The pop song by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley was released in December 1984 – but only made it to second place that week at Christmas. First place went to “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” by Band Aid.
Now “Last Christmas” belatedly took the top spot, as the Official Charts Company announced on Friday evening. In the video, George Michael (1963-2016) once trudged through a snowy mountain landscape and decorated the Christmas tree.
No number one after the single was released
The fact that it didn’t work out after the single was released was a big disappointment, said Ridgeley in a video message. He thinks George would be overjoyed after all these years. George Michael died unexpectedly at Christmas seven years ago. He was 53 years old.
- To listen: “Last Christmas” by Wham!
The song has topped the British charts before, but not right at Christmas. Now it beat Sam Ryder’s “You’re Christmas To Me” and “All I Want For Christas Is You” by Mariah Carey. The Pogues’ “Fairytale of New York” came in at number six following the death of singer Shane MacGowan. Number one in the album charts went to “Hackney Diamonds” by the Rolling Stones.
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I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
