In a surprise turn of events, Wham!’s iconic holiday hit, “Last Christmas,” has finally been crowned the official Christmas number one in the UK, nearly four decades after it was first denied the coveted top spot. The festive classic penned by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley triumphed over other contenders such as Sam Ryder, Mariah Carey, The Pogues, and Kirsty MacColl. This remarkable achievement has set a new record for the longest-ever journey to the UK Christmas number one, according to the Official Charts Company.
Reflecting on this momentous occasion, Andrew Ridgeley reminisced during an interview with BBC Radio 1, acknowledging the significance of the victory. “It is a big moment, and it is a big moment for me and everyone involved with Wham! and George Michael,” said Ridgeley. He emphasized that “Last Christmas” was written by Michael with the goal of reaching number one, and it perfectly captures the essence of the holiday season.
“What Yog (Michael) did with this track was distill what Christmas represents in many people’s minds,” Ridgeley further explained. There is an inherent magic and elusive quality that contributes to the creation of a Christmas number one, making it immensely challenging to pinpoint the precise elements that make a song resonate with such universal appeal.
Despite the enduring success “Last Christmas” has achieved, Ridgeley admitted to a “huge disappointment” when the song narrowly missed the top spot in 1984, falling short to Band Aid’s chart-topping anthem “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”. The duo firmly believed that their masterpiece had the makings of a surefire hit. “Had it not been for Band Aid’s ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?,’ it probably would’ve been number one,” lamented the now 60-year-old Ridgeley. However, the song’s fate had already been sealed, consigning Wham!’s festive ballad to the position of perennial bridesmaid.
The song’s journey to attaining the Christmas number one status spanned several years, with Wham! consistently falling just shy of the top spot. However, “Last Christmas” has since become an integral part of the holiday season, embedded within the collective Christmas fabric for many individuals. Ridgeley believes that capturing the Christmas number one crown holds great significance not only for Wham!’s legacy but also for George Michael’s musical achievements. It serves as the crowning glory for the artist who had lofty ambitions as a songwriter.
Acknowledging the unprecedented achievement, Ridgeley expressed his belief that Wham! fans worldwide would share in the sense of accomplishment and pride that accompanied the song’s ultimate triumph. “Our fans will have a real sense of achievement and pride in the fact it’s become Christmas number one,” he added. The enduring popularity of “Last Christmas” has solidified its place in music history.
The song’s significance holds a particularly poignant weight as George Michael tragically passed away on Christmas Day in 2016, leaving behind a remarkable musical legacy. In light of this recent triumph, “Last Christmas” has now secured its position as the UK’s third biggest song of all time, accumulating a staggering combined lifetime total of 5.34 million chart units, according to the Official Charts Company. Furthermore, during Christmas week alone, the song was streamed a remarkable 13.3 million times, earning it the title of the most-streamed Christmas number one to date.
Wham!’s “Last Christmas” has finally achieved the recognition it undeniably deserves. This enduring holiday anthem has captivated listeners across generations, transcending time and becoming an emblem of the festive season. Its melodic charm accompanied by George Michael’s unmistakable voice has established it as a timeless classic. As the song ascends to the throne as the official Christmas number one, it solidifies its place in the annals of music history, forever embedded as an essential part of the Christmas soundtrack for years to come.