Huge 2nd album originally released in 1984, from the dance-pop duo George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley featured the peppy track Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go which took the world by storm. This was the main track to how we were introduced to late George Michael and Wham in India. A classic pop masterpiece from the great George Michael.
Most of the songs on the album were written/composed when Michael was in his late teens ('Careless Whisper' was written while travelling on the back seat of his school bus when he was 19). It shows what a talent he was. As a matter of fact, the legend goes that the Michael wrote the music and lyrics to Careless Whisper three years before ever having a record deal. You also cannot miss the immortal Heartbeat. While 1982's ‘Fantastic’ came and went, it wasn't until this album hit the charts that Wham well, ‘made it big’.
Other highlights of the album are Credit Card Baby, If You Were There, Like A Baby that shows the maturity of Michael as a songwriter. Everything She Wants, Freedom hit the charts here, that they achieved the success that the album's title insinuated.

Along with the accompanying videos, Wham! were all the rage in the early-to mid 80s (along with Duran Duran, Culture Club, Paul Young, Tears For Fears and Eurythmics) and almost everyone wanted a ‘Choose Life’ tee which was featured widely in the Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go music video.

Of course, after this 1984 release, Wham! had one more studio album (the stellar but not hit-heavy ‘Music from the Edge of Heaven’, and then by 1987, Michael was on his own with his debut solo effort ‘Faith’, eclipsing anything Wham! had ever achieved.

I loved everything that this soulful duo put out back in the 80s. George Michael had a voice like no other. He sings every one of his song from his heart and means it. A classic and a treasure for sure. Ardent fan or not, anyone who followed the duo is sure to enjoy this album with a tinge of nostalgia.

Rating: *****
Reviewed by Verus Ferreira