Last Christmas

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
For the Jimmy Eat World EP, see Last Christmas (EP).
"Last Christmas"
Single by Wham!
from the album Music from the Edge of Heaven
Released 20 December 1984
Format 12", 7", CD single
Recorded 1984
Genre New Wave, synthpop, holiday
Length 4:27
6:45 (Pudding Mix)
Label Columbia (US/Canada)
Epic Records
Writer(s) George Michael
Producer George Michael
Wham! singles chronology
"Freedom"
(1984)		 "Last Christmas"
(1984)		 "Everything She Wants"
(1984)
Twenty Five track listing
"Careless Whisper"
(1)		 "Last Christmas"
(2)		 "A Different Corner"
(3)

"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 has been covered by many artists throughout the years.

Contents

[edit] Wham! (original) version

[edit] Chart performances

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 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". The Band Aid project helmed by Bob Geldof, however, produced the #1 single. 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 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.[where?]

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.

The song gradually sold in Japan, and finally became the best-selling single that did not reach that country's top-10 chart, selling more than 600,000 copies and peaking on the chart at #12 in 1992.

Since 1997, the song has entered the German singles chart every year and peaked at #4 in 2007. In the airplay charts the songs enters the Top 5 every year.

In 2007, the track re-entered the UK Top 20 and hit the UK iTunes Top 10.

In 2008, the song re-entered the UK Singles Chart again, this time at #36 and peaked at #26.

In 2009, the song re-entered the UK Singles Chart at number #39.

In 2009, the song re-entered the Spanish Lista de Canciones (Singles Chart) at number #9.

In 2011, as at 13 December, the song is back in the UK Singles Chart at number #26.

Also In 2011, the song re-entered the Billboard Holiday Chart with a peak at #10.

In Germany, the song is the most successful Christmas single of all time with 94 weeks on the German Singles Chart and a peak position of No. 4 [1] In January 2008, the song fell from No. 4 to No. 64 there, making it the biggest fall out of the top ten of the German Singles Chart.[2]

[edit] "Can't Smile Without You" settlement

Due to perceived similarities between "Last Christmas" and the song "Can't Smile Without You" as popularised by Barry Manilow, an out-of-court settlement was reached in which the first year's royalties were donated to the one-year-old "Band Aid" charity.[citation needed]

[edit] Music video

The video to "Last Christmas" shows George and partner Andrew Ridgeley accompanying girlfriends to see friends at an unspecified ski resort - although the cable-car that can be seen in two shots is from Saas-Fee, Switzerland. It becomes clear early on that the character of Andrew's girlfriend had previously been in a relationship with George, and that the song is aimed at her. The video also featured the duo's erstwhile backing singers Pepsi and Shirlie and Spandau Ballet bassist Martin Kemp, the boyfriend and future husband of Shirlie Holliman.

[edit] Track listings

[edit] Original 1984 release

7": Epic / A 4949 (UK)

  1. "Everything She Wants" – 5:07

7": Epic / QA 4949 (UK)

  1. "Everything She Wants (remix)" – 5:31
  2. "Last Christmas" – 4:24

12": Epic / TA 4949 (UK)

  1. "Last Christmas (pudding mix)" – 6:47
  2. "Everything She Wants" – 5:07

12": Epic / QTA 4949 (UK)

  1. "Everything She Wants (remix)" – 6:30
  2. "Last Christmas (pudding mix)" – 6:47

[edit] 1985 reissue

7": Epic / WHAM 1 (UK)

  1. "Last Christmas" – 4:24
  2. "Blue (Armed With Love) [live in China]" – 5:43

12": Epic / WHAM T1 (UK)

  1. "Last Christmas (pudding mix)" – 6:47
  2. "Blue (Armed With Love) [live in China]" – 5:43
  3. "Everything She Wants (remix)" – 5:31

[edit] 2007 reissue

7", 12", CD: Tent / PD45579

  1. "Last Christmas (remix)" – 5:13
  2. "Everything She Wants (remix)" – 6:01
  3. "Last Christmas (pudding mix)" – 6:47
  4. "Everything She Wants" – 6:29

[edit] Certifications

Region Certification Sales/shipments
Germany (BVMI)[3] Gold 250,000^
Greece (IFPI Greece)[4] Gold 7,500^
Italy (FIMI)[5] Gold 25,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[6] Platinum 1,000,000^

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
xunspecified figures based on certification alone

[edit] Charts

Chart (1984–2011) Peak
position
Australian ARIA Singles Chart[7] 3
Austrian Singles Chart[8] 4
Danish Singles Chart 9
Dutch Singles Chart[8] 5
Finnish Singles Chart[8] 3
German Singles Chart[9] 4
Irish Singles Chart[10] 1
Norwegian Singles Chart[8] 2
Swedish Singles Chart[8] 4
Swiss Singles Chart[8] 6
UK Singles Chart[11] 2
U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks[12] 22
U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Top 40[12] 40
U.S. Billboard Hot Digital Songs[12] 67

[edit] Other recordings

[edit] Whigfield version

"Last Christmas"
Single by Whigfield
from the album Whigfield/Whigfield II
Released 3 December 1995
Format Compact Disc, Vinyl, Cassette, digital download
Recorded 1995
Genre Pop
Length 4:16
Label Various labels internationally
Writer(s) George Michael
Producer George Michael
Whigfield singles chronology
"Close to You"
(1995)		 "Big Time/Last Christmas"
(1995)		 "Sexy Eyes"
(1996)

In the UK the following single planned after "Close to You" was "Big Time", however, it was suggested that Whigfield should record a version of "Last Christmas" to go with the release of "Big Time", as a double A side single. The single was also released as a double A side single in Germany with "Close to You". In other countries "Last Christmas" was released on its own with various remixes. The single reached #21 in the UK, which was Whigfield's final release on Systematic Records. It also features on various Special Edition versions of her debut album Whigfield and also on Whigfield II. The EP was released 10 November 1995 in Australia. A UK single was released on 3 December 1995.

[edit] Official Versions

  1. "Last Christmas" (Major Version)
  2. "Last Christmas" (Minor Version)
  3. "Last Christmas" (Major Mild EQ Version)
  4. "Last Christmas" (K David Version)
  5. "Last Christmas" (David Version)
  6. "Last Christmas" (MBRG Version)
  7. "Last Christmas" (MBRG Radio Edit)

[edit] Charts

Chart (1995) Peak
position
Dutch Singles Chart 34
Irish Singles Chart 24
Norwegian Singles Chart 53
UK Singles Chart 21

[edit] Billie version

"Last Christmas"
Single by Billie Piper
Released 1999
Format Airplay, digital download
Genre Pop
Length 4:27
Label Innocent Records
Writer(s) George Michael
Billie Piper singles chronology
"She Wants You"
(1998)		 "Last Christmas"
(1999)		 "Honey to the Bee"
(1999)

Billie originally recorded a cover of the song as a B-Side of her single "She Wants You". It was released as CD Single in limited areas of Europe, and did not chart in any country. The Single was also released as a promotional Vinyl Single in the UK, limited to 500 copies and therefore could not chart there.

[edit] Track listings

European CD Single

  1. "Last Christmas"
  2. "She Wants You" (Album Version)
  3. "She Wants You" (Sharp Ballrom Remix)

UK Promo Vinyl

  1. "Last Christmas" (Edit)
  2. "She Wants You" (Radio Edit)

[edit] Ashley Tisdale

"Last Christmas"
Single by Ashley Tisdale
Released 11 November 2006 (2006-11-11) (U.S. radio)
21 November 2006 (2006-11-21) (digital download)[13][14]
Format Digital download, airplay
Recorded 2006
Genre Christmas pop
Length 3:55 (Main version)
3:39 (2008 radio edit)
Label Warner Bros.
Writer(s) George Michael
Producer Mark Hammond
Ashley Tisdale singles chronology
"Kiss the Girl"
(2006)		 "Last Christmas"
(2006)		 "Be Good to Me"
(2006)

"Last Christmas" was recorded in 2006 for Warner Bros. Records by Ashley Tisdale. The song was released to US radios on 11 November 2006 and as a digital download on 21 November 2006. This song was the first single released by Ashley Tisdale in her deal with Warner Bros. Records and became her official first holiday single. Tisdale performed the single in 2007 on Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Rockefeller Center, and in 2009 in the Citadel Outlets of Los Angeles, California. The song was one of the B-Sides in the European CD singles of Tisdale's first single "Be Good to Me" and Tisdale's second single "He Said She Said", from the album Headstrong.[15] The song has been included on several compilation albums, including A Very Special Christmas Vol.7 and A Disney Channel Holiday.

[edit] Track listings

Digital tracklisting [14]
  1. "Last Christmas" (single version) - 3:55

[edit] Charts

Chart (2010) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Holiday/Seasonal Digital Songs[16] 19
Chart (2011) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Holiday/Seasonal Songs[16] 47

[edit] Crazy Frog

"Last Christmas"
Single by Crazy Frog
from the album Crazy Frog Presents More Crazy Hits Ultimate Edition
Released December 2006
Format CD single, digital download
Recorded 2006
Genre Dance, Electronica
Length 4:27
Label Ministry of Sound
Producer George Michael, Henning Reith,
Reinhard Raith
Crazy Frog singles chronology
"We Are the Champions (Ding a Dang Dong)"
(2006)		 "Last Christmas"
(2006)		 "Crazy Frog in the House (Knightrider)"
(2007)

"Last Christmas" was covered in 2006 by Crazy Frog and released as a Christmas single. In Belgium, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden and France, "Last Christmas" was released 12 months before in other countries.

[edit] Track listings

CD single
  1. "Last Christmas" (radio edit)
  2. "We Wish You a Merry Christmas"
  3. "Last Christmas" (club mix)
  4. "Nellie the Elephant"
  5. "Last Christmas" (video)

[edit] Charts

Chart (2006) Peak
position
Australian Singles Chart[17] 30
Belgian (Flanders) Singles Chart[17] 19
Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart[17] 6
Dutch Singles Chart[17] 48
French Singles Chart[17] 19
Irish Singles Chart[18] 16
New Zealand Singles Chart[17] 19
UK Singles Chart[18] 16

[edit] Cascada version

"Last Christmas"
Single by Cascada
from the album Perfect Day
Released 21 November 2007
Format Digital download, CD single
Recorded 2007
Genre Eurodance
Length 3:27
Label Zooland Records, Robbins Entertainment, All Around the World
Producer George Michael
Cascada singles chronology
"A Neverending Dream"
(2007)		 "Last Christmas"
(2007)		 "What Hurts The Most"
(2007)

"Last Christmas" was recorded in 2007 by Cascada. It was released on iTunes in November 2007. The single had only a Digital release but 6 days later it was released on the single/EP "What Hurts the Most" which was the first single from their second album.

In the UK, despite it being a B-side track, the song is regularly played throughout music channels during the festive season.

iTunes Download
  • "Last Christmas" - 3:52

[edit] Charts

Chart (2007)[19] Peak
position
Australian ARIA Singles Chart 99
German Singles Chart 83
Austria Singles Chart 63
UK Singles Chart 111
UK Dance Chart 22

* Based on downloads alone, but did chart at #10, as it was the B-side to "What Hurts The Most"

[edit] Alcazar version

"Last Christmas"
Single by Alcazar
from the album Disco Defenders - Special Edition
Released 20 November 2009
Format Digital download
Recorded 2009
Genre Pop
Length 3:33
Label Love No Limit Recordings
Writer(s) George Michael
Alcazar singles chronology
"From Brazil with Love"
(2009)		 "Last Christmas"
(2009)		 "Headlines"
(2010)

The song was covered by Alcazar as sixth single to be released from their third studio album "Disco Defenders". Thus far, this single has only seen a digital release in Germany. It's to be included as a bonus track on the Swedish Special Edition version of Disco Defenders released on 18 November 2009.[20]

[edit] Music video

A music video was produced to promote the single.

[edit] Track listings

Digital Download[21]

  1. "Last Christmas"
  2. "One Two Three Four"

[edit] Charts

Chart (2009) Peak
position
German Singles Charts TBD

[edit] Joe McElderry version

"Last Christmas"
Single by Joe McElderry
from the album Classic Christmas
Released 4 November 2011 (2011-11-04)
Recorded October 2011
Genre Pop
Label Decca
Writer(s) G. Michael
Joe McElderry singles chronology
"There's A Place For Us"
(2010)		 "Last Christmas"
(2011)
Music video
"Last Christmas" on YouTube

British solo singer Joe McElderry covered the song in 2011. This version was released as a single on 19 December 2011,[22] an EP was also released digitally in Ireland on 4 November 2011, and in the UK on 7 November 2011. Joe McElderry's version is taken from his third studio album, Classic Christmas, released 28 November 2011. 7th Heaven Remix & Production have done a remix for the song. A short music video was made using footage which was filmed for the Classic Christmas's album advert, it features McElderry outside in the snow, collecting logs and taking them to a large house preparing for a Christmas party, a similar video was made for McElderry's version of "O Come All Ye Faithful". The advert and both videos were directed by Steve Lucker.[23]

[edit] Track listings

EP 1[24]

  1. "Last Christmas" - 4:18
  2. "Adeste Fideles (O Come All Ye Faithful)" - 3:07
  3. "Silent Night" - 3:28

7th Heaven Remixes[25]

  1. "Last Christmas" (7th Heaven Remix) - 6:54
  2. "Last Christmas" (7th Heaven Remix Edit) - 3:47

[edit] Other cover versions

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://www.media-control.de/last-christmas-erfolgreichster-weihnachts-song-aller-zeiten.html
  2. ^ http://musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/title/Wham!/Last+Christmas/single
  3. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Wham; 'Last Christmas')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. http://www.musikindustrie.de/gold_platin_datenbank/?action=suche&strTitel=Last+Christmas&strInterpret=Wham&strTtArt=single&strAwards=checked. 
  4. ^ "Greek single certifications – Wham – Last Christmas" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. http://replay.waybackmachine.org/20070113062006/www.ifpi.gr/chart03.htm. 
  5. ^ "Italian single certifications – Wham – Last Christmas" (in Italian) (PDF). Federation of the Italian Music Industry. http://www.fimi.it/temp/cert_GFK_download_022012.pdf. 
  6. ^ "British single certifications – Wham – Last Christmas". British Phonographic Industry. http://www.bpi.co.uk/certifiedawards/search.aspx.  Enter Last Christmas in the field Search. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Click Go
  7. ^ Kent, David (editor) (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, New South Wales: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  8. ^ a b c d e f "Last Christmas" by Wham!, in various singles charts Hitparade.ch (Retrieved 29 July 2008)
  9. ^ German Singles Chart Charts-surfer.de (Retrieved 17 July 2008)
  10. ^ Irish Singles Chart Irishcharts.ie (Retrieved 29 July 2008)
  11. ^ UK Singles Chart Chartstats.com (Retrieved 29 July 2008)
  12. ^ a b c Billboard allmusic.com (Retrieved 29 July 2008)
  13. ^ http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001202T8S
  14. ^ a b Amazon.com
  15. ^ Amazon.com. "He Said She Said (European Single)". Amazon. http://www.amazon.de/dp/B000WQGW40. Retrieved 2008-07-20. 
  16. ^ a b "Billboard.biz: Ashley Tisdale". Billboard. http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/search/chart_search_results.jsp?rpp=100&sw=&cd=&f=&t=&per=ashley+tisdale&df=R&prod=&g=s&l=&dl=. Retrieved 5 September 2010. 
  17. ^ a b c d e f "Last Christmas" by Crazy Frog, in various singles charts Lescharts.com (Retrieved 16 December 2007)
  18. ^ a b "Last Christmas" by Crazy Frog, in various singles charts Acharts.us (Retrieved 21 July 2008)
  19. ^ "Last Christmas" by Cascada Acharts.us (Retrieved 29 July 2008)
  20. ^ Disco Defenders - Special Edition
  21. ^ Last Christmas Digital Single
  22. ^ Joe McElderry announces new album 'Classic Christmas' Digital Spy. Retrieved on 31 October 2011.
  23. ^ Behind The Scenes at Joe's Classic Christmas Winter Wonderland! Decca Records on YouTube. Retrieved on 21 December 2011.
  24. ^ Joe McElderry - Last Christmas iTunes Store. Retrieved on 7 November 2011.
  25. ^ Joe McElderry - Last Christmas (7th Heaven Remixes) iTunes Store. Retrieved on 11 December 2011.
  26. ^ Trust, Gary (16 June 2010). "'Glee': A Record-Setting Freshman Year". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. http://www.billboard.com/column/chartbeat/glee-a-record-setting-freshman-year-1004098647.story. Retrieved 15 June 2010. 
  27. ^ "Last Christmas". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. http://www.billboard.com/song/glee-cast/last-christmas/17449178. Retrieved 6 September 2010. 
  28. ^ "Happy Holidays from Ohbijou!". ohbijou.com. 2009. http://www.ohbijou.com/holiday2009/. Retrieved 26 December 2011. 
  29. ^ http://music.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=music.artistalbums&artistid=4688602&albumid=14550525

[edit] External links

Wham!
Studio albums
Compilations
Singles
Related articles
Billie Piper
Studio albums
Compilation albums
Singles
Film
Television
Related topics
Ashley Tisdale
Studio albums
Singles
Other songs
Video albums
Related articles
Studio albums
Singles
Related articles
Cascada
Studio albums
Other albums
Singles
Related articles
Alcazar
Studio albums
Other albums
Singles
Featured singles
Related articles
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Last_Christmas&oldid=474896782"
Personal tools
Namespaces
Variants
Actions
Navigation
Interaction
Toolbox
Print/export
Languages