Nostalgia is in the air as the holidays draw near. There’s no better way to rejoice than with a well-known song. Wham!’s well-loved hit song “Last Christmas” has captured the hearts of listeners and made waves on the charts this year, as it did the last year. Its catchy tune and poignant lyrics have earned it the title of this year’s Christmas number one — a noteworthy accomplishment, as this is the first song to do so for two years straight.

A combination of downloads, sales, and streams determines the Christmas number one. In the week leading up to Christmas, “Last Christmas” was streamed 12.6 million times, according to the Official Charts Company. Wham!’s festive song beat tracks by Ariana Grande, Gracie Abrams, and Mariah Carey, to claim the top spot! When “Last Christmas” was first released in 1984, Band-Aid’s charity record “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” prevented it from reaching the number one spot. It finally peaked at number one on the Christmas charts last year, 39 years after its initial release. Wham! member Andrew Ridgeley expressed gratitude to all who have listened to, downloaded, and purchased the song, stating that it has “become such a classic, almost as much a part of Christmas as mince pies, turkey, and pigs in blankets.” (2023)

With its themes of love and memory, the well-known holiday song “Last Christmas” continues to resonate with listeners. Its catchy melody and poignant lyrics make it a classic during celebrations. The song’s blend of nostalgia and heartache prompts reflection on lost love, while various covers by artists help introduce it to new generations, keeping it a cherished holiday favorite.