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Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go
| cover = WakeMeUpBeforeYouGoGo.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Standard artwork by Peter Saville and Trevor Key
| type = single
| artist = Wham!
| album = Make It Big
| B-side = "A Ray of Sunshine"
| released = 14 May 1984
| recorded = February 1984
| studio = Sarm West, London
| venue =
| genre = Dance-pop
| length = 3:50
| label = * Columbia
* Epic
| writer = George Michael
| producer = George Michael
| prev_title = Club Fantastic Megamix
| prev_year = 1983
| next_title = Careless Whisper
| next_year = 1984
| misc =
}}
"'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. 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'.Kraszewski, Jon (2017). Reality TV. Taylor & Francis. p. 127.
The song was ranked number 28 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the '80s.
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:
It was recorded within two days at Sarm West Studio 2 in London, with a live rhythm section. 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".
The UK sleeve was designed by Peter Saville, with photography by Trevor Key.
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."
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, 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. 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".
Popular culture
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
*Note: The US 7-inch single (Columbia 04552) has identical track listing.
It was also released as a CD single in 1999
Chart performance
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Certifications
See also
* List of 'Billboard' Hot 100 number-one singles of 1984
References
Buy Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go now from Amazon
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