"LAST CHRISTMAS..."

"Last Christmas" is a song by English pop duo WHAM!, released in December 1981. It was written and produced by GEORGE MICHAEL and has been covered by many artists since its original release.




The video to "Last Christmas" shows Wham! members George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley accompanying girlfriends to see friends at an unspecified ski resort: the cable-car that can be seen in two shots is from Saas-Fee, Switzerland.



It is clear that the character of Ridgeley's girlfriend (played by model Kathy Hill) was previously in a relationship with Michael and that the song is aimed at her.



There is a brief flashback to "last Christmas", showing Michael's character presenting her with a jewelled brooch.


In the present time, Ridgeley is wearing the brooch, suggesting that the girl gave the same gift (perhaps by regifting it) to her new love after she and Michael parted ways.


When the girl wears the brooch from Michael's character, it is "right side up", and when Ridgeley's character wears it, he wears it "upside down".
On numerous occasions, Michael presents a thoughtful expression, suggesting his conflicting emotions.




Her seeming indifference to Ridgeley's open displays of affection makes the viewer wonder if Ridgeley's heart is the next to be broken.

However, at the end of the video, everyone leaves properly "paired off", so perhaps it is suggested that Michael has worked out his confusion and now realizes he is after all with the right girl.

Wham - Last Christmas

Chorus: (2)

Last Christmas, I ¹…………… you my heart
But the very next day, You gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I'll ²…………….. it to someone special

Once bitten and twice shy
I keep my distance but you still ³…………… my eye
Tell me baby do you recognize me?
Well it's ⁴…………….. a year, it doesn't surprise me

(Happy Christmas!) I wrapped it up and ⁵……………… it
With a note saying "I Love You" I meant it
Now I ⁶…………….. what a fool I've been
But if you kissed me now I know you'd fool me again

Chorus (2)

(Oooh. Oooh Baby)

A crowded room, friends with tired eyes
I'm hiding from you and your soul of ice
My God I ⁷………………… you were someone to rely on
Me? I guess I ⁸…………….. a shoulder to cry on

A face on a lover with a fire in his heart
A man undercover but you tore me apart
Oooh Oooh
Now I've ⁹…………………… a real love you'll never fool me again

Chorus (2)

A face on a lover with a fire in his heart
(Gave you my heart)
A man undercover but you ¹⁰…………… me apart
Next year
I'll give it to someone, I'll give it to someone special
special
someone (2)
I'll give it to someone, I'll give it to someone special
who'll give me something in return
I'll give it to someone
hold my heart and watch it burn

I'll give it to someone, I'll give it to someone special
I've got you here to stay
I can love you for a day
I thought you were someone special
gave you my heart
I'll give it to someone, I'll give it to someone
last christmas I gave you my heart
you gave it away
I'll give it to someone, I'll give it to someone

Glossary:

Give away (v) – make a present

Bite (v) – cut or tear with or as if with the teeth.

Distance (n) – space between two objects or places

Recognize (v) - To know or identify from past experience or knowledge

Wrap (v) - To arrange or fold (something) about as cover or protection: She wrapped her fur coat closely about herself.

Rely on (v) - have confidence in; trust

Undercover (adj)- secret, spy

Tear (v) – separate, divide into pieces by force;

Complete the table:

 

Infinitive	Past Simple	Past Participle
give
save
bite
catch
tell
be
wrap
send
know
think
tear
rely
mean