Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go was written and produced by George Michael and performed by the British pop duo Wham! (George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley). It was released as a single in the UK on 14 May 1984 and taken from the album Make It Big (1984); the 7-inch B-side is an instrumental version. The UK single entered at number four and reached the top a week later, staying there for two weeks. It was Wham!'s first UK and US number one, and on the Billboard Hot 100 it held the top spot for three weeks. The song is usually classed as dance-pop, with bubblegum as a second label.
Michael wanted a really energetic pop record combining Fifties and Sixties records with the duo's uptempo attitude. The band recorded it within two days at Sarm West Studio 2 in London, with a live rhythm section, in one take without overdubs. Reception was mixed: Smash Hits called it an absolutely dreadful comeback, while Cash Box praised its Motown groove. The music video, directed by Andy Morahan, shows the band at Brixton Academy, with the members wearing Katharine Hamnett CHOOSE LIFE T-shirts. The song was ranked number 28 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the '80s and has been covered by many artists.
