Last Christmas

George Michael penned this track in February 1984 after a breakup during the holiday season, intending to capture the sting of giving one's heart only to have it rejected. He recorded the song at London's Townhouse Studios that August, layering a driving synth-pop beat with a distinct brass section that defined the mid-80s sound. Released on December 3, 1984, as a double A-side single alongside "Everything She Wants" in Europe, the record faced immediate competition from Band Aid's charity hit "Do They Know It's Christmas?".

The song spent five weeks at number two on the UK Singles Chart without ever reaching the top spot during its initial run. This streak held for over three decades until January 2021, when streaming numbers surged and public demand finally propelled it to number one. By 2023, the track had sold over 5.3 million units in the UK when combining physical sales and streaming data. Its emotional core paired with festive instrumentation earned it status as a modern classic, prompting covers from artists like Ariana Grande, Gwen Stefani, and Jimmy Eat World. [edit]