Saw this on the Christmas Number One documentary the other night. Why didn't they delay it a year like Shakin Stevens did?
I doubt that Wham/George were too concerned with not getting a Christmas number one as they decided to donate all sales from Last Christmas to the Band Aid charity
I doubt that Wham/George were too concerned with not getting a Christmas number one as they decided to donate all sales from Last Christmas to the Band Aid charity
According to wikipedia
Due to perceived similarities between "Last Christmas" and the song "Can't Smile Without You" as popularised by Barry Manilow, an out-of-court settlement was reached in which the first year's royalties were donated to the one-year-old "Band Aid" charity.
On behalf of the songwriters, publishing company Dick James Music sued George Michael for plagiarism in the mid-'80s, claiming that the 1984 Wham! single "Last Christmas" lifted its melody from "Can't Smile Without You." The case was settled out of court
george got to number 1 anyway so he wasn't to worried about not being number 1 with wham. and hollie johnson was also at number 1 again with the record that knocked the power of love of the top
I can confirm that the top 23 above 'Last Christmas' were definitely all UK #1 hits.
The next song to reach #2 was 1962s 'Stranger on the shore' by Acker Bilk and that is way down the list at 60th.
Due to perceived similarities between "Last Christmas" and the song "Can't Smile Without You" as popularised by Barry Manilow, an out-of-court settlement was reached in which the first year's royalties were donated to the one-year-old "Band Aid" charity.
On behalf of the songwriters, publishing company Dick James Music sued George Michael for plagiarism in the mid-'80s, claiming that the 1984 Wham! single "Last Christmas" lifted its melody from "Can't Smile Without You." The case was settled out of court
I never knew that about the writers of Can't Smile Without You suing GM for plagiarism. I can't hear the similarities myself.
Comments
According to the pop-up, 'Last Christmas' has sold just under 1.5 million,but I don't know how recent the list is.
I doubt that Wham/George were too concerned with not getting a Christmas number one as they decided to donate all sales from Last Christmas to the Band Aid charity
do you know if the 23 song ahead were #1 hits?
According to wikipedia
Due to perceived similarities between "Last Christmas" and the song "Can't Smile Without You" as popularised by Barry Manilow, an out-of-court settlement was reached in which the first year's royalties were donated to the one-year-old "Band Aid" charity.
On behalf of the songwriters, publishing company Dick James Music sued George Michael for plagiarism in the mid-'80s, claiming that the 1984 Wham! single "Last Christmas" lifted its melody from "Can't Smile Without You." The case was settled out of court
Thanks for the info
I can confirm that the top 23 above 'Last Christmas' were definitely all UK #1 hits.
The next song to reach #2 was 1962s 'Stranger on the shore' by Acker Bilk and that is way down the list at 60th.
I never knew that about the writers of Can't Smile Without You suing GM for plagiarism. I can't hear the similarities myself.
hum both, in particular the chorus of can't smile and the opening version of xmas