One of the most successful Pop acts of the ‘80s, WHAM!’s 1984 album Make It Big certainly lived up to the title’s implications. Their second full-length album, Make It Big, hit number one in both the US and the UK while including four singles massive singles (“Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” “Careless Whisper,” “Freedom,” and “Everything She Wants”). Three of these hit number one in the US, with “Freedom” peaking at number three; you could say that in 1984, WHAM! was one of the biggest groups on the planet.
Interestingly enough, with all the success mounting throughout 1984, it seemed that there was still the potential for more dominance with the late-year release of “Last Christmas.” A song written and produced by George Michael; apparently, he had shown the concept behind it to his WHAM! musical partner and lifelong friend Andrew Ridgeley a year earlier when visiting his parents. Realizing they had magic, amidst the recording of Make It Big (which was released on October 22, 1984), Michael and Ridgeley took time to record “Last Christmas” in August.
Eager to get the song out in time for that year’s Christmas Season, it arrived on December 5, 1984, and quickly went on to spend five consecutive weeks at number two in the UK singles chart. An international hit, the song peaked in the top ten of the charts in many countries, but would it reach number one? Amazingly, it did not, which was a massive disappointment to Michael and Ridgeley. Still, in hindsight, it is understandable why it did not because the charity Christmas single from “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” held it off. Recorded by a collaboration of artists under Band Aid, it was also a track that featured George Michael, and while “Last Christmas” did not hit number one in 1984 for WHAM!, any other place and time it would have if not for the power of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”
All this considered, “Last Christmas” has historically been one of the most beloved Christmas songs in modern times. In fact, it has attained chart-topping positions numerous times in the 40 years since its initial release, including hitting number one in December 2023. It is astounding to think that after all these decades, the song still resonates so loudly with listeners. Between physical sales and streaming, “Last Christmas” is also the third biggest song ever released in the UK.
Accompanied by a simply eye-catching music video (directed by Andy Morahan), “Last Christmas” became the most-viewed Christmas video on YouTube in 2023. Furthermore, the 2019 4K Ultra HD restoration of the music video from the original 35mm film assures that the clarity of the sight and sound of “Last Christmas” will be encapsulated well into the future.
A song that George Michael played and recorded all the instruments for himself was also the topic of conversation in the 2023 Netflix WHAM! of the same title. Giving you insight into the time and place when “Last Christmas” first arrived, now in 2024, a follow-up documentary called WHAM!: Last Christmas Unwrapped focuses more intently on the rise of the song. A separate entity from 2023’s documentary, this one will air via BBC Two and BBC iPlayer on Saturday, December 14th.
There are great ways to celebrate the 40th anniversary of “Last Christmas,” including the commemorative EP set to arrive on December 13th. Simply titled Last Christmas, the EP is made possible by Sony Music, which will offer it in several physical formats. A limited edition release, you can get it as a 12” Snowflake white vinyl, 12” picture disc, 12” zoetrope picture disc, CD, or stream it digitally.
Complete with five tracks, it includes the original single edition of “Last Christmas,” the ‘Pudding Mix’ of the song (which is a uniquely different remix that adds over two minutes of runtime). Looking at this for a moment, while the Pudding Mix is nothing new, it might be fresh to many ears who have become accustomed to the single edition. Beyond this, you will also get a lovely instrumental edition of the song and a 2006 live performance by George Michael at London’s Wembley Arena.
Overall, somehow, forty years later, WHAM! “Last Christmas” still sounds as delightfully fresh, ear-tingling, and emotionally driven as ever. This is a testament to George Michael’s sensational songwriting, and while he tragically passed away in 2016, his music continues to live on. That is why Cryptic Rock gives the 40th anniversary Last Christmas EP 5 out of 5 stars.
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