There’s a moment, about thirty-five seconds in, where you realise Ava Della Pietra isn’t interested in competing with Wham!. The tempo slows. The synths vanish. What remains is just her voice, a guitar, and a violin that sounds like it’s trying not to cry.
It’s a bold move, stripping down one of pop’s most bulletproof holiday anthems. George Michael’s original thrives on that contrast, the bouncy, almost danceable production masking the sting of romantic betrayal.
Most artists who cover “Last Christmas” try to match that energy, adding their own glitter to an already sparkling package. Della Pietra does the opposite. She sits down, turns the lights low, and asks you to actually listen to what the song is saying.
Her vocals carry the weight here. There’s no bravado, no vocal runs for the sake of showing off. Just honest delivery that makes lines like “now I know what a fool I’ve been” land with actual hurt.
It’s the difference between singing about heartbreak and remembering one. The guitar stays minimal, almost hesitant. The violin weaves in and out, adding texture without overwhelming the intimacy. Everything serves the lyric.
This version won’t replace the original in your Christmas rotation, and it’s not meant to. If you need that familiar rush of 80s nostalgia, George Michael’s recording will always be there, drum machine intact.
But if you’ve ever felt that tinge of sadness beneath the holiday cheer, or if you’ve ever given your heart to someone who handed it back a day later, Della Pietra’s version might just do the trick.
She closes Last Christmas with quiet reflection. That takes confidence. And it works.
