“Last Christmas” by Wham! is the first song in the history of the UK charts to be number one for two years in a row.
- The song “Last Christmas” becomes the second UK number one in a row.
- George Michael’s songs are praised for being timeless.
The famous song “Last Christmas” by Wham! has done an amazing thing by staying at the top of the UK charts for two years in a row.
According to the Official Charts Company, the 1984 hit song by Andrew Ridgeley and the late George Michael became the first in chart history to hold two consecutive Christmas Number 1 positions on December 20.
It’s just a few days before the date of George Michael’s death on Christmas Day 2016, and the “Last Christmas” 40th date EP comes out at the same time.
Ridgeley said of the accomplishment, “It took 37 years to get to Number 1, 39 years to get to Christmas Number 1, and then they all come along at once, like London buses!”
He also said that George, who wrote and produced the hit song, would have been very happy about its success.
Why does “Last Christmas” maintain its top spot on the charts year after year?
- George Michael writes timeless songs.
- Combines old-school sound with current streaming.
- Still strikes a chord with new generations.
- A strong emotional link to the Christmas season.
Ridgeley said of the song’s continued popularity, “His fabulous Christmas composition has become such a classic, almost as much a part of Christmas as mince pies, turkey, and pigs in blankets.”
He said that the song’s lasting success was due to its high quality and ability to bring out the true spirit of Christmas.
The Official Charts noted Wham!’s addition to a select group of acts who have had multiple Christmas Number 1s, such as Queen, Cliff Richard, The Spice Girls, The Beatles, and LadBaby, who currently hold the record.
Ridgeley says the song’s success shows how talented George Michael was: “Artists of that caliber and songwriters, of which George was one, transcend the ages and decades and endure because of their quality.”
“Last Christmas” not only rules streaming and sales, but it also cements Wham!’s place as a holiday music legend.
It’s clear that this song is a classic Christmas theme because it continues to touch people’s hearts every holiday season.