A Moment of Wonder
It’s the holidays once again and I’m thinking about a song and my state of mind from Christmases of long, long ago—or at least 12 months ago.
Okay, first the tune.
The song spent five consecutive weeks at number two in the UK Singles Chart and it was held off from the top spot by Band Air’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” on which Wham!’s George Michael performed.
Michael wrote “Last Christmas” a year earlier in his childhood bedroom while he and instrumentalist Andrew Ridgeley were visiting George's parents.
He played Ridgeley the song’s introduction and chorus melody, which Ridgeley later called "a moment of wonder".
It was releases as a double A-side via Epic Records with "Everything She Wants" in several European countries. Wham! donated all their royalties to relief efforts for the Ethiopian famine.
“Last Christmas” topped the charts in Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Slovenia, and Sweden and peaked within the top ten of the charts in several countries including the U.S., Australia, and Canada.
Oh, By Golly!
The song has been covered by many artists since its original release, including Whigfield, Crazy Frog, Billie Piper, Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande. I heard some version of the song last night while having dinner with my sister.
But as I think about the song, I recall my last Christmas and how my spirits weren’t bright. In fact, they were non-existent. Even Crazy Frog couldn't have cheered me up.
“I just don’t have the usual enthusiasm, which is no way to feel about the most wonderful time of the year,” I wrote last Dec. 25.
Well, I am happy to report that I have reclaimed my Christmas spirit, or as much as geezer of my age and condition can have in this magical season.
Yes, Virginia, there may not be a Santa Claus, but there are plenty of good times to be had with the people we love.
We’ve got all the beautiful music, twinkling lights, decorated trees, and so many holiday movies that even the truly atrocious ones are entertaining in their own revolting way. (Though admittedly I’ve never seen Santa Claus Conquers the Martians.)
Tonight, I will once again conduct my self-invented Christmas Eve tradition of lighting a candle in my window to guide the spirits of my parents and other family members to my home.
I will give thanks for being here spend another Christmas with my loved ones and tomorrow I’ll head over to my sister’s house for a fabulous dinner.
Of course, we all know that real life with all its misery, meanness and mayhem is just waiting to resume tormenting us the very minute the ho-ho-ho-ing comes to a halt.
But until that time, let us enjoy our moments of wonder.
Merry Christmas.
Comments
Oh, dearest, Judy, thank you so much!
I am so sorry to hear about your husband. I'm sending you all kinds of love, prayers and healing vibes.
Your grandchildren are indeed very beautiful! They are the best antidote to anything that ails you!
Happy New Year to you and all you love!
Have you heard of 'Whamageddon'? Apparently, it's a game where people try to avoid hearing Wham's 'Last Christmas' from 12/1-12/24. People post on social media with the hashtag if they do hear it and are then out. You can listen to any version other than the original by Wham and still be ok.
I hope you're feeling better and wish you and your family the happiest of new years.
I am so thankful for your support and kindness all these years and I look forward to the day I can tell you that in person.
Take care.