Did you know the Wham! The album that made them global superstars was almost a secret project. George Michael produced their second record, Make It Big, all by himself. This album, recorded in a French chateau and London, shot to No.1 on both sides of the Atlantic. It gave the world four smash-hit singles, but George thought the band’s bright, cartoon-teen image was just “consistently naff.”
George Michael hated the fun, simple look of Wham!, even as he was writing those catchy, perfect pop songs. He used the band’s massive fame as a clever way to become a future solo superstar. This was his Trojan horse plan. He had his serious songwriting, and he used the neon circus of Wham! to sneak his big talent right into everyone’s home.
The image was kind of consistently naff
Fans who see the old footage often share their love for the band. One viewer said, “He was very harsh and too critical of himself! All Wham songs are bloody brilliant!” Another person added that they thought the duo looked “adorable” because the brightly colored clothes fit right in with the 1980s aerobics trend.
The huge success of the band led to one of their most famous songs, “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.” This song is the most iconic track from the whole Make It Big album. The youthful energy and pure fun of this song were key to Wham!’s early fame.
Wham! – Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go (Official Video)
“Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” released in 1984, went to No.1 in the US and the UK. The song is catchy and has a super-fast dance beat with bright sounds. The famous music video with their colorful clothes and suspenders showed off the fun style of the 1980s. The song’s joy and simple lyrics about not wanting to miss out on a good time made it a timeless anthem.
George Michael’s voice was truly a gift, an angel’s voice that brought joy to millions. His journey from the youthful pop of Wham! to his serious solo work showed his deep talent. Follow George Michael on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to keep celebrating his lasting music and legacy.