Wham!'s 'Last Christmas' is just 1,300 record sales away from its first ever number one

7 December 2020, 10:19

Fans of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley are once again pushing 'Last Christmas' up the charts where the song now sits in the number two position for the fourth time since its release in 1984.
Fans of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley are once again pushing 'Last Christmas' up the charts where the song now sits in the number two position for the fourth time since its release in 1984. Picture: Columbia/GA/Wham

By Giorgina Ramazzotti

George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley's festive hit 'Last Christmas' is just 1,300 record sales behind Mariah Carey's 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' and may have its first number one since it's release in 1984.

2020 may be the year we finally see 'Last Christmas' take the number one position in the official UK chart.

Fans of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley are once again pushing 'Last Christmas' up the charts where the song now sits in the number two position for the fourth time since its release in 1984.

See more: The Story of... 'Last Christmas' by Wham! - as told by Andrew Ridgeley

'Last Christmas' is just 1,300 behind Mariah Carey's 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' with five days to go before the final of this week's official charts, with all UK physical sales, paid-for downloads and streaming of the song counting towards the final tally.

Produced by George Michael and released by Wham!, 'Last Christmas' was written by the star in his childhood bedroom on a visit home to see his parents.
Produced by George Michael and released by Wham!, 'Last Christmas' was written by the star in his childhood bedroom on a visit home to see his parents. Picture: Getty
'Last Christmas' has sold 1.90 million copies as of February 2020 and is the biggest-selling single in the UK that has never reached number one.
'Last Christmas' has sold 1.90 million copies as of February 2020 and is the biggest-selling single in the UK that has never reached number one. Picture: Columbia/GA/Wham

The Story of... 'Last Christmas' with Andrew Ridgeley

The song has sold 1.90 million copies as of February 2020 and is the biggest-selling single in the UK that has never reached number one.

See more: Remembering George Michael's beautiful forgotten Christmas track 'December Song' 11 years later

Produced by George Michael, 'Last Christmas' was written by the star in his childhood bedroom on a visit home to see his parents.

When he played the chorus and melody to Andrew Ridgeley, the singer said it was a "moment of wonder" and he knew the song would be a hit.

See more: Last Christmas movie: The poignant George Michael moment that made us very emotional

'Last Christmas' was recorded in the height of summer, in August 1984 and saw George Michael produce and play every instrument on the track, including a Linn 9000 drum machine and sleigh bells.

The song was recorded in the height of summer, in August 1984 and saw George Michael produce and play every instrument on the track, including a Linn 9000 drum machine and sleigh bells. Pictured, George Michael in the music video for 'Last Christmas'
The song was recorded in the height of summer, in August 1984 and saw George Michael produce and play every instrument on the track, including a Linn 9000 drum machine and sleigh bells. Pictured, George Michael in the music video for 'Last Christmas'. Picture: Columbia/GA/Wham

Wham! - Last Christmas (Official Video)

Upon its release in 1984, the song reached Number one in Denmark, Slovenia, and Sweden and number two nine countries including New Zealand, Italy and the UK, and saw George and Andrew donate all its royalties to Ethiopian Famine relief.

Since its release 'Wham!'s 'Last Christmas' has been number two in the UK chart four times, in 1984, 1985, 2017 and now 2020, and with just 1,300 sales to go, could this be Wham!'s year?

See more: QUIZ: How well do you know Wham! song lyrics?

The UK's Official Chart is based upon physical sales, paid-for downloads and streaming over a seven-day period, George Michael fans - this is your moment!