Poppy’s Fierce Cover of Wham!’s Festive Classic ‘Last Christmas’ Produced by Jordan Fish

Poppy brings a heavy, guitar-driven twist to the holiday favorite ‘Last Christmas’, produced by Jordan Fish.

A Bold Reimagining of a Holiday Anthem

There’s something magical about hearing a classic Christmas tune get a bold new makeover, and Poppy’s latest cover of Wham!’s iconic ‘Last Christmas’ hits all the right notes. Released on October 15, this fierce rendition doesn’t just cozy up to the nostalgia— it cranks up the drama with roaring guitars and powerful energy, while still respecting the original’s emotional core.

The cover was produced by Jordan Fish, known for his work with Bring Me The Horizon and for collaborating deeply with Poppy on her music, including her sixth album Negative Spaces. Fish himself shared the Spotify session version of the cover, calling it a "banger" and cheekily noting, "Christmas came early."

Spotify Session Debut: Heavy Meets Heartfelt

What really stands out about Poppy’s version is how it blends heavy guitar riffs with moments of stripped-back, emotive harmonies—particularly towards the end. It’s like the best of both worlds: the festive cheer we love, but with a punch of rock attitude that feels fresh and exhilarating.

You can listen to the cover here on Spotify:

Creative Chemistry: Poppy and Jordan Fish

Digging deeper, Poppy’s collaboration with Jordan Fish reveals a fascinating synergy. Speaking about their work on Negative Spaces, Poppy said Jordan is “such a creative force” who excels at tracking performance. She appreciates how their mutual love for both heavy music and sugary pop creates a unique blend that shines in their projects.

Fish reflected on the creative process, explaining:

“Poppy wanted to do big rock songs, which I can do, I guess. She started off doing this erratic, genre-shifty music… it’s not really my expertise to constantly change tempo. In my mind, she hadn’t really put together a body of work that felt super coherent, so that was the challenge – putting her lyrics and flavor over more conventional song structures. It was a painless process because she’s not particularly stressed about what she’s making.”

Their partnership injected a fresh rock-edge into Poppy’s sound that perfectly suits her take on a holiday classic like ‘Last Christmas.’

Wham!’s Classic: A Journey to Christmas Number One

Of course, any discussion of ‘Last Christmas’ wouldn’t be complete without revisiting its legendary history. George Michael wrote and produced the original track in 1984 with the clear goal of securing the coveted Christmas Number One spot on the UK Official Charts. However, it was famously kept from the top spot by Band Aid’s charity anthem ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’, which went on to become one of the best-selling singles ever.

Fast forward nearly four decades, and the song finally claimed its rightful place at Christmas Number One in 2023—setting the record for the longest journey to the festive top spot (a staggering 39 years).

In 2024, during its 40th anniversary year, ‘Last Christmas’ repeated the Christmas Number One feat in the UK, making history as the first song to achieve two consecutive Christmas Number One titles.

Wham!’s Andrew Ridgeley Reflects on the Historic Win

Speaking on the historic success, Andrew Ridgeley expressed his joy and pride, noting:

“37 years to get to Number One, 39 years to Christmas Number One, and then like London buses they all come along at once! I’m especially pleased for George, he would have been utterly delighted, his fabulous Christmas composition has become such a classic, almost as much a part of Christmas as mince pies, turkey, and pigs in blankets.”

Wham! now shares the rare distinction of multiple Official Christmas Number Ones, joining legends like Queen, Spice Girls, and The Beatles.

Poppy’s Passion for Changing the Game

What’s truly exciting about Poppy’s cover is how it honors the festive spirit while injecting new life and edge into a well-loved classic. This reimagining reflects not only her evolving artistry but also the creative chemistry she shares with Jordan Fish—balancing heavy rock elements with pop sensibility.

If you’re craving a fresh holiday anthem with a kick, Poppy’s fierce ‘Last Christmas’ is the festive banger you didn’t know you needed.

Dive into Poppy’s World: Behind the Scenes

For a taste of Poppy’s creative process and her thoughts on working with producers like Ali Payami, check out her recent interview below where she chats about her album Zig, collaborations, and even her Lego collection:

FAQ

• How does Poppy’s version of ‘Last Christmas’ differ from the original?
  Poppy’s cover adds heavy guitar riffs and a rock edge, mixed with emotional harmonies, creating a powerful new take on the classic.
• Who produced Poppy’s cover of ‘Last Christmas’?
  Jordan Fish, known for his work with Bring Me The Horizon and Poppy’s album Negative Spaces.
• When did ‘Last Christmas’ by Wham! finally hit number one?
  The song first reached UK Christmas Number One in 2023, nearly 39 years after its initial release.
• What inspired Poppy and Jordan Fish’s collaboration style?
  They share a love for heavy music and pop, blending these influences for a unique and cohesive sound.
• Has ‘Last Christmas’ made UK Official Chart history?
  Yes! It’s the first song to claim two consecutive Christmas Number One titles, in 2023 and 2024.

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