George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley met at Bushey Meads School in Watford, England. At first, they performed in a short-lived rock and roll band called The Executive. They then changed their name and signed with Innervision Records. Soon after a legal victory over Innervision, the duo was signed to CBS, Columbia Records in the United States and Canada and Epic Records for the rest of the world.
Further information: Artist development deal
Michael took on the majority of roles and responsibilities within the band— composer, singer, producer, and occasional instrumentalist— but the contribution of Ridgeley as the group's image specialist and spokesman was crucial to the band's initial success. Ridgeley convinced a reluctant George that Wham! needed to change their image and sound frequently, from the leather-clad moody singers of "Bad Boys" and "Young Guns (Go For It!)" to the more fashionable pop superstars of "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go."
Still teenagers, they promoted themselves as hedonistic youngsters, proud to live a carefree life without work or commitment. This was reflected in their earliest singles. Such works as "Wham Rap! (Enjoy What You Do?)" have been seen as sarcasm advocating the other point of view.
The first record to be released by the band was "Wham Rap!". It was a double-A side with a Social Mix and Anti-social Mix. The record was banned for general release in the UK due to the profanity in the Anti-social Mix. In October 1982, their song "Young Guns (Go For It!)" was issued. The song was an appeal from one youthful lad to his friend to not throw his life away so early on marriage. It stalled outside the UK Top 40 but then Wham! got lucky when Top Of The Pops scheduled them. An important weekly BBC chart show on television, it had to look outside the Top 40 to fill a gap created by an act which had pulled out of recording. Nearest to the 40 mark and still climbing, Wham! was summoned, and a phenomenon immediately began.
The impact of Wham! on the public, especially teenage girls, was felt from the moment they finished their debut performance of "Young Guns (Go For It!)" on Top Of The Pops. Michael's appearance may have helped. He wore espadrilles, a suede jacket slit open, and rolled-up denim jeans. Ridgeley stood behind him, flanked by backing dancers D.C. Lee and Shirlie Holliman.
The performance was as much one of acting as it was of singing, with Michael playing the part of the pleading goodtime lad, and Ridgeley the guy who had been drawn into commitment. Afterwards, the song shot into the Top 40 at #24 and peaked at #3 in December. The following year (1983), D.C. Lee began her work with Paul Weller of The Style Council, and was replaced by Pepsi DeMacque. Holliman and DeMacque would later record music as Pepsi and Shirlie.
Wham! followed up "Young Guns (Go For It!)" with the reissue "Wham Rap! (Enjoy What You Do)", a song about the joys of a leisurely life (the full version of which clocked in at almost seven minutes long); "Bad Boys", about a strained relationship between a rebellious teenage lad and his worried parents; and "Club Tropicana", a satire of the Club 18-30 scene. Each song came with a memorable music video.
By the end of 1983, Wham! was rivaling Duran Duran and Culture Club as Britain's biggest pop act. Notoriety and column inches were duly achieved with their antics of placing a shuttlecock down their shorts, and their first album Fantastic reached #1.
Around this time, Ridgeley become conscious of legal problems with their initial contract at Innervision. He mounted a legal challenge against the record company and its founder Mark Dean, who had initially signed them to the label, and George publicly stated they were financially mistreated [citation needed]. While the legal battle raged (perhaps to raise much-needed funds for the fight), Innervision released a medley of non-single album tracks from Fantastic, entitled Club Fantastic Megamix. Wham! publicly denounced the move, and urged fans not to buy it. After all the legal wrangling, Innervision admitted there were royalty discrepancies with Wham!'s contract, leading to the bankruptcy and dissolution of Innervision.
Driven by Ridgeley, the duo changed their image, and Wham! returned in May 1984 with an updated, cutting-edge pop image quickly copied by other pop bands. Andrew changed the band's look from "moody in leather jackets" to smiles and fashionable clothing, with an aim to promote themselves more as sex symbols rather than spokespeople for a disaffected generation.
Fittingly enough, these changes propelled the next single (a pop standard) to the top of the charts around the world. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, a song Michael wrote from a note left to him in his hotel room one night by Ridgeley. The note was mistakenly written by Ridgeley as "don't forget to wake me up up before you go go, George". Since he accidentally wrote the word "up" twice, Ridgeley decided to compound the error and write "go" twice. It became their first UK #1 and rose to the top in the USA), capped by a memorable video of the duo, plus the ubiquitous Pepsi and Shirlie, wearing Katharine Hamnett T-shirts with the slogans CHOOSE LIFE and GO GO.
These t-shirts became essential fashion items as Hamnett wrote herself into the pop culture lexicon, having simultaneously designed the FRANKIE SAY t-shirts for Frankie Goes to Hollywood.
Although some critics felt that Wham! represented bubblegum pop[citation needed], many were starting to appreciate Michael's proven ability as a songwriter and capable vocalist. (The following year, he would win the Ivor Novello Award for songwriting.) However, at the same time they bemoaned the status of Ridgeley, who had started to "play" a guitar during live shows (never on any recordings) but whose overall contribution was deemed to be lightweight[citation needed].
With some bizarre contradiction, the next single "Careless Whisper" was issued as a George Michael solo piece, yet unlike any Wham! single since "Wham Rap!," it was co-written by Ridgeley. The song quickly reached #1. In the autumn of 1984, Wham! came back as a duo with "Freedom", another chart-topper. In November, they released their second album, Make It Big, which coasted to #1 on the album charts. The band set off on another arena tour at the end of '84, and George told Smash Hits magazine at the time that he had written a song called "Stephen." The song had been composed for a friend who was struggling to cope with bereavment. While this song is still unreleased, those that were at the recording sessions decsribe it as a heartfelt story of the loss of a loved one[citation needed].
George contributed to the Band Aid project, with Michael providing vocals as the song usurped their own Christmas release, "Last Christmas"/"Everything She Wants", the former of which featured a video set in a ski resort.
The single became the highest-selling single ever to peak at #2 in the UK charts. As such, Wham! donated all their royalties to the Ethiopian famine appeal to coincide with the fundraising intentions of Band Aid, the song which beat them to the top spot. Band Aid's success meant that Michael had been at #1 within three different entities in 1984—as a solo artist, half of a duo, and part of a charity ensemble.
Michael desired to create music targeted to a more sophisticated audience than the duo's primarily teenage fanbase. Therefore, Michael and Ridgeley announced the breakup of Wham! in the spring of 1986, destined to take place after a farewell single and album, along with a historic grand finale concert at Wembley Stadium on June 28, 1986, called The Final. British pop group Five Star declined George's invitation to be the supporting act, saying they needed to concentrate on their own career at the time.
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Wham! Lyrics
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Jitterbug
Jitterbug
Jitterbug
You put the boom boom into my heart (hoo, hoo)
You send my soul sky high when your lovin' starts
Jitterbug into my brain (yeah, yeah)
But something's bugging you (ha-ha, ha-ha)
Something ain't right (ha-ha, ha-ha)
My best friend told me what you did last night (ha-ha, ha-ha)
Left me sleepin' in my bed (ha-ha, ha-ha)
I was dreaming, but I should have been with you instead (ha-ha)
Wake me up before you go-go
Don't leave me hanging on like a yo-yo
Wake me up before you go-go
I don't want to miss it when you hit that high
Wake me up before you go-go
'Cause I'm not plannin' on going solo
Wake me up before you go-go
Take me dancing tonight
I wanna hit that high (yeah, yeah)
You take the grey skies out of my way (hoo, hoo)
You make the sun shine brighter than Doris Day
Turned a bright spark into a flame (yeah, yeah)
My beats per minute never been the same
'Cause you're my lady, I'm your fool (ha-ha, ha-ha)
It makes me crazy when you act so cruel (ha-ha, ha-ha)
Come on, baby, let's not fight (ha-ha, ha-ha)
We'll go dancing, everything will be all right (ha-ha)
Wake me up before you go-go
Don't leave me hanging on like a yo-yo
Wake me up before you go-go
I don't want to miss it when you hit that high
Wake me up before you go-go
'Cause I'm not plannin' on going solo
Wake me up before you go-go
Take me dancing tonight
I wanna hit that high (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Jitterbug (baby)
Jitterbug (woo)
Cuddle up, baby, move in tight
We'll go dancing tomorrow night
It's cold out there, but it's warm in bed
They can dance, we'll stay home instead
Jitterbug
Wake me up before you go-go
Don't leave me hanging on like a yo-yo
Wake me up before you go-go
I don't want to miss it when you hit that high
Wake me up before you go-go
'Cause I'm not plannin' on going solo
Wake me up before you go-go
Take me dancing tonight
Wake me up before you go-go (don't you dare)
Don't leave me hanging on like a yo-yo
(Leave me hanging on like a yo-yo, yo-yo, yo)
Wake me up before you go-go
I don't want to miss it when you hit that high
(Take me dancing)
(A boom-boom-boom-boom, oh)
Wake me up before you go-go
'Cause I'm not plannin' on going solo
(A boom-boom-boom-boom)
Wake me up before you go-go (ah)
(Yeah, yeah, yeah)
Take me dancing tonight
Ooh ah
Yeah
The song "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" by Wham! is a lively and upbeat song about being in love and wanting to be with someone all the time. The lyrics convey the idea that the person's partner brings joy and energy into their life in a way that makes them want to dance and sing. The use of the words "jitterbug" and "boom boom" give a sense of movement and excitement. The line "you put the boom boom into my heart" shows how the person's partner has made them feel alive and happy.
However, there is also an element of conflict in the song, reflected in the lines "something's bugging you, something ain't right" and "my best friend told me what you did last night". These lines suggest that there is something going on between the two people that is causing some tension or uncertainty. The chorus line "wake me up before you go-go, don't leave me hanging on like a yo-yo" could be interpreted as the singer wanting reassurance that their partner will always be there.
Overall, "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" is a fun and catchy pop song that celebrates the highs of being in love while acknowledging the insecurities that can come along with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Jitterbug
Repeating the word 'Jitterbug'
Jitterbug
Repeating the word 'Jitterbug'
Jitterbug
Repeating the word 'Jitterbug'
Jitterbug
Repeating the word 'Jitterbug'
You put the boom boom into my heart (hoo, hoo)
You make me feel happy, energized, and in love
You send my soul sky high when your lovin' starts
When we're together and in love, it feels like my soul is lifted and euphoric
Jitterbug into my brain (yeah, yeah)
You're always on my mind, and I can't stop thinking about you
Goes a bang-bang-bang 'til my feet do the same
My heart beats fast when I think about you, and it makes me want to dance
But something's bugging you (ha-ha, ha-ha)
There's something wrong with you or our relationship, and it's bothering me
Something ain't right (ha-ha, ha-ha)
I can sense that something's off, and I'm worried about it
My best friend told me what you did last night (ha-ha, ha-ha)
My best friend informed me of something you did last night that makes me upset
Left me sleepin' in my bed (ha-ha, ha-ha)
I woke up alone and without you, which makes me feel abandoned
I was dreaming, but I should have been with you instead (ha-ha)
I dreamed about you, but I wish you were really with me instead
Wake me up before you go-go
Don't leave without waking me up first
Don't leave me hanging on like a yo-yo
Don't leave me feeling uncertain and confused about our relationship
I don't want to miss it when you hit that high
I don't want to miss the happy and exciting moments we share
'Cause I'm not plannin' on going solo
I want to be with you and not alone
Take me dancing tonight
Let's go out and have fun together
You take the grey skies out of my way (hoo, hoo)
You make me feel happy and positive when everything else seems bleak
You make the sun shine brighter than Doris Day
You make my life better and more joyful
Turned a bright spark into a flame (yeah, yeah)
You turned my initial spark of interest into a full-blown passion for you
My beats per minute never been the same
My heart beats fast when I think about you, and it's a new feeling for me
'Cause you're my lady, I'm your fool (ha-ha, ha-ha)
You're the person I'm devoted to, and I'm willing to do anything to make you happy
It makes me crazy when you act so cruel (ha-ha, ha-ha)
It hurts me when you're mean, and it drives me insane
Come on, baby, let's not fight (ha-ha, ha-ha)
Let's resolve our issues and be happy together
We'll go dancing, everything will be all right (ha-ha)
Let's go out and have fun together, and our relationship will improve
Cuddle up, baby, move in tight
Let's snuggle and get physically close to one another
We'll go dancing tomorrow night
Let's make plans to go out and have fun together soon
It's cold out there, but it's warm in bed
It's best to stay in and be intimate with each other instead of going out in the cold
They can dance, we'll stay home instead
We don't need to go out and dance when we can stay home and be together
Wake me up before you go-go (don't you dare)
Make sure you wake me up before you leave, no matter what
(Leave me hanging on like a yo-yo, yo-yo, yo)
Don't leave me feeling confused and sad about our relationship
(Take me dancing)
Let's go out and dance together
(A boom-boom-boom-boom, oh)
Implements the repetitive 'boom-boom' sound effect
'Cause I'm not plannin' on going solo
I don't want to be alone or without you
(A boom-boom-boom-boom)
Implements the repetitive 'boom-boom' sound effect
(Yeah, yeah, yeah)
Exclaims affirmative agreement
Take me dancing tonight
Let's go out and have fun together
Ooh ah
Exclaims excitement
Yeah
Exclaims agreement
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Michael
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ethanjuice
Why am I watching this at 5 am
@monsterclem2872
Because youre amazing
@tahcheechiam1302
Because you need to wake up before you go go!!!!!!
@johnreardon645
fuck me too
@andrethebeast6360
+Tah Chee Chiam hahahaha
@AkiraTheFinnishLapphund
lol me too
@TheRealSullyG
Just doing some research...
@dynamicdylan7391
OOOOOO
hype ;)
@galaxydragons6244
YES
@Ludent_play
XD