Wham! Op. 84 “Last Christmas” with Chilly Gonzales - ICYMI
Dec 25, 2023
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Chilly Gonzales, Grammy-winning pianist, discusses the surprising staying power of Wham's 'Last Christmas' and the song's resilient harmonies. They analyze the musical techniques in the song, exploring tension and resolution in the melody and emotional shifts. The podcast also explores contemporary songwriting, the problem with Christmas albums, and appreciation for Charlie Brown's Christmas record.
Wham's hit song 'Last Christmas' is a product of George Michael's singular vision, showcasing his talents as a musician and composer.
Chilly Gonzales' holiday album 'A Very Chili Christmas' aims to defy the commercialization of Christmas and create new traditions by incorporating complex emotions and playful adaptations to familiar tunes.
Deep dives
Exploring the Origins of Wham's Last Christmas
In this podcast episode, the host and guest discuss the surprising origins of Wham's hit song Last Christmas. Despite its reputation as a kitschy and formulaic holiday pop song, it is revealed that the song is actually a product of George Michael's singular vision. The guest points out that George Michael played all the instruments himself, showcasing his talents as a musician and composer. The song's structure is analyzed, highlighting its unique composition, with the guest describing the verses as improvised riffs or recitative, and the chorus as the confessional and iconic part of the song. The guest also discusses the tension and resolution in the melody and the emotional shifts conveyed through chord progressions. Overall, this discussion sheds light on the artistic depth and complexity of a song that is often dismissed as a simple holiday tune.
Creating a Refreshing Christmas Album: A Very Chili Christmas
In this podcast episode, the host and guest delve into the creation of Chile Gonzales' holiday album, A Very Chili Christmas. The guest explains the intention behind the album, which is to defy the commercialization of Christmas and create a new tradition. The album aims to capture complex emotions related to the holiday season, incorporating both joy and darkness. The guest emphasizes the importance of creating new traditions while still respecting the old ones. They discuss the challenges of reimagining well-known Christmas songs, highlighting their effort to bring freshness and individuality to familiar tunes. The guest also shares insights into their unique approach to arranging and performing the songs on the album, including the use of Baroque instrumentation and playful adaptations.
The Significance of Christmas Songs and Traditions
In this podcast episode, the guest reflects on the significance of Christmas songs and traditions in contemporary society. They express concerns about the over-commercialization of Christmas and how it has affected the meaning and sentimentality of the holiday. The guest discusses the power of Christmas songs to evoke emotions and bring people together, particularly during sing-alongs and family gatherings. They also explore the contrast between modern Christmas songs, which often rely on sound techniques and complex melodies, and traditional carols, which tend to have a simpler and more communal feel. The guest emphasizes the importance of creating new Christmas traditions that reflect the complexity and realism of the holiday season.
Feist Collaboration and Original Song in A Very Chili Christmas
In this podcast episode, the guest talks about their collaboration with Feist and the creation of an original song for A Very Chili Christmas. They explain how Feist's insistence on having a personal connection to the lyrics led to the creation of the song 'The Banister Bow'. The guest shares the inspiration behind the song, which revolves around Feist's family tradition of using fallen branches to decorate the banister instead of cutting down trees. They discuss the ecological message and the importance of creating new traditions that merge with the Christmas spirit. The guest also highlights the playfulness and individuality they aimed to bring to the album by reimagining well-known Christmas songs and embracing new musical approaches.
In case you missed it, Wham’s 1984 contribution to the holiday cannon, “Last Christmas,” has surprising staying power. When Grammy-winning pianist Chilly Gonzales set out to record a holiday album, “A Very Chilly Christmas,” most of the selections were over a half century old. That’s because most of our favorite seasonal songs come from the 1960s and earlier. But in addition to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas,” Wham’s “Last Christmas” reliably returns each winter. Despite the cheesy 80s synths and drum machines, the song’s harmonies are remarkable resilient, a testament to George Michael’s auteur songwriting method. Celebrated artist known for his solo piano works, collaborations with Feist and Daft Punk, and his musical masterclasses series, Chilly Gonzales—musical genius—AKA “Gonzo,” sits down at the piano to share in the beauty of this nu-classical Christmas love song, as well as a few selections from his new album “A Very Chilly Christmas.”
