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Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go

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Not to be confused with Wake Me Up (Girls Aloud song).

"Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go"
Standard artwork by Peter Saville and Trevor Key
Single by Wham!
from the album Make It Big
B-side"A Ray of Sunshine"
Released14 May 1984
StudioSarm West (London)[1][2]
GenreBubblegum pop[3]
Length3:50
Label
Songwriter(s)George Michael
Producer(s)George Michael
Wham! singles chronology
"Club Fantastic Megamix"
(1983) 		"Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go"
(1984) 		"Careless Whisper"
(1984)
Music video
"Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" on YouTube
Alternative cover
US release of the original 1984 single

"Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" is a song by English pop duo Wham!, first released as a single in the UK on 14 May 1984.[4] It became their first UK and US number one hit. It was written and produced by George Michael. The single was certified platinum in the US, which at the time commemorated sales of over two million copies. The music video features Michael and bandmate Andrew Ridgeley wearing oversized message T-shirts ("CHOOSE LIFE") created by Katharine Hamnett, starting a craze covered in the 2002 VH1 series I Love the 80s.[5] The song was ranked number 28 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the '80s.[6]

History

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George Michael's inspiration for the song was a scribbled note that his bandmate Andrew Ridgeley had left for his parents, intended to read "wake me up before you go" but with "up" accidentally written twice, so Ridgeley wrote "go" twice on purpose. In 1984, Michael had this to say on the development of the song:

I just wanted to make a really energetic pop record that had all the best elements of Fifties and Sixties records, combined with our attitude and our approach, which is obviously more uptempo and a lot younger than some of those records. It's one of those tracks that gets rid of a lot of your own personal influences; it reminds me of so many different records that I couldn't actually nail them down. I'd done a demo at home that just had a bass line and a vocal on it. Usually, I write the record in my head; I know what all the parts are going to be and I sing them to all our musicians. And it was great. ... We actually did it as a rehearsal. We used a LinnDrum because the drummer was late, and it was such a good track that we kept it.[7]

It was recorded within two days at Sarm West Studio 2 in London, with a live rhythm section.[2] The song, according to Michael, had been done in one take without any drop-ins (overdubs) at all – production-wise, he noted that the two options to him were "either to be like Trevor Horn and go for stunning sounds on your own, or just get a great sound on each instrument and go for a live take".[8] The UK sleeve was designed by Peter Saville, with photography by Trevor Key.[9]

Reception

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Upon its release, the song received a mixed reception by contemporary critics. Smash Hits' Dave Rimmer deemed it "An absolutely dreadful comeback in which George and Andy ditch everything they do well in favour of a feeble foray into Shakin' Stevens country.(...) Awful.".[10] While Cash Box said that "the Motown groove and patent vocals of 'Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go' are perfect CHR material which is executed expertly by this British duo."[11] The song entered the UK Singles Chart at number four and climbed to the top spot seven days later, staying there for two weeks. The song also went to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, holding the top spot for three weeks.

Music video

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The music video for the song was directed by Andy Morahan.[12] It showcases the band performing for an audience of mostly teenagers at Brixton Academy in South London.[13] The band was wearing Katharine Hamnett T-shirt designs that said "CHOOSE LIFE".[14]

Track listing

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All tracks are written by George Michael

7-inch: Epic / A 4440 (UK)
No.TitleLength
1."Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go"3:51
2."Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" (instrumental)4:03

Note:

  • The US 7-inch single (Columbia 04552) has identical track listing.
  • Also released as a CD single in 1999
12-inch: Epic / TA 4440 (UK)
No.TitleLength
1."Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go"3:51
2."A Ray of Sunshine" (specially recorded for The Tube)4:58
3."Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" (instrumental)4:03

Charts

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Certifications

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Certifications for "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[60] 2× Platinum 140,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[61] Platinum 100,000^
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[62] 2× Platinum 180,000‡
Germany (BVMI)[63] Gold 250,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[64] Platinum 50,000‡
Netherlands (NVPI)[65] Gold 75,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[66]
1984 release 		Gold 500,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[67]
2006 release 		3× Platinum 1,800,000‡
United States (RIAA)[68] Platinum 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Hearnton, Sam (April 1985). "The Soundmaker". Electronic Soundmaker & Computer Music (Apr 1985): 12–13.
  2. ^ a b Buskin, Richard (March 2013). "Classic Tracks: George Michael 'Faith'". Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  3. ^ Edward, Thomas (13 July 2023). "The Story Of… 'Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go' by Wham!". Smooth Radio. Retrieved 25 April 2024. The bubblegum-pop song reached the top of the charts in both the UK and the US
  4. ^ "Record News". NME. London, England: IPC Media: 36. 5 May 1984.
  5. ^ Kraszewski, Jon (2017). Reality TV. Taylor & Francis. p. 127.
  6. ^ "VH1: 100 Greatest Songs of the 80's". Rock on the Net. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  7. ^ Connelly, Christopher (25 October 1984). "Wham! A wake-up call to the U.S.". Rolling Stone. No. 433. p. 48.
  8. ^ Thomas, David (June 1985). "Making it big as they go-go!" (PDF). Modern Recording & Music. pp. 32–36. Retrieved 1 May 2021 – via worldradiohistory.com.
  9. ^ "Sleeve designed by Peter Saville: Sleeves 1982-1984". Petersaville.info. Archived from the original on 21 May 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
  10. ^ Rimmer, Dave. "Singles". Smash Hits 10-23 May 1984. p. 25.
  11. ^ "Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. 8 September 1984. p. 7. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  12. ^ Garcia, Alex S. "mvdbase.com - Wham! - "Wake me up before you go-go [version 1: concept]"". Music Video DataBase. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  13. ^ "London Brixton Academy: the first decade - in pictures". The Guardian. 24 January 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  14. ^ "YouTube – Wham! - Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go (Official Video)". YouTube. 24 October 2009.
  15. ^ "Australia n°1 Hits – 80's". Worldcharts.co.uk. Archived from the original on 9 January 2017. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  16. ^ "Wham! – Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  17. ^ "Wham! – Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  18. ^ "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go – WHAM". VRT (in Dutch). Top30-2.radio2.be. Archived from the original on 9 April 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2013. Hoogste notering in de top 30 : 1
  19. ^ Lwin, Nanda. Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide (2000). Mississauga, Ont.: Music Data Canada
  20. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 9612." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  21. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 9520." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  22. ^ "Danish Charts Archive?".
  23. ^ "Song title 977 – Wake Me Up Before You Go Go". Tsort.info. Steve Hawtin et al. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  24. ^ a b Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Wham!". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 280. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  25. ^ "Wham! – Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  26. ^ "Las canciones más populares en Latinoamérica". La Opinión (Los Angeles) (in Spanish). 19 November 1984. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  27. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
  28. ^ "Wham! Chart History". RÚV. 22 March 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
  29. ^ "The Irish Charts – All there is to know". IRMA. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  30. ^ "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 9 June 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Wham!".
  31. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 29, 1984" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  32. ^ "Wham! – Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  33. ^ "Wham! – Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  34. ^ "Wham! – Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go". VG-lista. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  35. ^ "Las canciones más populares en Latinoamérica". La Opinión (Los Angeles) (in Spanish). 1 October 1984. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  36. ^ "South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (W)". Rock.co.za. John Samson. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
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  38. ^ "Wham! – Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  39. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  40. ^ "Wham! Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  41. ^ "Wham! Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  42. ^ "Wham! Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  43. ^ "CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending NOVEMBER 24, 1984". Cash Box magazine. Archived from the original on 1 October 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  44. ^ "Contemporary Hit Radio" (PDF). Radio & Records. 16 November 1984. p. 96.
  45. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Wham! – Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  46. ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  47. ^ "Kent Music Report No 548 – 31 December 1984 > National Top 100 Singles for 1984". Kent Music Report. Retrieved 23 January 2023 – via Imgur.com.
  48. ^ BigKev. "Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – Top 100 End of Year AMR Charts – 1980s". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  49. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1984" (in Dutch). ULTRATOP & Hung Medien / hitparade.ch. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  50. ^ "Top Singles – Volume 41, No. 17, January 05 1985". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Library and Archives Canada. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  51. ^ "Photographic image" (JPG). 66.media.tumblr.com. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  52. ^ "Single Top 100 over 1984" (PDF) (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  53. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1984" (in Dutch). Dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  54. ^ "Top Selling Singles of 1984 | The Official New Zealand Music Chart". Nztop40.co.nz. 31 December 1984. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  55. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1984". Hitparade.ch (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  56. ^ "Top 100 Singles". Music Week. London, England: Morgan-Grampian plc: 37. 26 January 1985.
  57. ^ "The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1984". Cash Box magazine. Archived from the original on 30 September 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  58. ^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). Offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  59. ^ "Top 100 Hits for 1985". The Longbored Surfer. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  60. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2017 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  61. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Wham! – Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go". Music Canada.
  62. ^ "Danish single certifications – Wham! – Wake Me Up Before You Go". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  63. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Wham!; 'Wake Me Up Before You Go')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  64. ^ "Italian single certifications – Wham! – Wake Me Up Before You Go" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 2 December 2019. Select "2019" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Type "Wake Me Up Before You Go" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
  65. ^ "Dutch single certifications – Wham! – Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved 28 November 2019. Enter Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1984 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  66. ^ "British single certifications – Wham! – Wake Me Up Before You Go Go". British Phonographic Industry.
  67. ^ "British single certifications – Wham – Wake Me Up Before You Go Go". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  68. ^ "American single certifications – Wham! – Wake Me Up Before You Go". Recording Industry Association of America.
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