Wham! Takes the Crown: ‘Last Christmas’ Tops UK Chart

Ah, the season of merriment and joy is upon us once again, and with it comes the anticipation and fervent chatter surrounding the prestigious Christmas No 1 in the UK. This national tradition is a unique phenomenon that sets the UK apart from its European counterparts, igniting spirited grassroots campaigns, unconventional singles, and passionate fan rivalries.

In the bygone era, prior to the digital age of iTunes and Spotify, the goal was to sell as many singles as possible in the run-up to Christmas. Nowadays, the focus has shifted to amassing streams and sales in the week leading up to the festive day. After a five-year reign by YouTuber Mark Ian Hoyle, also known as LadBaby, with his chart-topping hits like ‘We Built This City’ and ‘I Love Sausage Rolls’, the crown has been seized by Wham! and their iconic 1984 anthem ‘Last Christmas’.

Wham!’s timeless tune had dominated the midweek charts and was the frontrunner to claim victory this year. Although it had reached No. 2 back in 1984, it had never quite clinched the top spot during the week of Christmas. However, with LadBaby out of the picture this year, it was finally Wham!’s time to shine.

The irresistible charm of their melodies, a hefty dose of nostalgia, George Michael’s unforgettable mane in the music video, and the absence of LadBaby from the 2023 competition all contributed to ‘Last Christmas’ ascending to the pinnacle of the charts.

This year witnessed a fierce battle for the Christmas No 1 title, with heavyweights such as the former Eurovision Song Contest runner-up Sam Ryder, the timeless Mariah Carey, The Pogues, and even an Amazon exclusive track from the soundtrack of their film ‘Your Christmas Or Mine 2’, backed by the company’s robust promotion efforts.

Without further ado, feast your eyes upon the Top 10 holiday hits of 2023:

1. Wham! – ‘Last Christmas’
2. Sam Ryder – ‘You’re Christmas To Me’
3. Mariah Carey – ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’
4. Noah Kahan – ‘Stick Season’
5. Ed Sheeran & Sir Elton John – ‘Merry Christmas’
6. The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl – ‘Fairytale of New York’
7. Brenda Lee – ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’
8. Jack Harlow – ‘Lovin On Me’
9. Michael Buble – ‘It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas’
10. Shakin’ Stevens – ‘Merry Christmas Everyone’

And there you have it – the crowning of the 2023 Christmas No 1 has finally come to fruition, with Wham! claiming their well-deserved victory and spreading festive cheer with their timeless classic.