Written in 1984 by George Michael.
You knew it was coming, the incomparable George Michael (the better half of Wham!) will always be a mainstay in my top 5.
Last Christmas synthpop sound is undeniably 80's and that is what adds to this songs charm; however, publishing company Dick James Music thought that the songs sound was undeniably theirs. In 1985 Dick James Music sued George Michael for plagiarism claiming Michael ripped the melody from "Can't Smile Without You" (a song popularized by Barry Manilow).
The case was settled out of court and it is obviously now a Christmas classic as it has been covered numerous times. The most popular cover is probably Taylor *puke* Swift's 2007 version off of her "Sounds of the Season" album.
Last Christmas was released the same year as my #10 Christmas song, Band Aid's Do They Know it's Christmas?, which had Michael's Band Aid effort battling Michael's Last Christmas for the coveted Christmas #1 spot on the UK Singles Chart. Do They Know it's Christmas? and Last Christmas finished 1 and 2 respectively.
However, Last Christmas actually made more money than Do They Know it's Christmas? in the Ethiopian famine appeal (the famine which cause Bob Geldof to create Band Aid and Live Aid) after Wham! donated all royalties from the sale of the Last Christmas/Everything She Wants single to that effort.
Why does everything have to be a contest?
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