Sam Fender covers Rolling Stones for John Lewis Christmas advert

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 3 Nov, 14:15 · Archive

Sam Fender performs a cover of The Rolling Stones' 'You Can't Always Get What You Want' for the 2026 John Lewis Christmas advert, with Sir Mick Jagger's approval.

John Lewis has released its twentieth annual Christmas advert, featuring a cover of The Rolling Stones' classic 'You Can't Always Get What You Want' performed by Sam Fender. The 32-year-old singer recorded the song with children from his old school, John Spence Community High School, and the Easington Colliery Band.

The advert stars actress Dame Kristin Scott Thomas as Gloria, a grandmother struggling to find a meaningful gift for her two grandchildren, Freddie and Maggie. With encouragement from Pickles, a vintage pull-along wooden dog voiced by comedian Paul Whitehouse, she decides against giving cash and instead creates a 'Gran Cave' in her home. The room features recycled items and decorations costing less than £100, with a record player where the family dances together.

The campaign tagline is 'Don't give up on giving'. John Lewis said the advert was made with the cost-of-living crisis in mind, showing that creating memorable experiences need not be expensive. The original song was released by The Rolling Stones in 1969 on their album Let It Bleed.

Sir Mick Jagger gave his personal approval to Fender's cover. In a statement, the Rolling Stones frontman said he was 'a fan of Sam's work' and that Fender had 'done a great job' with the recording. Fender responded by calling it 'a privilege to rework such an iconic song by such a legendary band'.

Fender is among the favourites to headline Glastonbury Music Festival in 2027. The Evening Standard reports that he won the 2025 Mercury Prize for his album People Watching and had a duet with Olivia Dean, 'Rein Me In', which spent 23 weeks at number one in the UK charts.

How it is being reported

• Mick Jagger Reacts To Sam Fender's Rolling Stones Cover For New John Lewis AdSir Mick Jagger has already given Sam Fender ’s fresh take on a Rolling Stones classic for this year’s John Lewis Christmas advert his personal seal of approval. On Tuesday morning, John Lewis unveiled the 20th of its annual festive ad campaigns, which prominently features Sam’s cover of the signature Rolling Stones tune You Can’t Always Get What You Want . In a press release, Sir Mick revealed that he had already been “a fan of Sam’s work” when he found out about the Brit Award winner’s new recording, enthusing: “I was pleased to hear he was covering one of my songs.” Sir Mick Jagger The…HuffPost UK · 3 Nov, 09:17
• Sam Fender’s John Lewis ad and the Rolling Stones covers that have come beforeThe Stones, fronted by Sir Mick Jagger, have seen their music translated into different languages and genres.Evening Standard · 3 Nov, 07:56
• Watch John Lewis Christmas advert 2026 in full with Sam Fender's Rolling Stones coverThis year's John Lewis Christmas advert focuses on the fear of finding the 'perfect gift,' with creators saying it was made with the 'cost-of-living' crisis in mindThe Mirror · 3 Nov, 06:17
• Glastonbury 2027 favourite covers iconic Rolling Stones song for John Lewis Christmas advertThe artist said it was a 'privilege'.Metro · 3 Nov, 06:00

In this story: Sam Fender · Kristin Scott Thomas · Mick Jagger · The Rolling Stones · John Lewis · Paul Whitehouse · John Spence Community High School · Glastonbury Music Festival

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log