I love this song done by Wham. This other song playing from the Rosie O'Donnell cd is ok. I don't care for Rosie O'Donnell, though. Why did she do a Xmas album anyway?
Cus she's a so-called celebrity, and in order to remain a so-called celebrity she has to do things to stay in the public eye.
I thought "Gonna Eat For Christmas" with Gloria Estefan was ok, but I agree, I MUCH prefer Wham's version of "Last Christmas", it's been one of my favorite Christmas songs since it was released back in the 80's.
While it isn't the most uplifting song, it does remind everyone of at least 1 or so XMas seasons that didn't quite go their way. Mine was the Xmas of 89. I am now very appreciative of my holidays that don't involve heartache.
The song's Christmas theme was essentially a ruse to draw in the festive market as the lyrics were entirely about a failed relationship, which just happened to come to a head the previous Christmas. There were no other words or expressions within the lyrics with a seasonal theme or hint, except for a sleighbell effect during the instrumental interlude.
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 mouth-watering 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, ensured that the destination of the Christmas #1 spot became a non-contest. 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 up the monies raised by Band Aid by donating all of their Last Christmas/Everything She Wants royalties to the Ethiopianfamine appeal.
Last Christmas did make #1 in various other countries.
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 funicular 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 BalletbassistMartin Kemp, the boyfriend and future husband of Shirlie Holliman.
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.
A version attributed to the Beatles has made the rounds as an MP3 download, and is performed in a flatteringly imitative style, extremely reminiscent of the early Beatles and includes a sound quality and characteristic of the period. The vocals are not convincing however and eventually betray the hoax, in addition to the plain fact that the song was written well more than a decade after the Beatles stopped recording, and long after they ceased to exist.
The opening instrumental features a Yamaha DX7 synthesizer, much in vogue at the time, using the "INT Preset #12 (Guitar)" sound. A Linn drum machine was used. The combination of the DX7 and Linn drum machine was a staple in early 1980's pop music.
The Nintendo 64 video game: "Beetle Adventure Racing" samples this song in the level "Mount Mayhem."
The song is frequently confused with Kool and the Gang's hit "Joanna". Kool ang the Gang preceded Mr. Michael to the market by one year at least.