Maybe “Last Christmas” has the word “Christmas” in it, and the music video features a Christmas tree and gifts, but it’s hard to classify the song as one that should really warm up the Christmas atmosphere.
What is “Last Christmas” really about?
It’s February 1984, George Michaelhalf of the duo Whoa!sitting in his parents’ house, thinking about his broken heart – it was in such circumstances that the text to “Last Christmas”. 21-year-old George entered the studio in August of the same year and sang, played and produced the song himself. The only people he allowed into the studio were engineer Chris Porter, who had started working with Wham! on their debut, and two assistants. Even though it was summer outside, the men decorated the studio with chains and Christmas lights.
What made “Last Christmas” such a success? Certainly a universal story about abandonment and breakdown after a breakup. Secondly – a catchy, simple melody. The chords used are so generic that Baqrry Manilow filed a lawsuit saying the song is very similar to his “Can’t Smile Without You”. However, the charges were dismissed because it was shown that… the same chords were used in 60 other songs. However, Michael wanted the listeners to focus on his vocals and lyrics, not on the music. And this turned out to be a recipe for the top of the charts.
The music video was recorded in the Swiss resort of Saas-Fee. Only a model was hired for the video Kathy Hillwho played the role of the main character’s girlfriend. The rest of the visible people are friends of the Wham! duo. The party in the music video was also real. Only George Michael did not drink alcohol, often checking shots and giving tips. “It was very funny and very natural. It wasn’t staged – it was just a group of friends having fun. That’s the magic,” recalled Kathy Hill years later.
“Last Christmas” waited 37 years to reach the top!
“From the very beginning, we felt that ‘Last Christmas’ had everything to conquer the charts. Right after George wrote this song, we knew it would be a big hit. No wonder it is now a Christmas classic,” he said. Andrew Ridgeleythe other half of the duo, in an interview with Onet. Despite its popularity, the song was at the top of the British charts after 37 years, in 2022.
“Let’s not forget, however, that once we reached the top, we took over the charts in Great Britain and the United States. You wait for something for 37 years, and successes appear on the horizon, like London buses – all at once,” the musician joked.
“How can you not be proud?” The best covers of “Last Christmas”
“‘Last Christmas’ has had so many great versions. Even Ariana Grande she used fragments of this song in her piece. I think I like this version best Gwen Stefaniwhich breathed new life into this Christmas snowflake. It reminds me a bit of a Phil Spector-style production. It’s a brilliant cover. Expressive but retaining the charm of the original,” Ridgeley recalled.
However, not only pop stars reached for this classic. They also covered, among others: metal bands like Hyraxor rock, such as Daily Grind. In 2012, an American children’s music group released its version Kidz Bop Kidsten years later they took up the topic Backstreet Boysthere was also Nicolewho represented Germany at Eurovision in 1982.
Manic Street Preachers, Kelly Clarkson, Meghan Trainor, Carly Rae Jepsen… You could list artists from all musical genres, ending with a version Crazy Frogg. “Explain to me how not to be proud? Even as I tell you all this, I’m thrilled to be part of the magic that George left behind,” Andrew Ridgeley concluded in the above-mentioned interview.