Blast from the past # 7 (Last Christmas by Wham!)
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I always loved this (Christmas) song but except the word "Christmas", the "sleighbells" at the beginning and the video which was taped somewhere at a winter sport destination there wasn't much of Christmas... The same can be said about a lot of other Christmas songs who sometimes doesn't even have the word Christmas included! "Last Christmas" is 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 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.
Here's a link to that great Christmas song!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06rlB0Kw3fw
.
I always loved this (Christmas) song but except the word "Christmas", the "sleighbells" at the beginning and the video which was taped somewhere at a winter sport destination there wasn't much of Christmas... The same can be said about a lot of other Christmas songs who sometimes doesn't even have the word Christmas included! "Last Christmas" is 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 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.
Here's a link to that great Christmas song!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06rlB0Kw3fw
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posted by Patrick at Sunday, December 24, 2006
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