Wham!'s Unbelievable Comeback Shocks Fans – How They Shot to No. 1 Just Before the Christmas Showdown!
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As the festive season rolls around, it's not just the jingle bells making noise but also the charts ringing with the sounds of Christmas past. In an astonishing turn of events with music enthusiasts and fans alike in a state of nostalgic euphoria, Wham! has surged back to the UK No. 1 spot with their timeless classic, 'Last Christmas.' This remarkable resurgence primes the iconic duo, George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley, to potentially claim the coveted Christmas No. 1 spot next Friday.
'Last Christmas,' a song that has tugged at heartstrings for four decades, celebrates its 40th anniversary this month. The track, which has become a staple of the holiday season, has finally achieved the Yuletide top spot for the very first time in 2023, despite its initial release in 1984. Back then, it was pipped to the post by 'Do They Know It’s Christmas?' which also featured the late George Michael.
The enduring appeal of 'Last Christmas' is evident as it has impressively hit No. 1 eight times, non-consecutively, in the last four years. This week, Gracie Abrams' 'That’s So True' has knocked it into second place. Abrams, known for her support on much of Taylor Swift’s Eras tour, has been a rising star, but even her momentum couldn't outshine the Wham! Classic.
Across the pond, 'Last Christmas' has also reached a new peak of No. 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 this week and has been certified seven times platinum, a testament to its global appeal. The BBC is set to air a documentary on December 14th, featuring new interviews with Andrew Ridgeley, Pepsi & Shirlie, and fans like Mary J Blige and Sam Smith, further cementing the song's legendary status.
While Tom Grennan’s new seasonal original, 'It Can’t Be Christmas,' has made a respectable entry at No. 6, it seems that Wham!’s closest competitors for the Christmas No. 1 are Mariah Carey’s perennial favourite 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' and Brenda Lee’s classic 'Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.'
The charts this week also reflect the shifting landscape of Christmas music. Band-Aid's 'Do They Know It’s Christmas?' has seen a drop, while the seasonal canon appears to be expanding with Ariana Grande’s 'Santa Tell Me' and Kelly Clarkson’s 'Underneath the Tree' making notable appearances in the Top 10.
The Top 40 mixes the old and the new, with 26 Christmas songs dominating the list. Among them are the Icelandic-Chinese singer Laufey and Sia, who bring fresh sounds to the holiday mix.
On the albums chart, Sabrina Carpenter’s 2023 Christmas EP 'Fruitcake' has peaked at No. 5, while Taylor Swift’s 'The Tortured Poets Department' remains at No. 1, marking another milestone for the international superstar.
As we gear up for the Christmas chart battle, it's clear that nostalgia has a powerful grip on listeners' hearts. Wham!'s 'Last Christmas' is more than just a song; it's a cultural touchstone that continues to resonate with audiences worldwide. Whether it will clinch the Christmas No 1 remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the spirit of Wham! Lives on, bringing joy and a touch of nostalgic remembrance to this festive season.
Dear members of the Seniors Discount Club, we'd love to hear from you! What are your favourite Christmas tunes, and what do you think about the return of Wham! to the top of the charts? Please share your thoughts and memories in the comments below, and let's spread some holiday cheer together!
'Last Christmas,' a song that has tugged at heartstrings for four decades, celebrates its 40th anniversary this month. The track, which has become a staple of the holiday season, has finally achieved the Yuletide top spot for the very first time in 2023, despite its initial release in 1984. Back then, it was pipped to the post by 'Do They Know It’s Christmas?' which also featured the late George Michael.
Last Christmas' by Wham! is celebrated as UK No. 1 and favoured for next week's Christmas No. 1 spot. Credit: Facebook
The enduring appeal of 'Last Christmas' is evident as it has impressively hit No. 1 eight times, non-consecutively, in the last four years. This week, Gracie Abrams' 'That’s So True' has knocked it into second place. Abrams, known for her support on much of Taylor Swift’s Eras tour, has been a rising star, but even her momentum couldn't outshine the Wham! Classic.
Across the pond, 'Last Christmas' has also reached a new peak of No. 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 this week and has been certified seven times platinum, a testament to its global appeal. The BBC is set to air a documentary on December 14th, featuring new interviews with Andrew Ridgeley, Pepsi & Shirlie, and fans like Mary J Blige and Sam Smith, further cementing the song's legendary status.
While Tom Grennan’s new seasonal original, 'It Can’t Be Christmas,' has made a respectable entry at No. 6, it seems that Wham!’s closest competitors for the Christmas No. 1 are Mariah Carey’s perennial favourite 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' and Brenda Lee’s classic 'Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.'
The charts this week also reflect the shifting landscape of Christmas music. Band-Aid's 'Do They Know It’s Christmas?' has seen a drop, while the seasonal canon appears to be expanding with Ariana Grande’s 'Santa Tell Me' and Kelly Clarkson’s 'Underneath the Tree' making notable appearances in the Top 10.
The Top 40 mixes the old and the new, with 26 Christmas songs dominating the list. Among them are the Icelandic-Chinese singer Laufey and Sia, who bring fresh sounds to the holiday mix.
On the albums chart, Sabrina Carpenter’s 2023 Christmas EP 'Fruitcake' has peaked at No. 5, while Taylor Swift’s 'The Tortured Poets Department' remains at No. 1, marking another milestone for the international superstar.
As we gear up for the Christmas chart battle, it's clear that nostalgia has a powerful grip on listeners' hearts. Wham!'s 'Last Christmas' is more than just a song; it's a cultural touchstone that continues to resonate with audiences worldwide. Whether it will clinch the Christmas No 1 remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the spirit of Wham! Lives on, bringing joy and a touch of nostalgic remembrance to this festive season.
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