How George Michael wrote Last Christmas: “He knew he’d nailed it”

As I delve into the captivating narrative of George Michael and Wham!, I find myself utterly spellbound by their extraordinary journey, particularly during the extraordinary year of 1984. The video for Last Christmas, with its cinematic charm and emotional depth, is a testament to their unparalleled talent and vision.

Instead of the usual pop video style, the video for Wham!’s Last Christmas features a bunch of attractive young people traveling through mountains on cable cars, tossing snowballs, sharing meaningful glances over turkey, and reminiscing about the last Christmas where affection was exchanged before it was lost the following day. This seems more like scenes from movies such as The Big Chill or St. Elmo’s Fire rather than typical pop music footage.

But then, 1984 was, for the boys from Bushey, anything but ordinary.

In commemoration of the song’s 40th anniversary, George Michael’s old friend and musical partner Andrew Ridgeley, along with Wham!’s backup singers Pepsi DeMacque-Crockett and Shirlie Kemp, as well as their real-life friends who appeared in the video, embark on what Ridgeley describes as a “spiritual journey” or “pilgrimage,” returning to the chalet in Saas-Fee, Switzerland, where it was filmed back in 1984.

That year had seen them achieve three number one UK singles and a number one album (Make It Big) for Wham!, a solo hit for Michael with Careless Whisper, as well as success in America – but there was just one star yet to be placed on the tree. “We wanted to cap it all off with a Christmas number one,” Ridgeley recalls. Fortunately, Michael, then only 21, had the talent to make it happen.

One day at his home in north London, he conceived an impressive mix on a four-track mixer in his bedroom as his friend watched football downstairs. Ridgeley recollects, “Yog [his nickname for Michael] pulled me upstairs to listen to the keyboard melody of the Last Christmas chorus. It was undeniably a brilliant tune – incredibly catchy, tinged with sadness but also uplifting. He knew he had struck gold.

The documentary retraces the moment when Michael sat down in the studio and translated his thoughts into the recording devices using his hands. Later on, he enlisted the help of renowned director Andy Morahan for the video (as shown here). Michael’s intention was to bring his cinematic vision to life – creating something that had a feel of a heartwarming Christmas film.

In my critique, I embarked on a journey to picturesque Switzerland, joining forces with my fellow comrades: Pat, Cheryl, John, and Dave – individuals with whom I’ve shared camaraderie throughout the years. As Ridgeley eloquently puts it, “We’ve been friends then, and we remain friends today.

As the cameras began recording, the team was having fun in the snow; Michael, who had a tough hair day, kept his hat on. Later, they all gathered for Christmas dinner. In this gathering, the romantic lead of the narrative, portrayed by model Kathy Hill, shared a kiss with Ridgeley, while a dejected Michael watched from afar.

The ambiance at this meal, ordinarily a joyous occasion with popping crackers, flowing wine, and shared laughter, leaves me puzzled as to why Ridgeley vanishes at the end of the video, while others are peacefully sleeping afterwards. It appears that excessive drinking during lunch might be the explanation for his absence.

He disclosed that the production team, using their good judgment, decided to give us authentic wine, filling it to the rim. We were enjoying ourselves immensely, but there were accidents, with me being one of them. After a bout of hearty laughter at the dinner table, my eyes became swollen and I became unfit for filming. They sent me to a side room.

At its debut, the tune didn’t manage to claim the top festive position, as Band Aid’s song “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” took precedence, which Michael was also part of. As Ridgeley reminisces, “We understood that our dream of a Christmas number one was slipping away from us.

In the documentary, Bob Geldof remarks about Michael’s choice to donate all earnings from Last Christmas to Band Aid charity: “Without a doubt, it would have been a huge hit. But not only did he forgo that success, he also generously donated his own money.

In 2023, Last Christmas climbed up to the number one spot on the holiday music charts, where many believed it belonged all along. According to Ridgeley, “It had slipped through our fingers for quite some time, but now it’s more integral to Christmas than when it was first released.

Each year, Michael had an affinity for Christmas, often hosting the same circle of friends for a celebration, despite his increasing fame as a solo artist. After his passing on December 25, 2016, his vibrant, multi-faceted holiday legacy – encompassing both music and personal connections – continues to be a mix of joy and sadness.

Yet, Ridgeley remains thoughtful about the significance of the song: “It holds a deep meaning for me. I wouldn’t want my feelings to haunt my friends forever. The pain isn’t as sharp now as it used to be.

2024-12-05 04:16

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