Kylie Wins UK Christmas Number One with XMAS, Beats Wham!
Kylie Minogue clinches the UK Christmas number one with XMAS, narrowly beating Wham!'s Last Christmas, and plans a quiet Australian celebration.
Kylie Minogue has claimed this year’s UK Christmas number one, beating Wham!'s Last Christmas as the festive chart race drew to a close. Her bright new single, XMAS, arrived with a carefully timed promotion that blended online buzz with a limited release. The result adds another milestone to the pop icon’s four-decade chart legacy.
The crown and the strategy
Kylie released XMAS as part of a renewed, expanded edition of Kylie Christmas, the 2015 album that helped kickstart her festive repertoire. The track was sold exclusively through Amazon, backed by the retailer’s playlists and promotions, combining digital streams with physical copies to lift overall sales for the week.
Thrilling finish
Chart data indicates the race stayed tight through much of the week, with the top five often separated by about 10,000 copies. Other contenders included Mariah Carey and Brenda Lee, whose holiday staples kept listeners returning to familiar favourites. Wham! had aimed to become the first act to lead the Christmas chart three times with the same song but finished in second place.
- Kylie Minogue - XMAS
- Wham! - Last Christmas
- Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas Is You
- Brenda Lee - Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree
- Together For Palestine - Lullaby
Kylie has previously come close to Christmas glory, notably with a duet in 1988 that was a strong contender for the top spot. This year, she spoke of a low‑key celebration in Australia after a demanding world tour, opting for a simple family activity like completing a jigsaw puzzle.
Wham! has long been associated with Christmas lore, and Last Christmas has now achieved global recognition with enduring popularity across platforms. Radio and music press noted that its warm, inclusive message resonates with listeners who see the holiday as a time for family and community.
Among other notable entries was Together For Palestine's charity single, Lullaby, created to support aid for people in Gaza. The track blends a traditional Palestinian folk tune with new lyrics by Peter Gabriel, performed by Palestinian artists alongside UK stars.
Expert commentary
Martin Talbot, chief executive of the Official Charts Company, said that when a global superstar commits fully to a campaign, the results can swing a close race. He added that Kylie’s concerted strategy demonstrates how release choices can influence holiday chart outcomes.
Summary
In summary, Kylie Minogue captured the 2025 UK Christmas number one with XMAS after a tightly fought week, aided by an exclusive Amazon release and strong online engagement. She plans a quiet Christmas in Australia with a family puzzle as a new, comforting tradition after touring. The week also highlighted the enduring appeal of classic Christmas songs from artists like Mariah Carey and Brenda Lee.
Key takeaway: A targeted, platform-specific release can drive Christmas chart success even in a crowded field, as shown by Kylie Minogue's XMAS campaign.
BBC News
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