Last Christmas – English Lyrics

• By: WHAM!

Lyrics & Translation

"Last Christmas" by WHAM! is more than just a catchy holiday tune; it's a deep dive into the bittersweet emotions of love and loss set against the festive backdrop. By exploring its poignant lyrics, you can learn common English phrases related to relationships, emotions, and self-reflection. The song's simple yet impactful language, combined with its memorable melody, makes it an excellent and enjoyable resource for understanding everyday English expressions and cultural nuances around the holiday season. Its universal themes of heartbreak and hope will resonate with any learner, making the language acquisition process both engaging and emotionally rich.

[English]

Ah, ah-ah, ooh-whoa

Ah-ah

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart

But the very next day, you gave it away

This year, to save me from tears

I'll give it to someone special

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart

But the very next day, you gave it away (you gave it away)

This year, to save me from tears

I'll give it to someone special (special)

...

Once bitten and twice shy

I keep my distance, but you still catch my eye

Tell me, baby, do you recognize me?

Well, it's been a year, it doesn't surprise me

"Happy Christmas," I wrapped it up and sent it

With a note saying, "I love you," I meant it

Now I know what a fool I've been

But if you kissed me now, I know you'd fool me again

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart

But the very next day, you gave it away (you gave it away)

This year, to save me from tears

I'll give it to someone special (special)

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart

But the very next day, you gave it away

This year, to save me from tears

I'll give it to someone special (special)

Oh-oh

Oh, my baby

...

A crowded room, friends with tired eyes

I'm hiding from you, and your soul of ice

My God, I thought you were someone to rely on

Me? I guess I was a shoulder to cry on

A face on a lover with a fire in his heart

A man undercover, but you tore me apart

Ooh-hoo

Now I've found a real love, you'll never fool me again

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart

But the very next day, you gave it away (you gave it away)

This year, to save me from tears

I'll give it to someone special (special)

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart (I gave you my heart)

But the very next day, you gave it away (you gave it away)

This year, to save me from tears

I'll give it to someone special (special)

A face on a lover with a fire in his heart (I gave you my heart)

A man undercover, but you tore him apart

Maybe next year, I'll give it to someone

I'll give it to someone special (special)

...

Someone

Someone

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
heart /hɑːrt/ A2	noun - the organ that pumps blood through the body
give /ɡɪv/ A2	verb - to transfer possession to someone
next /nekst/ A2	adjective - coming immediately after in order or time
year /jɪər/ A1	noun - a period of 12 months
love /lʌv/ A2	noun / verb - a strong feeling of affection
cry /kraɪ/ A2	verb - to produce tears as an expression of emotion
fire /faɪər/ B1	noun / verb - a process of combustion producing heat and light; to shoot flames
crying /ˈkraɪɪŋ/ B2	verb - the act of shedding tears
special /ˈspɛʃəl/ B2	adjective - distinguished by a unique quality
recognize /ˈrɛkəgnaɪz/ B2	verb - to identify someone or something from previous knowledge
distance /ˈdɪstəns/ B2	noun - the amount of space between two points
recognition /ˌrɛkəɡˈnɪʃən/ C1	noun - the act of identifying or acknowledging

Key Grammar Structures

• I gave you my heart

  ➔ Past simple tense with 'gave' to indicate a completed action in the past.

  ➔ The verb 'give' in the past tense is 'gave', showing the action is finished.

• But the very next day

  ➔ Use of 'but' as a coordinating conjunction to contrast two ideas or events.

  ➔ 'But' introduces a contrast or exception between the first and second parts of the sentence.

• I'll give it to someone special

  ➔ Use of 'will' + base verb 'give' to express future intention or decision.

  ➔ 'I'll' is a contraction of 'I will', indicating a future action or promise.

• A man undercover

  ➔ Adjective 'undercover' is used as a predicative adjective to describe 'man'.

  ➔ 'Undercover' functions as an adjective to specify the nature of the 'man'.