Last Christmas



"Last Christmas" is a song by English pop duo Wham!, released on Epic Records in December 1984, on a double A-side with "Everything She Wants". It was written and produced by George Michael, and has been covered by many artists since its original release.

The song reached No. 1 in Denmark, Slovenia and Sweden and No. 2 in eight countries; Belgium, Netherlands, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Norway, New Zealand and United Kingdom. Wham! donated all of their royalties to the Ethiopian famine. In a UK-wide poll in December 2012, it was voted eighth on the ITV television special The Nation's Favourite Christmas Song. It was the most-played Christmas song of the 21st century in the UK until it was overtaken by “Fairytale of New York” in 2015.

Origin
"Last Christmas" had its beginnings in 1984, while George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley were visiting Michael’s parents. 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".

Recording
The song was recorded in August 1984, at Advision Studios, London, England. George Michael had written, performed, produced and played every single instrument on the track. With a Linn 9000 drum machine, a Roland Juno-60 synth and sleigh bells, they began recording the song in the summer. The only people in the studio were engineer Chris Porter and two assistants. 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".

United Kingdom
Wham! already had two No.1 songs in the UK Singles Chart in 1984 and news that they were planning a Christmas single meant that a battle for the coveted Christmas No. 1 spot in the UK 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". However, 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 to the Ethiopian famine.

In subsequent years, the song reached the middle echelons of the UK Singles Chart on a regular basis (excluding 1985, 1986, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, when the song reached the upper echelons of the chart) Also shows number of weeks spent in the UK Singles Chart top 100.

"Last Christmas" has sold over 1.88 million copies as of January 2017 and is the biggest-selling single in UK chart history not to reach No. 1. It was certified 2 times multi-platinum in December 2018.

Other territories
In Germany, the song is the most successful Christmas single of all time, having spent 137 weeks on the German Singles Chart and attained a peak position of No. 3 on 28 December 2018. It has charted every year since 1997. 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.

The single was originally released in two different formats in Japan, 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. The single was released in 1993 on CD single in the country and peaked at No. 17, selling nearly 40,000 copies that week. It was again reissued on CD as a 2-track, the single edit and the "Pudding Mix" in November 2001 and again in November 2004. 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.

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). 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 originally not commercially released as a single in the United States and therefore did not enter the main charts. It was released for the first time as a 2-track physical 12" vinyl single through an exclusive Record Store Day release in November 2014. The song has re-entered the Billboard Holiday Songs Chart on a regular basis with it peaking at No. 3 on 7 December 2019. As of 25 November 2016, total US sales of the digital track stand at 751,000 downloads according to Nielsen SoundScan, placing it 10th on the list of all-time best-selling Christmas/holiday digital singles in US SoundScan history. The song debuted at number 50 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the chart dated 7 January 2017, after George Michael died. In December 2018, the song re-entered the Hot 100, eventually peaking at No. 25 in January 2019.

In December 2017 and 28 December 2018, "Last Christmas" reached No. 1 in the Swedish singles chart. In 2009, the song re-entered the Spanish Lista de Canciones (singles chart) at No. 9.

Music video
The video to "Last Christmas" shows Wham! members George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley accompanying girlfriends to see friends at an unspecified ski resort: the cable-car that can be seen in two shots is from Saas-Fee, Switzerland, where the video was filmed. 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. She can be spotted throughout the video by the fact that she is usually wearing red, but everyone else is wearing more muted colors.

There is a brief flashback to "last Christmas", showing Michael's character presenting her with a jewelled brooch. In the present time, Ridgeley is wearing the brooch, suggesting that the girl gave the same gift (perhaps by regifting it) to her new love after she and Michael parted ways. When the girl wears the brooch 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.

Her seeming indifference to Ridgeley's open displays of affection makes the viewer wonder if Ridgeley's heart is the next to be broken. At the end of the video, everyone leaves properly "paired off", so perhaps it is suggested that Michael has worked out his confusion and now realizes he is after all with the right girl.

The video also featured the duo's erstwhile backing singers Pepsi and Shirlie and Spandau Ballet bassist Martin Kemp, the boyfriend and future husband of Shirlie Holliman.

As of 29 November 2019, the music video has received 457 million views on the official Wham! YouTube channel. The second official music video "Last Christmas (Pudding Mix)" on Wham!’s official channel has 16.2 million views.

Versions and mixes
The full original mix and vocal of "Last Christmas" has never been released in its entirety. In 1984 it was two edits of the song that were released: one (4:24) on the regular 7" format and the other (missing the second verse (4:45)) on the original Japanese 12" and promotional Spanish 7".

A remixed version with partly re-recorded and additional vocals was used for the regular 12" format and entitled the "Pudding Mix". When the single was re-released in 1985, an edited version of the Pudding Mix was used for the regular 7" and this version has been used on all subsequent re-releases.

It is the 1985 7" version (the edit of the 1984 12" Pudding Mix) that is now the most common to find on "various artists" compilation albums (as well as George Michael's Twenty Five hits compilation) and the most widely known version.

The full Pudding Mix has been featured on several compilations (including the Wham! hits compilation albums The Final and If You Were There (The Best of Wham)). The edits of the original 1984 recording are less widely available, although the longer version was used in early 1985 in some countries on the second set of formats of the "Last Christmas/Everything She Wants" double "A" sided single (once the latter started becoming the focus of promotion, following the end of the Christmas season) and has occasionally been used on "various artists" compilation albums. The shorter edit (as used on the original 7") has not been released since and therefore has never appeared on the compact disc format.

Original 1984 release
First 7": Epic / GA 4949 (UK)


 * 1) "Last Christmas" (Original 1984 7" mix) – 4:24
 * 2) "Everything She Wants" (Album version) – 5:07

First 12": Epic / TA 4949 (UK)


 * 1) "Last Christmas" (Pudding mix) – 6:47
 * 2) "Everything She Wants" (Album version) – 5:07

Second 7": Epic / QA 4949 (UK)


 * 1) "Everything She Wants" (Remix) – 5:32
 * 2) "Last Christmas" (Original 1984 7" mix) – 4:24

Second 12": Epic / QTA 4949 (UK)


 * 1) "Everything She Wants" (12" remix) – 6:34
 * 2) "Last Christmas" (Pudding mix) – 6:47

1985 reissue
7": Epic / WHAM 1 (UK)


 * 1) "Last Christmas" (1985 edit of Pudding mix) – 4:24
 * 2) "Blue (Armed with Love)" (Live in China) – 5:43

12": Epic / WHAM T1 (UK)


 * 1) "Last Christmas" (Pudding mix) – 6:47
 * 2) "Blue (Armed with Love)" (Live in China) – 5:43
 * 3) "Everything She Wants" (Remix) – 5:31

1986 reissue
7": Epic / 650269 7 (UK)


 * 1) "Last Christmas" (1985 edit of Pudding mix) – 4:24
 * 2) "Where Did Your Heart Go?" – 5:45

12": Epic / 650269 6 (UK)


 * 1) "Last Christmas" (Pudding mix) – 6:47
 * 2) "Where Did Your Heart Go?" – 5:45

1988–89 reissues
7": Epic / EPC 653185 7 (UK)


 * 1) "Last Christmas" (1985 edit of Pudding Mix) – 4:24
 * 2) "Everything She Wants" (Album version) [Mislabelled as "Recorded live in China"] – 5:07

12": Epic / EPC 653185 6 (UK)


 * 1) "Last Christmas" (Pudding mix) – 6:47
 * 2) "Everything She Wants" (Album version) – 5:07

2007 reissue
7", 12", CD: Tent / PD45579
 * 1) "Last Christmas" (Remix) – 5:13
 * 2) "Everything She Wants" (Remix) – 6:01
 * 3) "Last Christmas" (Pudding mix) – 6:47
 * 4) "Everything She Wants" – 6:29

2014 – 30th anniversary
12": Columbia / 88875042911 (US)


 * 1) "Last Christmas" (1985 edit of Pudding mix) – 4:27
 * 2) "Last Christmas (Instrumental)" – 4:27

2019 - Limited Edition
7": Epic (UK)


 * 1) "Last Christmas" (single edit) – 4:27
 * 2) "Everything She Wants (Edit)" –

Note: "Last Christmas" and "Everything She Wants" were a double "A" side. The second 7" and 12" with "Everything She Wants" as the main track were released in early 1985. In some countries, the longer edit (4:34) of "Last Christmas" from 1984 was used on side two of the second 12". The only difference between the 1988 and 1989 reissues is the text (Christmas '88" and Christmas '89") on the back of the record.

Certifications and sales
!scope="row"| United States (RIAA)
 * 751,000
 * 751,000

Appearances in other media
In the movie Last Christmas (2019), the film prominently features the music of the late singer George Michael, including the Last Christmas song and a previously unreleased track.

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 thrown out when a musicologist presented 60-odd songs from the past century that had a comparable chord sequence and melody.

Whigfield version
In the UK, the following single planned after "Close to You" was "Big Time"; however, it was suggested that Whigfield should record a version of "Last Christmas" to go with the release of "Big Time", as a double A-side single. 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 reached number 21 in the UK, which was Whigfield's final release on Systematic Records. It also features on various Special Edition versions of her debut album Whigfield and also on Whigfield II. The EP was released on 10 November 1995 in Australia. A UK single was released on 3 December 1995.

Music video
The music video for "Last Christmas" was directed by Italian director Giacomo De Simone.

Official versions

 * 1) "Last Christmas" (Major version)
 * 2) "Last Christmas" (Minor version)
 * 3) "Last Christmas" (Major Mild EQ version)
 * 4) "Last Christmas" (K David version)
 * 5) "Last Christmas" (David version)
 * 6) "Last Christmas" (MBRG version)
 * 7) "Last Christmas" (MBRG radio edit)

Billie Piper version
Billie Piper originally recorded a cover of the song as a B-side of her single "She Wants You". It was released as CD single in limited areas of Europe, and did not chart in any country. The single was also released as a promotional vinyl single in the UK, limited to 500 copies and therefore could not chart there.

Track listings

 * European CD single
 * 1) "Last Christmas"
 * 2) "She Wants You" (album version)
 * 3) "She Wants You" (Sharp Ballrom Remix)


 * UK promo vinyl
 * 1) "Last Christmas" (edit)
 * 2) "She Wants You" (radio edit)

Jimmy Eat World version
"Last Christmas" was released as a single by Jimmy Eat World in 2001, following the band's breakthrough hit album Bleed American. The B-side was a cover of "Firestarter", by The Prodigy.

Hilary Duff Version
"Last Christmas" was covered by Hilary Duff as part of her debut album, Santa Claus Lane.

Ashley Tisdale version
"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. The song has been included on several compilation albums, including Disney Channel Holiday and A Very Special Christmas 7.

Track listings

 * Digital download
 * 1) "Last Christmas" (single version) – 3:55

Crazy Frog version
"Last Christmas" was covered in 2006 by Crazy Frog and released as a Christmas single. In Belgium, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden and France, "Last Christmas" was released 12 months before in other countries.

Track listings

 * CD single
 * 1) "Last Christmas" (radio edit)
 * 2) "We Wish You a Merry Christmas"
 * 3) "Last Christmas" (club mix)
 * 4) "Nellie the Elephant"
 * 5) "Last Christmas" (video)

Cascada version
"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.

In the UK, despite it being a B-side track, the song is regularly played throughout music channels during the festive season. The two official music videos got more than 60 million views on YouTube combined.

It was released as part of their Christmas album, It's Christmas Time.


 * iTunes download
 * "Last Christmas" – 3:52

Charts
* Based on downloads alone, but did chart at number 10, as it was the B-side to "What Hurts the Most".

Alcazar version
The song was covered by Alcazar from Sweden as the sixth single to be released from their third studio album Disco Defenders, released in 2009. The single was only released digitally in Germany. It was included as a bonus track on the Swedish special edition version of Disco Defenders, released on 18 November 2009.

Music video
A music video was produced to promote the single.

Track listings
Digital download
 * 1) "Last Christmas"
 * 2) "One Two Three Four"

Joe McElderry version
British singer Joe McElderry covered the song in 2011. This version was released as a single on 19 December 2011, an EP was also released digitally in Ireland on 4 November 2011, and in the UK on 7 November 2011. Joe 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.

Track listings
EP 1
 * 1) "Last Christmas" – 4:18
 * 2) "Adeste Fideles (O Come All Ye Faithful)" – 3:07
 * 3) "Silent Night" – 3:28

7th Heaven Remixes
 * 1) "Last Christmas" (7th Heaven Remix) – 6:54
 * 2) "Last Christmas" (7th Heaven Remix Edit) – 3:47

Ariana Grande version
"Last Christmas" is a song by American singer Ariana Grande. The song serves as the lead single from Grande's Christmas Kisses. It was released on 19 November 2013 in the iTunes Store.

Composition
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. The verses have been described as "bouncier" than the original melody.

Track listing

 * Digital download
 * 1) "Last Christmas" – 3:24

Carly Rae Jepsen version
"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). Jepsen's rendition was praised by critics for combining stylistic elements similar to the original with modern production.

Track listing
Digital download – single
 * 1) "Last Christmas" – 3:32

Critical reception
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." Nolan Feeney of Time echoed those sentiments, noting that "Last Christmas" is "the kind of brokenhearted yet warm and sweet song [Jepsen] excels at." Jackson McHenry of Vulture applauded Jepsen for her straightforward approach to the song and avoiding the "vocal gymnastics" that bog down some Christmas covers.

A more critical review came from music blog Popcrush, who deemed the cover overproduced. "The slick production is a disservice to both Carly’s vocals and the original’s emotional heft," writes Samanth Vincenty.

Live performances
Jepsen performed the song live at the annual NBC television special Christmas in Rockefeller Center, which aired on 2 December 2015. She also performed the song on the episode of The Late Late Show with James Corden airing on 16 December 2015.

Other cover versions

 * Raunchy covered a shortened version of the song and released in the reissued version of Velvet Noise called Velvet Noise Extended, in 2007.
 * Taylor Swift, on her 2007 EP The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection (peaked at number 28 on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in January 2008).
 * JLS, on the final of The X Factor on 13 December 2008.
 * The Glee cast, led by Lea Michele, Cory Monteith with Amber Riley, released in 2009 exclusively on iTunes as a charity single, then in 2010 on Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album (peaked at number 63 on the Billboard Hot 100, the first time a cover version of the song appeared on the chart, and at number 27 on the Adult Contemporary chart).
 * The Puppini Sisters, on their 2010 album Christmas with The Puppini Sisters.
 * Postmodern Jukebox, as a 2015 single featuring Sara Niemietz, Christina Gatti and Ariana Savalas singing Andrews Sisters style harmonies and Melinda Sullivan performing a tap dance solo.
 * Gwen Stefani, on her 2017 album You Make It Feel Like Christmas.
 * Rita Ora, in the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge on 11 December 2017. It was later included on the album The Sound of Christmas: Live & Exclusive at the BBC, released on 30 November 2018.
 * Former Fifth Harmony member Ally Brooke, on 16 November 2018.
 * James TW covered the song with his version charting in Sweden reaching number 38 on Sverigetopplistan, the official Swedish Singles Chart.