Wham! released a behind the video for “Last Christmas” on its 35th anniversary. Image: Screengrab from Youtube/Wham!
A remastered version of the 1980s holiday classic was recently released to celebrate the song’s 35th anniversary.
The music video for “Last Christmas” was originally filmed in 1984 by Andy Morahan at the Swiss resort of Saas-Fee.
The holiday visual finds Wham! members George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley enjoying themselves in full ’80s glory with backup singers Pepsi and Shirlie, model Kathy Hill and Spandau Ballet bassist Martin Kemp among others.
“We wanted to create a story/narrative that was set in a snowy, Alpine environment so it had an authentic Christmas vibe,” director Andy Morahan explained in a newly-released 35th anniversary “behind the scenes” video.
The festive staple, which was written and produced solely by George Michael, served as the inspiration for the upcoming holiday film, “Last Christmas”.
This romantic comedy was written by British actress Emma Thompson and directed by “Bridesmaids” director Paul Feig.
It follows the story of Kate (portrayed by “Game of Thrones” star Emilia Clarke) as she accepts work as Santa’s elf for a department store during the holiday season.
The soundtrack for the film features songs by Wham! and George Michael in his solo years, including the bittersweet “This Is How (We Want You To Get High)”.
This never-before-released number notably appears over the closing credits of “Last Christmas”, with Michael singing “Looking for a different space/Dreaming of a sunnier day/Oh, it never came, how could it have baby/Where the present meets the past/It’s hard to be more than we’ve seen.” CL/JB
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