Tutorial and tab of Last Christmas as performed by Kotaro Oshio and published on YT in 2007. Standard tuning.
About “Last Christmas”
“Last Christmas” is one of the most iconic and recognizable Christmas songs of all time, a pop classic that, despite its festive title, explores themes of lost love and heartbreak.
A Brief History of the Song
“Last Christmas” was written and produced entirely by George Michael, one half of the British duo Wham!. The song was conceived in 1984, with Michael composing the melody and lyrics in his childhood bedroom at his parents’ house while visiting with Andrew Ridgeley, the other half of Wham!. Ridgeley described that moment as “a moment of wonder,” with George Michael having “distilled the essence of Christmas into music.”
The track was recorded in August 1984 in a London studio that George Michael had decorated with Christmas ornaments to set the right mood. Despite its immense success and enduring popularity, “Last Christmas” did not reach number one on the UK charts upon its initial release, peaking at number two, surpassed by Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” (in which George Michael himself participated). For a long time, it held the record as the best-selling single in the UK never to reach the top spot, until it finally claimed the number one position in 2021, a full 36 years after its release.
Lyrically, the song tells the story of a relationship that ended the previous Christmas and a subsequent encounter with the ex-partner a year later. There’s a striking contrast between the upbeat melody and the melancholic lyrics, which express the sadness and vulnerability of a betrayed love.
“Last Christmas” Official Video
Kotaro Oshio’s Solo Guitar Arrangement of Last Christmas
Kotaro Oshio’s arrangement of “Last Christmas” for solo acoustic guitar is a masterful example of modern fingerstyle, highlighting his technical prowess and musical sensitivity. Oshio successfully transforms an electronic pop song into a rich and complete composition for a single instrument.
Oshio employs a wide range of fingerstyle techniques, including percussive tapping on the guitar body, artificial harmonics, fluid pull-offs and hammer-ons, and clever use of the thumb for bass lines. This creates a full and dynamic sound texture that goes far beyond a simple melody.
The arrangement faithfully retains the original harmony of the song, but Oshio enriches it with more complex and open chord voicings that sound particularly good on the acoustic guitar. He often layers voices, playing melody, harmony, and bass simultaneously.
Oshio is a master at creating dynamic variations within the piece. He alternates more delicate and melodic sections with more rhythmic and incisive passages, often using body tapping to simulate the effect of drums or percussion, adding a percussive element that is fundamental to the original pop track.
For his interpretation, Oshio often uses alternative tunings, such as “Double Dropped D” (DADGBD), which allows him to achieve deeper resonances and access unique chord voicings that would be difficult or impossible to play in standard tuning.
Despite the technical complexity, Oshio’s arrangement never loses sight of the iconic melody of “Last Christmas.” The melody is always clear and singable, even when immersed in a sea of arpeggios and embellishments. His interpretation captures both the sweetness and inherent melancholy of the song.
In essence, Kotaro Oshio’s version of “Last Christmas” is far more than a simple cover; it’s an artistic reinterpretation that elevates the song to a new level of instrumental complexity and beauty, making it a benchmark for fingerstyle guitarists worldwide.
“Last Christmas” by Kotaro Oshio (studio version)
“Last Christmas” by Sungha Jung
“Last Christmas” by Igor Presnyakov
About Kotaro Oshio
Kotaro Oshio (押尾 コータロー, born February 1, 1968, in Suita, Osaka) is a Japanese acoustic guitarist celebrated for his work on the steel-string guitar. His music spans various genres including pop, new age, and jazz. He is well-known for his innovative techniques such as tapping, fingerpicking, and his unique “nail attack” style, inspired by Michael Hedges, where he strikes the strings with his middle and ring fingernails.
Oshio began his career in 1999 with an independent album and gained wider recognition with his second self-produced LP, “Love Strings,” in 2001. In 2002, he signed with Toshiba EMI and released his third album, “Starting Point,” establishing his association with new age music. That same year, he performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival with B.B. King. Oshio is an active musician, performing as a solo guitarist, composing for films, TV shows, and commercials, and collaborating with other artists across various genres.
While his albums primarily feature original material, Oshio is also recognized for his distinctive covers and movie soundtracks, showcasing remarkable skill in interpretation and arrangement.
Selected Discography of Kotaro Oshio
Independent Albums:
- Kotaro Oshio (December 1999)
- Love Strings (March 22, 2001)
Major Label Albums (Sony Music Japan/SME Records):
- Starting Point (July 10, 2002)
- Dramatic (June 18, 2003)
- Be Happy (June 23, 2004)
- Bolero! Be Happy Live (December 15, 2004)
- Panorama (September 7, 2005)
- Blue sky〜Kotaro Oshio Best Album〜 (September 29, 2006)
- Color of Life (November 29, 2006)
- Nature Spirit (January 1, 2008)
- You & Me (October 1, 2008)
- Tussie Mussie (March 11, 2009)
- Eternal Chain (August 5, 2009)
- Hand to Hand (January 12, 2011)
- 10th Anniversary BEST (May 2, 2012)
- Reboot & Collabo. (April 24, 2013)
- Pandora (July 30, 2014)
- Tussie Mussie II -Love Cinema- (November 25, 2015)
- KTRxGTR (November 9, 2016)
- PICK POP! ~J-Hits Acoustic Covers~ (September 19, 2018)
- Encounter (February 20, 2019)
- Passenger (2020)
- 20th Anniversary “My Guitar, My Life” (2022)
- PICK POP II -meets the WORLD- (2025)
Original Compositions:
- “SPLASH”
- “Wind Song”
- “Twilight”
- “Fight!”
- “Cherry Blossom Time”
- “Red Shoes Dance”
- “Big Blue Ocean”
- “Nanairo” (Seven Colors)
- “Wings -you are the HERO-” (also known as “Tsubasa -You Are The Hero-“)
- “Misty Night”
- “Angel’s Sunday”
- “Aquamarine”
- “Busy Busy”
- “The Park On The Hill”
- “Changing Skies”
- “Promises”
- “Chaser”
- “Prologue”
- “Again…”
- “A White Cloud of That Summer” (あの夏の白い雲)
- “Nayuta”
- “Tension”
- “SPUR”
- “GOLD RUSH”
Notable Arrangements:
- “Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence” (from the album “Starting Point”)
- “Canon” (Johann Pachelbel)
- “Bolero” (Maurice Ravel) – Note: While sometimes credited with arrangement, this is primarily an arrangement of Ravel’s famous piece.
- “Jupiter” (Gustav Holst)
- “Look Up At The Evening Stars” (Taku Izumi)
- “Lovin’ You”
- “Oasis”
About George Michael
George Michael, born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou on June 25, 1963, in London, and who passed away on December 25, 2016, in Goring-on-Thames, was an icon of British pop music. He was celebrated for his powerful and distinctive voice, his songwriting prowess, and his charismatic stage presence.
His career began in the early 1980s as one half of the pop duo Wham!, formed with his childhood friend Andrew Ridgeley. Wham! quickly climbed the charts with upbeat and catchy songs that defined the 80s soundtrack. Tracks like “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” “Club Tropicana,” “Freedom,” and the timeless “Last Christmas” made them global superstars.
After Wham! disbanded in 1986, George Michael embarked on an extraordinarily successful solo career, demonstrating an unexpected artistic maturity and lyrical depth for many. His debut solo album, “Faith” (1987), was a global phenomenon, selling over 20 million copies and spawning hits like the title track “Faith,” “Father Figure,” “One More Try,” and “I Want Your Sex.” This album cemented his status as one of the greatest artists of his generation, capable of blending pop, soul, rock, and R&B into a unique sound.
George Michael was not just an entertainer, but also an artist who addressed personal and social themes through his music, often with frankness and vulnerability. His career was also marked by several controversies and personal struggles, which he never hesitated to share, distinguishing himself through his honesty and courage. He collaborated with numerous world-renowned artists, including Aretha Franklin (“I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)”), Elton John (“Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me”), and Mary J. Blige (“As”), showcasing his versatility and respect for music.
Throughout his career, George Michael sold over 120 million records worldwide, topped charts in numerous countries, and won prestigious awards, including two Grammy Awards. His influence on pop music and his legacy as a songwriter and performer remain immense.
George Michael’s Discography
With Wham!
- Fantastic (1983)
- Make It Big (1984)
- Music from the Edge of Heaven (1986)
Solo Studio Albums
- Faith (1987)
- Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 (1990)
- Older (1996)
- Songs from the Last Century (1999)
- Patience (2004)
- Symphonica (2014) – Live album
Selected Solo Singles (most well-known)
- Careless Whisper (1984)
- A Different Corner (1986)
- I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) (with Aretha Franklin) (1987)
- I Want Your Sex (1987)
- Faith (1987)
- Father Figure (1988)
- One More Try (1988)
- Monkey (1988)
- Kissing a Fool (1988)
- Praying for Time (1990)
- Freedom! ’90 (1990)
- Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me (with Elton John) (1991)
- Too Funky (1992)
- Jesus to a Child (1996)
- Fastlove (1996)
- Spinning the Wheel (1996)
- Outside (1998)
- As (with Mary J. Blige) (1999)
- Freeek! (2002)
- Amazing (2004)
- Flawless (Go to the City) (2004)
- December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas) (2009)
- White Light (2012)
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