Sam Fender has released his version of the Rolling Stones’ “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” for the 2026 John Lewis Christmas advert. The retailer unveiled “Gloria and Pickles” on November 3, with Fender’s recording as its soundtrack. Physical singles are also on the way, and the CD and seven-inch are not quite the same release.
Both include Fender’s 2020 cover of Lindisfarne’s “Winter Song”, which is reaching a physical format for the first time. The artist’s shop lists a longer mix of the Stones cover on vinyl.
Check the running time before choosing
The official seven-inch listing names an Extended Mix lasting 4:05. The CD lists the title track at 3:29. That makes the vinyl version 36 seconds longer, based on the published track times. “Winter Song” is listed at 4:14 on both formats, so the B-side is not a different song or a vinyl-only extra.
Those timings establish a difference in the editions. They do not tell us which musical passage has been extended, and this report is not a listening comparison. If the longer version is your reason for buying, check that the product listing specifically says Extended Mix rather than relying on the shared song title.
Fender’s shop currently marks both singles as preorders, shipping by November 13. That is its dispatch timetable, not a promise that a record will reach every address on that date. The song’s release today and a physical order’s arrival are separate things.
The charity depends on the shop
The official artist-store terms name Teenage Cancer Trust as the beneficiary of UK sales. Sam Fender and Polydor will donate 100% of net profits from the specified single sold through that store. The definition deducts costs including tax, manufacture, distribution, fulfilment, payment fees and royalties. It does not promise that the full amount paid at checkout reaches the charity.
John Lewis has a different pledge. Its announcement says all its profits from each record and CD sold will go to Action for Children, its partner in the Building Happier Futures programme. Buying through John Lewis therefore supports a different organisation from the artist-store route. Read the seller’s own terms if the beneficiary is part of your choice.
The recording itself brings together Fender’s band, the children’s choir from his former school, John Spence Community High School in North Shields, and the Easington Colliery Band. The artist’s shop says it was recorded in Newcastle and self-produced with his bandmates. Our earlier stadium-tour report covers Fender’s separate 2027 live dates; this single’s purchase and shipping details concern the record.