Wham!'s 'Last Christmas' Finally Claims Christmas Number One After 39 Years

In a heartwarming turn of events, fans are overjoyed to witness Wham!'s timeless classic, 'Last Christmas,' achieving the coveted UK Christmas number one position, nearly four decades after its initial release.

[{"selector":"#anim-af97e77c-c5e8-429f-99de-c3ec9e80f2c9 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7c129870-240b-40ff-9d39-3be53397d893","keyframes":[{"offset":0,"transform":"translate3d(0, -378.38169%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.29,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.45,"transform":"translate3d(0, -106.400931228%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.61,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.71,"transform":"translate3d(0, -36.173289564%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.8,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.85,"transform":"translate3d(0, -13.583902671%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.92,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.96,"transform":"translate3d(0, -5.902754364%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":1,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"}],"delay":0,"duration":600,"fill":"both"}]

Originally launched in December 1984 by the iconic pop duo George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley, the song had narrowly missed the top spot due to Band Aid's charity anthem 'Do They Know It's Christmas?'

[{"selector":"#anim-900a2d24-7f49-408e-824e-215e95a5e742","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2e3e0772-e05b-41e8-8240-27a6f57f0859","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-eeed38a8-e097-4647-91f5-fbd9c83c5cda","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(1)","scale(1.5)","scale(0.95)","scale(1)"],"offset":[0,0.33,0.66,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1450,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}]

[{"selector":"#anim-40db7258-8cb0-4d69-bdc1-112ac75b7d56","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8ae72b21-485d-4641-a339-a35d4395a972","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bbdb1bf8-d52a-4dbd-92bc-614edf940575","keyframes":{"transform":["rotate(-540deg) scale(0.1)","none"],"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"fill":"both","iterations":1}] This festive anthem has now etched its name in history, marking the lengthiest journey to secure the Christmas number one, according to the Official Charts Company. Andrew Ridgeley expressed his delight, stating that achieving this milestone was always the duo's primary goal. He shared George Michael's intention of crafting 'Last Christmas' as a potential Christmas chart-topper.

Reflecting on the past, Ridgeley expressed the duo's "huge disappointment" at missing the top spot in 1984, a moment they believed was a certainty. He acknowledged the influence of Band Aid's charity single in altering the course of their chart trajectory. Over the years, 'Last Christmas' has become an integral part of the holiday season, solidifying its place in the Christmas fabric for many.

[{"selector":"#anim-6a02f134-294e-48c2-8f67-1519f95beff5","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-efa56f0e-0122-4a74-9c54-e08e49c87a8b","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d91238b4-91e2-4d30-925e-31ba232f1d76","keyframes":[{"offset":0,"transform":"translate3d(0, -225.07032%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.29,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.45,"transform":"translate3d(0, -63.28977398400001%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.61,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.71,"transform":"translate3d(0, -21.516722592%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.8,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.85,"transform":"translate3d(0, -8.080024488000001%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.92,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.96,"transform":"translate3d(0, -3.511096992%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":1,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"}],"delay":0,"duration":600,"fill":"both"}]

For Ridgeley, Christmas number one was a long-cherished ambition shared by both George Michael and himself, and he believes it adds a significant accolade to Wham!'s enduring legacy.

[{"selector":"#anim-e542d66c-3d31-43d3-b515-a6c7c8a3ae7e","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e9b70cee-692d-4e82-9d8a-ad6c000d5e2b","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0f837c41-95f3-45cd-808d-a7eba26ce072","keyframes":{"transform":["rotate(-540deg) scale(0.1)","none"],"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"fill":"both","iterations":1}]

[{"selector":"#anim-8b7dbae9-da5b-4a53-861f-8c413a92980f","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0ba2adb3-4528-4c4e-8865-2d1dada3d011","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-11f5a910-9f45-4020-84a1-ac03615d2e24","keyframes":{"transform":["rotate(-540deg) scale(0.1)","none"],"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"fill":"both","iterations":1}] 'Last Christmas' was initially conceived with the ambition of becoming a yuletide chart-topper, reflecting Michael's lofty aspirations as a songwriter. Sadly, the band disbanded in 1986, but the song's journey to Christmas number one has finally come full circle.

Learn more

Fill in some George Michael's passing on Christmas Day in 2016 added a poignant layer to the song's legacy. Ridgeley emphasized that fans would undoubtedly feel a profound sense of accomplishment and pride in witnessing 'Last Christmas' ascend to the coveted Christmas number one position, marking a truly special moment in Wham!'s storied history.text

In a heartwarming turn of events, fans are overjoyed to witness Wham!'s timeless classic, 'Last Christmas,' achieving the coveted UK Christmas number one position, nearly four decades after its initial release.

Originally launched in December 1984 by the iconic pop duo George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley, the song had narrowly missed the top spot due to Band Aid's charity anthem 'Do They Know It's Christmas?'

For Ridgeley, Christmas number one was a long-cherished ambition shared by both George Michael and himself, and he believes it adds a significant accolade to Wham!'s enduring legacy.

Learn more

Learn more

Thanks for watching please subscribe for more