Musical “war”: Mariah Carey vs. WHAM!

The musical investment of Christmas holiday days could be divided – as far as modern pop is concerned – into the pre- and then “Last Christmas” era. The single-thesis was first released on December 3, 1984, closing this year 40 years of life. But Christmas is not meant without Maria Carey. Cause the single “All I Want For Christmas Is You”, which completes this year 30 years of presence (first released on 29 October 1994). As reported by the official website of the British charts, this year the two singles above are expected to strike the first place in the 2024 Christmas singles. And each side sharpens her knives. As for WHAM!, the BBC to celebrate the 40th anniversary of “Last Christmas” will broadcast the hourly film “WHAM! : Last Christmas Unwrapped” (the screening of the film is expected in December). At the same time, wanting to ensure Christmas Number 1 this year – as they did in 2023 – WHAM! They will release their Christmas song on December 13, a week before the official revelation of Christmas Number 1 of 2024 (Friday, December 20). “Last Christmas” will be available on white vinyl with 12-inch snowflake, 12-inch black vinyl, 12-inch zoetrope vinyl and CD single. Last year “Last Christmas” made history on the UK official charts as it eventually won the Christmas Number 1 title, 39 years after its first release.

As Andrew Ridgeley had stated at the time (along with George Michael they were WHAM! ) on the Official Charts: “The song finally rose to the beloved and sought after Official Number 1 of Christmas, which was always the main target. George would be very happy that after all these years we have finally won Christmas Number 1. Yog (George) said he wrote “Last Christmas” with the intention of writing a Christmas Number 1. The mission was fulfilled!”. Mission “Christmas No. 1” has this year and Maria Carey, who announced the publication of “All I Want For Christmas Is You”. The “Queen of Christmas”, having the above song in her energy, considered that in the 30 years of the song the time came to re-release it to begin his Christmas journey for the coveted No. 1. The “All I Want For Christmas Is You” is expected to be released in the form of a single sleeve (a vinyl disc with laser graphics on the other side). So far the single has reached three times the first place of official charts but never on the official Christmas chart.

For the record, “All I Want For Christmas Is You” is estimated to have sold over 16 million copies worldwide, while “Last Christmas” about 7 million.

Who would have expected that distant 1952, when Al Martino with “Here In My Heart” conquered No. 1 on the UK Christmas charts, would lay the foundations for today to talk about the Christmas battle of charts?