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Revision as of 23:09, 1 January 2006 by Jwy (talk | contribs) (Skip the "Epic" disambiguation page (You can help).)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Last Christmas was a song by British pop duo Wham!, released on Epic Records in 1984, on a double A-side with Everything She Wants. It was written by George Michael, one half of the duo.
The song's Christmas theme was essentially a ruse to draw in the festive market as the lyrics were entirely about a failed relationship, which just happened to come to a head the previous Christmas. There were no other words or expressions within the lyrics with a seasonal theme or hint, except for a sleighbell effect during the instrumental interlude.
Wham! had been a dominant force in the UK singles chart in 1984 and news that they were planning a Christmas single meant that a mouth-watering battle for the coveted Christmas #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 #1 in early December with The Power Of Love. However, the Band Aid project, helmed by Bob Geldof, ensured that the destination of the Christmas #1 spot became a non-contest. Wham!'s offering peaked at #2 for much of the period, although George's involvement in Band Aid meant that Wham! still had an input. Wham! subsequently topped up the monies raised by Band Aid by donating all of their Last Christmas/Everything She Wants royalties to the Ethiopian famine appeal.
Last Christmas did make #1 in various other countries.
The video to Last Christmas saw George and partner Andrew Ridgeley accompanying girlfriends to see friends at their home in an unspecified ski resort, although there appears to be a sign of the Swiss Saas-Fee area on the backside of one of the lifts. It became clear early on, however, that Andrew's girlfriend had previously been in a relationship with George, and it was to her character the song was aimed. 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.
The single sold well over a million copies and became the biggest selling single in UK chart history not to reach #1. A year later, it was re-issued for Christmas again (this time without a billed flip-side) and got to #6. A second re-issue at Christmas 1986 - by which time Wham! had split - stalled outside the top 40.
Danish singer Whigfield did a cover version of the song which just failed to make the top 20 in the UK at Christmas 1995. A number of other artists have recorded the song with varied levels of success, including Hilary Duff, Billie Piper, Darren Hayes, The Cheetah Girls, and most recently Jimmy Eat World, although only the Wham! original has maintained status as an airplay and party staple each festive season on both sides of the Atlantic.
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