"Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" is a song by British pop 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 bandmate Andrew 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.

Writing and production George 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, Michael had this to say on the development of the song:

It was recorded within two days at Sarm West Studio2 in London, with a live rhythm section. The song, according to Michael, had been done in one take without any drop-ins (overdubs) at ‌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 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.". 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." 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. It showcases the band performing for an audience of mostly teenagers at Brixton Academy in South London. The band wore Katharine Hamnett T-shirt designs that said "CHOOSE LIFE".

Track listingNote': The US 7-inch single (Columbia 04552) has identical track listing. Also released as a CD single in 1999

Charts

Weekly charts +Weekly chart performance for "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go"Chart (1984–1985)PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)1Belgium (VRT Top 30 Flanders)1Canada (The Record)Lwin, Nanda. Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide (2000). Mississauga, Ont.: Music Data Canada2Denmark (Hitlisten)6Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)1Finland Jukebox (Suomen virallinen lista)10Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)3 Guatemala (UPI) 4Iceland (RÚV)1Ireland (IRMA)1Italy (Musica e dischi) Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Wham!".24 Paraguay (UPI)1South Africa (Springbok Radio)9US Cash Box1US Contemporary Hit Radio (Radio & Records)1 +2025 chart performance for "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go"Chart (2025)Peakposition Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100) 63

Year-end charts +1984 year-end chart performance for "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go"Chart (1984)PositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)5Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)4Canada (RPM Top 100 Singles)6Israel8Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)9Netherlands (Single Top 100)17New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)23Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)8UK Singles (OCC)11US Cash Box19West Germany (Official German Charts)23

+1985 year-end chart performance for "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go"Chart (1985)PositionUS Billboard Hot 1003

Certifications

See also List of Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles of 1984

References

External links Song review from AllMusic