Happy 40th Anniversary to Wham!’s second studio album Make It Big, originally released in the US October 22, 1984 and in the UK November 5, 1984.
The 1980s, a decade of excess and opulence, left an indelible mark on popular culture. Those who experienced this era firsthand relished its decadence, while later generations often view it with a mixture of fascination and repulsion. Fashion and music converged in a whirlwind of extravagance, mirroring the lavish lifestyles fueled by conspicuous consumption.
The musical landscape of the 1980s was defined by innovative genres such as new wave, synth-pop, and post-disco. Among the dominant forces of this era were the iconic British bands Culture Club and Wham!. Culture Club, with their androgynous frontman Boy George, epitomized the era's fascination with the unconventional. Meanwhile, George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley of Wham! achieved meteoric success with their infectious pop anthems and youthful appeal, something that their second album Make It Big truly cemented. The battle of the bands had begun: Culture Club vs Wham!
Released in 1984, Make It Big marked a significant departure from their earlier work, granting the band greater creative autonomy. Under the guidance of Michael's producing prowess, the album again showcased his songwriting talent, which had initially been overshadowed by the band's commercial success. While only two tracks were not solely written by Michael (The Isley Brothers’ “If You Were There” and the legendary “Careless Whisper” co-penned by Michael & Ridgeley), the remaining six songs were solely composed by the singer, demonstrating his exceptional ability to craft some of pop music’s most profound and enduring melodies. Michael's songwriting savvy, often overlooked during the band's peak popularity, would ultimately become a defining characteristic of his solo career.
With only eight tracks, sparse even for the pre-CD era, this is Wham!’s definitive album, and as mentioned previously, an undeniable testament to their artistic evolution. While their debut Fantastic (1983) established their presence in the pop landscape, Make It Big solidified their status as global superstars. The album's lead single “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” became an instant cultural phenomenon, its infectious melody resonating with audiences worldwide. This was a moment in pop culture history that would forever help shape the 1980s pop movement, characterized by its distinctive style, sound, and visual appeal, all things that were significantly influenced by MTV's emergence.
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While many artists of the time relied heavily on synthesizers, Wham! distinguished themselves by incorporating elements of soul, Motown, and funk into their music. Michael's masterful use of harmonies along with soulful brass and bass that truly slapped, helped set Wham! apart from their contemporaries and whilst their sound still had its roots in pop, it was that soulfulness that also set them apart.
The album's remaining singles—"Everything She Wants," "Freedom" and "Careless Whisper"—further solidified Wham!'s reputation for crafting enduring pop classics. Each track delved into nuanced aspects of love, exploring themes of longing, liberation, and betrayal with varying degrees of emotional intensity and lyrical beauty, never more present than in “Careless Whisper.”
These songs further showcased the band's ability to transcend the boundaries of conventional pop music. Upon first listen, it’s easy to dismiss their music as bubblegum pop, but scratch the surface and the listener finds a deeper connection to the universal themes of human relationships, a core strength of Michael’s songwriting ability.
"Everything She Wants” is a poignant exploration of unrequited love and longing. Michael's vocals, both tender and powerful, convey a sense of vulnerability and desperation as he pines for a love that seems perpetually out of reach. Whereas on “Freedom” the sound is more upbeat and celebratory, but it also carries a deeper meaning. It is a call for personal liberation, both from societal constraints and from the confines of a romantic relationship. It’s Impossible not to draw a comparison to Michael’s solo single “Freedom 90” that followed some six years later and again explored the theme of liberation, this time over the singer’s career and subsequent slip with Sony Music.
One of Michael’s most coveted songs and definitely Make It Big’s most recognizable next to "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” ”Careless Whisper” is perhaps the most iconic and enduring song in Wham!'s repertoire. A slow-burning ballad with a haunting saxophone melody, the song explores themes of infidelity and betrayal. Michael's soulful vocals are put to full use and convey a sense of regret and longing, while the lyrics offer a glimpse into the complexities of not just human relationships, but also Michael’s inner struggles with love and loss, themes that would carry on well into his solo career. The song’s emotional intensity and chorus have solidified its place in the pop music canon.
While Make It Big showcased Wham!'s undeniable talent for crafting infectious pop hits, the album did house a couple of less compelling tracks. The album’s four iconic singles stand as timeless classics that helped define an era and their impact on the mid-1980s music scene is undeniable. However, two of the filler tracks, "Heartbeat" and "Credit Card Baby," pale in comparison to the album's standout moments, yet still feel relevant to the album’s overall sound. Given that fifty percent of the album were singles and all charted at number one on either the UK or US charts, the band were almost prophesizing with the album’s title.
In the annals of 1980s pop music, Make It Big stands as a testament to Wham!'s enduring legacy, a timeless masterpiece that helped pave the way for Michael’s solo career.
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