“Last Christmas” by Wham! remains an enduring holiday hit. Written by George Michael and released in 1984 by his duo with Andrew Ridgeley, the single describes the aftermath of a bitter breakup, which supports my case that the best Christmas songs are often the saddest.
You Gave It Away
In the hook, Michael uses a gift metaphor to explain the hurt he feels after his partner has moved on. Now the pop star looks for someone who won’t return his present.
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart,
But the very next day, you gave it away.
This year, to save me from tears,
I’ll give it to someone special.
He’s not over his lover. They meet the following year, and now Michael feels almost like a stranger. He says “baby”, but the ex seems to respond with indifference.
Meanwhile, the track hints at optimism, but the lyrics reiterate Michael’s despair—like someone who’s feeling depressed while a Christmas party rages around them.
Once bitten and twice shy,
I keep my distance, but you still catch my eye.
Tell me, baby, do you recognize me?
Well, it’s been a year; it doesn’t surprise me.
Happy Christmas, I wrapped it up and sent it,
With a note saying, “I love you”, I meant it.
Now I know what a fool I’ve been,
But if you kissed me now, I know you’d fool me again.
Sounds Familiar
Though the tune is sad, it’s also incredibly catchy. “Last Christmas” echoes—or borrows from, depending on who you ask—“Can’t Smile Without You”, a hit for Barry Manilow in 1978.
A plagiarism case was brought to court in the mid-80s, but it was tossed out after a musicologist presented evidence of more than 60 songs with similar melodic and chordal structures.
Still, what you can’t claim copyright of is a broken heart. And in “Last Christmas”, Michael makes one thing clear: He can’t smile without his ex.
A crowded room, friends with tired eyes,
I’m hiding from you and your soul of ice.
My God, I thought you were someone to rely on,
Me? I guess I was a shoulder to cry on.
Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images
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