Did you know that George Michael played the drums, the synths, and even the tiny sleigh bells for “Last Christmas” all by himself? He spent four days in a studio in August recording everything while Andrew Ridgeley (the 2nd member of Wham) was not allowed in the room. This holiday classic was the hidden moment when the band Wham! actually died.
Behind the scenes for the music video looks like a happy trip with friends, but it is a total illusion. George Michael was already a solo superstar and used Andrew as a well-dressed prop in the snow. While they filmed in Switzerland, the famous dinner scene was a messy disaster because the crew served real wine. Andrew got so drunk that he could not be filmed for the final parts.
Wham! – Filming ‘Last Christmas’ Memories
Fans today see the video as a test to prove who the real talent was. One viewer said that George looks like a king, while Andrew is just there for the fashion. Another person noted that the sadness in George Michael’s eyes feels very real.
That snowy vacation was just a cover for a studio dictatorship that changed music history forever. George Michael had to fight his own record label to give away all the money from the song to help hungry people. This big move turned a simple pop hit into a gift for the whole world.
Wham! – Last Christmas (Official Video)
The song became a major hit and broke many records over the next 30 years. It was the most-sold song to never hit number one for a long time, until it finally did in 2021. Even though the label hated the idea, the song is now 9x Platinum and plays every year. George Michael proved he could do everything on his own without any help.
George Michael was a genius who wrote songs that everyone can sing along to. He stayed true to himself and fought for his creative freedom until the very end. His journey from a duo to a solo legend is something we will always remember. Follow Wham! on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.