Known collectively as DaBu, Daveed Goldman and Nobu Adilman founded “Choir! Choir! Choir!” in 2011. It was originally a drop-in singing get-together but has grown into an event that combines song, comedy, and community-building. As they describe the way it works, “The night unfolds like a dream: you get a lyric sheet at the door, DaBu teach you the vocal arrangement, and a video is recorded. Everyone has a ball and goes home feeling great!” This Christmas season, they decided to stage a massive choral event but instead of a classic carol, they went with music by Wham!.
Wham! was formed by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley in 1981, when they were still in their teens. They presented themselves as hedonistic youths, living fun, carefree lives and their early work was a blend of parody and social commentary. You might say they were a dance protest group! Michael and Ridgeley got a big break in 1982 when another band’s last-minute cancellation got them a spot on the British music chart TV show “Top of the Pops.” The dance-pop duo went on to sell over 30 million records between 1982 and 1986. They also toured the world, including a pioneering visit to China.
“Last Christmas” was written and produced by George Michael in 1984. It’s a song about love and a failed relationship that happens to be set at Christmastime. The holiday season isn’t always happy; for some people, it dredges up memories of loss. The way “Lost Christmas” acknowledges this may explain its enduring popularity.
As you’ll see in the video posted below, “Choir! Choir! Choir!” took a unique approach to staging “Last Christmas.” They got 8,000 people together at four different locations (in Calgary, Vancouver, and two spots in Toronto) . They put it all together in a music video with the lovely Ruth B leading the chorus.
What did you think of this massive but beautiful chorus? Let us know in the comments at Facebook and be sure to bring your friends and family some holiday cheer by liking and sharing!
