Last Christmas by Wham! reaches No. 1 for the first time after 36 years | The music

Wham’s Last Christmas! Reached number one in the UK singles chart for the first time, 36 years after its release.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest Christmas carols of all time, it was originally held at number one in 1984 by Band’s charity single Aid Do They Know It’s Christmas?

Last Christmas spent five weeks at No.2 that year, and was also a Top 10 hit in 1985. With the advent of downloads and streaming meaning any song could re-hit the charts, it reappeared in 2007, reaching No.14. She has reached the Top 40 almost every year since, placing in the Top 3 for the past four years.

It sets a new record for the time elapsed between a song’s release and reaching number 1. This was previously held by Tony Christie with his song (Is This the Way to) Amarillo, which reached No.18 when it was first released in 1971, but reached No 1 over 33 years later in 2005 after it was re-released with Peter Kay for Comic Relief.

Andrew Ridgeley from Wham! Said he was “delighted, somewhat amazed and deeply happy” that the song finally reached number 1 and paid tribute to his late teammate and songwriter George Michael. He said the ranking of the cards was “a testament to its timeless appeal and charm.” He added, “It’s a fitting tribute to George’s songwriting genius… he would have been extremely proud and thrilled.”

So far, Last Christmas was the best-selling single to fall short of No.1, a record that jumps to the 2011 single from Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera Moves Like Jagger.

At No.2 this week is Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas Is You, who also reached No.1 for the first time this festive season – it was maintained at No.1 when it was first released in 1994. by Stay Another Day from East 17.

Boosted by streams during Christmas itself, it’s a festive top five with Jess Glynne’s cover of This Christmas from Donny Hathaway reaching a new high at # 3, Justin Bieber’s version of Rockin ‘Around the Christmas Tree. at # 4, and the New York Pogues fairy tale.

There are a total of 28 Christmas carols in the Top 40. Jose Feliciano’s Feliz Navidad is at number 40, earning his first place in the Top 40 50 years after his first outing – in December he also reached the Top 10 in the United States for the first time. Last week’s Christmas # 1, Ladbaby’s charity single, Don’t Stop Me Eating, drops to # 78. Michael Bublé’s 2011 multi-platinum album is # 1 in the album chart for the first time since this year.

There was a campaign to get Comin ‘Over Here, a satirical collaboration between Asian Dub Foundation and Stewart Lee, at No.1 on the day the UK left the EU. The track features the comedian recounting a stand-up routine that pokes fun at fanatic views on immigration, to an industrial rock backing. Despite a fiery effort, he only reached 65th place in this week’s standings.