The track has been certified seven times platinum by RIAA
To commemorate 40 years of “Last Christmas,” Wham!, George Michael Entertainment and Sony Music have released a very 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 this week.
The song’s lasting impact continues with breathtaking reimagined covers from today’s superstars, most notably Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan who dueted the iconic song last week on Carpenter’s A Nonsense Christmas on Netflix, as well as Rose who covered it for BBC’s Radio 1 Live Lounge. The Backstreet Boys also covered the song for last week’s NBC special Christmas at Rockefeller Center, where Wham!’s Andrew Ridgeley joined host Kelly Clarkson. Ridgeley also appeared as a guest on NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
Additionally, Wham! Last Christmas Unwrapped, a new Christmas special that tells the story of how George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley’s Wham! turned one song into a seasonal phenomenon, will debut on Netflix in select territories and Roku in the United States on December 15th and on BBC 2 in the U.K. on December 14th. Brimming with memories, the film reunites a cast of characters from the song’s illustrious history. Prominent music artists, producers and industry experts delve into the compelling inside story of Last Christmas’ creation and its enduring appeal. From George Michael’s creative brilliance to the long-held secrets behind the much-loved magical music video, Last Christmas Unwrapped explores what these achievements meant to George and Andrew during this pivotal year for Wham! At its heart, this charming film follows a once-in-a-lifetime reunion with some of the genuine group of close friends from the original music video, set against the stunning snow-covered backdrop of Saas-Fee in Switzerland. Pop fans will see new interviews from Andrew Ridgeley, Pepsi DeMacque-Crockett, and Shirlie Kemp, hear from George via archive radio and video footage, and delight in musical and lyrical analysis of Last Christmas. As well as new interviews with WHAM! fans and friends, the special includes Mary J Blige, Bob Geldof, Neil Tennant, and Sam Smith, who give their views on the song’s themes of unrequited love and loss.
Originally, released by Wham! back in December 1984, the seven-time multi-platinum classic peaked at No. 1 in 16 countries upon its release and is officially the fourth highest-selling single of all time in the UK. The song has claimed the No. 1 spot multiple times over the last 4 decades and has amassed an incredible five billion combined streams. Now, 40 years on, the song has woven itself into the very fabric of Christmas.
