Wham! is Christmas #1: Pop duo’s Last Christmas hits prime spot

Wham!’s Last Christmas has scored a primary — by capturing to the highest of the charts to get pleasure from its first ever yr as Christmas Number 1 single within the UK.

The 1984 perennial favorite, penned by George Michael, has topped the charts previously, however by no means within the final week earlier than Christmas. It was denied the highest spot within the yr of its launch by Band Aid’s barnstorming Do They Know It’s Christmas?.

And amid probably the most furiously fought battles for the Yuletide crown in latest reminiscence, the race was virtually too near name because the 80s icons fought off the likes of Mariah Carey, The Pogues and Sam Ryder to assert the title 39 years after its launch.

George Michael wrote the track as a Christmas primary contender — nevertheless it was a feat he would by no means see after dying on the age of 53 in 2016. But bandmate Andrew Ridgeley mentioned on Friday: ‘George can be beside himself. It’s mission completed.’

The track turned the bookies’ favorite to climb the charts after an earlier rush by followers of The Pogues to get Fairytale of New York to #1 in reminiscence of the Irish people outfit’s frontman Shane MacGowan, who died in November.

In the top, the band’s duet with Kirsty MacColl didn’t crack the highest 5, which was rounded out by Eurovision star Sam Ryder’s You’re Christmas To Me, Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You, Noah Kahan’s Stick Season and Ed Sheeran and Elton John’s duet Merry Christmas.

Speaking concerning the track’s standing as a ‘perennial bridesmaid’, Ridgeley added: ‘It was an enormous disappointment to us each when it didn’t attain Number 1 as a result of, in our opinion, it was nailed-on. 

‘Had it not been for Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas?, it most likely would’ve been Number 1. 

‘Thwarted for a few years subsequent to that – the perennial bridesmaid – over latest years it appears it’s turn out to be a part of the material of Christmas for lots of people.’

Warmly referring to Michael as ‘Yog’, he concluded: ‘Christmas Number 1 has been a long-held ambition for Yog and I, and for the followers, too. 

‘It’ll imply rather a lot to Wham!’s legacy – it’s the crowning glory. Last Christmas was conceived as a Christmas Number 1. 

‘Lofty ambitions, however Yog set lofty ambitions for himself as a songwriter. Our followers can have an actual sense of accomplishment and satisfaction within the truth it’s turn out to be Christmas Number 1.’

Speaking about Wham!’s historic achievement, Martin Talbot, chief government of the Official Charts, mentioned: ‘Having claimed the highest spot for the primary time final yr, it’s unbelievable that WHAM! have claimed the Christmas Number 1 honour eventually.

‘Of course, WHAM!’s victory additionally implies that somebody has to come back second and it’s exhausting to recall  harder-working Christmas Number 2 artist than Sam Ryder, who has chalked up greater than 30 reveals over the previous seven days in a bid to take the crown.

‘Sam has made it actually a chart battle to recollect – and needs to be comforted by the various years it has taken a track as iconic as Last Christmas to assert this most prized of chart achievements. 

‘We can all solely hope Sam would not have as lengthy to attend. Fantastic work, Sam – you’re already a winner in our eyes!’

Ryder’s bid for Christmas primary was backed by an enormous publicity marketing campaign, with the Eurovision star taking to the roads in a marketing campaign bus to carry out the track for followers throughout the nation.

He additionally had the ability of company juggernaut Amazon behind him, which promoted the track closely on its Amazon Music service and made the sound the theme tune to its new festive movie, Your Christmas or Mine 2. 

He mentioned: ‘Christmas Number 2, isn’t that bonkers? When we wrote this track, within the blazing month of August, we didn’t even anticipate it to chart. But right here we’re, in a Mariah Carey and Wham! sandwich, and we’re the filling. I’m stoked.’

Ryder added that he hoped his success gave some inspiration to different songwriters attempting to create a brand new Christmas traditional. He added: ‘We all the time preserve preventing. There’s all the time subsequent week! Let’s go for it once more, let’s get that Number 1.’

The race was blown extensive open on the finish of final month when repeat Christmas champions LadBaby introduced that they weren’t releasing a track this yr – prompting sighs of aid from these uninterested in sausage rolls in addition to the remainder of the music trade, given a preventing probability on the prime spot for the primary time in years.

Other festive classics to make the charts this week embody hits by Shakin’ Stevens (10), Andy Williams’ It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year (12), Band Aid (15), and Dean Martin’s Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! (16).

But pop icon Cher has additionally damaged a brand new file together with her personal Yuletide launch. DJ Play A Christmas Song is the primary feminine artist to have new materials on the Official Singles Chart throughout seven many years.

And within the album charts, The Rolling Stones have claimed the highest spot with their most up-to-date album, Hackney Diamonds — an appropriate current for guitarist Keith Richards, who turned 80 this week.