George Michael died on Christmas Day.
That fact alone feels like a scripted, tragic bit of irony for a man whose voice defines the holiday season for millions. Every December, you can’t walk into a grocery store or flip through radio stations without hearing that unmistakable jingle of the Roland Juno-60 synth. It's everywhere. But honestly, most people treat george michael christmas music as a one-hit-wonder category. They think of "Last Christmas," maybe the Band Aid video, and then they stop.
They’re missing the best parts.
There is a weird, almost obsessive level of craftsmanship behind his holiday output. George didn't just "do" Christmas music; he lived in it. Whether he was donating millions in royalties to famine relief or recording vocals in his childhood bedroom, the man had a complicated, deeply emotional relationship with the month of December.
The Alchemist in the Bedroom: The Real Story of "Last Christmas"
In February 1984—yes, February—George Michael was visiting his parents’ house in Hertfordshire. He was there with Andrew Ridgeley. They were watching a football match on TV. Suddenly, George got that look in his eye. He disappeared upstairs to his old bedroom for about an hour.
When he came back down, he was vibrating with energy. He’d written the melody for "Last Christmas."
Andrew Ridgeley later called it "musical alchemy." But here is the thing that usually gets buried in the trivia: George Michael played every single instrument on that track. Every drum hit, every synth layer, every shaker. He was 21 years old. His engineer, Chris Porter, once mentioned that it was a painstaking process because George wanted total control. He didn't want a "studio band" feel; he wanted the sound in his head.
Why it wasn’t Number One (at first)
It’s the biggest irony in UK chart history. "Last Christmas" is one of the best-selling singles ever, but it didn't hit Number One when it was released in 1984. Why? Because George Michael was too generous for his own good.
He was also a featured vocalist on Band Aid’s "Do They Know It’s Christmas?" which was released at the same time. That charity record blocked Wham! from the top spot. Most artists would be annoyed. George? He and Andrew decided to donate all the royalties from "Last Christmas" to the Ethiopian famine appeal anyway. They didn't just give the profits; they gave the whole thing. To this day, the song continues to generate massive revenue for charitable causes, though the exact modern split between his estate and charity is often a topic of quiet industry debate.
👉 See also: Great Karaoke Songs for Men: What Most People Get Wrong
Beyond the Wham! Years: The Solo Holiday Deep Cut
If you think "Last Christmas" is his only contribution, you’re sleeping on "December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas)."
This track is the polar opposite of the 80s pop glitter. Released commercially in 2009, it’s a melancholic, orchestral, and deeply nostalgic piece of george michael christmas music that most casual fans haven't even heard. It actually samples Frank Sinatra's "The Christmas Waltz" at the beginning and end.
The history of this song is kanda chaotic:
- It was originally written with the Spice Girls in mind (seriously).
- Then it was almost given to Michael Bublé.
- George finally realized it was too personal and kept it for himself.
He performed it on the X Factor finale in 2009, and the physical CDs sold out in twenty-four hours. It’s a song about the loneliness of being an adult during the holidays and wishing you could see the world through a child's eyes again. If "Last Christmas" is the party, "December Song" is the quiet walk home in the snow.
The 2,678% Surge and the Legacy of December 25th
When news broke in 2016 that George had passed away at his home in Goring-on-Thames, the world stopped. It was Christmas Day.
The statistical aftermath was staggering. In the week following his death, his music sales in the US jumped by 2,678%. People weren't just mourning a pop star; they were reclaiming the soundtrack of their lives. "Last Christmas" finally hit the UK Number One spot for the first time in January 2021—36 years after it was written.
It took three decades for the world to catch up to what he did in his childhood bedroom in an hour.
👉 See also: Coldplay's All My Love: Why This Old-School Ballad Hits So Hard
What most people get wrong about the lyrics
The song isn't actually about Christmas. Read them again. It’s a song about a breakup that just happened to take place during the holidays. "A face on a lover with a fire in his heart / A man under cover but you tore me apart." It’s a brutal, biting lyric wrapped in the most sugary-sweet production imaginable. That was George’s superpower: hiding heartbreak in a major key.
Actionable Insights for the Ultimate George Michael Holiday Experience
If you want to actually appreciate his work this year, don't just put a "Best of 80s" playlist on shuffle. Do this instead:
- Listen to the "December Song" B-sides: Track down the 2009 EP. It includes a live version of "Edith and the Kingpin" recorded at Abbey Road that shows off his pure vocal range without the 80s reverb.
- Watch the 4K restoration: The "Last Christmas" music video was remastered in 4K a few years ago. You can see every strand of hair on that famous blow-dry. It’s a time capsule of 1984 Saas-Fee, Switzerland.
- Check the Songwriting Credits: Next time you hear "Last Christmas," remember that there are no other musicians credited. It’s 100% him.
- Support the Charity: Research the organizations George supported, like Childline or the Terrence Higgins Trust. Much of his holiday "wealth" went straight to these groups, often anonymously.
George Michael’s holiday legacy isn't just about a catchy tune. It’s about a man who understood that Christmas is often the loneliest time of the year for the most successful people in the room. He gave us a song to dance to and a song to cry to, and he did it with more talent in his pinky finger than most entire bands.
Keep the volume up when the bells start. He’d want you to dance, even if your heart is a little bit broken.
Next Steps: You can start by comparing the original 1984 version of "Last Christmas" with the various "Pudding Mix" edits to hear how George experimented with the arrangement. Or, dive into his 2009 X Factor performance to see how he transitioned into his late-career holiday sound.