Move over, Mariah. Wham!'s 'Last Christmas' tops Billboard Global 200
- - Move over, Mariah. Wham!'s 'Last Christmas' tops Billboard Global 200
Greta Cross, USA TODAYDecember 19, 2025 at 12:44 AM
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Watch out, Mariah, another holiday single is climbing the charts.
Wham!'s 1984 hit, "Last Christmas", is No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200 chart this week, closely followed by none other than Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You," which has been the No. 1 song on the weekly chart each December since it debuted on the list in 2020, according to Billboard.
"This is a remarkable moment for me, (Wham!), (George Michael) and (Sony Music UK), to learn that 'Last Christmas' is currently the world's favorite song," Wham! bandmember Andrew Ridgeley wrote in a Dec. 17 Instagram post. "(It) is the best Christmas gift we and George could ever have wished for."
Each year, holiday enthusiasts across the globe deck out their vehicles with lights, wreaths and wrapping paper in celebration of the Christmas season. Some enter their attention-grabbing cars in decorating competitions. Others drive their lit-up vehicles in parades or tape ornaments to their cars just to show off around the neighborhood. Here are a few examples.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/mTUpM3QtzO0vr4OF6EVTGw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05NDI-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/228d1887525da005a83b3da3611b59f9 class=caas-img data-headline="See festive rides decorated with holiday cheer for Christmas" data-caption="
Each year, holiday enthusiasts across the globe deck out their vehicles with lights, wreaths and wrapping paper in celebration of the Christmas season. Some enter their attention-grabbing cars in decorating competitions. Others drive their lit-up vehicles in parades or tape ornaments to their cars just to show off around the neighborhood. Here are a few examples.
">Each year, holiday enthusiasts across the globe deck out their vehicles with lights, wreaths and wrapping paper in celebration of the Christmas season. Some enter their attention-grabbing cars in decorating competitions. Others drive their lit-up vehicles in parades or tape ornaments to their cars just to show off around the neighborhood. Here are a few examples.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/mTUpM3QtzO0vr4OF6EVTGw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05NDI-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/228d1887525da005a83b3da3611b59f9 class=caas-img>
Lithuanian Model Juste Juozapaityte celebrates her baby bump, and her Christmas car in London.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/0ezUZU3CCJk3J0UoiZTt8g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xMTA5/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/73f404dd4d72f1fdb1b8e0dbb9fbeab9 class=caas-img data-headline="See festive rides decorated with holiday cheer for Christmas" data-caption="
Lithuanian Model Juste Juozapaityte celebrates her baby bump, and her Christmas car in London.
">Lithuanian Model Juste Juozapaityte celebrates her baby bump, and her Christmas car in London.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/0ezUZU3CCJk3J0UoiZTt8g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xMTA5/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/73f404dd4d72f1fdb1b8e0dbb9fbeab9 class=caas-img>
A 2006 Infinity G35 gift wrapped for the holidays.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Esy7G3EZq8BAJFZm0nh4bA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNjIz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c9734843cf456056f4736ce2f2796774 class=caas-img data-headline="See festive rides decorated with holiday cheer for Christmas" data-caption="
A 2006 Infinity G35 gift wrapped for the holidays.
">A 2006 Infinity G35 gift wrapped for the holidays.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Esy7G3EZq8BAJFZm0nh4bA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNjIz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c9734843cf456056f4736ce2f2796774 class=caas-img>A festive 1988 Chevy Camaro in Villa Park, Illinois.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/uh4Is.GiLA90AZwU.24ZeA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/aafeca2c298ace339cf8a0278d983329 class=caas-img data-headline="See festive rides decorated with holiday cheer for Christmas" data-caption="
A festive 1988 Chevy Camaro in Villa Park, Illinois.
">A festive 1988 Chevy Camaro in Villa Park, Illinois.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/uh4Is.GiLA90AZwU.24ZeA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/aafeca2c298ace339cf8a0278d983329 class=caas-img>
A decorated classic vehicle at Willow Glen Christmas Lights Tour and Toy Drive in San Jose, California.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/r7KSd64nE2RdLjjVse29lQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MjU-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c55abdba6ab867a8dbf2a213c4d2171c class=caas-img data-headline="See festive rides decorated with holiday cheer for Christmas" data-caption="
A decorated classic vehicle at Willow Glen Christmas Lights Tour and Toy Drive in San Jose, California.
">A decorated classic vehicle at Willow Glen Christmas Lights Tour and Toy Drive in San Jose, California.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/r7KSd64nE2RdLjjVse29lQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MjU-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c55abdba6ab867a8dbf2a213c4d2171c class=caas-img>This car was dressed up for a company Christmas party in Tallinn, Estonia.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/rF2.IkNZCCmEtAGXJlhkuQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05MTg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/7dc2614f4208aac02aae5d58807fe75a class=caas-img data-headline="See festive rides decorated with holiday cheer for Christmas" data-caption="
This car was dressed up for a company Christmas party in Tallinn, Estonia.
">This car was dressed up for a company Christmas party in Tallinn, Estonia.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/rF2.IkNZCCmEtAGXJlhkuQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05MTg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/7dc2614f4208aac02aae5d58807fe75a class=caas-img>
This photo is from Keven Salazar's fifth year decorating his car in Pasadena, California.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/.t3xFtbOxboo2DRrxiXpFA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xMjMy/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/7f4f32190c7c5fb6d2f16e82bb97495e class=caas-img data-headline="See festive rides decorated with holiday cheer for Christmas" data-caption="
This photo is from Keven Salazar's fifth year decorating his car in Pasadena, California.
">This photo is from Keven Salazar's fifth year decorating his car in Pasadena, California.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/.t3xFtbOxboo2DRrxiXpFA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xMjMy/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/7f4f32190c7c5fb6d2f16e82bb97495e class=caas-img>
Michael Buffum (@holidaytruckaz) of Pheonix installed Christmas lights on his pickup truck.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/pCiXbwJeu9RhCntiWdoDvQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05NzE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/9e33c79f11838e95871000a5bb134a4a class=caas-img data-headline="See festive rides decorated with holiday cheer for Christmas" data-caption="
Michael Buffum (@holidaytruckaz) of Pheonix installed Christmas lights on his pickup truck.
">Michael Buffum (@holidaytruckaz) of Pheonix installed Christmas lights on his pickup truck.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/pCiXbwJeu9RhCntiWdoDvQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05NzE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/9e33c79f11838e95871000a5bb134a4a class=caas-img>
A Hyundai Veloster Turbo covered in wrapping paper for the holidays.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/1_OTeX6nZCICnCTFWu8aHw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xMjE5/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/44a3a8f86fee0ce825bb748e91cf3a39 class=caas-img data-headline="See festive rides decorated with holiday cheer for Christmas" data-caption="
A Hyundai Veloster Turbo covered in wrapping paper for the holidays.
">A Hyundai Veloster Turbo covered in wrapping paper for the holidays.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/1_OTeX6nZCICnCTFWu8aHw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xMjE5/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/44a3a8f86fee0ce825bb748e91cf3a39 class=caas-img>
1 / 22See festive rides decorated with holiday cheer for Christmas
Each year, holiday enthusiasts across the globe deck out their vehicles with lights, wreaths and wrapping paper in celebration of the Christmas season. Some enter their attention-grabbing cars in decorating competitions. Others drive their lit-up vehicles in parades or tape ornaments to their cars just to show off around the neighborhood. Here are a few examples.
The late George Michael's team also commented on the peak achievement. Michael died at the age of 53 on Christmas 2016.
"George adored Christmas, and he would have truly loved seeing Wham! back at No. 1 this year," Michael's team wrote in an Instagram post. "It fills our hearts that this brilliant, timeless song continues to resonate with audiences while captivating new listeners around the world."
"Last Christmas" was written by Michael and tells the story of a heartbreak right before the Christmas holiday.
British singer-songwriters George Michael (1963-2016) and Andrew Ridgeley of pop duo Wham! perform at the Lyceum Theatre during the Club Fantastic Tour in London on Nov. 15, 1983.
Music: Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas' is the No. 1 hit of all time
Opinion: 50 best Christmas songs, definitively ranked
What other Christmas songs are topping the charts?
As of Dec. 18, here's what other Christmas songs were among the top 10 on the Billboard Global 200:
No. 5: "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" by Brenda Lee (No. 2 on Billboard Hot 100)
No. 6: "Jingle Bell Rock" by Bobby Helms (No. 4 on Billboard Hot 100)
No. 7: "Santa Tell Me" by Ariana Grande (No. 5 on Billboard Hot 100)
No. 8: "Underneath The Tree" by Kelly Clarkson (No. 9 on Billboard Hot 100)
No. 10: "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas" by Michael Buble (No. 13 on Billboard Hot 100)
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Last Christmas' by Wham! tops Billboard Global 200 for first time
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
