I was looking for something fun and light for this morning’s music post, and just trolling through the music archives, I came across this by British duo Wham!, consisting of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley.
The inspiration for the song’s title is rather fun. Andrew Ridgeley was living with his parents at the time, since Wham! was on the road most of the time and he was never home anyway. One day, Ridgeley needed a wake-up call, so he left a note for him mum on his door. He wrote, “Wake me up up,” and realizing he duplicated a word, finished the sentence with “before you go go.”
George Michael got a kick out of it and decided to use it as a song title. Michael put together this song called Wake Me Up Before You Go Go, and it became Wham’s first U.S. hit.
George Michael (born Georgios Panayiotou) and Andrew Ridgeley met at Bushey Heath Comprehensive School in Hertfordshire when both were in their early teens. They became friends and after leaving school they made a demo of Wham! Rap at Andrew Ridgeley’s parents’ house, which was picked up by the record label Innervision and released without success. Their next release Young Guns (Go For It) was more successful rising to #3 in the UK.
Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go
Wham!
Jitterbug
Jitterbug
Jitterbug
Jitterbug
You put the boom boom into my heart (hoo, hoo)
You send my soul sky high when your lovin’ starts
Jitterbug into my brain (yeah, yeah)
Goes a bang-bang-bang ’til my feet do the same
But something’s bugging you (ha-ha, ha-ha)
Something ain’t right (ha-ha, ha-ha)
My best friend told me what you did last night (ha-ha, ha-ha)
Left me sleepin’ in my bed (ha-ha, ha-ha)
I was dreaming, but I should have been with you instead (ha-ha)
Wake me up before you go-go
Don’t leave me hanging on like a yo-yo
Wake me up before you go-go
I don’t want to miss it when you hit that high
Wake me up before you go-go
‘Cause I’m not plannin’ on going solo
Wake me up before you go-go
Take me dancing tonight
I wanna hit that high (yeah, yeah)
You take the grey skies out of my way (hoo, hoo)
You make the sun shine brighter than Doris Day
Turned a bright spark into a flame (yeah, yeah)
My beats per minute never been the same
‘Cause you’re my lady, I’m your fool (ha-ha, ha-ha)
It makes me crazy when you act so cruel (ha-ha, ha-ha)
Come on, baby, let’s not fight (ha-ha, ha-ha)
We’ll go dancing, everything will be all right (ha-ha)
Wake me up before you go-go
Don’t leave me hanging on like a yo-yo
Wake me up before you go-go
I don’t want to miss it when you hit that high
Wake me up before you go-go
‘Cause I’m not plannin’ on going solo
Wake me up before you go-go
Take me dancing tonight
I wanna hit that high (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Jitterbug (baby)
Jitterbug (woo)
Cuddle up, baby, move in tight
We’ll go dancing tomorrow night
It’s cold out there, but it’s warm in bed
They can dance, we’ll stay home instead
Jitterbug
Wake me up before you go-go
Don’t leave me hanging on like a yo-yo
Wake me up before you go-go
I don’t want to miss it when you hit that high
Wake me up before you go-go
‘Cause I’m not plannin’ on going solo
Wake me up before you go-go
Take me dancing tonight
Wake me up before you go-go (don’t you dare)
Don’t leave me hanging on like a yo-yo
(Leave me hanging on like a yo-yo, yo-yo, yo)
Wake me up before you go-go
I don’t want to miss it when you hit that high
(Take me dancing)
(A boom-boom-boom-boom, oh)
Wake me up before you go-go
‘Cause I’m not plannin’ on going solo
(A boom-boom-boom-boom)
Wake me up before you go-go (ah)
(Yeah, yeah, yeah)
Take me dancing tonight
Ooh ah
Yeah
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: George Michael
Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc
Not a bad song, just over commercialized. GM does exceptional covers as well, check out Last X-mas, The long and winding road, Somebody to love, I can’t make you love me, Don’t let the sun go down.
He’s certainly got the golden voice!
Also check out the movie “Last Christmas” which features many of Wham’s best songs, I think you’d enjoy it. 🙂
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Def a happy song! Just what is needed now. Thanks Jill! 🙂
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My pleasure … the least I can do after you have provided me with so much entertainment recently!!! 😉
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My pleasure as well for the free entertainment! 🙂 Always fun!
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Love George Michael. WHAM? Another story. Still made me smile though. Thanks, Jill
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Well, while I’m glad it made you smile, I get the overwhelming sense from you, David, and Larry that I could have chosen better. So … give me a title … what would be your choice of George Michael songs?
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Careless Whisper. Awesome song. Thanks, Jill
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One of my two George Michael favorites! Can’t play it tonight, for I’ve promised another, but probably tomorrow night!
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It’s okay. Anytime.
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Oh No No, all the fantastic George Michael songs you could have played and you go teenybopper instead. In my eyes he was one of the most talented artistes of his time and he could freewheel into Elton John or Queen work and make it ring true.No Like on this one.
Cwtch
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🤦 And here I thought you would like this one, for I knew you liked George Michael and thought you liked Wham! Ah well, I’ve heard from the best … you, John and Larry … and so I ask you what I’ve asked them … give me a title … a George Michael song that is in your top #5. Still, at least this was a fun, upbeat song, yes?
Cwtch
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A different Corner, Careless Whisper, Freedom 90
cwtch
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I’m on it! Gonna have to wait a day, though … promised another first! “Careless Whisper” is one of my two George Michael faves, the other being “I’m Never Gonna Dance Again”.
Cwtch
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Thank you hor a happy song. I’ve bee meaning to ask for a few days if you would play “Uncle Albert/Hands Across the Water” as a cheery song. I prefer the Beatles’ production, but the McCartney’s version is okay too. Happiness Is.
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Absolutely! All you have to do is ask, dear friend! Stay tuned …
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Do I even have to day it? The 80’s…
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So … you liked it? It brought happy memories? Good!!!
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That was supposed to be ‘say’ it. You know I love the 80’s music!
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I knew what you meant! Great minds think alike, they say. 😉
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I like George’s solo work a lot better, but this is a cute little tune.
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That seems to be the general consensus! Ah well … it was a fun distraction! So, if asked, what George Michael song would you choose?
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“Praying for Time”
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On the list!
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