UK's Christmas number one for 2023 has been confirmed
Christmas music reigns the charts throughout December, but only one of our favourite festive tracks can secure the top spot and take home the crown.
The British public rally behind their beloved artists in the hopes of pushing them up the ranks before the last Friday before 25 December - as whichever song is at number one earns the coveted title.
As well as securing bragging rights for the next 12 months and a welcome confidence boost, the musician who earns the most listens also gets a lovely award from the Official Charts Company to commemorate the occasion.
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Last year, social media duo LadBaby scooped the 2022 Christmas Number One, which marked their fifth consecutive win - seeing them surpass a record set by The Beatles in the 1960s.
Mark Hoyle and his wife Roxanne claimed the top spot with their single 'Food Aid', which reworked the Band Aid song 'Do They Know It's Christmas?', winning over the UK with lyrics about the cost-of-living crisis and vocals from MoneySavingExpert founder Martin Lewis.
So, I bet you're wondering which of your favourite singers will be making room on the mantlepiece for their shiny prize from the Official Charts Company this year.
Well, Wham! have won this year's festive music battle and soared to the top of the charts with their iconic hit, Last Christmas, nearly four decades after the track was first released. It just never gets old, does it?
George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley's track originally hit the radio in December 1984, but it was famously beaten by Band Aid’s charity single Do They Know It’s Christmas?.
The nostalgic track has now made history as the longest ever journey to make it to the top spot in time for Christmas Day, according to the Official Charts Company.
Michael wrote and recorded Last Christmas almost single-handedly when he was just 21 - and even insisted on playing every instrument, despite not being overly proficient on any. Hear those sleigh bells? That's him too.
The star, who died on Christmas Day in 2016 aged 53, penned it in his childhood bedroom while bandmate Ridgeley sat downstairs watching TV.
Ridgeley said of the news the song is this year's Christmas Number One: "Last Christmas has finally ascended to the much-cherished and sought-after Official Christmas number one, which was always the main goal.
"George would be beside himself (that) after all of these years, (we’ve) finally obtained Christmas number one."
He said that his late pal had written the song 'with the intention of writing a Christmas number one', before adding: "It’s mission accomplished."
The record producer, 60, said it was a 'huge disappointment' for them both when they didn't storm to success in 1984, as they had thought that the top spot was 'nailed on'.
He continued: "Had it not been for Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas?, it probably would’ve been number one.
"Thwarted for many years subsequent to that – the perennial bridesmaid – over recent years it seems it’s become part of the fabric of Christmas for a lot of people.
"Christmas Number One has been a long-held ambition for Yog (Michael) and I, and for the fans, too. It’ll mean a lot to Wham!’s legacy – it’s the crowning glory."
Last Christmas is now the UK’s third biggest song of all time with a combined lifetime total of 5.34 million chart units, the Official Charts Company said.
Sam Ryder, who came second at last year's Eurovision competition, also bagged second place on the Christmas singles chart with his new song You’re Christmas To Me, joining his 2022 Eurovision entry Space Man, which also placed second.
"Christmas number two, isn’t that bonkers? When we wrote this song, in the blazing month of August, we didn’t even expect it to chart,” the 34-year-old said.
“I hope this has given some vigour and some fire to upcoming grassroots and indie artists. You can do it – you’ve just got to set your heart ablaze and get out there. Believe, have faith.
“We always keep fighting. There’s always next week! Let’s go for it again, let’s get that number one.”
Cher’s new track DJ Play A Christmas Song cemented its place at number three.
The official Christmas Top Ten is:
- Wham! - Last Christmas
- Sam Ryder - You're Christmas To Me
- Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas Is You
- Noah Kahan - Stick Season
- Ed Sheeran and Elton John - Merry Christmas
- The Pogues ft Kirsty Maccoll - Fairytale of New York
- Brenda Lee - Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree
- Jack Harlow - Lovin On Me
- Michael Buble - It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
- Shakin' Stevens - Merry Christmas Everyone
Olivia Burke