ARTIST SPOTLIGHT = Wham! (4 songs)

This English duo of George Michael & Andrew Ridgeley started in the early 1980s.

#1
After 4 straight Top 10s in England (1982-1983), this song was released May 1984 internationally. Written & produced by George Michael, this song claimed #1 in the duo’s native England. Their 1st entry in the United States, the single claimed #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 & reached #4 on the Adult Contemporary chart. Elsewhere, the song also topped 12 other charts in Australia, Austria, Canada, Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway & Sweden.

#2
This song, written by George Michael, debuted 07/24/1984. While released from the duo’s album ‘Make It Big’, it technically is Michael’s 1st solo hit. The single claimed #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 & Adult Contemporary charts, as well as on charts in England, Australia, Netherlands, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Switzerland & South Africa.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdEGq4z6fP0

#3
The 4th & final release from the duo’s album ‘Make It Big’, this song peaked in 1985 at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart & in Canada. This single, released as a double-A side with “Last Christmas”, also reached the Top 10 in Australia (#7), Austria (#5), France (#3), Norway (#4) & England (#2). It was preceded by “Freedom”, which had peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

#4
Following 1985’s “I’m Your Man” (#3, Billboard Hot 100), this song, written by George Michael & promoted as the duo’s farewell release, hit the airwaves 06/18/1986. With Elton John on piano, this single peaked at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 & claimed #1 in England. Internationally, the song reached the Top 10 in Australia (#2), Germany (#4), Ireland (#1), Italy (#3), Netherlands (#1), Norway (#2), Sweden (#10) & Switzerland (#4).