“Last Christmas” is the first-ever song to clinch Christmas No. 1 in consecutive years
Wham has scored its Christmas No. 1 for the second consecutive year with “Last Christmas” topping the Official Charts in the UK. Official Charts has confirmed that “Last Christmas” is the first song in chart history to ever clinch two consecutive Christmas No. 1 victories, marking its 40th anniversary as the most-streamed and physically purchased song of the week.
Originally conceived by the late, great George Michael as a contender for 1984’s Official Christmas No. 1, Last Christmas was originally blocked from the festive top spot by Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” but finally claimed the coveted festive chart crown in 2023, completing the longest ever journey to Christmas No. 1 of 39 years.
Now enshrined as the UK’s favorite Christmas song, “Last Christmas” held off fierce competition from Gracie Abrams and Mariah Carey, and a bravura attempt by Tom Grennan to shake up the festive chart race.
“Last Christmas” secures Christmas No. 1 through both digital and physical domination, with 12.6 million streams, and the best seller of the week physically too, thanks to a suite of limited edition 40th anniversary collectibles, including zoetrope vinyl, picture disc and CD.
Wham! now enters a rare Official Charts club, as one of only a few acts to achieve the Official Christmas No. 1 multiple times. Their peers now include Queen with two, Spice Girls with three, The Beatles with four, and the current record-holders, LadBaby with five.
To commemorate 40 years of “Last Christmas,” Wham!, George Michael Entertainment and Sony Music have released a special Last Christmas 40th Anniversary EP worldwide. Out now in limited edition vinyl, CD, and digital, the release comes with the incredible news that the much-loved hit has reached its highest-ever chart position in North America on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 3 and notably reaching seven times RIAA platinum.
