“Last Christmas” by Wham! is a timeless holiday classic, and learning to play it on guitar is easier than you might think. This guide provides you with simple guitar chords to strum along to this festive favorite, perfect for beginners and holiday sing-alongs.
The Essential Chords for Last Christmas
You only need four basic chords to play “Last Christmas” on guitar: C, Am, Dm, and G. These are common chords that are fundamental for beginner guitarists. Let’s take a look at each of them:
C Chord
The C Major chord is a bright and cheerful sounding chord. It’s often one of the first chords beginners learn.
Alt Text: C Major guitar chord diagram with finger positions for beginner guitarists.
Am Chord
The Am (A minor) chord has a slightly melancholic or sadder tone compared to C Major. It’s another essential chord in many songs.
Alt Text: Am (A minor) guitar chord diagram showing finger placement on the fretboard.
Dm Chord
The Dm (D minor) chord is another minor chord that adds a touch of sadness or introspection to the music.
Alt Text: D minor guitar chord diagram for easy learning, illustrating finger positions on guitar frets.
G Chord
The G Major chord is a strong and versatile chord, often used as a resolving chord in progressions.
Alt Text: G Major chord diagram, a fundamental guitar chord for playing popular songs.
“Last Christmas” Chord Progression and Song Structure
The beauty of “Last Christmas” for beginner guitarists lies in its repetitive and straightforward chord progression. The entire song, including the intro, verses, chorus, and outro, primarily uses this simple progression:
C – Am – Dm – G
This four-chord sequence repeats throughout most of the song, making it easy to memorize and follow along.
Here’s a breakdown of the song structure with chords:
[Intro] C Am Dm G
[Chorus]
C Am
Last Christmas I gave you my heart
Dm G
But the very next day you gave it away
C Am
This year to save me from tears
Dm G
I’ll give it to someone special
[Verse 1]
C Am
Once bitten and twice shy
Dm G
I keep my distance but you still catch my eye
C Am
Tell me baby do you recognize me?
Dm G
Well, it’s been a year, it doesn’t surprise me
[Verse 2]
C Am
“Merry Christmas!” I wrapped it up and sent it
Dm G
With a note saying: “I love you!”, I meant it
C Am
Now I know what a fool I’ve been
Dm G
But if you kissed me now, I know you’d fool me again
(Chorus Repeats)
[Interlude] C Am Dm G
[Verse 3]
C Am
Crowded room, friends with tired eyes
Dm G
Hiding from you and your soul of ice
C Am
My God, I thought you were someone to rely on
Dm G
Me? I guess I was a shoulder to cry on
[Verse 4]
C Am
A face on a lover with a fire in his heart
Dm G
A man undercover but you tore him apart
C Am
Ooh-hoo Now I’ve found a real love,
Dm G
you’ll never fool me again
(Chorus Repeats Twice)
[Outro] C Am Dm G (Fade out)
Tips for Playing “Last Christmas” on Guitar
- Strumming Pattern: For beginners, a simple down-down-up-up-down strumming pattern for each chord will work perfectly. As you get more comfortable, you can experiment with variations.
- Tempo: “Last Christmas” is played at a moderate tempo. Listen to the song and try to match the rhythm.
- Chord Transitions: Practice smoothly transitioning between the chords. This is key to making the song sound fluid.
- Sing Along: Once you are comfortable with the chords, try singing along while you play. This will help with your timing and rhythm.
Why “Last Christmas” is a Great Song to Learn on Guitar
“Last Christmas” is an excellent choice for beginner guitarists because:
- Simple Chords: It uses only four basic and easy-to-learn chords.
- Repetitive Structure: The chord progression and song structure are very repetitive, making it easy to memorize.
- Popular Song: It’s a well-known and loved song, especially during the Christmas season, making it fun to play and share.
- Great Practice: Playing along to “Last Christmas” will help you practice essential guitar skills like chord changes, strumming, and rhythm.
Grab your guitar and start practicing these “Last Christmas” guitar chords. You’ll be playing this holiday favorite in no time!
