Fender/">Sam Fender has recorded a cover of The Rolling Stones’ “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” for the 2026 John Lewis Christmas advert. The song, originally released on the band’s 1969 album “Let It Bleed”, features Fender alongside the choir from his former school, John Spence Community High School in North Shields, and brass musicians from the Easington Colliery Band.
The advert stars Dame Kristin Scott Thomas as a grandmother searching for gifts for her grandchildren. Fender said it was a privilege to rework a song by a legendary band, adding that the choir was recorded with pupils from his old school and the brass section was arranged with the Easington Colliery Band.
Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger also approved of the version. “I’m a fan of Sam’s work, so I was pleased to hear he was covering one of my songs,” he said, adding that Fender had done “a great job with it”.
The cover will be released on 7-inch vinyl and CD, backed by Fender’s 2020 version of Lindisfarne’s “Winter Song”, which is receiving its first physical release. All net profits from copies sold through Fender’s official online store will go to Teenage Cancer Trust. John Lewis will donate its profits from copies sold in its stores to Action for Children.
Sources: NME.