Video Streaming Chart|website=OfficialCharts.com|access-date=20 December 2019|archive-date=18 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018111209/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/video-streaming-chart/20191227/7508/|url-status=live}} The following week, the song set a new UK chart record and was streamed 17.1 million times, the most number of plays in a week.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/entertainment-arts-50927575|date=26 December 2019|title=Ellie Goulding gets the final number one of the 2010s|website=BBC|first=Mark|last=Savage|access-date=28 December 2019|archive-date=27 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227205620/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/entertainment-arts-50927575|url-status=live}} It became the UK's best-selling vinyl single release in 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-official-top-40-biggest-vinyl-albums-and-singles-of-2019__28075/|title=The Official Top 40 biggest vinyl releases of 2019|website=Official Charts Company|date=2 January 2020|access-date=3 January 2020|archive-date=18 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018111248/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-official-top-40-biggest-vinyl-albums-and-singles-of-2019__28075/|url-status=live}} In December 2023, for the first time in the song's history, it won the coveted Christmas number 1 spot on The Official Chart Show with Jack Saunders.{{cite web|last=Griffiths|first=George|title=Christmas Number 1 2023: Wham! make history as Last Christmas finally secures festive top spot for the first time|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/christmas-number-1-2023-wham-last-christmas-makes-chart-history-andrew-ridgeley/|website=Official Charts|date=22 December 2023}}
=Other territories=
In Germany, the song is the most successful Christmas single of all time, having spent 169 weeks on the German Singles Chart and attained a peak position of No. 1 on 24 December 2021.[https://www.offiziellecharts.de/titel-details-1203 Offizielle Deutsche Charts] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323202534/https://www.offiziellecharts.de/titel-details-1203 |date=23 March 2019 }} – Peaked at #1 on 24 December 2021 – Germany Songs. Retrieved 23 December 2021. It has charted every year since 1997.{{cite web |url=http://www.media-control.de/last-christmas-erfolgreichster-weihnachts-song-aller-zeiten.html |title="Last Christmas" erfolgreichster Weihnachtssong aller Zeiten – media control |publisher=Media-control.de |date=13 December 2010 |access-date=9 April 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120804120450/http://www.media-control.de/last-christmas-erfolgreichster-weihnachts-song-aller-zeiten.html |archive-date=4 August 2012 |url-status=dead }} In January 2008, the song fell from No. 4 to No. 64 there, also making it the biggest fall out of the top 10 on the singles chart.{{cite web |url=http://musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/title/Wham!/Last+Christmas/single |title=Die ganze Musik im Internet: Charts, News, Neuerscheinungen, Tickets, Genres, Genresuche, Genrelexikon, Künstler-Suche, Musik-Suche, Track-Suche, Ticket-Suche |publisher=musicline.de |access-date=9 April 2012 |archive-date=25 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025045459/http://musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/title/Wham!/Last+Christmas/single |url-status=dead }}
In Ireland the single went to number one for one week in December 1984 before being replaced at the top by Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?". It also went back to number one in Ireland at the end of December 2022.{{cite web |url=https://irishnumberones.com/2022/02/09/wham-last-christmas-everything-she-wants/ |title=Wham! – 'Last Christmas' / 'Everything She Wants' |website=Irishnumberones.com |last=Curran |first=Aidan |date=9 February 2022 |access-date=25 December 2023}}
The single was originally released in two different formats in Japan with different cover art, a 7-inch and 12-inch vinyl (Long version) both with "Credit Card Baby" as their B-side. The former entered the top 20 of the Oricon Singles Chart peaking at No. 15, while the latter reached No. 47.{{cite web | url=https://yougaku-data.com/res/res-jphit-xx.php?SY=1984&TWID=TW000708 | title=Top Selling Singles | author=洋楽データベース | access-date=25 December 2017 | language=ja | archive-date=26 December 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226074040/https://yougaku-data.com/res/res-jphit-xx.php?SY=1984&TWID=TW000708 | url-status=dead }} The single was released in 1993 on CD single in the country and peaked at No. 17, selling nearly 40,000 copies that week.{{cite web | url=http://www.geocities.jp/object_ori/940110.html | title=Top Selling Singles | author=Oricon | date=26 December 1994 | access-date=25 December 2017 | language=ja | archive-date=5 November 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105112540/http://www.geocities.jp/object_ori/940110.html | url-status=live }} It was reissued in November 2001 and 2004 as a two-track CD with the single edit and the "pudding mix".{{cite web| url=https://www.sonymusic.co.jp/artist/Wham/discography/EICP-7019| title=ワム!- ラスト・クリスマス| work=Sony Music Entertainment Japan| date=21 November 2001| access-date=8 December 2019| language=ja| archive-date=8 December 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208044436/https://www.sonymusic.co.jp/artist/Wham/discography/EICP-7019| url-status=live}}{{cite web| url=https://www.sonymusic.co.jp/artist/Wham/discography/MHCP-503| title=ワム!- ラスト・クリスマス| work=Sony Music Entertainment Japan| date=17 November 2004| access-date=8 December 2019| language=ja| archive-date=8 December 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208044435/https://www.sonymusic.co.jp/artist/Wham/discography/MHCP-503| url-status=live}}
As a result of the success, "Last Christmas" is the eighth best-selling single of all time in Japan released by a non-Japanese act, with total physical sales of 683,000 units.{{cite web | url=http://nendai-ryuukou.com/article/015.html | script-title=ja:歴代洋楽シングル売り上げ枚数ランキング | author=オリジナルコンフィデンス | publisher=年代流行 | access-date=25 December 2017 | language=ja | archive-date=18 December 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171218172826/http://nendai-ryuukou.com/article/015.html | url-status=live }}
In the Netherlands, the song never reached No. 1, peaking at No. 2 in January 1985 (behind Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?"). In the Dutch Singles Top 100 (one of three charts in the Netherlands that claims to be the "official" chart, but it is the only one that is not broadcast and remains unpublished except on its own official web page), the song has now entered on 16 different occasions, including every year since 2006. Its highest position after 1984 was No. 4 (during the 2016 and 2018 Christmas season).{{Cite web|url=http://hitparade.ch/showitem.asp?interpret=Wham!&titel=Last+Christmas&cat=s|title=Wham! – Last Christmas|first=Steffen|last=Hung|website=hitparade.ch|access-date=4 January 2021|archive-date=27 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130427005638/http://hitparade.ch/showitem.asp?interpret=Wham%21&titel=Last+Christmas&cat=s|url-status=live}}{{cite web | url=http://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Wham!&titel=Last+Christmas&cat=s | title=Wham! – Last Christmas | access-date=18 December 2014 | archive-date=28 December 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228071426/http://www.dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Wham%21&titel=Last+Christmas&cat=s | url-status=live }} In the Dutch Mega Top 50 (which was first published in 1993), the song re-appeared in 1997, 2000, 2007, 2008, and 2013.
"Last Christmas" was not released commercially as a single in the United States until November 2014, when it was made available on 12" vinyl as a Record Store Day exclusive.{{cite magazine |last=Trust |first=Gary |date=10 December 2014 |title=Wham!'s 1984 Classic 'Last Christmas' Hits Billboard Hot 100's Top 40 for First Time |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/wham-last-christmas-hits-hot-100-top-40 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=2 January 2021}} Since then, the song has re-entered the Billboard Holiday 100 chart on a regular basis, peaking at No. 3 on 7 December 2019.{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/wham/chart-history/hsx/| title=Wham Chart History (Holiday 100)| magazine=Billboard|access-date=10 December 2024}}[https://www.billboard.com/pro/wham-last-christmas-hits-hot-100-top-40 Wham!'s 1984 Classic 'Last Christmas' Hits Billboard Hot 100's Top 40 for First Time] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221054931/https://www.billboard.com/amp/articles/columns/chart-beat/8489672/wham-last-christmas-hits-hot-100-top-40 |date=21 February 2020 }} – Billboard
In November 2016, total US sales of the digital track stood at 751,000 downloads according to Nielsen SoundScan, placing it 10th on the list of best-selling Christmas/holiday digital singles in US SoundScan history.{{cite web |author= Billboard Staff |date= 25 November 2016 |title= What Are the Top-Selling Holiday Songs? |url= http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7588783/what-are-the-top-selling-christmas-music-holiday-songs |work= Billboard Magazine |access-date= 2 December 2016 |archive-date= 3 December 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161203123503/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7588783/what-are-the-top-selling-christmas-music-holiday-songs |url-status= live }} The song debuted at No. 50 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the chart dated 7 January 2017, after George Michael died.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7633394/wham-last-christmas-first-hot-100-appearance|title=Wham!'s 1984 Classic 'Last Christmas' Makes First Hot 100 Appearance|last=Trust|first=Gary|magazine=Billboard|date=27 December 2016|access-date=28 December 2016}} In December 2018, the song re-entered the Hot 100, reaching No. 25 in January 2019,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/wham/chart-history |title=Wham! Chart history|magazine=Billboard|access-date=26 December 2019}} and then a new peak of No. 11 in the first issue of 2020. On the issue dated 2 January 2021, "Last Christmas" reached No. 9 on the Hot 100, its first foray into the top 10 and returning Wham! to the top 10 after a 35-year break. The following year, on the issue dated 1 January 2022, the song reached No. 7.{{Cite magazine|title=Mariah Carey's 'Christmas' Back Atop Hot 100, As Dean Martin, Wham! & Chuck Berry Hit Top 10|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9504998/mariah-carey-christmas-tops-hot-100-fifth-week/|access-date=2020-12-28|magazine=Billboard|language=en}}{{Cite magazine|last=Trust|first=Gary|date=2021-12-28|title=Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' Holds Atop Hot 100, The Ronettes' 'Sleigh Ride' Hits Top 10|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/mariah-carey-all-i-want-for-christmas-is-you-tops-hot-100-ronettes-sleigh-ride-1235014113/|access-date=2021-12-28|magazine=Billboard|language=en-US}} On the issue dated 24 December 2022, the song reached a new peak of No. 6 on the Hot 100.{{Cite magazine|title=Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' Scores Milestone 10th Week at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/mariah-carey-all-i-want-for-christmas-is-you-tops-hot-100-10th-week-1235189304/|access-date=2022-12-20|magazine=Billboard|language=en}} On the year's last issue of the Billboard Hot 100, dated 31 December 2022, "Last Christmas" reached the top five.{{Cite magazine|title=Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' Holds Atop Hot 100, Wham!'s 'Last Christmas' Hits Top Five|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/mariah-carey-all-i-want-for-christmas-is-you-number-one-11th-week-wham-last-christmas-top-five-1235191409/|access-date=2022-12-28|magazine=Billboard|language=en}} In 2024, the song became the first Christmas single to chart during the year-end holiday season, debuting at No. 38 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending 23 November. On Billboard{{'}}s 50th issue of 2024, dated 14 December, the song reached a new peak position of No. 3 on the Hot 100.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/mariah-carey-all-i-want-for-christmas-is-you-hot-100-number-one-15th-week/|title=Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" Makes Merry Move Back to No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100|last=Trust|first=Gary|magazine=Billboard|date=9 December 2024|access-date=9 December 2024}} On 10 December 2024, the digital single was certified 7× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), indicating US sales of 7 million digital units.
In 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021, "Last Christmas" reached No. 1 in the Swedish singles chart.{{cite web|url=http://www.sverigetopplistan.se/|title=Sverigetopplistan – Sveriges Officiella Topplista|publisher=Sverigetopplistan|access-date=1 January 2019|archive-date=20 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170720033503/http://www.sverigetopplistan.se/|url-status=live}}
Music video
The music video to "Last Christmas" directed by British commercial, film and music video director Andrew Morahan, shows Wham! members Michael and Ridgeley accompanying girlfriends to see friends at an unspecified ski resort cottage; the cable-car that is visible in two shots is from Saas-Fee, Switzerland, where the video was filmed on 21 November 1984.{{cite AV media | date = 21 November 1984 | title = Wham! - Last Christmas (Behind the Scenes) | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkfU3MXU1OU | publisher = Epic Records/Sony Music | time = 0:01 | quote = Wham "Last Christmas" - 21 Nov 1984 | access-date = 22 December 2023}} It becomes clear early on that the character of Ridgeley's girlfriend (played by model Kathy Hill) was previously in a relationship with Michael and that the song is aimed at her.
There is a brief flashback to a prior Christmas, showing Michael's character presenting Kathy Hill's character with a jewelled brooch. In the present time, Ridgeley is wearing the brooch, suggesting that Hill gave the same gift (perhaps by regifting it) to her new love after she and Michael parted ways. When Hill wears the brooch after receiving it from Michael's character, it is "right side up", and when Ridgeley's character wears it, he wears it "upside down". On numerous occasions, Michael presents a thoughtful expression, suggesting his conflicting emotions. As Michael is decorating the Christmas tree some decoration falls to the floor where Michael's ex-girlfriend is sitting and the ex-couple shares a few seconds of a knowing look at each other.
At the end of the video, everyone leaves the cottage and when the group get out of the cable-car, they are all properly "paired off" with Michael and his new girlfriend played by actress Debbie Killingback, looking happy.
The video also featured the duo's backing singers Pepsi and Shirlie.
=Chalets=
The music video was shot across two Saas-Fee chalets. One—Chalet Schliechten—was used for the external shots, including the snowball fight. The other—Chalet Steinmatte—was used for the tree-decorating and dinner scenes.{{cite web|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/lifestyle/property/yourself-proper-last-christmas-stay-9462673|title=Have yourself a merry Last Christmas: Stay in the chalet used in the iconic Wham music video (there are actually two of them)|date=15 December 2016 }}
=Restoration=
The music video, originally shot on 35mm film, was re-released on 13 December 2019 in 4K Ultra HD resolution.{{cite web|url= https://www.postmagazine.com/Press-Center/Daily-News/2019/Wham-s-I-Last-Christmas-I-gets-4K-restoration.aspx|title= Wham!'s Last Christmas gets 4K restoration|website=Post Magazine|date=18 December 2019|accessdate=17 July 2023}} The music video's original film director Andy Morahan had found seven out of the eight rolls of original 35mm rushes and worked with teams at Cinelab London and VFX artist Russ Shaw at Nice Biscuits post production to recreate the video using the higher-resolution film.
=''Last Christmas Unwrapped''=
A sixty-minute TV documentary about the story of "Last Christmas" aired on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer in December 2024 to mark the 40th anniversary of its release.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m00263v9/wham-last-christmas-unwrapped|title=Wham!: Last Christmas Unwrapped – BBC iPlayer|publisher=BBC|date=14 December 2024|access-date=16 December 2024}} It features Ridgeley, Shirlie, Pepsi and other close friends from the original music video, and revisits Saas-Fee in Switzerland where the music video was made, as well as looking into the creation of the song.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/proginfo/2024/51/wham-last-christmas-unwrapped|title=Wham!: Last Christmas Unwrapped|publisher=BBC|date=26 November 2024|access-date=16 December 2024}}
Personnel
- George Michael – lead and backing vocals, bass guitar, Roland Juno-60 synthesizer, LinnDrum programming, sleigh bells
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
{{col-2}}
=Monthly charts=
=Year-end charts=
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! Chart (1984) ! Position |
scope="row"| UK Singles (Gallup){{cite web|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-UK/Music/Archive-Music-Week-IDX/IDX/1985/Music-Week-1985-01-26-I-IDX-55.pdf|title=Top 100 Singles 1984|publisher=Music Week|access-date=September 18, 2022|archive-date=13 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513171615/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-UK/Music/Archive-Music-Week-IDX/IDX/1985/Music-Week-1985-01-26-I-IDX-55.pdf|url-status=live}}
| 6 |
---|
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! Chart (2016) ! Position |
scope="row"| Hungary (Single Top 40){{cite web|url=http://slagerlistak.hu/archivum/eves-osszesitett-listak/single_db/2016|title=Single Top 100 – eladási darabszám alapján – 2016|access-date=9 January 2021|publisher=Mahasz|archive-date=16 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116181332/http://zene.slagerlistak.hu/archivum/eves-osszesitett-listak/single_db/2016|url-status=live}}
| 95 |
---|
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! Chart (2017) ! Position |
scope="row"| Hungary (Single Top 40){{cite web|url=http://slagerlistak.hu/archivum/eves-osszesitett-listak/single_db/2017|title=Single Top 100 – eladási darabszám alapján – 2017|access-date=9 January 2021|publisher=Mahasz|archive-date=28 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190628113131/http://zene.slagerlistak.hu/archivum/eves-osszesitett-listak/single_db/2017|url-status=live}}
| 69 |
---|
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! Chart (2018) ! Position |
scope="row"| Hungary (Single Top 40){{cite web|url=http://slagerlistak.hu/archivum/eves-osszesitett-listak/single_db/2018|title=Single Top 100 – eladási darabszám alapján – 2018|access-date=9 January 2021|publisher=Mahasz|archive-date=16 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116201149/http://zene.slagerlistak.hu/archivum/eves-osszesitett-listak/single_db/2018|url-status=live}}
| 66 |
---|
=All-time charts=
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! Chart ! Position |
scope="row"| US Holiday 100 (Billboard){{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/greatest-of-all-time-holiday-100-songs/|title=Greatest of All Time Holiday 100 Songs|magazine=Billboard|access-date=November 18, 2021}}
| 8 |
---|
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|title=Last Christmas|artist=Wham|type=single|award=Platinum|number=8|relyear=1984|certyear=2024|region=Australia|access-date=7 February 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|title=Last Christmas|artist=Wham|type=single|award=Platinum|number=9|relyear=1984|certyear=2024|region=Canada|access-date=8 January 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|title=Last Christmas|artist=Wham|type=single|award=Platinum|number=6|id=13363|relyear=1984|certyear=2024|region=Denmark|access-date=3 January 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|title=Last Christmas|artist=Wham|type=single|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=1984|certyear=2023|region=Germany|access-date=12 January 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|title=Last Christmas|artist=Wham|type=single|award=Gold|region=Greece|relyear=1984|id=20070113062006}}
{{Certification Table Entry|title=Last Christmas|artist=Wham|type=single|award=Platinum|number=3|region=Italy|relyear=1997|certyear=2023|id=11877|note=sales since 2009|access-date=4 January 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|title=Last Christmas|artist=Wham|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|region=Japan|relyear=1993|certyear=1996|certmonth=11|salesamount=655,000|note=physical sales|salesref={{cite web|title=List of best-selling international singles in Japan|url=http://homepage1.nifty.com/tuty/chart_japan_yougaku_singlesales1.htm|year=2002|publisher=JP&KIYO|access-date=28 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315235617/http://homepage1.nifty.com/tuty/chart_japan_yougaku_singlesales1.htm|archive-date=15 March 2012|url-status=dead}}|access-date=26 April 2019|refname=RIAJ}}
{{Certification Table Entry|title=Last Christmas (single version)|artist=Wham|type=ringtone|award=Platinum|relyear=2004|certyear=2011|note=Chaku-Uta Full (R) digital 2004–2011|certmonth=10|region=Japan|access-date=6 January 2021|refname=RIAJ1}}
{{Certification Table Entry|title=Last Christmas|artist=Wham|type=ringtone|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=2002|certyear=2019|note=Chaku-Uta (R) digital 2002–2019|certmonth=4|region=Japan|access-date=6 January 2021|refname=RIAJ2}}
{{Certification Table Entry|title=Last Christmas|artist=Wham|type=single|award=Platinum|region=Netherlands|relyear=1984|certyear=1984|access-date=26 April 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Wham!|title=Last Christmas|award=Platinum|number=3|type=single|relyear=1984|relmonth=12|id=2023-12-01|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|certyear=2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Portugal|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|relyear=2016|certyear=2023|id=file_2024-01-04-10-13-12.pdf|access-date=4 September 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|title=Last Christmas|artist=Wham!|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=1984|certyear=2023|id=wham-last-christmas|access-date=3 January 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|title=Last Christmas|artist=Wham|type=single|award=Platinum|number=8|relyear=2004|certyear=2025|region=United Kingdom|id=3736-2736-1|access-date=3 January 2025|refname="bpi"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|title=Last Christmas|artist=Wham|type=single|award=Platinum|number=7|region=United States|relyear=1984|certyear=2024|access-date=10 December 2024|refname=RIAACertificationOrginalWham}}
{{Certification Table Separator|title=Streaming}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Greece|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|relyear=1994|certyear=2024|id=20241227101207|access-date=27 December 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|artist=Wham|title=Last Christmas|award=Platinum|number=10|type=single|relyear=1984|certyear=2023|certweek=48|position=1|access-date=1 December 2023}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|streamsonly=true}}
Release history
In other media
The film Last Christmas (2019) prominently features the music of George Michael, including this song.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/last-christmas-date-george-michael-paul-feig-1202999277/|title=Paul Feig's 'Last Christmas' Dated, Will Feature Unreleased George Michael Music|last=Kroll|first=Justin|date=26 October 2018|website=Variety|access-date=27 November 2019|archive-date=16 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190916133648/https://variety.com/2018/film/news/last-christmas-date-george-michael-paul-feig-1202999277/|url-status=live}}
Plagiarism allegations
On behalf of the writers of the song "Can't Smile Without You", made popular by Barry Manilow, publishing company Dick James Music sued Michael for plagiarism in the mid-1980s, claiming that "Last Christmas" lifted its melody from the former. The case was dismissed when a musicologist presented 60-odd songs from the past century that had a comparable chord sequence and melody.{{cite book | title=Who Did It First?: Great Pop Cover Songs and Their Original Artists | publisher=Rowman & Littlefield | author=Leszczak, Bob | year=2014 | pages=36 | isbn=978-1-4422-3067-5}}
Whigfield version
{{Infobox song
| name = Last Christmas
| cover = Whigfield - Last Christmas.png
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Whigfield
| album = Whigfield {{noitalic|and}} Whigfield II
| released = {{start date|1995|12|4|df=y}}{{cite magazine|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=48|date=2 December 1995}} Misprinted as 3 December on source. The Albums section uses the correct date.
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = Hi-NRG{{cite magazine|first=John|last=Perry|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/53613446400/|title=Singles|magazine=NME|date=9 December 1995|page=37|access-date=9 May 2024}}
| length = 4:16
| label = X-Energy
| writer = George Michael
| producer = Larry Pignagnoli
| prev_title = Big Time
| prev_year = 1995
| next_title = Sexy Eyes
| next_year = 1996
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|SFwI3fl2ZlA|"Last Christmas"}}}}
}}
Italian dance act Whigfield covered "Last Christmas" and released it as a double A-side with "Big Time" in the UK in December 1995. The single was also released as a double A-side single in Germany with "Close to You". In other countries, "Last Christmas" was released on its own with various remixes. The single was produced by Larry Pignagnoli and reached number 21 in the UK, which was Whigfield's final release on Systematic Records. It also appears on various Special Edition versions of her debut album, Whigfield (1995), and also on Whigfield II (1997). The accompanying music video for Whigfield's cover was directed by Italian director Giacomo De Simone, featuring the singer performing the song in a winter landscape.
=Chart performance=
Whigfield's cover of "Last Christmas" climbed into the top 10 in both Denmark and Spain, peaking at numbers six and five, respectively. It was also a top-20 hit in Finland and a top-30 hit in Ireland and the United Kingdom. In the latter country, "Last Christmas" / "Big Time" peaked at number 21 during its first week on the UK singles chart, on 10 December 1995. It was additionally a top-40 hit in Belgium, as well as on the European Hot 100 Singles, on which the song reached number 38.
=Critical reception=
John Perry from NME named "Last Christmas" by Whigfield Single of the Week, writing, "Gird your loins and don that silly party hat, pop-pickers, because what we have here is the classic Christmas single. [...] The Whigster has taken what was a definitive Christmas song and given it a monster 'I Feel Love' hi-NRG fuel-injection that will have the nation stomping those accursed parsnips into Auntie Mabel's best rug in front of The Queen..." Gill Whyte from Smash Hits gave it two out of five, describing it as "a cover of the George Michael swoon choon for the festive season, given the usual tinny pop Whiggers treatment, with lots of bingy-bongy synths. A classic song, so you can't go wrong, um, only she has, 'cos it just ain't as good as the original."{{cite magazine|first=Gill|last=Whyte|url=https://sites.google.com/view/smash-hits-remembered-1994-5/home/1995/442-8th-november-21st-november-1995|title=Singles|magazine=Smash Hits|date=8 November 1995|page=|access-date=17 February 2025}}
=Track listings=
style = "border: 0px;" | |
12-inch single, Italy (1995)
! | CD single, UK (1995) |
---|---|
1. "Last Christmas" (MBRG Version) – 5:25
| | 1. "Last Christmas (Major Cut) – 4:10 |
2. "Last Christmas" (Major Version) – 4:10
| | 2. "Big Time (Dancing Divas Club Mix) – 6:54 |
3. "Big Time" (Album Version) – 3:21
| | 3. "Saturday Night (Spike Vocal) – 7:28 |
4. "Last Christmas" (David Version) – 8:00
| | 4. "Saturday Night (Afternoon Mix) (Fishbone Beat's Remix) |
5. "Last Christmas" (Minor Version) – 4:10 | |
CD single, Italy (1995)
! | CD maxi, Scandinavia (1995) |
1. "Last Christmas" (Major Version)
| | 1. "Last Christmas" (MBRG Version) – 5:25 |
2. "Last Christmas" (MBRG Version)
| | 2. "Last Christmas" (Major Version) – 4:10 |
3. "Last Christmas" (David Version)
| | 3. "Last Christmas" (Minor Version) – 4:20 |
4. "Last Christmas" (Minor Version)
| | 4. "Last Christmas" (Major Mild Eq. Version) – 4:10 |
5. "Close To You" (Down Town Remix)
| | 5. "Last Christmas" (K. David Version) – 8:00 |
=Charts=
Ashley Tisdale version
{{Infobox song
| name = Last Christmas
| cover =
| type = promotional
| artist = Ashley Tisdale
| released = {{ubl|{{Start date|df=yes|2006|11|11}} (US radio)|{{Start date|df=yes|2006|11|21}} (digital download){{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001202T8S |title=Last Christmas (DMD Single): Ashley Tisdale: MP3 Downloads |website=Amazon |access-date=9 April 2012}}}}
| recorded = 2006
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = {{hlist|Christmas|pop}}
| length = {{ubl|3:55|3:39 (radio edit)}}
| label = Warner Bros.
| writer = George Michael
| producer = Mark Hammond
}}
"Last Christmas" was recorded in 2006 for Warner Bros. Records by Ashley Tisdale. The song was released to US radios on 11 November 2006 and as a digital download on 21 November 2006. This song was the first single released by Ashley Tisdale in her deal with Warner Bros. Records and became her official first holiday single. Tisdale performed the single in 2007 on Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and Christmas in Rockefeller Center, and in 2009 in the Citadel Outlets of Los Angeles, California. The song was one of the B-sides on the European CD singles of Tisdale's first single "Be Good to Me" and Tisdale's second single "He Said She Said", from the album Headstrong.{{cite web | url=https://www.amazon.de/dp/B000WQGW40 | title=He Said She Said (European Single) | author=Amazon.com | publisher=Amazon | access-date=20 July 2008 | archive-date=6 November 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106151646/http://www.amazon.de/dp/B000WQGW40 | url-status=live }} The song has been included on several compilation albums, including Disney Channel Holiday and A Very Special Christmas 7.
=Charts=
class="wikitable sortable" |
Chart (2011)
! Peak |
---|
US Holiday Digital Song Sales (Billboard){{cite magazine|title=Chart History Ashley Tisdale|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/ashley-tisdale/chart-history/xdt/|magazine=Billboard}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 47 |
Crazy Frog version
{{Infobox song
| name = Last Christmas
| cover = Crazy Frog - Last Christmas.png
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Crazy Frog
| album = Crazy Frog Presents More Crazy Hits Ultimate Edition
| released = December 2006
| recorded = 2006
| studio =
| genre = {{hlist|Dance|electronica}}
| length = 4:27
| label = Ministry of Sound
| writer = George Michael
| producer =
| prev_title = We Are the Champions (Ding a Dang Dong)
| prev_year = 2006
| next_title = Crazy Frog in the House (Knightrider)
| next_year = 2007
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|S6rZtIipew8|"Last Christmas"}}}}
}}
"Last Christmas" was covered in 2006 by Crazy Frog and released as a Christmas single.
=Charts=
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Chart performance for "Last Christmas" ! scope="col"| Chart (2006) ! scope="col"| Peak |
{{single chart|Australia|30|artist=Crazy Frog|song=Last Christmas|rowheader=true|access-date=16 December 2022}} |
{{single chart|Flanders|19|artist=Crazy Frog|song=Last Christmas|rowheader=true|access-date=16 December 2022}} |
{{single chart|Wallonia|6|artist=Crazy Frog|song=Last Christmas|rowheader=true|access-date=16 December 2022}} |
{{single chart|France|19|artist=Crazy Frog|song=Last Christmas|rowheader=true|access-date=16 December 2022}} |
{{single chart|Ireland2|16|artist=Crazy Frog|rowheader=true|access-date=16 December 2022}} |
{{single chart|Dutch100|48|artist=Crazy Frog|song=Last Christmas|rowheader=true|access-date=16 December 2022}} |
{{single chart|New Zealand|19|artist=Crazy Frog|song=Last Christmas|rowheader=true|access-date=16 December 2022}} |
{{single chart|UK|16|date=20061217|artist=Crazy Frog|song=Last Christmas|rowheader=true|access-date=16 December 2022}} |
{{clear}}
Cascada version
{{Infobox song
| name = Last Christmas
| cover = Cascada - Last Christmas.png
| alt =
| caption =
| type = single
| artist = Cascada
| album = It's Christmas Time
| released = 21 November 2007
| recorded = 2007
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = {{hlist|Eurodance|Christmas}}
| length = 3:27
| label = {{hlist|Zooland|Robbins|All Around the World}}
| writer = George Michael
| producer =
| prev_title = Ready for Love
| prev_year = 2006
| next_title = What Hurts the Most
| next_year = 2007
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|ds6oTHYmqRc|"Last Christmas"}}}}
}}
"Last Christmas" was recorded in 2007 by Cascada. It was released on iTunes in November 2007. The single had only a digital release but six days later, it was released on the single "What Hurts the Most" which was the first single from their second album. It was also released as part of their Christmas album, It's Christmas Time.
=Charts=
class="wikitable sortable" |
Chart (2007)
! style="text-align:center;"| Peak |
---|
{{single chart|Germany|83|artist=Cascada|song=Last Christmas|songid=392854}} |
{{single chart|Austria|63|artist=Cascada|song=Last Christmas}} |
UK Singles (Official Charts Company){{cite web|url=http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK2007.HTM|title=Chart Log UK|access-date=4 March 2015|archive-date=10 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010052713/http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK2007.HTM|url-status=live}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 111{{efn|Based on downloads alone, but did chart at number 10, as it was the B-side to "What Hurts the Most".}} |
{{single chart|UKdance|22|date=2009-12-26}} |
class="wikitable sortable" |
Chart (2010)
! style="text-align:center;"| Peak |
---|
US Dance/Electronic Digital Songs Sales (Billboard){{cite magazine |title=Cascada Chart History (Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales)|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/cascada/chart-history/ddt/ |magazine=Billboard}}
| style="text-align:center;"|43 |
{{clear}}
=Notes=
{{Notelist}}
''Glee'' cast version
{{Infobox song
| name = Last Christmas
| cover =
| alt =
| border = yes
| caption =
| type = single
| artist = Glee cast
| album = Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album
| released = 23 November 2009
16 November 2010 (re-release)
| recorded = 2009
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = Pop
| length = 3:37
| label = Columbia
| writer = George Michael
| producer =
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title =
| next_year =
}}
The song was covered by the cast of Glee, led by Lea Michele, Cory Monteith with Amber Riley, and was released in 2009 exclusively on iTunes as a charity single, then in 2010 on Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album. The song entered the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the first time a cover version of the song appeared on that chart.
=Charts=
{{clear}}
Joe McElderry version
{{Infobox song
| name = Last Christmas
| cover =
| alt =
| border = yes
| caption =
| type = single
| artist = Joe McElderry
| album = Classic Christmas
| released = {{Start date|df=yes|2011|11|04}}
| recorded = October 2011
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = Pop
| length =
| label = Decca
| writer = George Michael
| producer =
| prev_title = There's a Place for Us
| prev_year = 2010
| next_title = Here's What I Believe
| next_year = 2012
| misc =
}}
British singer Joe McElderry covered the song in 2011. This version was released as a single on 19 December 2011,[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a344730/joe-mcelderry-announces-new-album-classic-christmas.html Joe McElderry announces new album 'Classic Christmas'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020173306/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a344730/joe-mcelderry-announces-new-album-classic-christmas.html |date=20 October 2011 }} Digital Spy. Retrieved on 31 October 2011. an EP was also released digitally in Ireland on 4 November 2011, and in the UK on 7 November 2011. McElderry's version is taken from his third studio album, Classic Christmas, released 28 November 2011. 7th Heaven Remix & Production have done a remix for the song.
A short music video was made using footage which was filmed for the Classic Christmas{{'}}s album advertising, it features McElderry outside in the snow, collecting logs and taking them to a large house preparing for a Christmas party, a similar video was made for McElderry's version of "O Come All Ye Faithful". The advert and both videos were directed by Steve Lucker.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urdKPVGI_6A Behind The Scenes at Joe's Classic Christmas Winter Wonderland!] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310161517/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urdKPVGI_6A |date=10 March 2016 }} Decca Records on YouTube. Retrieved on 21 December 2011.
{{clear}}
Ariana Grande version
{{Infobox song
| name = Last Christmas
| cover = Ariana Grande - Last Christmas (Official Single Cover).png
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Ariana Grande
| album = Christmas Kisses
| released = {{Start date|df=yes|2013|11|19}}
| recorded = 2013
| studio =
| genre = {{hlist|Christmas|dance-pop|R&B}}
| length = 3:24
| label = Republic
| writer = George Michael
| producer = {{hlist|Babyface|The Rascals}}
| prev_title = Right There
| prev_year = 2013
| next_title = Love Is Everything
| next_year = 2013
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|ReK9MVrOq0w|"Last Christmas"}}|header=Audio video}}
}}
"Last Christmas" was covered by American singer Ariana Grande, and serves as the lead single from Grande's Christmas Kisses. It was released on 19 November 2013 in the iTunes Store.{{cite web | url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/last-christmas-single/id740768300 | title=Last Christmas – Single by Ariana Grande | publisher=Apple | work=iTunes Store | access-date=19 November 2013 | archive-date=6 December 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206131728/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/last-christmas-single/id740768300 | url-status=dead }}
Grande's cover draws primarily from pop music, contemporary R&B and soul and also includes newly written lyrics in place of some of the originals.{{cite journal|last1=Menyes|first1=Carolyn|title=Review: Ariana Grande reworks Wham! classic 'Last Christmas' for first holiday single [LISTEN]|url=http://www.musictimes.com/articles/2348/20131119/review-ariana-grande-reworks-wham-classic-last-christmas-first-holiday.htm|access-date=31 December 2015|journal=Music Times|date=19 November 2013|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304052507/http://www.musictimes.com/articles/2348/20131119/review-ariana-grande-reworks-wham-classic-last-christmas-first-holiday.htm|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|last1=Lipshutz|first1=Jason|title=Ariana Grande Updates 'Last Christmas' For First Holiday Release: Listen|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/5793294/ariana-grande-updates-last-christmas-for-first-holiday-release|access-date=31 December 2015|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|date=19 November 2013}} The verses have been described as having a more poppy and R&B vibe than the original.
=Charts=
=Certifications=
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=single|region=Australia|certyear=2023|award=Gold|access-date=July 7, 2023}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=single|region=New Zealand|artist=Ariana Grande|title=Last Christmas|certyear=2024|award=Gold|source=radioscope|access-date=January 9, 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Ariana Grande|title=Last Christmas|award=Silver|relyear=2013|certyear=2022|id=3736-3975-1|access-date=6 January 2023}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}
Carly Rae Jepsen version
{{Infobox song
| name = Last Christmas
| cover = Carly Rae Jepsen - Last Christmas single cover.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Carly Rae Jepsen
| album =
| released = {{start date|df=yes|2015|11|20}}
| recorded = November 2015{{cite news|last1=Wass|first1=Mike|title=Carly Rae Jepsen Is Back In The Studio Working On New Music|url=http://www.idolator.com/7615188/carly-rae-jepsen-new-music-studio|access-date=31 December 2015|work=Idolator|publisher=Spin Media|date=20 November 2015}}
| studio =
| genre = {{hlist|Christmas|synthpop}}
| length = {{duration|m=3|s=32}}
| label = {{hlist|604|Interscope|School Boy}}
| writer = George Michael
| producer = Ben Romans
| prev_title = Your Type
| prev_year = 2015
| next_title = Super Natural
| next_year = 2016
}}
"Last Christmas" was covered by Canadian singer Carly Rae Jepsen in 2015 and was released to digital retailers on 20 November 2015 through 604 Records (in Canada) and Interscope Records and School Boy Records (internationally).{{cite web|title=Last Christmas – Single by Carly Rae Jepsen|url=https://music.apple.com/ca/album/last-christmas-single/1059493185|website=iTunes Store (Canada)|date=20 November 2015|publisher=Apple Inc|access-date=30 December 2015|archive-date=6 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306101544/https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/last-christmas-single/id1059493185|url-status=live}} Jepsen's rendition was praised by critics for combining stylistic elements similar to the original with modern production.{{cite magazine|last1=Weiner|first1=Natalie|title=Listen to Carly Rae Jepsen's Cover of 'Last Christmas'|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/6770091/carly-rae-jepsen-last-christmas-listen|access-date=31 December 2015|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|date=20 November 2015}} She performed the song live at the annual NBC television special Christmas in Rockefeller Center airing on 2 December 2015,{{cite news|last1=Daw|first1=Robbie|title=Carly Rae Jepsen's "Last Christmas" Performance At Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting: Watch|url=http://www.idolator.com/7616781/carly-rae-jepsen-last-christmas-performance-rockefeller-center-tree-lighting-watch|access-date=31 December 2015|work=Idolator|publisher=Spin Media|date=3 December 2015|archive-date=14 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230914144031/https://www.idolator.com/7616781/carly-rae-jepsen-last-christmas-performance-rockefeller-center-tree-lighting-watch|url-status=dead}} and on the episode of The Late Late Show with James Corden airing on 16 December 2015.{{cite news|last1=Williott|first1=Carl|title=Watch Carly Rae Jepsen Do "Last Christmas" On 'The Late Late Show'|url=http://www.idolator.com/7618175/carly-rae-jepsen-last-christmas-cover-late-late-show-corden|access-date=31 December 2015|work=Idolator|publisher=Spin Media|date=17 December 2015|archive-date=14 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230914144031/https://www.idolator.com/7618175/carly-rae-jepsen-last-christmas-cover-late-late-show-corden|url-status=dead}}
Bianca Gracie of Idolator described the song as "quintessential Carly" for highlighting Jepsen's unique vocals and synth production and wrote that her cover will "charm your... socks off".{{cite news|last1=Gracie|first1=Bianca|title=Carly Rae Jepsen Covers Wham!'s "Last Christmas": Listen|url=http://www.idolator.com/7615615/carly-rae-jepsen-covers-wham-last-christmas-listen|access-date=31 December 2015|work=Idolator|publisher=Spin Media|date=20 November 2015|archive-date=14 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230914144030/https://www.idolator.com/7615615/carly-rae-jepsen-covers-wham-last-christmas-listen|url-status=dead}} Nolan Feeney of Time echoed those sentiments, noting that "Last Christmas" is "the kind of brokenhearted yet warm and sweet song [Jepsen] excels at".{{cite magazine|last1=Feeney|first1=Nolan|title=Christmas Came Early With Carly Rae Jepsen's Delightful Cover of 'Last Christmas'|url=https://time.com/4121945/carly-rae-jepsen-last-christmas-cover/|access-date=31 December 2015|magazine=Time|date=20 November 2015}} Jackson McHenry of Vulture applauded Jepsen for her straightforward approach to the song and avoiding the "vocal gymnastics" that bog down some Christmas covers.{{cite news|last1=McHenry|first1=Jackson|title=Carly Rae Jepsen's Cover of 'Last Christmas' Will Help You Ring in the Holiday Season|url=http://www.vulture.com/2015/11/carly-rae-jepsen-covered-whams-last-christmas.html|access-date=31 December 2015|work=Vulture|publisher=New York Media|date=20 November 2015|archive-date=1 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101142252/http://www.vulture.com/2015/11/carly-rae-jepsen-covered-whams-last-christmas.html|url-status=live}}
A more critical review came from music blog Popcrush, who deemed the cover overproduced, saying "The slick production is a disservice to both Jepsen's vocals and the original's emotional heft."{{cite news|last1=Vincenty|first1=Samantha|title=Carly Rae Jepsen Covers Wham!'s Classic 'Last Christmas'|url=http://popcrush.com/carly-rae-jepsen-cover-last-christmas/|access-date=31 December 2015|work=Popcrush|publisher=Townsquare Media|date=20 November 2015|archive-date=26 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226021005/http://popcrush.com/carly-rae-jepsen-cover-last-christmas/|url-status=live}}
=Charts=
class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center"
! Chart (2015–20) ! Peak |
{{single chart|Flanders Tip|21|artist=Carly Rae Jepsen|song=Last Christmas|rowheader=true|access-date=2 January 2016}} |
{{single chart|Wallonia Tip|40|artist=Carly Rae Jepsen|song=Last Christmas|rowheader=true|access-date=2 January 2016}} |
{{single chart|Hungaryradio|20|year=2020|week=52|artist=Carly Rae Jepsen|song=Last Christmas|rowheader=true|access-date=1 January 2021}} |
scope="row"| Mexico (Billboard Ingles Airplay){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/carly-rae-jepsen/chart-history/min/|title= Carly Rae Jepsen Chart History: Mexico Ingles Airplay|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 7, 2017}}
| style="text-align:center;"|38 |
---|
{{single chart|Dutch100|100|artist=Carly Rae Jepsen|song=Last Christmas|rowheader=true|access-date=31 December 2015}} |
{{single chart|Sweden|80|artist=Carly Rae Jepsen|song=Last Christmas|rowheader=true|access-date=30 December 2015}} |
scope="row"| US Holiday Digital Song Sales (Billboard){{cite web|title=Chart Search|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/search/charts?f%5b0%5d=ts_chart_artistname%3ACarly%20Rae%20Jepsen&f%5b1%5d=itm_field_chart_id%3A1184&f%5b2%5d=ss_bb_type%3Achart_item&type=2&artist=Carly%20Rae%20Jepsen|publisher=Billboard Holiday Digital Songs for Carly Rae Jepsen|access-date=30 December 2015}}
| 43 |
{{clear}}
Other cover versions
- Human Nature covered the song in 1996.
- Billie Piper originally recorded a cover of the song as a B-side of her 1998 single "She Wants You". It was released as a CD single in limited areas of Europe, charting at No. 47 in Sweden.{{cite web|url=http://swedishcharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Billie+Piper|title=Discography Billie Piper|publisher=Swedish Charts Portal. Hung Medien|access-date=27 August 2020|archive-date=27 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141127064959/http://swedishcharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Billie+Piper|url-status=live}} The single was released as a promotional vinyl single in the UK, limited to 500 copies, and therefore could not chart there.{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}
- Jimmy Eat World covered the song, which was included on Disc 2 of the Deluxe Edition of the 2001 album Bleed American.
- Hilary Duff covered the song for her 2002 debut album, Santa Claus Lane. This version peaked at number 68 on the South Korean Gaon Chart in 2012.{{cite web|url=http://gaonchart.co.kr/digital_chart/mobile.php?chartCode%3DS2020%26current_week%3D50%26current_year%3D2012%26chart_Time%3Dweek |title=Gaon mobile chart |access-date=6 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211164702/http://gaonchart.co.kr/digital_chart/mobile.php?chartCode=S2020¤t_week=50¤t_year=2012&chart_Time=week |archive-date=11 December 2013 }}
- Taylor Swift covered "Last Christmas" for her 2007 EP, The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection. Swift's cover peaked at number 28 on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in January 2008{{cite magazine|title=Taylor Swift, Chart History|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/taylor-swift/chart-history/csi/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=25 November 2017}} and at number 46 on the Hot Digital Songs chart in December 2008.{{Cite magazine |title=Taylor Swift Chart History (Digital Songs) |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/taylor-swift/ |access-date=2022-09-20 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}} On Billboard
's Greatest of All Time Holiday 100 chart, which measured chart data 1958–2016, Swift's "Last Christmas" charted at number 56.{{Cite magazine |date=2021-11-18 |title=Greatest of All Time Holiday 100 Songs |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/greatest-of-all-time-holiday-100-songs/ |access-date=2022-09-22 |magazine=Billboard}} - A cover version by Santa Clones is featured in the video game Just Dance 2017 as a duet between two dancers, one of whom is dressed as Santa Claus.{{cite web |title=Just Dance 2017 song list revealed |url=https://gamingtrend.com/news/just-dance-2017-song-list-revealed/ |website=Gamingtrend |date=14 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914030632/https://gamingtrend.com/news/just-dance-2017-song-list-revealed/ |archive-date=14 September 2017 |access-date=7 June 2020}}
- James TW's version in 2018 peaked at number 22 on the New Zealand Hot Singles Chart, and at number 38 on Sverigetopplistan, the official Swedish singles chart.{{Cite web|url=https://swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=James+TW&titel=Last+Christmas&cat=s|title=swedishcharts.com – James TW – Last Christmas|website=swedishcharts.com|access-date=5 January 2019|archive-date=22 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222153523/https://swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=James+TW&titel=Last+Christmas&cat=s|url-status=live}}
- Backstreet Boys released a cover of the song on September 6, 2022, as a part of their first Christmas album, A Very Backstreet Christmas. It was accompanied by a music video on November 1 the same year and reached number 1 on the Billboard Holiday AC chart.{{cite magazine |last1=Trust |first1=Gary |title='Last Christmas' Becomes Backstreet Boys' First Adult Contemporary No. 1 Since 'I Want It That Way' |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/backstreet-boys-last-christmas-tops-adult-contemporary-chart/ |magazine=Billboard |date=29 November 2022}}
- Lauren Spencer-Smith released a cover of the song on November 11, 2022. Her version peaked at number 81 on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 2022.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2022-12-31/|title=Billboard Hot 100: Week of December 31, 2022|magazine=Billboard|access-date=28 December 2022}}
- One, who represented Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2002, adpated the song in Greek as "Οι καμπάνες χτυπούν" (Bells are ringing) in their 2003 album Όνειρα (Dreams).{{Cite web |title=One "Όνειρα" |url=https://www.musiccorner.gr/nees_kyklof/03/one_02.html |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=www.musiccorner.gr}}
- Remi Wolf covered the song, releasing it along with a cover of "Winter Wonderland" in November 2022.{{Cite web |last=Daly |first=Rhian |date=2022-11-18 |title=Remi Wolf Spreads Holiday Joy On 'Winter Wonderland' And 'Last Christmas' |url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/remi-wolf-winter-wonderland-last-christmas/ |access-date=2023-09-25 |website=uDiscover Music |language=en-US}}
- The cast of The Only Way Is Essex covered the song in 2011. It peaked at number 33 in the UK Singles Chart Christmas chart, a place higher than the original.{{Cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20111225/7501/ |title=Official Singles Chart 25-31 December 2011 |publisher=Official Charts Company}}
- Alanis Morissette released a cover of the song on the EP of the same name in November 2023.{{cite web | title=Alanis Morissette Covers Wham!'s "Last Christmas," Stars In Gap Holiday Campaign | url=https://www.stereogum.com/2241549/alanis-morissette-covers-whams-last-christmas-stars-in-gap-holiday-campaign/music/ | date=November 4, 2023 | author=Danielle Chelosky | website=Stereogum | access-date=December 23, 2023}}
- Finnish soprano Tarja Turunen covered the song on her 2023 Christmas album entitled Dark Christmas.{{cite web |title=Tarja Turunen ALBUMS / DARK CHRISTMAS |url=https://tarjaturunen.com/language/en/dark-christmas/ |access-date=30 March 2024}}
- The Philly Specials covered the song for their charity album A Philly Special Christmas Party, released on 22 November 2024.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/philadelphia-eagles-jason-kelce-lane-johnson-jordan-mailata-philly-special-christmas-party-album-1235836249/ |title=Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson & Jordan Mailata Celebrate the Holiday Season With 'A Philly Special Christmas Party' Album: Stream It Now |last=Aniftos |first=Rania |magazine=Billboard |date=22 November 2024 |access-date=25 December 2024}}
- Sabrina Carpenter performed a cover of the song with Chappell Roan for the Netflix special A Nonsense Christmas with Sabrina Carpenter, released in December 2024.{{Cite news|url=https://www.vulture.com/article/sabrina-carpenter-chappell-roan-last-christmas.html|title=Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan Do Some Christmas Karaoke|author=Alejandra Gularte|website=vulture.com|date=2024-12-07|access-date=7 December 2024}}
See also
- {{annotated link|List of songs which have spent the most weeks on the UK singles chart}}
- {{annotated link|Whamageddon}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{YouTube|rdBF5seCfwg|"Wham! - Last Christmas (Pudding Mix)"}}
- {{YouTube|i74tlP7G8_I|"Crazy Frog - Last Christmas (Official Video)"}}
- {{YouTube|joznv_yhG5E|"Last Christmas"}}
{{Wham!}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Other navigation templates related to "Last Christmas"
| list =
{{Whigfield}}
{{Taylor Swift songs}}
{{Billie Piper}}
{{Crazy Frog}}
{{Cascada}}
{{Joe McElderry}}
{{Ariana Grande songs}}
{{Carly Rae Jepsen}}
{{Backstreet Boys singles}}
}}
{{UK Christmas No. 1s|state=collapsed}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Carly Rae Jepsen songs
Category:Backstreet Boys songs
Category:Irish Singles Chart number-one singles
Category:Number-one singles in Austria
Category:Number-one singles in Denmark
Category:Number-one singles in Germany
Category:Number-one singles in Iceland
Category:Number-one singles in New Zealand
Category:Number-one singles in Poland
Category:Number-one singles in Sweden
Category:Oricon International Singles Chart number-one singles
Category:UK singles chart number-one singles
Category:British Christmas songs
Category:Songs written by George Michael
Category:Song recordings produced by George Michael
Category:Republic Records singles
Category:Columbia Records singles
Category:Innocent Records singles
Category:Warner Records singles
Category:Ministry of Sound singles
Category:All Around the World Productions singles
Category:Decca Records singles
Category:Interscope Records singles
Category:Schoolboy Records singles
Category:Songs involved in plagiarism controversies
Category:Music videos directed by Giacomo De Simone