Honestly, we’ve all heard "Last Christmas" roughly ten thousand times. It’s the ultimate holiday staple. George Michael’s original is a masterpiece of synth-pop sadness, but every year, a new crop of artists tries to put their own spin on it. Some are great. Some are... well, they exist. But when Meghan Trainor Last Christmas dropped back in 2020, people were surprisingly split. Some fans called it the festive bop they needed, while purists were ready to protect Wham! with their lives.
Fast forward to 2026, and Meghan’s version has actually aged like fine wine. It isn't just another throwaway cover. It’s part of her massive A Very Trainor Christmas project, an album that basically cemented her as a modern "Queen of Christmas" contender.
The Sound: No, It’s Not Just a Carbon Copy
Most artists play it safe with "Last Christmas." They keep the tempo slow and the vibes melancholic. Meghan didn't do that. She went full Trainor. We’re talking bright production, snappy percussion, and that signature doo-wop-meets-modern-pop energy.
The track was released on October 30, 2020. Yeah, right before a very weird pandemic holiday season. Maybe that’s why it hit the way it did. We needed something that felt bubbly even if the lyrics are literally about getting your heart ripped out and handed back to you.
Working with her family—specifically her brothers Justin and Ryan—Meghan turned the recording process into a total basement party. You can hear that in the track. It feels loose. It feels like someone singing into a hairbrush while decorating a tree.
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Why Some People Hated It (And Why They Were Wrong)
Look, I get it. The Wham! original is sacred. If you mess with the iconic 80s synth riff, people get twitchy. Meghan’s version leans heavily into a dance-pop rhythm that feels a bit more "club" than "cozy fireplace."
Critics early on were a bit skeptical. Some thought the upbeat tempo clashed with the "I gave you my heart and you threw it away" narrative. But isn't that the point of pop music? Dancing through the pain?
The Secret Sauce: Her Vocals
Say what you want about the production, but Meghan’s vocal performance on the track is top-tier. She has this specific way of phrasing lines that makes them feel conversational. When she sings, "This year, to save me from tears," she sounds like a friend giving you a pep talk over spiked eggnog. It’s empowering rather than depressing.
Breaking Down the A Very Trainor Christmas Context
You can't really talk about the Meghan Trainor Last Christmas cover without looking at the whole album. It wasn't just a random single. She went all out with 18 tracks (and more on the deluxe version).
- The Collabs: She didn't just stick to her family. She brought in Seth MacFarlane for "White Christmas" and literal legends Earth, Wind & Fire for "Holidays."
- The Originals: "My Kind of Present" and "Christmas Party" proved she could write new holiday hits, not just redo the classics.
- The Longevity: Since 2020, she hasn't stopped. In late 2025, she dropped "Gifts For Me," and her 2023 collab with Jimmy Fallon, "Wrap Me Up," became a viral TikTok monster.
This persistent "Christmas-ification" of her brand means her older covers, like "Last Christmas," get a massive streaming bump every single December. It’s smart. It’s tactical. It’s Meghan.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Version
A common misconception is that this was just a "label-mandated" holiday song. It wasn't. Meghan has been vocal about her obsession with Christmas for years. Her birthday is December 22nd. She is literally a Capricorn winter baby. For her, doing "Last Christmas" was a bucket-list moment.
She treats the song with a weirdly respectful irreverence. She keeps the melody intact but changes the "soul" of the song from a lonely ballad to a "thank u, next" anthem.
How to Actually Enjoy It This Year
If you’re a hater, I challenge you to put this on while you’re doing something active. Don't listen to it while staring pensively out a rainy window. That’s for the Wham! version.
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Play the Meghan Trainor version when:
- You are aggressively wrapping 40 presents at 11 PM.
- You’re hosting a "bad sweater" party and the energy is dipping.
- You’re at the gym trying to burn off those gingerbread cookies.
It’s a high-energy track. It’s designed to keep you moving.
The Verdict on Meghan’s Holiday Legacy
As we head deeper into 2026, Meghan Trainor’s footprint in the holiday music world is only getting bigger. With her new album Toy With Me slated for April 2026 and her "Get In Girl" tour kicking off, she’s proving she can juggle the "All About That Bass" pop stardom with being the person we all listen to while eating turkey.
"Last Christmas" remains the litmus test for her holiday fans. If you like it, you probably love her whole festive vibe. If you don't, you're probably still listening to Bing Crosby on a loop (which is fine, but maybe a little boring).
Next Steps for Your Playlist:
Go back and listen to the A Very Trainor Christmas (Deluxe) version specifically. It includes "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" and "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)," which show off a much grittier, soulful side of her voice that you don't always get in her bubblegum radio hits. If you really want to see the evolution, compare her 2020 "Last Christmas" to her 2025 "Gifts For Me"—you'll hear a singer who has completely found her confidence in the holiday genre.