George Michael wrote Last Christmas in his childhood bedroom. Michael died unexpectedly at the age of 53 on Christmas Day 2016
Wham!’s "Last Christmas" has once again claimed the UK Christmas No. 1, marking a heartwarming victory for the beloved holiday classic that was almost 40 years in the making. After being narrowly edged out of the top spot by Band Aid in 1984, the song has now topped the chart for the second year in a row. Andrew Ridgeley, one half of Wham! alongside the late George Michael, celebrated the milestone with a joyful reflection: "Thirty-seven years to get to No. 1, 39 years to Christmas No. 1, and then like London buses, they all come along at once! I’m especially pleased for George, he would have been utterly delighted, his fabulous Christmas composition has become such a classic, almost as much a part of Christmas as mince pies, turkey, and pigs in blankets."
Someone special … Andrew Ridgeley with his award marking Wham!’s Christmas No 1. Photograph: Official Charts Company/PA
"Last Christmas," a song about bittersweet holiday love, has become a timeless anthem, its cheerful melancholy now a familiar part of Christmas celebrations. It’s so ingrained in the festive season that it has even inspired the game "Whamageddon," where players try to avoid hearing the song for as long as possible during the holidays. And its popularity continues to soar—this year, it’s still pulling in 7.7 million daily Spotify streams globally, and it holds firm at No. 4 on the US singles chart.
George Michael also makes a special appearance at No. 12 with the 40th anniversary version of Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” The track, now a global charity anthem, faced some backlash when it was re-released this year, with critics arguing that it perpetuated harmful stereotypes about Africa. But Bob Geldof, who co-wrote the song, defended it passionately, stating, "Millions of lives have been saved thanks to a little pop song." His words resonate as a reminder of the enduring power of music to make a difference.
Wham! 'Last Christmas' artwork. Photo: Columbia Records
Meanwhile, Mariah Carey’s "All I Want for Christmas Is You" continues to spread festive cheer, holding steady at No. 3. And while the chart may have plenty of holiday tunes, one non-festive song, Gracie Abrams’ "That’s So True," unexpectedly took the No. 2 spot, proving that Christmas music isn’t the only thing stirring hearts this season.
At No. 4, Tom Grennan’s "It Can’t Be Christmas" makes its debut, part of a growing trend of Christmas-themed songs promoted by Amazon, which has been striving to dominate the holiday charts in recent years. Amazon’s strategy of releasing exclusive holiday tracks on its music service is working, with the song receiving plenty of airtime thanks to Alexa-powered devices.
This week’s chart is packed with Christmas spirit, with 29 out of the Top 40 songs bringing festive cheer. Classic hits from Brenda Lee, Bobby Helms, and The Pogues are still beloved staples, but one newcomer, Lola Young, stands out. Her song "Messy" has climbed to No. 7, marking her first major Top 10 hit, a testament to her growing talent.
Wham! Members Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael. Photo: Mick Hutson/Redferns
The most unexpectedly charming story of the week comes from Sir Starmer and the Granny Harmers, whose song "Freezing This Christmas" is the week's biggest-selling track. The satirical cover of Mud's "Lonely This Christmas" takes aim at Keir Starmer’s decision to end winter fuel payments for pensioners not on lower incomes. The song, which has found its place on the charts at No. 37, has a special twist—it’s raising funds for Age UK, with all proceeds benefiting the charity. In a time when many are facing hardship, this little piece of holiday humor is a reminder that music can make a difference.
As 2024 draws to a close, Sabrina Carpenter’s heartwarming holiday song, "A Nonsense Christmas," holds strong at No. 16. Her album Short n’ Sweet also makes a return to No. 1, completing a stunning year for the young artist, who’s captured the hearts of fans with her hits and her spirited Netflix special. Michael Bublé’s iconic Christmas album is still at No. 2, while the Reytons’ live album Clifton Park debuts at No. 5, showing the enduring power of both festive classics and fresh new music to bring us together during this special time of year.
