George Michael Orchestrates Notable Return to Top Music Charts
The holiday season consistently holds a significant impact on George Michael, even posthumously, several years following his demise. Known for his successful career as a half of the duo Wham, who are renowned for releasing one of the most successful modern holiday tunes, Michael's contributions to the music industry have left an indelible mark. Tragically, he also departed this world on Christmas Day in 2016, adding a melancholic twist to the festive season for his devoted fans.
Occasionally, a single song or album of Michael's resonates strongly with audiences, leading to renewed popularity. This year, four of his projects have managed to make an appearance on various charts in the United Kingdom, where his career took off. Three of these projects are compilation albums, showcasing his extensive catalog of hits, both as a solo artist and as part of Wham. One full-length studio album also makes a comeback, aiding Michael in having a triple presence on one chart, as his fans continue to cherish and celebrate his musical legacy.
Currently, Twenty Five reigns as Michael's leading success, a trend commonly observed in the U.K. This compilation album, packed with his greatest hits, secures positions on three charts this period, rising on two of them. It reclaims its spot on the Official Album Downloads chart, opening at No. 82.
The Last Christmas soundtrack also sees a resurgence, a happening that typically occurs during the holiday season. This album, which serves as a companion to the movie of the same name, based on the catchy Wham hit and Michael's solo tracks, moves up from No. 47 to No. 24 on the Official Soundtrack Albums chart. Concurrently, it returns to the Official Albums Streaming list at No. 86.
The late pop star's other two charting titles make a comeback on the same list but only appear once - the Official Album Downloads chart. Ladies & Gentlemen - The Best Of returns at No. 22, while Listen Without Prejudice - Vol. 1 finds its place at No. 85.
Nearly all of its chart-topping albums have previously reached the top 10 on their respective charts and even soared to the No. 1 spot on many occasions. However, the Last Christmas soundtrack has yet to overperform, potentially due to the underperformance of the movie and the availability of other means for fans to access Wham and Michael's hits.
George Michael's influence on the UK charts is evident once again, with four of his projects making a comeback this year. 'Twenty Five', his celebrated compilation album, is leading the charge, securing positions on three charts this period. The 'Ladies & Gentlemen - The Best Of' and 'Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1' also return to the Official Album Downloads chart, while the 'Last Christmas' soundtrack resurges on the Official Soundtrack Albums chart and the Official Albums Streaming list. Despite its previous successes, the 'Last Christmas' soundtrack has yet to surpass its previous performance. George Michael's career, marked by numerous chart-topping albums, continues to captivate listeners, as demonstrated by his ongoing success on UK charts. Forbes' list of highest-earning deceased celebrities often includes George Michael, underscoring the enduring appeal of his music.
