Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go

Last updated

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

Upon its release, the song received a mixed reception from 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

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 wore Katharine Hamnett T-shirt designs that said "CHOOSE LIFE". [14]

Track listing

All tracks are written by George Michael

"Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go"
WakeMeUpBeforeYouGoGo.jpg
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
Studio Sarm West (London) [1] [2]
Genre Bubblegum 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
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:

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

Certifications

Certifications for "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go"
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [60] 2× Platinum140,000‡
Canada (Music Canada) [61] Platinum100,000^
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [62] 2× Platinum180,000‡
Germany (BVMI) [63] Gold250,000‡
Italy (FIMI) [64] Platinum50,000‡
Netherlands (NVPI) [65] Gold75,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) [66]
1984 release 		Gold500,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) [67]
2006 release 		3× Platinum1,800,000‡
United States (RIAA) [68] Platinum1,000,000^

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

See also

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