Sam Fender has recorded a cover of The Rolling Stones’ 1969 hit “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” for the John Lewis 2026 Christmas advert.
The annual festive ad has become a celebrated platform for both emerging and established artists, previously featuring the likes of Andrea Bocelli, Richard Ashcroft, Lily Allen, Aurora, Lola Young and Tom Odell. Over the years the campaign has re‑imagined tracks by iconic acts such as John Lennon, Blink‑182, Oasis, The Smiths and Keane.
Fender’s version blends his emotive voice with a children’s choir from John Spence Community High School in North Shields—where he was a pupil—and the brass section of the Easington Colliery Band, creating a nostalgic, festive soundscape.
The advert stars Dame Kristin Scott Thomas as a grandmother on the hunt for the perfect gifts for her grandchildren. The full spot and the accompanying track are available via the embedded video and Spotify links below.
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Last year’s John Lewis advert highlighted Alison Limerick’s 1990 club hit “Where Love Lives”, later reworked by Labrinth into a slower piano‑driven version, reinforcing the brand’s tradition of blending classic soul with contemporary pop.
The campaign has become a staple of the UK festive season; Elton John’s 2018 appearance reportedly commanded a £5 million fee.
Fender’s contribution comes as he gears up for the “Proper Massive” stadium tour across the UK and Ireland next year, with extra dates already added due to demand. He has also hinted at a new album and received praise from Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, who said he was a fan of Fender’s work and thought the cover was “a great job.”
The single will be released on 7” vinyl and CD, backed with Fender’s 2020 cover of Lindisfarne’s “Winter Song”—now available on physical formats for the first time. All net profits from sales through the official Sam Fender online store will be donated to Teenage Cancer Trust. Additionally, John Lewis will contribute proceeds from in‑store sales to Action for Children, supporting those who have grown up in care.