Wham!
Wham! Lyrics


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[Chorus:]
Wham! bam!
I am! a man!
Job or no job,
You can't tell me that I'm not.
Do! you!
Enjoy what you do?
If not, just stop!
Don't stay there and rot!

You got soul...
You got soul...
I said get, get, get on down,
Said get, get, get, on down.
Hey everybody take a look at me,
I've got street credibility,
I may not have a job,
But I have a good time,
With the boys that I meet "down on the line"
I said, I - don't - need - you
So you don't approve,
Well who asked you to?
Hey - jerk - you - work
This boy's got better things to do
Hell,
I ain't never gonna work, get down in the dirt,
I choose, to cruise.
Gonna live my life, sharp as a knife,
I've found my groove and I just can't lose.
A.1. style from head to toe,
Cool cat flash gonna let you know,
I'm a soul boy - I'm a dole boy,
Take pleasure in leisure, I believe in joy!

[Chorus]

Party nights, and neon lights,
We hit the floors, we hit the heights.
Dancing shoes, and pretty girls.
Boys in leather kiss girls in pearls!
Hot-damn! everybody, let's play!
So they promised you a good job - no way!

One, two, three, rap!
C'mon everybody, don't need this crap!

[Chorus]

If you're a pub man
Or a club man
Maybe a jet black guy with a hip hi-fi
A white cool cat with a trilby hat
Maybe leather and studs is where you're at
Make the most of every day
Don't let hard times stand in your way
Give a wham give a bam but don't give a damn
'Cause the benefit gang are gonna pay!

Now reach up high and touch your soul,
The boys from wham! will help you reach that goal.
It's gonna break your mama's heart, (so sad)
It's gonna break your daddy's heart, (too bad)
But you'll throw the dice and take my advice,
Because I know that you're smart.
Can you dig this thing? - yeah!
Are you gonna get down? - yeah!
Say wham! - wham!
Say bam! - bam!

[Chorus]

Do you want to work? - no
Are you gonna have fun? - yeah
Said one, two, three, rap, c'mon everybody,
Don't need this crap!
Enjoy what you do?
Everybody say wham! - wham!
Everybody say wham! bam! - wham! bam!
Enjoy what you do?





(repeat to fade)

Overall Meaning

The Wham Rap! is a song about living life on your own terms despite societal and personal pressures. It speaks of the importance of finding joy in what you do and not allowing one's self to be confined to a job if it doesn't bring any fulfillment. The chorus, "Wham! bam! I am! a man! Job or no job, You can't tell me that I'm not," reinforces the idea of being confident in one's self and not relying on a job to define their worth. The song also highlights the joys of partying and having fun with friends, as well as the pitfalls of having a mundane and unfulfilling existence.


The song is infused with references to the subculture of soul boy, including their fashion and interests. The lyrics describe their dancing shoes, leather and studs attire, and love for soul music. The song encourages listeners to embrace their own unique style and interests, even if it goes against societal norms.


Line by Line Meaning

Wham! bam!
A form of expression indicating excitement and energy.


I am! a man!
A declaration of being a man with full autonomy and self-worth.


Job or no job,You can't tell me that I'm not.
A way of standing up to society's expectation of having a job to validate one's worth and success.


Do! you! Enjoy what you do?
A question asking whether one is happy and content with what they do in life.


If not, just stop!Don't stay there and rot!
An encouragement to leave any miserable or unfulfilling job or situation and find happiness elsewhere.


You got soul...You got soul...
An affirmation of inner strength and individuality.


I said get, get, get on down,Said get, get, get, on down.
A call to action to start moving forward in life and not remain stagnant.


Hey everybody take a look at me,I've got street credibility,
A way of presenting oneself as cool and respected among peers.


I may not have a job,But I have a good time,With the boys that I meet "down on the line"
A pride in enjoying life and cherishing friendships despite not having a conventional job.


I said, I - don't - need - you,So you don't approve,Well who asked you to?
A rejection of any negative opinions or judgement from others about one's life choices.


Hey - jerk - you - work,This boy's got better things to do
An insult to those who put down one's lifestyle while portraying a sense of superiority and purposeful living.


Hell,I ain't never gonna work, get down in the dirt,I choose, to cruise.
A bold statement of refusing to be tied down by societies' expectations of work and instead living life to the fullest.


Gonna live my life, sharp as a knife,I've found my groove and I just can't lose.
A strong sense of self-assurance and confidence in one's ability to live their life to the fullest.


A.1. style from head to toe,Cool cat flash gonna let you know,I'm a soul boy - I'm a dole boy,Take pleasure in leisure, I believe in joy!
A way of expressing individuality, confidence, and a love for pleasure and joy in life.


[Chorus]
A repetition of the song's main chorus.


Party nights, and neon lights,We hit the floors, we hit the heights.
A description of the nightlife and living life to the fullest.


Dancing shoes, and pretty girls.Boys in leather kiss girls in pearls!
A reference to the party scene and the freedom to love who you want.


Hot-damn! everybody, let's play!So they promised you a good job - no way!
A call to action to have fun and reject societal pressure to conform to a pre-defined path of success.


One, two, three, rap!C'mon everybody, don't need this crap!
A rejection of societal norms and expectations that stifle individuality and creativity.


If you're a pub man, Or a club man,Maybe a jet black guy with a hip hi-fi,A white cool cat with a trilby hat,Maybe leather and studs is where you're at
An acknowledgment and celebration of different lifestyles and subcultures.


Make the most of every day,Don't let hard times stand in your way,Give a wham give a bam but don't give a damn,'Cause the benefit gang are gonna pay!
An emphasis on living life to the fullest and rejecting any difficulties that come in the way.


Now reach up high and touch your soul,The boys from wham! will help you reach that goal.
A call to introspect and look within oneself for inspiration.


It's gonna break your mama's heart, (so sad)It's gonna break your daddy's heart, (too bad)But you'll throw the dice and take my advice,Because I know that you're smart.
A recognition of how the unconventional and non-conformist lifestyle of the singer might upset family members, but a call to not be afraid of taking risks.


Can you dig this thing? - yeah!Are you gonna get down? - yeah!Say wham! - wham!Say bam! - bam!
An invitation to join in and embrace life to the fullest.


[Chorus]
A repetition of the song's main chorus.


Do you want to work? - noAre you gonna have fun? - yeahSaid one, two, three, rap, c'mon everybody,Don't need this crap!
A declaration of choosing a life of joy and fun over societal expectations to stay in a job just for the sake of having one.


Enjoy what you do?Everybody say wham! - wham!Everybody say wham! bam! - wham! bam!Enjoy what you do?
A repetition of the core message of the song - to enjoy one's life and reject societal norms that don't align with one's values.


(repeat to fade)
A musical notation indicating that the song will continue to play with reduced volume until it fades away.




Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANDREW RIDGELEY, ANDREW J. RIDGELEY, GEORGE MICHAEL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Immi and Saffi

Saw the documentary yesterday on Netflix and I was overwhelmed with joyous past memories. Wham Rap! I feel always does not get the recognition that it deserves. Wham! will always be my favourite band and George will always be my number 1!! And thank you to Andrew to keep the memories alive ❤❤

A K

I loved the documentary also, it showed they were a brotherhood, not just Andrew playing second fiddle. I wasn't familiar with their earlier work, I'm hearing going through all their hits now. I knew them from Wake Me Up Before You Go Go, to all the mainstream hits, to ofc all.of George 's solo work. May be RIP

Sally Cummins

I missed it im so disappointed

Andre Melton

Big George Michael and Wham fan the rap was actually good I remember years ago I didn't care for it

amy t

@AK-jw7rx  Same. At the time, I was living in small town America, so I never got to hear their earlier songs before Wake Me Up. It was whatever the radio broadcasted. Discovering their earlier hits that didn't chart in the US later in life was exciting! So many fantastic British bands of that Era had popular songs we Americans didn't know about, especially if you didn't live in a big city.

Jeannified

Saw the documentary yesterday. Incredible! Now I am on a Wham tear! Gonna order some of their CD’s!

22 More Replies...

Felix Aguinaga

One of their most underrated hits. RIP George Michael

Exkrement in Menschenhaut

No

Bastoic

@Exkrement in Menschenhautno?

Alicia Sanchez

This song was way ahead of its time. My sister and i sing this literally all the time!

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