Legend Was ABSOLUTELY SURE This 1984 Song Would Be a #1 Hit...IT TOOK 37 YEARS! | Professor of Rock

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  • Опубліковано 3 гру 2023
  • Coming up, This group was on a tear to start the decade. Wham! starring legend George Michael and his pal Andrew Ridgely were on top of the world. but George in particular was obsessed with dominating the charts. His goal in 1984 was to score four #1 singles. And you know what, by November he and his partner had three… With time running out, he pulled out a surefire hit he wrote in the middle of watching a football game on TV. He was certain it would hit #1… and it was a holiday song called Last Christmas... However, in December he was invited to sing on a massive charity single. Band-Aid Do They Know It’s Christmas ...when he heard it, he knew it was sure to go #1. Wrestling with guilt, he secretly hoped his song would outperform this charity track. It’s the story of one of the most popular songs of the 80s with almost 3 billion streams yet the song was only a promotional single in the US. Find our if it ever got to #1 NEXT on the Professor of Rock.
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    Today, we’re getting into the holiday spirit, with one of the most essential December pop tracks ever recorded. Written and produced by the late great George Michael, and favorite of every 80s kids around the holidays… it’s Last Christmas from his days with Andrew Ridgeley and Wham!. So over in the United Kingdom, 1984 belonged to two English musical acts more than any other… The first was the edgy synth-pop outfit Frankie Goes to Hollywood and, the other was the young pop sensation Wham!. These two groups would achieve massive chart success in 84, trading blows throughout the year. Frankie would amass an astounding 15 weeks at #1 on the strength of three singles: Relax, Two Tribes, and The Power of Love. Wham! For their part would score 8 weeks at #1, also with three singles: Wake Me Up Before You Go Go, Careless Whisper, and Freedom.
    Other top-of-the-chart contenders like Duran Duran, Lionel Ritchie, and Stevie Wonder also made their mark. But for George Michael, none of what anyone else was doing mattered. He was driven by an insatiable appetite to be the best of the best. According to Andrew, George’s entire identity was tied to success. He said, “For George, chart position was the ultimate validation of his talent. To get to #1 really mattered to him. George needed success as a songwriter for personal affirmation.”
    Frankie Goes To Hollywood would prove to be Wham!’s biggest obstacle and rival for the pinnacle. They made a big splash in early 1984 when their controversial song ‘Relax’ reached the top on January 28. It stayed there until March. And actually just covered Frankie’s incredible run last month. Wham! got things going with Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go. That entered the UK charts at #4 on May 26th and reached #1 a week later.
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 654

  • @ProfessorofRock
    @ProfessorofRock  6 місяців тому +42

    Poll: What is you pick for the greatest Christmas song of all time?

    • @RBS_
      @RBS_ 6 місяців тому +10

      ....you MENTIONED it! ...... *WHAM!* ...ha-HAA!! 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

    • @surlechapeau
      @surlechapeau 6 місяців тому +18

      Jose Feliciano - Feliz Navidad

    • @Ganja-jh6iy
      @Ganja-jh6iy 6 місяців тому +22

      Crosby, Bowie Drummer Boy

    • @stephenbrown4211
      @stephenbrown4211 6 місяців тому +15

      Fairytale of New York. RIP Shane McGowen. Bet he’s up there singing it with Kirsty

    • @catherine6653
      @catherine6653 6 місяців тому +11

      My favorites:
      Step Into Christmas, Elton John
      Rocking Around the Christmas Tree, Brenda Lee
      Christmas For Cowboys, John Denver

  • @jimbomb3893
    @jimbomb3893 6 місяців тому +132

    I've said it before, and I'll say it again, you just cannot understate how awesome 1984 was even up until Christmas time!

    • @ProfessorofRock
      @ProfessorofRock  6 місяців тому +20

      I agree. Best year in history of music. Don you think?

    • @maxaroni15
      @maxaroni15 6 місяців тому +8

      1983-85 with '84 probably being the best!

    • @Jay-Leigh863
      @Jay-Leigh863 6 місяців тому +2

      1984 I began compulsory military service and the music brings back memories. Some good, some not so good and some really not good! 😂

    • @davidday5731
      @davidday5731 6 місяців тому +1

      @@ProfessorofRock LOL! Second best year to 71' i believe..But close

    • @xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980
      @xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 6 місяців тому +3

      The best year ever!

  • @catherine6653
    @catherine6653 6 місяців тому +100

    I watched the Wham Documentary on Netflix and learned about this song history. It shows George Michael's values to sacrifice his own success to participate in the charity project. His heart was broken when Last Christmas peaked at #2.
    There have been a few covers of this song. It makes me sad when young people think Last Christmas is a Taylor Swift song 😢.
    I am glad I was alive to experience the release of this original song.

    • @ProfessorofRock
      @ProfessorofRock  6 місяців тому +1

      Did you have the single Catherine?

    • @catherine6653
      @catherine6653 6 місяців тому +2

      @@ProfessorofRock No, I was only 13 and dependant on mom for record money.

    • @kamz4576
      @kamz4576 6 місяців тому +4

      The best cover, IMHO, is Darren Hayes' (formerly of Savage Garden) version.

    • @catherine6653
      @catherine6653 6 місяців тому +5

      @kamz4576 Daren Hayes has a beautiful voice. My parakeet liked Truly Madly Deeply, especially the falsetto note.

    • @wagonsworld9592
      @wagonsworld9592 6 місяців тому +1

      ​​@@catherine6653"Truely, madley deeply" is a fantastic move too starring the guy who plays Snape in Harry Potter, Alan Rickman.

  • @fivestring65ify
    @fivestring65ify 6 місяців тому +17

    George Michael was one of those iconic singers that was recognizable soon as you heard him sing. I don't think I've ever heard him sing a bad song. What a voice.

  • @flavellinator
    @flavellinator 6 місяців тому +23

    I'm ok with the cheese... "Last Christmas" has some melancholy, romance, and 80s vibe all tied into one little musical present. Catchy no matter what you may think.... George was on fire right then!

    • @ProfessorofRock
      @ProfessorofRock  6 місяців тому +6

      He could do NO WRONG. Truly!

    • @xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980
      @xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 6 місяців тому

      It’s definitely the song you want played at an 80s themed Christmas party.

  • @kimberlyridenour8003
    @kimberlyridenour8003 6 місяців тому +28

    George Michael was always a head of his time and an absolute genius. Last Christmas is one of the few songs that 40 years later is just as popular from the charts, to Tik Tok to Instragram - it is everywhere this time of the year.

  • @user-og1rv6sr8e
    @user-og1rv6sr8e 6 місяців тому +14

    As a bicentennial baby, George Michael could do no wrong in my eyes. I can't think of a single song of his that I don't enjoy. This is a beautiful song and a favorite Christmas song.

  • @mournblade1066
    @mournblade1066 6 місяців тому +10

    I've always loved Wham! And George Michael was a genuinely good person.

    • @ProfessorofRock
      @ProfessorofRock  6 місяців тому +5

      He really had a heart of gold!

    • @nedhorner
      @nedhorner 6 місяців тому +1

      The poor man's Michel Jackson as I always say.

    • @xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980
      @xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 6 місяців тому +1

      I would have loved to talk to him.

  • @caligirllala1267
    @caligirllala1267 6 місяців тому +3

    One of the greatest songs ever from one of the greatest artists ever….❤❤❤

  • @trinaq
    @trinaq 6 місяців тому +29

    Rest in peace, George Michael. It's sadly ironic that he happened to pass away on Christmas Day, echoing one of his most famous songs. His legacy will forever burn brightly. 🕯️😇

    • @ProfessorofRock
      @ProfessorofRock  6 місяців тому +5

      No kidding.

    • @aalexjohna
      @aalexjohna 6 місяців тому +1

      Last christmas I gave you my arse..
      But the very next day you passed away...

    • @xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980
      @xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 6 місяців тому +1

      At only 53. R.I.P. George 😢

  • @stephenhanft1226
    @stephenhanft1226 6 місяців тому +16

    Last Christmas is my favorite Christmas song from the 1980's. Whenever I go to the stores this time of year, I consistently hear it playing. I never get tired of it. Love the song. It's one of George Michael's best. Besides Last Christmas, my favorite Wham songs are Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, Careless Whisper, and Freedom.

  • @80sbrunnette
    @80sbrunnette 6 місяців тому +12

    I’m only 24 but I can certainly agree 1984 was the BEST year when music came out …
    Also, artist now a days share too much about their life on the internet but when it’s music artist from the past and you learn stories from other people, it just makes it more interesting and magical

    • @xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980
      @xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 6 місяців тому +1

      That’s true. Back then, you learned life stories through music!

  • @eightiesmusic1984
    @eightiesmusic1984 6 місяців тому +18

    Utterly tragic that he died on Christmas Day in 2016 on so many levels, including the sentiment and poignancy of Last Christmas, one of Wham's best songs. Such a shock to wake up on that day to find he had died. It plus Fairly Tale Of New York and Band Aid are my top three Christmas songs. George Michael's legacy is secure for all time. RIP.

    • @RBS_
      @RBS_ 6 місяців тому +2

      ....me Best Bud called me to tell me the news, and the FIRST Celeb to say anything in MINUTES, was Sarah Dallin of Bananarama; she was devastated, and everyone else (Keren, Andrew, Shirlie, etc.) remained respectfully mum, and paid proper respects at the RIGHT time......had MUCH respect for them afterwards....

    • @Vabrejuro
      @Vabrejuro 6 місяців тому +1

      ❤ God bless you.

    • @eightiesmusic1984
      @eightiesmusic1984 6 місяців тому +7

      @@RBS_ Andrew Ridgley has been the model of discretion and loyalty in how he has responded publicly to George's death. He has not put a foot wrong in anything he has said, no mean feat given the prurience and nastiness of the UK tabloid media that would love to write negative headlines out of something he said. Without Andrew there would have been no Wham! as George made clear and he would be proud of how his friend has honoured his memory.

    • @xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980
      @xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 6 місяців тому +5

      Dying on Christmas was especially painful. We lost him too soon!

  • @RC32Smiths01
    @RC32Smiths01 6 місяців тому +13

    I enjoy that sense of competition that made the 80s as musically iconic as it truly was. The Charts speak for themselves!

    • @ProfessorofRock
      @ProfessorofRock  6 місяців тому +1

      RC32! Where have you been my friend?

    • @RC32Smiths01
      @RC32Smiths01 6 місяців тому +1

      @@ProfessorofRock Not much haha. Just a lot of work to be done, simply put! Glad to tune into another great video!

    • @xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980
      @xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 6 місяців тому +1

      So many different styles of music.

  • @johnathansaegal3156
    @johnathansaegal3156 6 місяців тому +29

    It's sad to hear how much George loved Christmas considering he was found deceased on Christmas... aw, it hurts. I had been a WHAM! fan from the moment they hit the US airwaves/MTV and followed Michael up through "Fast Love". His death really hit hard. We lost a good one, just like we can say about so many others who were lost too early.

  • @MarcoZehe
    @MarcoZehe 6 місяців тому +7

    Thanks so much! In Germany, Last Christmas broke the record of the most weeks on the charts ever, with 130 weeks and counting. On Christmas Eve 2021, 37 years after its release, it reached the top of the German charts for the first time.

  • @najibkhan7299
    @najibkhan7299 6 місяців тому +10

    My favorite Christmas song. For me it never gets old, even after all this time.

    • @ProfessorofRock
      @ProfessorofRock  6 місяців тому +5

      Agreed. It's so catchy it get STUCK in your head!

    • @dhpbear2
      @dhpbear2 6 місяців тому +2

      It CERTAINLY beats out the DREADFUL "What I Want for Christmas" by Mariah Carey!

    • @xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980
      @xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 6 місяців тому +1

      It’s a special one.

  • @danielwolski873
    @danielwolski873 6 місяців тому +6

    Last Christmas is the only Christmas song that I listen to all year long because it's also a love song at the end of the day.

  • @allengray5748
    @allengray5748 6 місяців тому +3

    WHAM!! Couldn't stand them BUTTTT George had a absolutely great voice and I really liked his song; "ONE MORE TRY". Ya that was a stunning song! Peace 🕊️☮️♾️😎

    • @timmmahhhh
      @timmmahhhh 6 місяців тому +1

      If you liked that one (like I did) check out Cowboys and Angels. He kicks up the crooning jazz another notch.

  • @01FozzyS
    @01FozzyS 6 місяців тому +6

    Such a timeless song that I play a lot this time of the year. Brings back more memories from my younger 80's days.

  • @ellenb2498
    @ellenb2498 6 місяців тому +3

    You whammed all of us, Professor! I have never made it to the 25th in all the years of Whamageddon, and I wasn't thinking of Last Christmas when I clicked on the video. Dang! The point of the game is not to hear this song in the original version, until Christmas Day. The good deed you mentioned is an addition to the game, and that's never a bad idea, but it's not the game itself. I do make a point of listening to George Michael on Christmas day since his passing. Dancing in the kitchen!!

    • @TheRickHoward
      @TheRickHoward 6 місяців тому

      I wasn't going to watch this video until after Christmas, but since I got knocked out this weekend I jumped right in LOL

  • @floepiejane
    @floepiejane 6 місяців тому +9

    George Michael produced stunning cheese, but he was also utterly authentic and overflowing with integrity. RIP George Michael 🤘🏼🌻

  • @rabby-u
    @rabby-u 6 місяців тому +6

    Gifted and talented voice for sure.❤

  • @Ganja-jh6iy
    @Ganja-jh6iy 6 місяців тому +7

    Hi, I don't know much about them, but I adore Careless Whisper.

    • @Whisper_292
      @Whisper_292 6 місяців тому

      It's a great song. Have you heard Seether's version? It's got a much rougher edge, but it's still really good.

    • @ryancappo
      @ryancappo 6 місяців тому

      It is one of my favorite songs too.

  • @pablov1973
    @pablov1973 6 місяців тому +1

    I remember back in the 80s, early 90s when this song was played on the radio from December 8th to January 6th and it was not played again until the next Holidays. It created or infused an special Christmas spirit, you used to know that Christmas was coming when you listened the song on the radio a couple of times a day. Nowadays you can listen this track late at night on every automatic radio station at every time of the year.

  • @leannmiller7153
    @leannmiller7153 6 місяців тому +1

    Being 70, I have decades of bands and artists that I love and George Michael is one. I love Last Christmas and the video. I’m guilty of listening to it on repeat 😜

  • @veddyveddygood
    @veddyveddygood 6 місяців тому +1

    It's the melody & melancholy voice in this song that makes it for me. No other cover comes near the original - and there's been PLENTY of covers.

  • @lindamcfarland9656
    @lindamcfarland9656 6 місяців тому +10

    Last Christmas has always been on my holiday playlist since it came out 😊
    I was head over heels for Do They Know It's Christmas? because, good gosh!, it was the ultimate dream super group of the 80's!
    Last Christmas has better lyrics, though, and it reminds me of Christmas shopping in the mall with my friends 😊

    • @ProfessorofRock
      @ProfessorofRock  6 місяців тому +1

      Thanks for sharing Linda!

    • @xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980
      @xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 6 місяців тому +3

      Do They Know It’s Christmas is a bop. The lyrics could have been better, but the music is definitely festive.

  • @zoesmall9533
    @zoesmall9533 6 місяців тому +3

    I absolutely love Wham and George Michael. I was lucky enough to see him in concert. 3 and a half hours of non stop singing. No breaks. It was the best concert I have ever been to. It was so sad that he died. But his music lives on. ❤

  • @JusticeForTheDead
    @JusticeForTheDead 6 місяців тому +2

    Adam, when you do George Michael (or Wham!) Videos, I get so emotional.
    Thank you so so so VERY much for this Christmas present. George is THE premiere writer, producer, and performer of the decades of my life. He was such a Philanthropist, as you mentioned!!!
    It is so sad we lost him 7 yrs ago. Thanks for this, greatly.... now perhaps do the #1, Praying For Time in next year's holiday. 😊

  • @16Elless
    @16Elless 5 місяців тому +2

    Finally made Christmas number 1 in UK today! Been top spot a couple of times but not actually in Christmas week. Worth the 39 year wait but just a shame George isn’t here to see it. He’ll be smiling down today though I bet!! Great song & iconic video. Timeless classic ❤

  • @TheRetroManRandySavage
    @TheRetroManRandySavage 6 місяців тому +11

    Big props to frankie.
    Holding that no1 spot for 9 weeks in the 80s is some feat, especially in 1984.
    We all know how much quality music was out there at the time.
    That was one of the best year's (musically) of the 80s.

    • @ProfessorofRock
      @ProfessorofRock  6 місяців тому +3

      No joke! BIG TIME.

    • @josephmanzuni8593
      @josephmanzuni8593 6 місяців тому +4

      True dat. 1984 was the hardest year to stay top of the charts. Only Frankie and Prince managed that.

    • @bjdefilippo447
      @bjdefilippo447 6 місяців тому +1

      First concert I went to solo. It was AMAZING!!!!

    • @xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980
      @xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 6 місяців тому +1

      He said relax, and it worked!

  • @mournblade1066
    @mournblade1066 6 місяців тому +9

    Fun fact: The Wham! song, "Where Did Your Heart Go?" is actually a Was (Not Was) song. It was written by Don Was and David Was, and appear on Was (Not Was)'s self-titled debut album.

    • @ProfessorofRock
      @ProfessorofRock  6 місяців тому +2

      That's right! Good memory!

    • @mournblade1066
      @mournblade1066 6 місяців тому +1

      @@ProfessorofRock Well, I'm a huge fan of Was (Not Was). I have their first four (out of five) CDs in my car at all times.

    • @xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980
      @xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 6 місяців тому +2

      Thanks for sharing this factoid.

  • @futurartistrecords
    @futurartistrecords 6 місяців тому +11

    One of my absolute favorite artists...the singing, the songwriting, the story telling, the philanthropy, George was a multilevel phenomenon! I am so glad that you did this, thank you!

  • @patrickgreen2361
    @patrickgreen2361 6 місяців тому +1

    As a teenager in the 1980s, the music was amazing.

  • @ericbgordon1575
    @ericbgordon1575 6 місяців тому +19

    One of the "sedating elements" that helped me make it through the pandemic was hearing Andrew's recitation of his own memoir, Wham!, George Michael and Me. He talks in great detail of how George wrote "Last Christmas" in February 1984 and how much he, Andrew, shared George's confidence in the song. Since 2020, I've listened over again to that memoir several times.
    It's ironic that Wham! was competing with Frankie Goes to Hollywood in '84. During the retrospective of:"Relax", I commented that I didn't remember hearing "Relax" until I was at least 7 years old, 3 years after it was new - and after George had issued *Faith.* I found myself confusing "Relax" with George's solo single "Monkey".

  • @KaiPonte
    @KaiPonte 6 місяців тому +4

    This is a great video. I was 14 at the time Last Christmas and Do They Know it’s Christmas came out. I loved Ultravox, U2, and even Wham! - though I preferred songs like Young Guns, Wham Rap, and Bad Boys. I remember continually hearing these songs on the radio, even on the alternative station. Now to go listen to Last Christmas…

  • @kirbymarchbarcena
    @kirbymarchbarcena 6 місяців тому +1

    1984 was an interesting year from music, science and technology, movies, tv series, and almost everything.

  • @jillgross6232
    @jillgross6232 6 місяців тому

    Last Christmas is as relevant today as it was 40 years ago. It is a very special song for me. I broke up with my boyfriend of three years in August. I was in pain of a kind that still burns. When on New Years Eve I ran into my X downtown. He was very drunk and Last Christmas was playing on my car radio. He staggered over kissed me hard and said I miss you, I'll always love you. I'm sorry it's not you, it's me. A friend of ours and I took him home. I cried and cried. All these years later, having moved on, having our own families and happy.....we are still friends. ❤❤❤

  • @rosemiller2990
    @rosemiller2990 4 місяці тому

    George had this unique ability to write timeless music. His songs continue to be relevant today and have a lot of meaning.He had the most beautiful, legendary, voice and song writing chops like no other. He was absolutely the best

  • @Ironink
    @Ironink 6 місяців тому +2

    Professor, Myles Goodwyn the frontman for the band April Wine passed away yesterday at 75. They were a great Canadian band. Myles, thanks for the music.

  • @sharonvik7643
    @sharonvik7643 6 місяців тому +1

    I love this song! I was a senior in HS (living in England) when it came out, and I do remember the "battle" between this song and Do they know it's Christmas. Two very wonderful songs! I miss George Michael and his incredible talent! 🌲 🙂

  • @adolfsson2705
    @adolfsson2705 6 місяців тому +2

    a rare sentiment has this song seasonal xmas sentiment among nostalgic......franky to me was only one hit wonder....missing george so talented ...last xmas and rocking around...original singer..and band aid song are my fav xmas songs

  • @jasonmckenzie2835
    @jasonmckenzie2835 6 місяців тому +2

    Was hoping this channel would cover Last Christmas. George Michael was an absolute legend.

  • @kengoodman7637
    @kengoodman7637 5 місяців тому

    "Last Christmas" is one of my wife's favorite Christmas songs and she won't accept anyone else singing it.
    I agree. Merry Christmas.

  • @tthappyrock368
    @tthappyrock368 6 місяців тому +1

    Like many other people, I have loved Wham's music (and later, George Michael's) since their songs first played! Great music is eternal. The back story for Last Christmas is heart warming, hilarious, and a tad bitter sweet all at the same time.

  • @DWINC
    @DWINC 6 місяців тому +5

    My business partner was their manager. The stories… He told me the three songs George ‘used’ for the inspiration of Last Christmas……. The rhythm, melody….three different songs. Really miss George. Stupid Andrew didn’t set his alarm so that’s why he’s not part of Band Aid.
    Thanks for saying FOOTBALL hahaha
    Does everyone realize that only Wham! wrote one of the most iconic Christmas tunes AND an iconic summer song with Club Tropicana?

  • @jerryfritz374
    @jerryfritz374 6 місяців тому +1

    Last Christmas one of Best Current Christmas song. Always listening when i find it.

  • @BRUTUSPLAC
    @BRUTUSPLAC 6 місяців тому +1

    PROF !!!! AWESOME 1984 My 1st christmas with my girlfriend . I just turned 18 Senoir in High School , she was a few days shy of 21 . WE miss George Still 39 years later . We play Christmas music non stop starting the day after my Birthday ( 12-07) EVERY Year since we got married June 1992 . We were such massive fans of MTV from when we met the summer of 1983 at a Burger Jiont . I collect MTV broadcast from day 1 . all orignal . 80's Hitting the Local Mall here in CT in Nov & Dec looking ofr an awesome gifts for fasmily and friends .. Wishing yuo an FANTASTIC DECEMBER !!!!

  • @NITE_SHIFTING
    @NITE_SHIFTING 6 місяців тому +1

    So cool that it went to #1 in 2021. Too bad he wasn't here to see it.
    RIP
    George Michael.

  • @rogerdeahl9629
    @rogerdeahl9629 6 місяців тому +5


    Morning Professor.
    Last Christmas is a great Christmas song. RIP George.
    Thanks for a great start to the week, Professor! Have a great Monday!

  • @maxaroni15
    @maxaroni15 6 місяців тому +2

    Last Christmas is definitely one of my 10 favorite Christmas songs. So sad he passed away on Christmas day 2016.

  • @dayzgirl9388
    @dayzgirl9388 6 місяців тому +1

    I've listened to Last Christmas every single year since it's release. It's my second favorite Christmas song, right behind Silver Bells by Johnny Mathis. My girls grew up listening to it so it's one their faves as well. George Michael had one of the most beautiful voices and is greatly missed.

  • @MademoiselleRose40
    @MademoiselleRose40 6 місяців тому

    Last Christmas my niece played this song and announced to everyone this was my favourite Christmas song. I didn't know that, but then I thought about it, she was right, I do love it! I remember where I was the first time I heard/saw it, a Saturday morning MTV video type show, it came on and I stopped what I was doing to look and hear, and I felt like I'd heard it before, I'm not sure why, but loved it right away and have always loved it since.

  • @-.Steven
    @-.Steven 5 місяців тому

    I've heard / read that George Michael was very, very generous to many charities, always anonymously. Bless George Michael!

  • @SammyHorne
    @SammyHorne 6 місяців тому +1

    this is one of my very favorite Christmas songs ever!
    It is indeed a classic that will live on forever!!

  • @emmanuelhernandez8039
    @emmanuelhernandez8039 6 місяців тому +3

    Best Christmas song! Also amazing to sing at karaoke 😊

    • @apj341
      @apj341 6 місяців тому

      Gonna have to give it a try this Christmas 🎄 🎤 🎶 !!

  • @adriadri305
    @adriadri305 6 місяців тому +1

    Legend as an artist but even more importantly, legend as a human being.

  • @kc0lif
    @kc0lif 6 місяців тому +1

    George Michael was a great singer.

  • @CowGirlKat8691
    @CowGirlKat8691 6 місяців тому +2

    1984 was a great year [after 1982 it wouldn't take much] because our daughter was born! She loved staring at the Christmas lights on the tree at 5 months! Of course she's all grown up but still likes to sleep on the couch so she can go to sleep staring at the Christmas tree until she falls asleep! I like George's song "A Different Corner" best but his Christmas song is a pretty good too. 🎄🎄

  • @treyburrows1855
    @treyburrows1855 6 місяців тому +6

    Thank you for this video and adding more to what the documentaries said about him or this song. This has to be my favorite Christmas song. At least modern songs, but might even be of all time. I am not really a big fan of Christmas music and only want to hear it as we get really close the holiday, but this song is so good to me that I can hear it all the time. Really miss his music and glad he was put into the Hall of Fame this year. Thank you again and Merry Christmas to you and yours!

  • @mymomsaysimcool9650
    @mymomsaysimcool9650 6 місяців тому +2

    My 19 y.o. daughter loves the original. It’s the song we start playing first when we decorate the house.

  • @Oceans11.11
    @Oceans11.11 6 місяців тому +3

    When I was taking drum lessons as a teenager in the 80’s, my first song to learn on was Everything She Wants. I can’t hear it without thinking about that.

  • @bronsonbamnallen1633
    @bronsonbamnallen1633 6 місяців тому +3

    Its so wild to look back on this in 2023 and thinking how in the hell Frankie Goes to Hollywood was EVER more successful than Wham! None of those 3 songs by them were good at all, while George Michael kept cranking out classics single after single.

  • @lyndik772
    @lyndik772 6 місяців тому +6

    Wham! And George are my absolute favorites. Thank you so much Professor for doing so many videos about him/them. You do such great background stories. I annoy everyone with my trivia after I watch your episodes. One piece of trivia I did learn was this was the last video George ever did without some sort of facial hair. Merry Christmas Professor. 🎄

  • @judesmith356
    @judesmith356 6 місяців тому +2

    George had so much talent! So many great songs including Last Christmas, they all prove what a great artist he was! Last Christmas is showing that talent lives with us each year.
    Never forget George Michael! 🎼🎵🎶🥰🌺

  • @thetitleisours1
    @thetitleisours1 6 місяців тому +3

    He had a lot of MTV videos that I can remember. They are high quality. Classic songs

    • @ProfessorofRock
      @ProfessorofRock  6 місяців тому +3

      For sure! Cheesy in the best way possible!

    • @thetitleisours1
      @thetitleisours1 6 місяців тому +1

      @@ProfessorofRock Absolutely!! :)

    • @xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980
      @xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 6 місяців тому +2

      I loved “Everything She Wants.”

    • @thetitleisours1
      @thetitleisours1 6 місяців тому

      @@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Makes me want to go back and revisit those songs :)

  • @brentcox7772
    @brentcox7772 6 місяців тому +4

    So talented! Thanks Professor, that was a great story! 🤘🔥

  • @JaniceMorgan-on1kx
    @JaniceMorgan-on1kx 6 місяців тому +1

    Love this song and George Michael. Thank you for the cool backstory♥️

  • @onkelmarvin8360
    @onkelmarvin8360 5 місяців тому

    Wouldn`t it be great, if we didn`t have to listen to " Last Christmas ", 800 Million times every god damn Christmas !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • @johndoiron9615
    @johndoiron9615 6 місяців тому +2

    I wouldn't say that all of us love it.

  • @RBS_
    @RBS_ 6 місяців тому +3

    ***...LAST CHRISTMAS...AND, EVERY CHRISTMAS....I GIVE PROF. MY HEART, & HE GIVES US THE TALE OF A 1984 POP STANDARD, THAT "WHAM!!"'s US, FOREVER...*** ....Prof. knows....I know.... we KNOW...that *POP* became defined, when WHAM! dropped "Last Christmas"!! (cont.)
    ...I had to buy a $30!(!!) Japanese Import 45 back in the day, to get the tune...you Kids do NOT know how easy ya have it now! ...ha-HAAA!! ...I actually CRIED when I first heard it, it was SUBLIME! ...I got the 12" (w/ Andrew on the cover) in 1986, and became OBSESSED collecting WHAM!'s stuff....
    .... well, although the tune (recently) hit the top, I'll go back to Dec., 1984, when they got stuck at #2 Pop (for 5 weeks) in the UK (backed w/ "Everything She Wants", my ALL-TIME fave WHAM! tune)....
    10. I Won't Run Away - Alvin Stardust
    9. 1984 (S-x Crime) - Eurythmics (...love this tune, you ever gonna do anything on it, Prof.!?)
    8. The Riddle - Nik Kershaw
    7. Teardrops - Shakin' Stevens
    6. I Should Have Known Better - Jim Diamond
    5. Like A Virgin - Madonna
    4. We All Stand Together - *MACCA* & The Frog Chorus
    3. The Power Of Love - Frankie Goes To Hollywood
    2. ***Last Christmas*** - WHAM!
    1. Do They Know It's Christmas - Band-AID
    ....OH, my memories, Prof.! ....wasn't it a GRAND time!?? ....Georgie, you created a time for us all, Last Christmas, and EVERY Christmas....da-daaa, da-daa-DAAA-daa, daaaaa..... ; ) ..keep CHRISTMASIN', Prof. ....

    • @ProfessorofRock
      @ProfessorofRock  6 місяців тому +2

      Miss George everyday. One of the greatest hit witers EVER! EVER! Thanks RBS.. What was your favorite Wham GM song?

    • @RBS_
      @RBS_ 6 місяців тому

      @@ProfessorofRock "Everything She Wants.....and wants.....and WANTS....." ...don't they ALL!?? ...ha-HAAA! ((💸 ))

    • @xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980
      @xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 6 місяців тому

      Wow, lots of British gold that completely passed over the U.S. for some reason. I love SexCrime.

  • @upat65
    @upat65 6 місяців тому +1

    Last Christmas is a great song. It’s like ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’, not really a Christmas movie it just takes during the holidays season.

  • @brenturquhart7090
    @brenturquhart7090 6 місяців тому +2

    This song is proof that people really don’t listen to the lyrics of a song. The beat is great, it says Christmas, what more do they want. I’m embarrassed that I too fall into that trap occasionally.

  • @steffaniedelgado7526
    @steffaniedelgado7526 6 місяців тому +1

    Thank you for covering George Michael. I'm such a huge fan of his. My regret is I never got to see his concerts. Could you maybe one day cover his other unrated Christmas song called ' The December Song ' please?

  • @justJelene
    @justJelene 6 місяців тому +3

    Oh, man... I turned 14 in the fall of '84, & I loved loved LOVED Wham! Always will. And, of course, I was enamored with, "Do They Know it's Christmas?" With all of that across the pond talent I was such a fan of. Thx for packing so much detail into each & every episode, PoR!!! I had not heard of being "Whammed," & honestly feel pretty "over" celebrating holidays, generally speaking anymore, but I love this idea. Thank you for sharing it!! ❤

  • @Metalphysicalpodcast
    @Metalphysicalpodcast 6 місяців тому +1

    This song and "Christmas Wrapping" by The waitresses are two of my favorite Christmas songs.

  • @Heather-vi2jg
    @Heather-vi2jg 6 місяців тому +1

    I love this song and always listen to it around Christmas time. I think George Michael was a genius when it came to this song. His death affected me greatly. I'm an 80's kid so he was a big part of my childhood. When wham broke up I was devastated however I still had my number one band Duran Duran so I didn't feel like it was life changing. Now had Duran Duran totally disbanded I woulda had a total meltdown. I know some DD members went different ways. However I think DD now is better than ever.

  • @erikwaters6678
    @erikwaters6678 6 місяців тому

    Woke up with this song in my head this morning, and now this video has been posted......I cant escape it!
    Also, i find it hilarious that this song is so beloved as a Christmas classic, but its actually a very bittersweet song, if not outright bitter.

  • @dhpbear2
    @dhpbear2 6 місяців тому +1

    9:48 - One reason this 1984 music 'video' looks so great is that it was originally shot on 35mm FILM!

  • @Drucilla56161
    @Drucilla56161 6 місяців тому

    I love this song, it’s a must play during the Christmas season. I’ve even played it during the year. I loved George Michael. I remember when this song came out. I loved it from the beginning, my 10 yo granddaughter loves it too. We have to sing it together when it comes on the radio.
    Careless Whisper, Everything She Wants and Wake Me Up Before You Go Go are some other favorites. When my son was little, about nine, I’d play Wake Me Up Before You Go Go and we would jitterbug with it. It was a lot of fun to dance to. I think his Faith album was probably my favorite album later on, especially the songs Kissing a Fool and Father Figure.
    It broke my heart when he passed away.

  • @pcooper3559
    @pcooper3559 5 місяців тому

    Finally No1 after 39 years Adam!!!
    Best Christmas wish for me. Hope if you see this you have a great Christmas with your family.

  • @chrisbird6996
    @chrisbird6996 6 місяців тому +10

    83-85 are my favourite music years just for the pure cheese. Just for context, back then the UK charts were based on only record sales so having songs #1 for weeks was a feat…….how Byran Adams had 16 weeks for Everything I do was insane. There was a joke after Terry Waite was released as a hostage at the end of 91 that the first question he asked was “Is Byran Adams still #1?”

  • @karenp4667
    @karenp4667 5 місяців тому

    George donated all the proceeds from Last Xmas to Ethiopia after recording Do they know it’s Xmas. What a beautiful man.

  • @kraigpeterson3667
    @kraigpeterson3667 6 місяців тому +1

    Havent commented in a while! Tomorrow is my daughter Luna's first birthday! Back to the music, George Michael had one of the best voices ever. One More Try is probably my best Michael song. Rock on Brother!

  • @user-ob2tr1jc1i
    @user-ob2tr1jc1i 6 місяців тому +1

    YEAH WAKE ME UP BEFORE YOU GO GO & LAST XMAS ARE CHEESY SONGS, BUT IT SHOWS YOU GEORGE MICHAEL TALENT! YOUR VOICE HAS TO BE ON THE HIGHEST LEVEL TO PULL OFF SONGS LIKE THAT & GEORGE MICHAEL HAS ONE OF THE GREATEST VOICES OF ALL TIME!!! ONE OF THE BEST LYRICIST OF ALL TIME, ARRANGER, GEORGE MICHAEL WANTED HIS MUSIC, NOT HIS LOOKS TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY!!! NOT MANY PEOPLE WOULD MAKE THAT MOUNT RUSHMORE OF MUSIC, I KNOW 2 MICHAELS ARE THERE, MICHAEL JACKSON & GEORGE MICHAEL, BALLADS, FAST SONGS, DANCE SONGS, CERTAIN PEOPLE HAVE THE "IT FACTOR" & JUST BORN TO BE GENIUSES IN WHAT THEY DO!!! WE ARE ALL BLESSED BY THEM!!!

  • @701Builder
    @701Builder 6 місяців тому +1

    You might have sent it to number one again with this video! Love your work,thanks again!

  • @patchpeek
    @patchpeek 6 місяців тому +1

    Whamageddon..... Thanks mate. Cant believe I've been busted on only the 4th day of December.

  • @mbd22803
    @mbd22803 6 місяців тому +1

    Last Christmas should be played more than that other Christmas song yeah you know the one. All I want for Christmas is more George Michael 😅. Seriously Last Christmas along with the aforementioned are both great songs for this time of year as well as Don't They Know It's Christmas. George was a special person. I come from the Rock genre so AC/DC singing about A Mistress For Christmas or Chuck Berry singing about Run Rudolph Run are the songs I gravitate towards. However George was a great writer and performer and he for me ranks right up with Michael Jackson and a few others. George had me at hello from the jump with the catchy tune of Wake Me Up and continued as a solo artist especially with Father Figure. He just has a voice that makes me want to listen and Michael was the same way, Prince, as well as my rock stars. Today's show was a good little trip down memory lane.

  • @hercules1073
    @hercules1073 6 місяців тому +1

    This channel makes an old man realize he's an old man, but it also reminisces the good ol' days.

  • @bensfisher6065
    @bensfisher6065 5 місяців тому

    WHAM.. One of my favorite bands.. thanks again P.O.R..
    KEEP ROCKING,

    • @themeanhornet1070
      @themeanhornet1070 5 місяців тому

      “Bands?” Without Google name any other member of this “band.”😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

  • @constipatedinsincity4424
    @constipatedinsincity4424 6 місяців тому +2

    Little Bastard is back!

  • @mickeyd7103
    @mickeyd7103 6 місяців тому +2

    If my memory serves me correctly, I believe George Michael actually donated the proceeds from Last Christmas to the Band Aid cause. Certainly within the UK. He may secretly have wished for a number one record, but he had enough moral guidance to realise the charity was the better cause. There are various stories circulating about his generosity. Turns out, despite his own personal troubles, he was a very kind man, as well as, in my opinion, a very underrated singer. What a voice he had.

  • @jennybates
    @jennybates 5 місяців тому

    7 years since he passed.
    Last year, on the 6th anniversary of his passing, George Michael finally got his wish - the Christmas #1 spot on the 🇬🇧 charts.
    This year it has happened again.

  • @robraaiii
    @robraaiii 6 місяців тому +1

    This has been in my top 5 Christmas songs for a LONG time.

  • @-.Steven
    @-.Steven 5 місяців тому

    Man I remember 1984, MTV, WHAM! and especially George Michael. I recall watching MTV, a WHAM! song came on, and my older sister said of George Michael, "Wow, he's so beautiful he could be a woman!" (Reminds me of a line from a Charlie Daniel's song, "... that beautiful woman was just a beautiful man!" 😂 ) But back to George, he was indeed a beautiful soul! So talented! A credit to the human race. So dearly missed, especially this time of year! ❤

  • @Aeyrie1
    @Aeyrie1 6 місяців тому

    There's also a game going around called "Whamageddon". Starting at midnight on December 1st, you see how long you can go without hearing Last Christmas. This year, I heard it at 925 am on the 1st, the shortest time I've ever had while playing this game. It's just another fun way to celebrate.

    • @debbieomi
      @debbieomi 6 місяців тому

      I just heard Taylor Swift's version last night about 10:30 pm. Dang! I lose!
      😅

  • @stephenbrown4211
    @stephenbrown4211 6 місяців тому +2

    Ah! Xmas 1984, one of the best I ever had and danced to this song a lot

    • @ProfessorofRock
      @ProfessorofRock  6 місяців тому +1

      It gets bigger every year!

    • @RBS_
      @RBS_ 6 місяців тому +2

      ....wasn't Dec. '84 a BLIP!??? ...AWESOME Music, everywhere..........

    • @xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980
      @xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 6 місяців тому

      I hope you got a lot of great presents!

    • @stephenbrown4211
      @stephenbrown4211 6 місяців тому

      @@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 yes but it was the one I was with that made it a great Xmas

    • @xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980
      @xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 6 місяців тому

      @@stephenbrown4211 Someone special? 😉

  • @viol8r
    @viol8r 6 місяців тому

    Last Christmas is one of the greatest and most heart wrenching Christmas songs/songs.. George’s performance with bandaid was the strongest imo! the fact that George died on Christmas is heartbreakingly ironic.. ruined my 2016 Christmas. RIP to a true barrier breaking legend

  • @jonathanpatterson2798
    @jonathanpatterson2798 6 місяців тому

    An other top video.didnt know a lot of that.84 was a fantastic year.