SeedSing's Advent Calendar of Awesome Holiday Music: Day 3 - Last Christmas
/ed note: This article was originally published on December 3rd, 2015
The pre-Christmas Day season of Advent is upon us. Here at SeedSing we love the chocolaty goodness of getting a piece of candy once a day until we get to open our presents. As our gift to you we will present a new awesome holiday song for every day of Advent. This is the greatest music of the season. Enjoy.
Day 3: "Last Christmas"
Christmas is filled with memories. We remember the great gifts of years past. We never forget he food and drink that highlight the season. We also remember the our loved ones that we spend the holidays with. Sometimes the pressure of the holiday season takes a toll on couples, people separate, and we take Christmastime as a chance to move on. Christmas may be filled with memories of holidays past, but the season also represents hopefulness in creating new lasting memories.
"Last Christmas" released in 1984 by Wham (Andrew Ridgeley and his singing partner) is not a romantic song. The singer (George something) had his heartbroken last year on Christmas. He spends most of the song letting this heartbreaker know that he was in love, and the feeling was not mutual. Christmas Day is often filled with romance, and Wham acknowledge as much in "Last Christmas". The receiver of George's heart seemed to let the romance of Christmas take hold, it was not until the next day was George's heart given away. This betrayal has left a large scar on George's mind, he alludes to the fact that he was bitten by love, but is now twice as shy. He tries to stay away, but will steal a glance from afar. It pains that his love affair from a year ago might not recognize him. He feels foolish for giving his love, but he is confident if his past lover kissed him right now, he would be fooled to love them again.
With all the heartbreak, there is some hopefulness in "Last Christmas". George does not understand how his love can be given away by this person, but this Christmas he is determined to find that someone special. George's problem is that last Christmas he was a bit to hasty in giving away his heart. This year he is determined to find that special person who will give him something in return. Last year's Christmas was a learning experience for George.
Like all great holiday songs, "Last Christmas has been covered by many people. Taylor Swift just yell sings through her tone deaf money grab version. Jimmy Eat World does their Jimmy Eat World like version. Florence + The Machine once did a slow acoustic version for BBC Radio 1. "Last Christmas" has been well covered, but the original recording by Wham! still has no equal.
The first week of December is the time most people put out their holiday decorations. As we hang lights and trim the tree we are filled with memories of previous Christmas times. The strongest memories stem from the lovers lost, and gained, during the winter holidays. As you start to dress your home up for the festive year, give "Last Christmas" a listen. The bad times of Christmas past may come to mind, but the hopeful ideals of this Christmas will carry through the season. Last Christmas is over, find something special to remember this Christmas.
RD Kulik
RD is the Head Editor for SeedSing. Next Christmas he is looking forward to all the great posts on SeedSing from this Christmas. Are you someone special? Write for us.