Many world-famous songs that are considered to be New Year’s or Christmas, in fact, either have nothing to do with the holidays, or are indirectly connected with them. One of these compositions is the famous Last Christmas (“Last Christmas”) by the duet Wham!, written by George Michael (George Michael).
Only the name has anything in common with Christmas, but every year at the end of December, a rare radio station does not put the track on the air, and some performer will definitely record a new cover.
The story of creation and the meaning of the song Last Christmas
About the story of the legendary song of the band Wham! not much is known. As George Michael recalled, the idea to write it came when he and Andrew Ridgeley were watching football on TV at his parents’ house. At the conclusion of the match, he spent the whole night composing words and music. In the morning the final version of Last Christmas was ready and George presented it to Andrew.
Last Christmas is performed on behalf of a guy who continues to be tormented by unrequited love for the girl who left him. Instead of Christmas in the chorus, the author could well have mentioned any other holiday: New Year, Easter or Thanksgiving. The meaning of the song Last Christmas would not have changed from this, although the popularity of the composition would certainly have suffered.
Release and achievements
In December 1984, Last Christmas was released as a single from the album Music from the Edge of Heaven by Wham!. On the UK Singles Chart, it ended up at number two, failing to beat Do They Know It’s Christmas?, a track recorded by Band Aid for the famine-stricken in Ethiopia.
The song did not enter the Billboard Hot 100 because it was only released as a promotional single.
Last Christmas was sold in huge circulations in many countries of the world. She is still very popular and often appears in the charts on New Year’s holidays. For example, in recent years she has been in the top 40 of the UK Singles Chart several times.
Cover versions
Nearly five hundred covers were recorded on Last Christmas. Among the performers of the composition were Billy Piper, Ashley Tisdale, Crazy Frog, Cascada, Alcazar, Access, Arctic Monkeys, Coldplay and Max Raabe.
Video of Last Christmas – Wham!
The music video for the song “Last Christmas” by musicians from Wham! filmed in the Swiss ski resort of Saas Fee. We will not retell its plot – see for yourself.
In 2019, a new video clip of Last Christams – Wham was released in 4k resolution. We look and enjoy a great picture.
Interesting Facts
- The track Last Christmas became the best-selling single in the UK that did not rise to number one on the chart.
- Last Christmas (December 25, 2013) Last Christmas became the most downloaded song on Spotify in the UK.
- Shortly after the release of the song, George Michael was sued by Dick James Music. He was accused of plagiarism, pointing out the similarities between Last Christmas and Can’t Smile Without You by The Carpenters. Michael paid compensation, the amount of which was negotiated out of court.
- The proceeds from the sale of the Last Christmas single, duo Wham! added to the amount that Band Aid earned from the song Do They Know It’s Christmas?. They also went to the famine fund from Ethiopia.
Last Christmas by Wham! Lyrics
Chorus (x2)
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
But the very next day, you gave it away
This year to save me from tears
I’ll give it to someone special
Once bitten and twice shy
I keep my distance but you still catch my eye
Tell me baby do you recognize me?
Well it’s been a year, it doesn’t surprise me
I wrapped it up and sent it
With a note saying “I Love You” I meant it
Now I know what a fool I’ve been
But if you kissed me now I know you’d fool me again
A crowded room, friends with tired eyes
I’m hiding from you, and your soul of ice
My god I thought you were someone to rely on,
Me? I guess I was a shoulder to cry on
A face on a lover with a fire in his heart
A man under cover but you tore me apart
Now I’ve found a real love
You’ll never fool me again
Last Christmas by Wham! Lyrics Alternate
Chorus (2 times)
Last Christmas I gave you a heart
But the very next day you gave it away
For this year, to save myself from tears,
I’ll give it to someone special
Once burned, I became careful
And stay away but you still get my attention
Tell me baby do you recognize me?
Well, a year has passed, no wonder
I wrapped it up and sent
With a note: “I love you” – and I was serious
Now I know what a fool I was
But if you kissed me now I know you would fool me again
A room full of friends with tired eyes
I hide from you and your heart is made of ice
God, I thought you could rely on
I? Guess I was a vest to cry on
The look of a lover with fire in his heart,
Hidden man but you broke my heart
Now I’ve found true love
And you don’t fool me no more
