"Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" is a song by English pop duo Wham!, released … Read Full Bio ↴"Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" is a song by English pop duo Wham!, released in May 1984. It was written and produced by George Michael, one half of the duo, which also included Andrew Ridgeley. The song became Wham!'s first UK number one hit and their first to top the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. It was released as a single from their second album, Make It Big, which was certified multi-platinum in several countries.
The song originated from a note Ridgeley left for his parents, initially intended to read "wake me up before you go." After accidentally writing "up" twice, Ridgeley added "go" twice, inspiring Michael to develop it into a song. It entered the UK Singles Chart at number four and reached number one after seven days, remaining at the top for three weeks.
The music video was filmed at the Carling Academy Brixton in London and featured Michael and Ridgeley performing to a teenage audience. It also included backing singers Pepsi and Shirlie, and Peter (Froudy) Froud. The performers wore Katharine Hamnett T-shirts with the slogans "CHOOSE LIFE" and "GO GO." Michael additionally wore luminous gloves. The video showcased Ridgeley playing guitar, marking his debut as a guitarist for Wham!.
In 2004, Japanese actor Yuji Oda recorded a cover titled "Wake Me Up Go! Go!" for the soundtrack of the Japanese television drama Last Christmas, alongside a cover of Wham!'s "Last Christmas." Italian indie band Annie Hall also recorded a cover. On 22 November 2009, the six remaining finalists of the sixth series of The X Factor performed the song on the results show for the seventh live show. Additionally, on Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, Dec's team performed it in the "Ant Vs. Dec: The Teams" segment, with their version reaching number 64 on the UK Singles Chart after being the most downloaded of the competing performances.
The song has appeared in various media. In the 1998 film The Wedding Singer, the character Linda, played by Angela Featherstone, sings an incorrect version of the lyrics to wake Robbie, played by Adam Sandler. It plays during Natalie’s introduction in the 2001 film Charlie's Angels and in the background of a gasoline fight scene in Zoolander (2001), later replaying during the film's closing scenes. Luke Menard performed it on season 7 of American Idol, marking his final performance before elimination. John C. Reilly sang it in the 2006 film Talladega Nights. On Saturday Night Live, Jimmy Fallon performed a parody, wearing clothes resembling those from the Wham! video. Borat, portrayed by Sacha Baron Cohen, sang a mostly gibberish version during a karaoke scene in an episode’s closing credits. The song was also adapted into a music video on The NRL Footy Show in Australia, where Matthew Johns, as Reg Reagan, used its music for a version of the Maori Haka. In the Friends episode "The One With All The Haste," Chandler references the song in a conversation with Ross. Chris Griffin sings part of it in an episode of Family Guy while visiting a tribe. It was featured as a demo song in the Casio SA11 keyboard and included in the game Wii Music.
In sports, Pittsburgh Penguins fans chant the chorus when defenseman Alex Goligoski, nicknamed "Go-Go," scores a goal.
The song originated from a note Ridgeley left for his parents, initially intended to read "wake me up before you go." After accidentally writing "up" twice, Ridgeley added "go" twice, inspiring Michael to develop it into a song. It entered the UK Singles Chart at number four and reached number one after seven days, remaining at the top for three weeks.
The music video was filmed at the Carling Academy Brixton in London and featured Michael and Ridgeley performing to a teenage audience. It also included backing singers Pepsi and Shirlie, and Peter (Froudy) Froud. The performers wore Katharine Hamnett T-shirts with the slogans "CHOOSE LIFE" and "GO GO." Michael additionally wore luminous gloves. The video showcased Ridgeley playing guitar, marking his debut as a guitarist for Wham!.
In 2004, Japanese actor Yuji Oda recorded a cover titled "Wake Me Up Go! Go!" for the soundtrack of the Japanese television drama Last Christmas, alongside a cover of Wham!'s "Last Christmas." Italian indie band Annie Hall also recorded a cover. On 22 November 2009, the six remaining finalists of the sixth series of The X Factor performed the song on the results show for the seventh live show. Additionally, on Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, Dec's team performed it in the "Ant Vs. Dec: The Teams" segment, with their version reaching number 64 on the UK Singles Chart after being the most downloaded of the competing performances.
The song has appeared in various media. In the 1998 film The Wedding Singer, the character Linda, played by Angela Featherstone, sings an incorrect version of the lyrics to wake Robbie, played by Adam Sandler. It plays during Natalie’s introduction in the 2001 film Charlie's Angels and in the background of a gasoline fight scene in Zoolander (2001), later replaying during the film's closing scenes. Luke Menard performed it on season 7 of American Idol, marking his final performance before elimination. John C. Reilly sang it in the 2006 film Talladega Nights. On Saturday Night Live, Jimmy Fallon performed a parody, wearing clothes resembling those from the Wham! video. Borat, portrayed by Sacha Baron Cohen, sang a mostly gibberish version during a karaoke scene in an episode’s closing credits. The song was also adapted into a music video on The NRL Footy Show in Australia, where Matthew Johns, as Reg Reagan, used its music for a version of the Maori Haka. In the Friends episode "The One With All The Haste," Chandler references the song in a conversation with Ross. Chris Griffin sings part of it in an episode of Family Guy while visiting a tribe. It was featured as a demo song in the Casio SA11 keyboard and included in the game Wii Music.
In sports, Pittsburgh Penguins fans chant the chorus when defenseman Alex Goligoski, nicknamed "Go-Go," scores a goal.
Wake Me up Before You Go-Go
Wham! Lyrics
Instrumental
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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@charlesmott9422
I'm in my late 70's. I remember when this song was released. My girlfriend and I danced and danced to this song. We loved it. I am still dancing, only alone now. My dog thinks the old man has lost it because I dance around the house when I listen to this song. ...I turn the volume up and I know the neighbors say, "he is partying again"..LOL---- UPDATE: Sept. 12, 2022: Just wanted you my friends, to know I celebrated my 80th birthday and danced to "Wake Me Up Before You Go GO". I lost my dog a few months ago due to cancer. He was with me nearly 18 years. I sure miss the little guy. The kind comments you left below and emails, have made this old man smile and laugh. I wish you all the best. Please stay well and keep in touch.
Dec. 25, 2022: Just want to wish all of you nice people Happy Holidays and to thank you for the nice notes you send me. You are the best. Stay well and let us keep on dancing. I plan to give all of you a New Year's eve toast while I am dancing to "Wake Me Up Before You Go".
Hugs to all of you.
June 8, 2024: Last night they had a dance at the club house and played music from the 60's and 70's and they played "Wake me Up Before you Go Go"... I thought I have to let my friends on YouTube know about this.... Of course I danced with a nice young lady who made my evening even greater. 😉 Hope all is well with all of you. XX
@connor4868
Hey dude! I think you're cool for still dancing to this song! Let your neighbours think you're a crazy old man, everyone here knows you're cool as hell! We'll all be dancing with you!
@charlesmott9422
@@connor4868 Thanks Connor. Stay safe.
@francinebautista1918
Awwww this is so wholesome!
@GordonSucksAtLife
Who cares ? As long as you feel good and enjoy it ! That’s what music is all about ! Plus.
you can enjoy this nostalgica :)
@hollowness723
Dancing with you! So you are not alone
@romansorge732
One of the most iconic songs of the 80s.
Rest in Peace,George Michael!
@austin5019
80s music will never get old and last forever!!!
@WilliamPatmon-pf5ql
I couldn’t agree more.
@battles9445
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ