Last Christmas: Difference between revisions
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In the UK the following single planned after [[Close to You (Whigfield song)|Close to You]] was [[Big Time (Whigfield song)|Big Time]], however, it was suggested that [[Whigfield]] should record a version of "Last Christmas" to go with the release of [[Big Time (Whigfield song)|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 (Whigfield song)|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 (album)|Whigfield]] and also on [[Whigfield II]]. |
In the UK the following single planned after [[Close to You (Whigfield song)|Close to You]] was [[Big Time (Whigfield song)|Big Time]], however, it was suggested that [[Whigfield]] should record a version of "Last Christmas" to go with the release of [[Big Time (Whigfield song)|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 (Whigfield song)|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 (album)|Whigfield]] and also on [[Whigfield II]]. |
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====Official Versions==== |
====Official Versions==== |
Revision as of 22:13, 4 June 2010
"Last Christmas" | |
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Song |
"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.
Original version
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". However, the Band Aid project, helmed by Bob Geldof, 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.
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 enters the German Singlecharts every year and peaked at #4 in 2007. In the airplay charts the songs enters every year the Top 5.
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.
"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]
Music video
The video to "Last Christmas" saw George and partner Andrew Ridgeley accompanying girlfriends to see friends at their home in an unspecified ski resort, although the cable-car that can be seen in two shots is from Saas-Fee, Switzerland. It became clear early on, however, that Andrew's girlfriend had previously been in a relationship with George, and it was to her character the song was aimed. 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.
Track listings
Original 1984 release7": Epic / A 4949 (UK)
7": Epic / QA 4949 (UK)
12": Epic / TA 4949 (UK)
12": Epic / QTA 4949 (UK)
1985 reissue7": Epic / WHAM 1 (UK)
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12": Epic / WHAM T1 (UK)
1986 reissue7": Epic / 650269 7 (UK)
12": Epic / 650269 6 (UK)
2007 reissue7", 12", CD: Tent / PD45579
|
Certifications
Country | Certification | Date | Sales certified |
---|---|---|---|
Germany[1] | Gold | 1999 | 250,000 |
UK[2] | Platinum | 1985 | 1,000,000 |
Charts
Chart (1984–2008) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australian ARIA Singles Chart[3] | 3 |
Austrian Singles Chart[4] | 4 |
Danish Singles Chart | 9 |
Dutch Singles Chart[4] | 5 |
Finnish Singles Chart[4] | 3 |
German Singles Chart[5] | 4 |
Irish Singles Chart[6] | 1 |
Norwegian Singles Chart[4] | 2 |
Swedish Singles Chart[4] | 7 |
Swiss Singles Chart[4] | 6 |
UK Singles Chart[7] | 2 |
U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks[8] | 22 |
U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Top 40[8] | 40 |
U.S. Billboard Hot Digital Songs[8] | 67 |
Cover versions
Whigfield version
"Last Christmas" | |
---|---|
Song |
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.
Official Versions
- "Last Christmas" (Major Version)
- "Last Christmas" (Minor Version)
- "Last Christmas" (Major Mild EQ Version)
- "Last Christmas" (K David Version)
- "Last Christmas" (David Vesion)
- "Last Christmas" (MBRG Version)
- "Last Christmas" (MBRG Radio Edit)
Charts
Chart (1995) | Peak position |
---|---|
UK Singles Chart | 21 |
Billie version
"Last Christmas" | |
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Song |
After "She Wants You" was released in late 1998, the cover of "Last Christmas", featured as a B-Side on the single, received some airplay. Due to this, a CD Single was released in Europe and charted at #47 in Sweden. The Single was also released as a promotional Single in the UK, limited to 500 copies and therefore could not chart there. It is one of Billie's most notable songs, although it was not included on The Best of Billie.
Track listings
European CD Single
- "Last Christmas"
- "She Wants You" (Album Version)
- "She Wants You" (Sharp Ballrom Remix)
UK Promo CD
- "Last Christmas" (Edit)
- She Wants You" (Radio Edit)
Charts
Chart (1999) | Peak position |
---|---|
Swedish Singles Chart | 47 |
Ashley Tisdale
"Last Christmas" | |
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Song |
"Last Christmas" was recorded in 2006 for Warner Bros. Records by Ashley Tisdale. The song was officially released in radios in November 21, 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 on Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Rockefeller Center in 2007. 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.[11] The song has been included on several compilation albums, including A Very Special Christmas Vol.7 and A Disney Channel Holiday.
Track listings
- Digital tracklisting [10]
- "Last Christmas" (single version) - 3:55
Charts
Chart (2007) | Peak position |
---|---|
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Airplay | 87[12] |
Crazy Frog
"Last Christmas" | |
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Song |
"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.
Track listings
- CD single
- "Last Christmas" (radio edit)
- "We Wish You a Merry Christmas"
- "Last Christmas" (club mix)
- "Nellie the Elephant"
- "Last Christmas" (video)
Charts
Chart (2006) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australian Singles Chart[13] | 30 |
Belgian (Flanders) Singles Chart[13] | 19 |
Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart[13] | 6 |
Dutch Singles Chart[13] | 48 |
French Singles Chart[13] | 19 |
Irish Singles Chart[14] | 16 |
New Zealand Singles Chart[13] | 19 |
UK Singles Chart[14] | 16 |
Cascada
"Last Christmas" | |
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Song |
"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
Charts
Chart (2007)[15] | Peak position |
---|---|
German Singles Chart | 82 |
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"
Alcazar
"Last Christmas" | |
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Song |
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 November 18, 2009.[16]
Track listings
Digital Download[17]
- "Last Christmas"
- "One Two Three Four"
Charts
Chart (2009) | Peak position |
---|---|
German Singles Charts | TBD |
Other cover versions
- Actress
- All About Eve
- Arctic Monkeys
- As One
- Atomic Kitten
- Babs & The Bopettes
- BoA
- The BossHoss
- Busted
- Exile
- Keshia Chanté
- The Cheetah Girls
- Cocktail Slippers
- Coldplay
- In 1984, Dalida performed "Last Christmas" in French language as "Reviens-Moi" (Album: Pour Te Dire Je T'Aime).
- Dexter Freebish
- Gregory Douglass in 2009 on the Merry EP.
- Hilary Duff
- Erlend Øye
- Alex Evans for the Save Children Charity Concert in 2008
- Exile
- The Finals - "A Santa Cause 2: It's A Punk Rock Christmas" Compilation (Immortal Records)
- Fonda
- Foxxi misQ, Japanese version by a Japanese female hip hop trio group
- Florence and the Machine (on Radio 1)
- Little Boots, formerly of Dead Disco
- Madsen
- The Maine (band)
- Manic Street Preachers, a version by James Dean Bradfield appears on the 2003 compilation Lipstick Traces
- Max Raabe, a German version in a 1920s style.
- Metro Station recorded a cover version as included on their double A side single "Kelsey/Last Christmas" in the UK in 2009, accompanied by a video.
- Polish version with polish lyrics - "Kolęda dwóch serc" performed by Andrzej Piaseczny, Mietek Szcześniak, Kuba Badach & Andrzej Lampert (from the album "Święta, Święta II")
- Piccolo Coro dell'Antoniano, as "Questo Natale"
- Raunchy
- Richard Cheese covered this on his Christmas album, Silent Nightclub. The song starts, then he stops it at the beginning due to his distaste for the song.
- Romina Power
- Roses Are Red (for the album based on the Taste of Chaos tour: Taste of Christmas)
- Rumble Fish
- Hitomi Shimatani
- Savage Garden
- Taylor Swift (Peaked at #28 on U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 2007)
- Taiwan band F.I.R for the concert in Hong Kong in 2008
- The Three Degrees
- Thirteen Senses, recorded for BBC Radio 1 DJ Jo Whiley in early December 2004.
- Michie Tomizawa as Sailor Mars (for Sailor Moon album Sailor Stars Merry Christmas)
- Travis
- 2-4 Family under the moniker, Rap Allstars.
- 2PM
- Carrie Underwood Live at the White House for Christmas in Washington
- Hong Kong singer Sammi Cheng in her 2009-2010 tour Love Mi, duet with noted composer and producer Hanjin (陳奐仁)
References
- ^ German certifications musikindustrie.de (Retrieved July 29, 2008)
- ^ UK Certifications
- ^ Kent, David (editor) (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, New South Wales: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ a b c d e f "Last Christmas" by Wham!, in various singles charts Hitparade.ch (Retrieved July 29, 2008)
- ^ German Singles Chart Charts-surfer.de (Retrieved July 17, 2008)
- ^ Irish Singles Chart Irishcharts.ie (Retrieved July 29, 2008)
- ^ UK Singles Chart Chartstats.com (Retrieved July 29, 2008)
- ^ a b c Billboard allmusic.com (Retrieved July 29, 2008)
- ^ http://www.amazon.com/Last-Christmas/dp/B001202T8S/ref=sr_shvl_album_2ie=UTF8&qid=1259698064&sr=301-2
- ^ a b Amazon.com
- ^ Amazon.com. "He Said She Said (European Single)". Amazon. Retrieved 2008-07-20.
- ^ [1]
- ^ a b c d e f "Last Christmas" by Crazy Frog, in various singles charts Lescharts.com (Retrieved December 16, 2007)
- ^ a b "Last Christmas" by Crazy Frog, in various singles charts Acharts.us (Retrieved July 21, 2008)
- ^ "Last Christmas" by Cascada Acharts.us (Retrieved July 29, 2008)
- ^ Disco Defenders - Special Edition
- ^ Last Christmas Digital Single
- ^ http://music.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=music.artistalbums&artistid=4688602&albumid=14550525
External links
- Last-Christmas.com Collection of cover versions of the song
- "Last Christmas", lyrics
- LastChristmas.pl, Polish translation