Fun fact, find the answer at the bottom of this email.

Last Christmas reached #2 on the singles chart in December 1984. What song kept them from reaching the #1 spot?

Once bitten and twice shy, I keep my distance, but you still catch my eye

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Read time: 5 minutes

Lyrics

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

Christmas is an emotional time of the year. It’s easy to see how a relationship ending during the holiday season would stir up a lot of feelings. This memorable chorus takes quite a dig at the former love, saying very clearly that they weren’t ‘someone special’. I suppose it’s the most polite way to give the middle finger, there have certainly been lyrics about unrequited love with a much darker message.

Lyrics

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

Who hasn’t been a fool for love?

I still believe we should treat one another with as much respect as possible even during and after a break up.

True story: As a teen, I dated a guy and we had a great time together. It was an innocent, young romance. We didn’t fall in love, it was too short of a relationship. Once I moved we lost touch. Back in those days, before cell phones and social media, ghosting was something that just happened. Decades later our paths crossed in a corporate office where we worked together. He ended up becoming my boss, a great friend, and even officiated at my wedding to Paul! You never know how relationships will affect our lives. I never would’ve guessed how this story would’ve played out, but I’m so glad we have always treated one another with kindness.

Lyrics

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-ooh

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

Andrew Ridgely shared the story of George Michael writing the song during a visit at George’s parents, as shared in Song Radio.

"We'd had a bite to eat and were sitting together relaxing with the television on in the background when, almost unnoticed, George disappeared upstairs for an hour or so. When he came back down, such was his excitement, it was as if he had discovered gold which, in a sense, he had.

"We went to his old room, the room in which we had spent hours as kids recording pastiches of radio shows and jingles, the room where he kept a keyboard and something on which to record his sparks of inspiration, and he played me the introduction and the beguiling, wistful chorus melody to 'Last Christmas.' It was a moment of wonder. 

"George had performed musical alchemy, distilling the essence of Christmas into music. Adding a lyric which told the tale of betrayed love was a masterstroke and, as he did so often, he touched hearts."

Think about this…

Do you believe you’ve been respectful as possible during and after your breakups?

Do you have any regrets?

Have you ever dated, or been in a relationship with someone, and later in life they became a meaningful connection?

Have you shared your break up stories with your sweetheart?

It’s not always easy to know what to say to generate deeper conversations and intimacy with your sweetheart. That’s why I’ve created 4 conversation starters to strengthen your romance. You can get your free guide, as well as the details to the Remarkable Romance Program available now: remarkable-romance-program.teachable.com/p/remarkable-romance-program

Key Take Aways

• Break ups take as much time as they need

• Kindness during and after break ups is the best policy

• In life, sometimes we’re happy and sometimes we’re not. We shouldn’t stress out about not being happy all of the time.

Fun Fact Trivia:

“Last Christmas” reached #2 on the singles chart in December 1984. What song kept them from reaching the #1 spot?

Answer: “Do they know it’s Christmas?” by Band Aid. The song was performed by many artists who came together to raise funds for Ethiopian famine relief.

Wham! performed on the project.

Interestingly, 37 years after the song was released, and 5 years after the death of George Michael (who died on Christmas day 2016), the song reached the #1 spot during the week of Christmas.

Love is the greatest adventure!

~LaDena, Your Romance Fulfillment Leader

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