You know that feeling when a song starts and you're instantly transported to a time of neon lights, oversized sweaters, and hairspray? That’s the Wham! effect. Honestly, if you grew up in the 80s—or even if you’ve just seen a single romantic comedy from the last decade—you’ve had a Wham! song stuck in your head. It’s unavoidable. But when people talk about a list of Wham songs, they usually just mention the "Big Three" and call it a day.
There’s so much more to the story. George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley weren't just a "teenybopper" duo; they were a pop powerhouse that fundamentally changed how we think about the British invasion of the US charts.
The Hits Everyone Knows (For Good Reason)
Let’s get the obvious ones out of the way first. You can't talk about these guys without mentioning "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go." It’s the quintessential pop song. It’s got that Motown bounce, the finger-snapping intro, and a chorus that’s basically impossible not to hum. Did you know the title came from a note Andrew left for his parents? He wrote "up" twice by mistake, so he added "go-go" to balance it out. Simple. Brilliant.
Then there’s "Careless Whisper."
Now, technically, this was released as a George Michael solo single in the UK, but it appeared on the Wham! album Make It Big. That saxophone riff? It’s legendary. It’s the sound of 1984. It doesn't matter if you're at a wedding or a grocery store; when that sax hits, everyone stops. It’s funny because George once said he wrote that riff on a bus when he was seventeen. Imagine being a teenager and accidentally writing one of the most recognizable melodies in human history.
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- Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go (1984) - The breakthrough.
- Careless Whisper (1984) - The "is it a solo song or not?" masterpiece.
- Everything She Wants (1984) - A surprisingly dark track about domestic pressure.
- Last Christmas (1984) - The song that literally never dies.
Wait, we have to talk about "Last Christmas." It’s the ultimate "double A-side" success story. It was kept off the #1 spot in 1984 by Band Aid’s "Do They Know It’s Christmas?"—which, ironically, George Michael also sang on. Talk about competing with yourself! It finally hit Number 1 in the UK in 2021, and again in 2023 and 2024. It’s the holiday gift that keeps on giving.
The Early Days: Rappers? Sorta.
Before they were global icons, Wham! were actually trying to be a bit "street." It sounds wild now, but their debut single was "Wham Rap! (Enjoy What You Do)." George Michael rapping? Yep. It happened. It was a social commentary on unemployment in the early 80s, telling people to enjoy their lives even if they didn't have a 9-to-5 job.
"Young Guns (Go for It!)" followed, and that’s where things really took off. They got a last-minute slot on Top of the Pops because another act pulled out. George and Andrew showed up in leather jackets and jeans, looking like they just walked off a street corner. The girls in the audience went absolutely feral. That single performance basically launched their career.
The Debut Album: Fantastic (1983)
The first album was gritty compared to what came later. You had tracks like:
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- Bad Boys - George later hated this one, calling it "socially irrelevant," but it’s still a bop.
- Club Tropicana - The ultimate summer anthem. The drinks are free! (Except they aren't, it’s a song).
- A Ray of Sunshine - High energy, very "early 80s gym class" vibes.
- Love Machine - A cover of The Miracles, showing George’s deep love for Motown.
The Peak: Making It Big
By 1984, they weren't just a band; they were a phenomenon. The album Make It Big lived up to its name. It wasn't just pop; it was perfect pop. "Freedom" is probably the most underrated track from this era. It has this incredible soul-pop feel that hinted at where George Michael was going as a solo artist.
And then there's "Everything She Wants." Most people remember it for the "Somebody tell me!" line, but the lyrics are actually quite heavy. It’s about a man realizing he’s in a relationship driven by consumerism and the pressure of providing for a baby. It was George Michael showing he could write serious, adult songs while still making people dance. He actually cited this as one of his favorite songs he ever wrote.
The China Tour and The End
In 1985, Wham! did something no Western pop group had done: they toured China. It was a massive cultural moment. The video for "Freedom" features footage from that trip, showing the sheer scale of their fame.
But by 1986, the writing was on the wall. George Michael was outgrowing the "duo" format. They released Music from the Edge of Heaven (or The Final in the UK), which contained their last few hits. "The Edge of Heaven" was a blistering, upbeat track that proved they were going out on top. "Where Did Your Heart Go?" was a soulful cover of a Was (Not Was) track that felt like a goodbye.
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The "Hidden" Tracks You Should Listen To
If you've only heard the greatest hits, you're missing out on some gems:
- Battlestations: A heavy, synth-driven track with actual answering machine samples. It's cool, edgy, and very 1986.
- Blue (Armed with Love): A slower, more introspective track that showcases George's vocal range before he went full "Faith" mode.
- Heartbeat: A mid-tempo ballad that’s basically the "end of summer" in song form.
- Credit Card Baby: It’s goofy, sure, but the arrangement is incredibly tight.
Why the List of Wham Songs Still Matters
So, why do we still care? Because Wham! wasn't just a product; they were the real deal. George Michael wrote, produced, and often played most of the instruments on these tracks. Andrew Ridgeley provided the look, the energy, and the crucial support that let George flourish.
They represent a specific kind of optimistic, high-quality pop that’s hard to find now. It wasn't cynical. It was about friendship and the joy of being young.
If you're looking to dive back in, don't just stop at the "Best Of" collections. Go back to the original albums. Listen to the B-sides. You'll find a level of craftsmanship that explains why, forty years later, we’re still talking about them.
Your Wham! Listening Action Plan:
- Start with "Everything She Wants": Listen to the production. It’s entirely electronic but feels soulful.
- Watch the "Club Tropicana" Video: It’s the peak of 80s escapism.
- Check out "A Different Corner": Even though it's often billed as solo George, it’s the bridge between Wham! and his solo career.
- Find the "Wham Rap!" 12-inch Remix: It’s a time capsule of 1982 London.