🎸🎅 The Christmas adverts have arrived, butt, and this year there’s some serious rock royalty involved! SAM FENDER has recorded a brand-new version of THE ROLLING STONES’ legendary anthem ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want’ for the 2026 John Lewis Christmas advert, ‘Gloria and Pickles’. And if that wasn’t exciting enough, Sir MICK JAGGER himself has given the Geordie rocker’s interpretation a massive thumbs-up!
Featuring a children’s choir from Fender’s former school, the Easington Colliery Band, a talking toy dog voiced by Paul Whitehouse and an emotional performance from Dame Kristin Scott Thomas, this year’s advert combines classic British rock music with plenty of Christmas magic. Better still, sales of the physical single will support two important charities.
Well, bloody hell, Riff Report crew!
It’s only 3 November, the Halloween decorations have barely been packed away, and already Christmas is charging towards us faster than a circle pit at Download Festival.
The supermarkets are filling their shelves with mince pies.
The festive decorations are appearing everywhere.
And somewhere in South Wales, somebody’s probably already got a Christmas tree covered in enough flashing lights to guide aircraft into Cardiff Airport.
But this year, the annual John Lewis Christmas advert has given us something worth getting excited about.
THE ROLLING STONES HAVE ENTERED THE CHRISTMAS CHAT!
Well, sort of!
Because one of Britain’s finest modern singer-songwriters, Sam Fender, has taken on one of the greatest songs in rock history for John Lewis’s 2026 festive campaign.
The song?
You Can’t Always Get What You Want.
The original was released by THE ROLLING STONES in 1969, appearing on their classic album Let It Bleed.
More than five decades later, Fender has given the legendary composition a new interpretation, featuring musicians and singers from the North East of England.
And the result has caught the attention of none other than Sir Mick Jagger.
Yes, THAT Mick Jagger!
The man who has spent more than six decades strutting around the world’s biggest stages, singing some of the most recognisable songs ever recorded.
And he’s impressed.
Now that’s what we call a proper rock ’n’ roll endorsement, mun!
🎤 Mick Jagger Gives Sam Fender His Seal Of Approval!
Let’s start with the biggest news.
Mick Jagger has publicly praised Sam Fender’s version of the Rolling Stones classic.
Speaking as part of the official announcement for the 2026 John Lewis Christmas campaign, the legendary frontman revealed that he’s already familiar with Fender’s music.
And he had some particularly encouraging words about the new recording.
“I think he’s done a great job with it.”
That’s a pretty impressive compliment coming from the singer who originally brought the song to life.
For Fender, it’s another extraordinary moment in a career that has gone from local gigs in North Shields to sold-out arenas, international recognition and enormous stadium performances.
After all, how many musicians can say they’ve recorded a version of a Rolling Stones classic and received personal praise from Mick Jagger?
Imagine getting that message.
You’d be straight down the pub showing everybody, wouldn’t you?
“Here, Dai, have a look at this!”
“What’s that, butt?”
“Only Mick bloody Jagger saying he likes my song!”
You’d never hear the end of it!
But Jagger’s endorsement carries genuine musical significance.
THE ROLLING STONES remain one of the most influential bands in rock history, and You Can’t Always Get What You Want is among their most celebrated compositions.
Taking on a song that familiar is always a challenge.
Listeners already know every important musical moment.
They know the melody.
They know the emotional progression.
And they’ve spent decades associating it with Jagger’s unmistakable voice.
So hearing the original singer express his approval is a wonderful moment for Fender.
🎄 ‘Gloria And Pickles’ – What’s The 2026 John Lewis Christmas Advert About?
This year’s John Lewis Christmas advert is called Gloria and Pickles.
And in true John Lewis fashion, it’s designed to give viewers a festive lump in the throat.
The three-minute production marks the 20th edition of the retailer’s annual Christmas advertising campaign.
It stars award-winning actress Dame Kristin Scott Thomas as Gloria, a grandmother preparing to welcome her family for Christmas.
Joining her is Paul Whitehouse, the comedy legend known for The Fast Show, Harry & Paul and Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing.
But Whitehouse isn’t playing a conventional character.
Oh no, mun.
He’s providing the voice of a vintage toy dog called Pickles.
Yes.
A talking toy dog.
Voiced by Paul Whitehouse.
Soundtracked by Sam Fender covering THE ROLLING STONES.
It’s like somebody walked into a meeting and said:
“Right, we’ve got a Christmas advert to make. How much British entertainment royalty can we squeeze into three minutes?”
And somehow, they’ve managed quite a lot!
🎁 A Grandmother Struggling To Find The Perfect Present
The advert begins on Christmas Eve.
Gloria is preparing her beautifully decorated home for the arrival of her daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren, Freddie and Maggie.
Like plenty of grandparents, she wants to make Christmas special.
There’s just one problem.
She isn’t entirely sure what presents her grandchildren would actually enjoy.
After bringing out some of her old childhood toys, including Pickles, she discovers that the youngsters aren’t particularly interested.
And suddenly, she begins worrying that she’s lost touch with what makes them happy.
Her solution?
Money in a Christmas card.
Now, there’s nothing wrong with that, is there?
Most of us remember being delighted to find a tenner tucked inside a Christmas card when we were younger.
Especially when it meant another trip to the record shop!
But Gloria wants to give something more personal.
Something meaningful.
Something the children will remember.
And that’s when Pickles decides to get involved.
🐶 Pickles Comes To Life!
The vintage pull-along dog suddenly springs to life, encouraging Gloria to make more effort with her Christmas shopping.
The pair embark on an unexpected adventure through London.
And after an unusual encounter with a colourful tuk-tuk, Gloria finds the inspiration she needs.
The following morning, her grandchildren discover that the envelopes they’re expecting to contain money are actually hiding something else.
A key.
And that key unlocks a very special surprise.
The Gran Cave!
Gloria has transformed her home office into a magical space filled with sparkling lights, disco balls, music and things the family can enjoy together.
It’s a wonderfully personal gift.
And the children absolutely love it.
The message behind the advert is simple:
Don’t Give Up On Giving.
Rather than focusing entirely on expensive presents, the story celebrates thoughtful gestures and the importance of understanding the people closest to us.
And that’s where Fender’s interpretation of You Can’t Always Get What You Want fits perfectly.
Because sometimes the things we truly need aren’t necessarily the things we originally thought we wanted.
🎸 Sam Fender Reimagines A 1969 Rolling Stones Classic!
Choosing to cover THE ROLLING STONES is never a small undertaking.
Especially when you’re dealing with a song as recognisable as You Can’t Always Get What You Want.
Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, the original recording appeared on THE ROLLING STONES’ 1969 album Let It Bleed.
The song represented an important moment in the band’s musical development.
Rather than relying exclusively on their familiar blues-rock approach, the group incorporated gospel influences, orchestral arrangements, acoustic instrumentation and an extraordinary choral introduction.
The original recording featured the London Bach Choir, providing the powerful opening that has become one of the song’s defining characteristics.
And that combination of musical styles helped create something truly special.
A rock song that felt enormous without necessarily relying on constant volume.
A composition that could sound intimate one moment and almost orchestral the next.
And lyrics exploring the complicated relationship between desire, disappointment and acceptance.
More than 50 years later, those themes remain remarkably relevant.
Which makes the song an interesting choice for a Christmas advert about finding meaningful presents.
After all, Christmas advertising is usually built around the things people want.
The latest gadgets.
The biggest toys.
The perfect decorations.
The expensive presents.
But the Stones’ song offers a different perspective.
Sometimes the things that matter most are considerably simpler.
Friendship.
Family.
Understanding.
And spending time with the people you care about.
It’s a message that works rather nicely alongside the story of Gloria and her grandchildren.
🎶 A Proper Geordie Recording – With A School Choir And Brass Band!
One of the most appealing aspects of Fender’s new recording is how strongly it connects with his North East roots.
Rather than simply recording a straightforward cover in an expensive London studio, the musician brought together performers from the communities that helped shape his musical development.
The song was recorded on Tyneside and produced by Fender alongside his bandmates Joe Atkinson and Dean Thompson.
But two particular musical contributions make the project especially interesting.
🎤 John Spence Community High School Choir
Fender invited pupils from John Spence Community High School in North Shields to participate in the recording.
And here’s the lovely bit.
It’s the very school Sam attended himself!
The young singers contribute the choir element that is so important to the original Rolling Stones composition.
It’s a wonderful full-circle moment.
A former pupil who has become one of Britain’s most successful contemporary rock musicians returns to involve the next generation in a major recording project.
Imagine being one of those children.
One minute you’re sitting in class.
The next you’re recording a famous Rolling Stones song with Sam Fender.
Then you discover Mick Jagger has publicly praised the finished version.
That’s certainly one way to make the school newsletter considerably more interesting!
And it demonstrates why supporting music education matters.
Some of the biggest musicians in the world began by singing in school choirs, learning instruments in classrooms or joining small local bands.
You never know where those early opportunities might lead.
🎺 Easington Colliery Band
The recording also features the Easington Colliery Band, a brass ensemble with roots in the North East’s proud mining heritage.
The band previously worked with Fender on his 2025 song Remember My Name.
Their involvement adds another connection to the working-class communities that have influenced Fender’s songwriting.
And that’s something we understand particularly well here in Wales.
Because from the mining communities of North East England to the South Wales Valleys, brass bands and community music have played enormous roles in local culture.
It’s a tradition built around people coming together.
Families.
Workmates.
Young musicians.
And communities passing musical skills from one generation to the next.
There’s something rather special about hearing that musical heritage celebrated in a recording connected to one of Britain’s biggest Christmas advertising campaigns.
From the coalfields of Durham to the valleys of Cymru, we certainly know the power of a proper brass band, butt! 🐉🎺
🎤 Sam Fender Calls Covering The Rolling Stones A Privilege
Fender has spoken enthusiastically about the opportunity to reinterpret the legendary song.
Describing the experience, he said:
“It was a privilege to rework such an iconic song.”
The musician also highlighted the importance of bringing his former school choir and the Easington Colliery Band into the project.
It’s another example of Fender maintaining a strong connection with the North East despite his enormous success.
And that relationship with his roots has always been an important part of his musical identity.
His songs frequently explore working-class communities, family relationships, personal struggles and the everyday experiences of ordinary people.
Those themes have helped establish him as one of the most distinctive British songwriters of his generation.
And even when he’s recording a song originally made famous by one of the world’s biggest rock bands, he’s finding ways to bring his own background into the arrangement.
That’s what makes a cover version interesting.
It shouldn’t simply be an imitation.
It should offer something that reflects the musician performing it.
And Fender’s decision to involve local young singers and brass musicians gives the project its own character.
❤️ The Christmas Single Will Support TWO Important Charities!
Now here’s where the story gets even better.
The new Sam Fender recording isn’t simply being released as a festive soundtrack.
Sales of physical copies will support two important UK charities.
And we love seeing musicians use their work to help make a positive difference.
🎗️ Teenage Cancer Trust
Fender and Polydor Records have confirmed that 100% of the net profits from UK sales of the CD and seven-inch vinyl through Sam’s official online store will be donated to Teenage Cancer Trust.
The charity provides specialist nursing care and youth support for young people aged 13 to 24 who have cancer.
Its work helps young people navigate treatment while also recognising the emotional and practical challenges that can accompany a cancer diagnosis.
Supporting young people through such difficult circumstances is enormously important.
And Fender’s decision to connect the single with the charity adds a meaningful purpose to the release.
❤️ Action For Children
Meanwhile, John Lewis will donate its profits from physical copies sold through its own retail channels to Action for Children.
The charity works to support vulnerable children, young people and families.
Its partnership with John Lewis, known as Building Happier Futures, focuses on helping people who have experienced the care system build better opportunities.
According to the retailer’s official announcement, it expects the record sales to generate at least £18,000 for the charity.
That’s a fantastic ambition for a Christmas single.
And considering the enormous exposure associated with the annual John Lewis advert, it’s encouraging to see the project connected with charitable fundraising.
It’s important to note that the donations concern the relevant profits rather than the entire retail selling price.
But the charitable commitments give music fans another reason to consider picking up a physical copy.
Rock music, Christmas cheer and supporting good causes? That’s a combination we can absolutely get behind, mun!
💿 Sam Fender’s Rolling Stones Cover Is Available On Vinyl And CD!
Now then, vinyl collectors.
You didn’t think we’d forget about you, did you?
The new single is available digitally and can also be pre-ordered in physical formats.
And there’s a lovely little bonus included for fans who enjoy collecting Fender’s music.
Both physical editions feature his previously recorded cover of Winter Song by North East folk-rock legends LINDISFARNE.
Originally recorded by Fender in 2020, the song is receiving its first physical release as part of this project.
🎸 Physical Release Details
| Format | Price | Tracks |
|---|---|---|
| 7-inch vinyl | £14.99 | Extended version of You Can’t Always Get What You Want / Winter Song |
| CD single | £4.99 | Standard version of You Can’t Always Get What You Want / Winter Song |
The seven-inch edition features a 4-minute, 5-second extended version, while the CD includes a 3-minute, 29-second version.
Both formats are listed as shipping by 13 November 2026.
Prices exclude delivery charges and are subject to availability.
🎟️ Order The Single
🎸 Sam Fender – You Can’t Always Get What You Want 7-Inch Vinyl
💿 Sam Fender – You Can’t Always Get What You Want CD Single
And let’s be honest, there’s something rather lovely about buying a physical record at Christmas.
Especially when it’s connected with a legendary song, a modern British rock star and two worthwhile charitable causes.
Although if you’re buying one as a present, make sure the person receiving it actually owns a record player.
Otherwise, you might find yourself explaining why their Christmas gift is a small plastic disc they can’t play!
🏆 Could Sam Fender Be Heading For Christmas Number One?
Now here’s an interesting possibility.
With You Can’t Always Get What You Want receiving major television exposure, physical releases and the personal endorsement of Mick Jagger, the song has emerged as a potential contender in the 2026 Christmas Number One race.
The Official Charts Company has already highlighted Fender’s entry into this year’s festive competition.
And it’s easy to understand why.
John Lewis Christmas adverts frequently attract enormous attention.
The songs often receive substantial radio exposure and streaming interest.
And Fender already has a large and enthusiastic audience.
But becoming Christmas Number One is never guaranteed.
There’s plenty of competition.
Streaming habits can change quickly.
And the festive chart can produce some unexpected results.
For now, it’s simply an interesting possibility rather than a prediction.
But imagine it.
Sam Fender taking a 1969 Rolling Stones classic to Christmas Number One in 2026.
With a school choir and a brass band involved!
That would certainly be a cracking story.
And if it happens, we reckon Mick Jagger might have another reason to raise a glass.
🎸 Sam Fender’s Remarkable Rise Continues!
The Christmas single arrives during another extraordinary period in Fender’s career.
His third studio album, People Watching, released in February 2025, cemented his position among Britain’s most successful contemporary singer-songwriters.
The record went on to win the 2025 Mercury Prize.
And rather than simply celebrating the award, Fender donated the entire £25,000 prize to the Music Venue Trust.
That was an especially meaningful gesture.
Because grassroots music venues are where so many musicians begin their careers.
They’re the places where artists learn to perform.
Where audiences discover new bands.
And where the next generation of British rock music gets its first opportunity to make some noise.
Without those venues, the future of live music would look considerably less exciting.
Fender also enjoyed extraordinary success with Rein Me In, his collaboration with Olivia Dean.
And now he’s preparing for another major milestone.
🐉 Sam Fender Is Coming To Cardiff In 2027!
Here’s some news that’ll make our Welsh readers particularly happy.
Fender’s Proper Massive Stadium Tour 2027 will include two performances at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.
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| Date | Venue |
|---|---|
| Thursday 10 June 2027 | Principality Stadium, Cardiff |
| Saturday 12 June 2027 | Principality Stadium, Cardiff |
The tour will also visit enormous venues including Wembley Stadium, Newcastle’s St James’ Park, Edinburgh’s Murrayfield and Manchester’s Etihad Stadium.
It’s a remarkable step for a musician who started out performing in smaller venues in the North East.
And if you’ve ever seen Fender live, you’ll understand why his audience has grown so dramatically.
His music combines big choruses with deeply personal storytelling.
His performances carry enormous emotional energy.
And he’s managed to create songs that connect with listeners far beyond his hometown.
Seeing him headline the Principality Stadium will be another significant moment in that journey.
And here at The Riff Report, we’re always delighted when major rock artists bring their stadium productions to Wales.
Especially when there’s an opportunity for thousands of Welsh music fans to sing their hearts out together.
Although good luck getting a pint during the interval, butt. The queues could be longer than the M4 on a Friday afternoon!
🎄 John Lewis And The Christmas Advert Tradition
Whether you love them or hate them, John Lewis Christmas adverts have become something of a British tradition.
Every year, the retailer unveils a new story accompanied by a carefully selected soundtrack.
And every year, the nation debates whether the latest advert has managed to deliver the emotional impact of previous campaigns.
The adverts have featured songs associated with artists including The Beatles, Oasis, The Smiths, Keane and The Verve.
They’ve also helped bring attention to recordings by musicians such as Lily Allen, Tom Odell, AURORA, Elton John and Richard Ashcroft.
Some campaigns have been funny.
Others have been sentimental.
And a few have been responsible for making perfectly respectable adults start crying into their Christmas pudding.
The 2026 campaign takes a slightly different approach by focusing on the pressure surrounding gift-giving.
Rather than presenting Christmas as an endless collection of perfect moments, it acknowledges how difficult buying meaningful presents can sometimes feel.
And through Gloria and Pickles, it encourages people to rediscover the pleasure of choosing something thoughtful.
The advert was created by Saatchi & Saatchi and directed by Lucy Forbes, whose credits include This Is Going To Hurt and Eric.
It made its online debut on Tuesday 3 November 2026, with television broadcasts scheduled later the same day.
And with the Rolling Stones soundtrack receiving so much attention, there’s every chance the advert will introduce younger viewers to one of rock’s most enduring compositions.
🎶 Why ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want’ Still Matters After 57 Years
One of the most impressive things about this story is the sheer age of the song involved.
The original Rolling Stones recording arrived in 1969.
That’s 57 years before Fender’s new interpretation.
Think about everything that has happened to rock music during that time.
BLACK SABBATH helped create heavy metal.
LED ZEPPELIN became one of the biggest bands in the world.
Punk exploded.
IRON MAIDEN and JUDAS PRIEST helped define British heavy metal.
Grunge arrived.
Britpop took over.
Nu metal introduced another generation to heavy guitars.
And now modern rock artists are taking classic material and introducing it to entirely new audiences.
Yet the Stones’ song still works.
Why?
Because great songwriting doesn’t have an expiry date.
A powerful melody.
An interesting arrangement.
And a message that listeners can connect with.
Those elements can remain effective for decades.
And when a younger artist finds a way to reinterpret the music without losing its original meaning, something interesting can happen.
Older fans rediscover the song.
Younger listeners investigate the original.
And an entirely new conversation begins around a piece of music that has already existed for generations.
That’s one of the wonderful things about rock music.
The songs don’t disappear simply because the years keep passing.
They continue finding new listeners.
And sometimes they turn up in the most unexpected places.
Even a Christmas advert featuring a talking toy dog!
📺 Where Can You Watch ‘Gloria And Pickles’?
If you haven’t watched the advert yet, the complete three-minute film is available through John Lewis’s official online channels.
It features Dame Kristin Scott Thomas as Gloria, Paul Whitehouse as the voice of Pickles and Sam Fender’s new recording of You Can’t Always Get What You Want.
🎬 Watch The Official 2026 John Lewis Christmas Advert – Gloria And Pickles
You can also listen to the full Sam Fender recording through major music streaming services.
And if you fancy adding a physical copy to your collection, both the vinyl and CD editions are available to pre-order.
Just remember that purchasing through Fender’s official store supports Teenage Cancer Trust through the stated net-profit donation, while John Lewis’s profits from its own sales support Action for Children.
🔥 The Riff Report Verdict – Mick Jagger, Sam Fender And A Talking Dog? That’s One Hell Of A Christmas Combination!
Well, butt, there’s certainly plenty to enjoy about this story.
You’ve got one of Britain’s most exciting contemporary rock musicians reworking a classic song.
You’ve got Mick Jagger publicly praising the result.
You’ve got schoolchildren and brass musicians from the North East contributing to the recording.
You’ve got a Christmas advert starring two enormously talented British performers.
And you’ve got physical record sales helping support two important charities.
That’s a pretty impressive collection of ingredients.
But perhaps the most important element is the connection between different generations of music.
THE ROLLING STONES helped define rock ’n’ roll during the 1960s.
Sam Fender belongs to a much younger generation of British musicians.
Yet their music can still connect through a song written more than half a century ago.
And the fact that Fender has involved children from his old school makes the whole project even more meaningful.
Those young singers are now part of a recording associated with one of Britain’s most famous bands.
That’s something they can look back on with pride.
As for the advert itself, its message about thoughtful gift-giving feels particularly appropriate during a period when Christmas can sometimes become overwhelmingly commercial.
Not every memorable present has to cost a fortune.
Sometimes a little imagination and personal effort can make a much bigger difference.
And honestly, there’s something rather wonderful about seeing a classic Rolling Stones song used to communicate that message.
So fair play to Sam Fender. Fair play to Mick Jagger. And fair play to everybody involved in making this year’s advert.
Now then…
We’ve got just one suggestion for John Lewis.
Next year, how about getting IRON MAIDEN involved?
Imagine Santa flying over London while Aces High blasts through the speakers.
Rudolph wearing a battle jacket.
Eddie the Head climbing down somebody’s chimney.
And Bruce Dickinson arriving at the front door with a sack full of presents.
Come on!
You know you’d watch it, mun! 😂🤘
💬 Have Your Say, Riff Report Crew!
Right then, you wonderful bunch of festive rockers!
What do YOU think of Sam Fender covering THE ROLLING STONES for the John Lewis Christmas advert?
Does his version do justice to the original?
Are you impressed that Mick Jagger has given it his personal approval?
And what do you think of this year’s Gloria and Pickles Christmas story?
Here’s another question.
If you could choose any rock or metal band to record the soundtrack for next year’s John Lewis Christmas advert, who would it be?
Would you go for STEREOPHONICS?
MANIC STREET PREACHERS?
FOO FIGHTERS?
METALLICA?
Or perhaps a Welsh grassroots band that deserves a massive national platform?
Get involved in the comments and let us know!
Because Christmas might be about presents, family gatherings and enough mince pies to make your doctor raise an eyebrow.
But there’s always room for a cracking rock song.
Keep the riffs loud, the Christmas spirit alive and those horns held high, butt! 🎄🐉🤘
