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"Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" is a song by the English duo Wham!, first released as a single in the UK on 14 May 1984.[3] 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 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.[4]

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
RecordedFebruary 1984
StudioSarm West, London[1][2]
GenreDance-pop
Length3:50
Label
  • Columbia
  • Epic
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
Artwork of the original 1984 U.S. vinyl single

The song was ranked number 28 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the '80s.[5]


History


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, George 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.[6]

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".[7]

The UK sleeve was designed by Peter Saville, with photography by Trevor Key.[8]


Reception


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."[9]

The song entered the UK Singles Chart at number four – after much hype from the duo claiming they would go straight in at number one,[citation needed] which was a rare occurrence then – 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.[10] It showcases the band performing for an audience of mostly teenagers at Brixton Academy in South London. The band was wearing Katharine Hamnett t-shirt designs that said "CHOOSE LIFE".[citation needed]



The song was notably used in the gas station sequence in Zoolander. It was also featured in the opening for the 2016 Primetime Emmy Awards (where Jimmy Kimmel is attempting to get to), the episode "The Unincludeds" in season 13 of American Dad! and premiere episode of Moon Knight.


Track listing


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

It was 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

Chart performance



Certifications


Certifications for "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[52] 2× Platinum 140,000
Canada (Music Canada)[53] Platinum 100,000^
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[54] Platinum 90,000
Italy (FIMI)[55] Platinum 50,000
Netherlands (NVPI)[56] Gold 75,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[57]
1984 release 		Gold 500,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[58]
2006 release 		2× Platinum 1,200,000
United States (RIAA)[59] Platinum 1,000,000^

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


See also



References


  1. Hearnton, Sam (April 1985). "The Soundmaker". Electronic Soundmaker & Computer Music (Apr 1985): 12–13.
  2. Buskin, Richard (March 2013). "Classic Tracks: George Michael 'Faith'". Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  3. "Record News". NME. London, England: IPC Media: 36. 5 May 1984.
  4. Kraszewski, Jon (2017). Reality TV. Taylor & Francis. p. 127.
  5. "VH1: 100 Greatest Songs of the 80's". Rock on the Net. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  6. Connelly, Christopher (25 October 1984). "Wham! A wake-up call to the U.S.". Rolling Stone. No. 433. p. 48.
  7. 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.
  8. "Sleeve designed by Peter Saville: Sleeves 1982-1984". Petersaville.info. Archived from the original on 21 May 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
  9. "Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. 8 September 1984. p. 7. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  10. Garcia, Alex S. "mvdbase.com - Wham! - "Wake me up before you go-go [version 1: concept]"". Music Video DataBase. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  11. "Australia n°1 Hits – 80's". Worldcharts.co.uk. Archived from the original on 9 January 2017. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  12. "Wham! – Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  13. "Wham! – Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  14. "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
  15. Lwin, Nanda. Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide (2000). Mississauga, Ont.: Music Data Canada
  16. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 9612." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  17. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 9520." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  18. "Danish Charts Archive?".
  19. "Song title 977 – Wake Me Up Before You Go Go". Tsort.info. Steve Hawtin et al. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  20. 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.
  21. "Wham! – Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  22. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
  23. "Wham! Chart History". RÚV. 22 March 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
  24. "The Irish Charts – All there is to know". IRMA. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  25. "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 9 June 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Wham!".
  26. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 29, 1984" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  27. "Wham! – Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  28. "Wham! – Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  29. "Wham! – Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go". VG-lista. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  30. "South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (W)". Rock.co.za. John Samson. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  31. "Wham! – Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  32. "Wham! – Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  33. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  34. "Wham! Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  35. "Wham! Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  36. "Wham! Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  37. "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.
  38. "Offiziellecharts.de – Wham! – Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go". GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  39. "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  40. BigKev. "Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – Top 100 End of Year AMR Charts – 1980s". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  41. "Jaaroverzichten 1984" (in Dutch). ULTRATOP & Hung Medien / hitparade.ch. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  42. "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.
  43. https://66.media.tumblr.com/3c3804de5b8707efafbd076300fa0422/tumblr_o6punq14bQ1uldoqho1_500.jpg [bare URL image file]
  44. "Single Top 100 over 1984" (PDF) (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  45. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1984" (in Dutch). Hung Medien / hitparade.ch. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  46. "Top Selling Singles of 1984 | The Official New Zealand Music Chart". Nztop40.co.nz. 31 December 1984. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  47. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1984". Hitparade.ch (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  48. "Top 100 Singles". Music Week. London, England: Morgan-Grampian plc: 37. 26 January 1985.
  49. "The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1984". Cash Box magazine. Archived from the original on 30 September 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  50. "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  51. "Top 100 Hits for 1985". The Longbored Surfer. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  52. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2017 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  53. "Canadian single certifications – Wham! – Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go". Music Canada.
  54. "Danish single certifications – Wham! – Wake Me Up Before You Go". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  55. "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. Select "Wake Me Up Before You Go" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
  56. "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.
  57. "British single certifications – Wham! – Wake Me Up Before You Go Go". British Phonographic Industry.
  58. "British single certifications – Wham – Wake Me Up Before You Go Go". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  59. "American single certifications – Wham! – Wake Me Up Before You Go". Recording Industry Association of America.



На других языках

[de] Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go

Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go ist ein Popsong der englischen Band Wham!. Das Lied wurde 1984 von George Michael geschrieben und auch produziert.[1]
- [en] Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go

[es] Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go

«Wake Me Up Before You Go Go» es una canción del dúo inglés Wham, interpretada por George Michael. Fue publicada como primer sencillo del segundo álbum de estudio de la banda Make It Big[1] el 14 de mayo de 1984 en Reino Unido[2] y en agosto del mismo año en Estados Unidos.[3] Compuesta y producida por Michael.[4]Alcanzó la posición número #1 en la lista del Billboard Hot 100 el 17 de noviembre de 1984, convirtiéndose en el primer sencillo del dúo en obtener dicha posición.[1]

[it] Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go

Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go è una canzone degli Wham! pubblicata nel 1984 ed è stata una delle canzoni prime nella classifica britannica e di maggior successo. La canzone è stata scritta da George Michael. Il brano è molto simile al brano del 1963 di The Vandellas Heat Wave.

[ru] Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go

«Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go» — песня английского дуэта Wham! с альбома Make It Big, названная классикой поп-мейнстрима 1980-х годов[3]. Сингл с песней, вышедший 14 мая 1984 года[4], стал международным хитом, возглавив хит-парады многих стран мира, включая американский (№ 1 в Billboard Hot 100), британский (№ 1 — UK Singles Chart) и другие (№ 1 — Австралия, Канада, Бельгия, Ирландия, Нидерланды, Норвегия, Швеция). Сингл получил платиновую сертификацию в США, а общий тираж превысил 2 млн копий. В музыкальном видео Майкл и Риджли носят футболки с крупными надписями («CHOOSE LIFE»), созданные модельером Katharine Hamnett, что было отображено в сериале VH1 2002 года Я люблю 80-е[5].


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