Original version
[edit]Chart performances
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 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, produced the #1 single. 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 the monies raised by Band Aid by donating all of their "Last Christmas/Everything She Wants" royalties to the Ethiopian famine appeal.
"Last Christmas" did make #1 in various other countries.
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.
The song gradually sold in Japan, and finally became the best-selling single that did not reach that country's top-10 chart, selling more than 600,000 copies and peaking on the chart at #12 in 1992.
Since 1997, the song enters the German Singlecharts every year and peaked at #4 in 2007. In the airplay charts the songs enters every year the Top 5.
In 2007, the track re-entered the UK Top 20 and hit the UK iTunes Top 10.
In 2008, the song re-entered the UK Singles Chart again, this time at #36 and peaked at #26.
In 2009, the song re-entered the UK Singles Chart at number #39.
[edit]"Can't Smile Without You" settlement
Due to perceived similarities between "Last Christmas" and the song "Can't Smile Without You" as popularised by Barry Manilow, an out of court settlement was reached in which the first year's royalties were donated to the one-year-old "Band Aid" charity.[citation needed]
[edit]Music video
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 cable-car 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 Ballet bassist Martin Kemp, the boyfriend and future husband of Shirlie Holliman.
Last Christmas
Wham! Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooh
Oh
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
But the very next day you gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I'll give it to someone special
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
But the very next day, you gave it away (you gave it away)
This year, to save me from tears
I'll give it to someone special (special)
Once bitten and twice shy
I keep my distance
But you still catch my eye
Tell me, baby
Do you recognize me?
Well, it's been a year
It doesn't surprise me
(Happy Christmas) I wrapped it up and sent it
With a note saying, "I love you," I meant it
Now, I know what a fool I've been
But if you kissed me now
I know you'd fool me again
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
But the very next day, you gave it away (you gave it away)
This year, to save me from tears
I'll give it to someone special (special)
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
But the very next day, you gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I'll give it to someone special (special, oh)
Oh, my baby
(Ooh)
A crowded room, friends with tired eyes
I'm hiding from you, and your soul of ice
My God, I thought you were someone to rely on
Me? I guess I was a shoulder to cry on
A face on a lover with a fire in his heart
A man under cover but you tore me apart, ooh
Now, I've found a real love you'll never fool me again
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
But the very next day, you gave it away (you gave it away)
This year, to save me from tears
I'll give it to someone special (special)
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
But the very next day, (you gave) you gave it away (me away)
This year (ohh), to save me from tears
I'll give it to someone special (special)
Face on a lover with a fire in his heart (I gave you my heart)
A man under cover but you tore him apart
Maybe next year, I'll give it to someone
I'll give it to someone special (special, someone)
(Someone)
The song "Last Christmas" by Wham! starts with the singer expressing his regret about giving his heart to someone the previous Christmas who gave it away the very next day. He emphasizes that this year he plans on giving his heart to someone truly special to avoid any more heartbreak. However, he still feels drawn to his past love and wonders if she recognizes him after a year apart. The singer recalls wrapping up his love and sending it to his past love with a note that said "I love you," and acknowledging now that it was foolish. Despite that, he's still tempted to be with her again, even though she may break his heart again.
In the chorus, the lyrics mention that he gave his heart away last Christmas but was hurt the following day, so this year he plans on giving it to someone truly special to avoid tears. The verses continue with the singer mentioning that even though he's trying to keep his distance from his past love, he's still drawn to her when he sees her. He recalls feeling like he was someone she could rely on, but he realizes that he was just someone she could cry on when she needed support. The song ends with the singer accepting that he's found a new love who won't hurt him like his past love did.
Line by Line Meaning
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
I gave you all of my love last Christmas
But the very next day you gave it away
You broke my heart and moved on immediately
This year, to save me from tears
To avoid becoming emotionally hurt again this year
I'll give it to someone special
I'll give my love to someone who will cherish and appreciate it
Once bitten and twice shy
After being hurt before, I am hesitant to trust again
I keep my distance
I am keeping my guard up
But you still catch my eye
You still capture my attention
Do you recognize me?
Do you remember who I am?
Well, it's been a year
It has been a year since we last saw each other
It doesn't surprise me
It does not shock me
I wrapped it up and sent it with a note saying 'I love you', I meant it
I sent you a gift with a sincere declaration of affection
Now, I know what a fool I've been
I realize now that I was foolish to believe in us
But if you kissed me now, I know you'd fool me again
I still have feelings for you and am vulnerable to your manipulation
A crowded room, friends with tired eyes
I am in a room full of people who look drained and exhausted
I'm hiding from you, and your soul of ice
I am avoiding you because you have a cold heart
My God, I thought you were someone to rely on
I used to trust you and thought you were dependable
Me? I guess I was a shoulder to cry on
I was someone you leaned on for emotional support
A face on a lover with a fire in his heart
I am looking for someone who is passionate and loving
A man under cover but you tore me apart
I tried to hide my true feelings, but you hurt me deeply
Now, I've found a real love you'll never fool me again
I have finally found a true love who will not deceive me
But the very next day, (you gave) you gave it away (me away)
You hurt me again by moving on so quickly
Maybe next year, I'll give it to someone
Perhaps in the future I will find someone worthy of my love
I'll give it to someone special (special, someone)
I will give my love to someone who is truly special to me
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: George Michael
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@plumfry
and here we go again...
@dimenzio3612
Ah nice here we go again
@RandyClyne
Let's go
@jess5591
@JustAshey You wish! This is the best .3.
@sebdbr3888
IS ans George Michael
@sebdbr3888
C'est la meilleure des chansons
@DonquavionDonMing
Even though it isn’t Christmas, I still listen to this song every now and then.
@Cuttackvlogger-pi8ez
Phttps://youtube.com/@Cuttackvlogger-pi8ez?si=DBHR-UYcm4Tqxj3l?sub_confirmation=1
@Bl913
The heartbreak he describes fits any season honestly
@Riolushe
Besides the jingle bells and the "Christmas" lyric it is just everyday song