KC and The Sunshine Band Release 'Last Christmas' Remix: Listen (Exclusive)

The Grammy-winning funk band first covered the Wham! track for its 2018 holiday album, 'A Sunshine Christmas'

KC and The Sunshine Band is ready for the holidays!

The “Give It Up” and “That's The Way (I Like It)” hitmakers are bringing the Christmas magic this year with a new remix of their cover of Wham!’s “Last Christmas" — one of the biggest holiday hits of all time.

The Grammy-winning funk band is kicking off the holiday season with the energetic track, "Last Christmas" (Eric Kupper Radio Edit)," which drops on Friday — the day after Thanksgiving — but PEOPLE has an exclusive first listen.

Related: Wham!'s 'Last Christmas' Found to Be Dogs' Favorite Holiday Song, New Survey Says

Frontman Harry Wayne "KC" Casey chose to cover the Wham! hit because "it's a timeless holiday classic that holds a special place in people's hearts," he tells PEOPLE.

"The song has this universal appeal and nostalgic charm that resonates with listeners, making it a joyous part of the festive season," Casey, 72, adds. "We wanted to bring our own unique touch to it, infusing it with our style and energy while preserving the magic that George Michael created."

"Last Christmas" (Eric Kupper Radio Edit)" is a remix of KC and The Sunshine Band’s original cover of the George Michael-penned ‘80s-staple-turned-Christmas-classic, which they first released in 2018 in their holiday album, A Sunshine Christmas.

The 12-track record features more covers of Christmas hits like “Do You Hear What I Hear?” and “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” as well as some original songs, including the titular track, “A Sunshine Christmas.”

Related: 30 Modern Christmas Songs That'll Make Your Holiday Playlist Extra Festive

It was an important project to Casey, for whom Christmas is "a time of infectious joy and universal togetherness," he tells PEOPLE.

"It's that magical season where the world seems to embrace a collective spirit of love, warmth, and celebration," he says. "The music, the decorations, and the shared moments with family and friends create a symphony of happiness."

"I believe that the essence of Christmas is beautifully captured in the power of music, bringing people together and spreading the infectious rhythm of love and positivity," the "Boogie Shoes" singer says, adding that it is "a time to dance, to sing, and to share the groove of holiday cheer with everyone around you."

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Released in 1986, “Last Christmas” was an instant classic and has since been covered by artists including Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande and the cast of Glee.

Earlier this month, Wham!’s other half, Andrew Ridgeley revealed that he knew the song was going to be a holiday staple the first time he heard it.

Before taking the stage to honor his Wham! bandmate at the 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Ridgeley, 60, spoke with PEOPLE about “Last Christmas,” which was both written and produced by Michael, who died suddenly on Christmas Day in 2016 at 53.

When asked about the holiday hit’s lasting legacy, he told PEOPLE that it is “no surprise really, in some ways.”

Related: The Best Modern Covers of Classic Christmas Songs to Put You in the Holiday Spirit

“The first time I ever heard it, it was absolutely knockout,” he admitted. “It sounded for all the world like a Christmas classic. It's Christmas distilled if you ask me. It's the essence of Christmas.”

According to Ridgeley, who was both a singer-songwriter and keyboardist for the ‘80s pop duo, the song’s “enduring” and “perennial nature” is not surprising.

“But it's a wonderful privilege to have had bestowed upon Wham!, to have one of the all-time Christmas classics — which I think it's fair to say it probably is now,” he told PEOPLE.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.