TBT: Wham! (Bonnie’s Favorite Picks)
I’m about half-way through the fascinating George Michael documentary, Freedom, which serves as inspiration for today’s Throwback Thursday picks.
Full disclosure: Wham’s Edge of Heaven was my first tape purchase (along with a-ha’s Hunting High and Low).
I never saw Wham or George Michael perform live, but I was not a casual fan. (I am going to highlight George’s solo career in a separate post.) Wham deserves its own story!
Until watching the documentary, I was unaware that George started in a ska band. I have intentionally selected “If You Were There” as my first song to highlight because it’s got a very subtle nod to the ska strain a la Haircut 100 of the early 80s new-wave sound.
I have to admit that I prefer Wham’s lighter take on “If You Were There” with George’s sweet, charming, and pure vocal over the heavier, funkier Isley Brothers’ original.
If I haven’t made it 100% clear, I was a fan of Wham and George Michael when it was NOT cool. I was ALWAYS a fan of their music (and, of course, George’s later solo career); however, I didn’t have a crush on George Michael the way so many others did. (I preferred Andrew, actually.)
Even as a 14 year old, it was about the MUSIC for me. Their videos were fun, flashy, and fashion-influencing, but even at the height of their pop culture dominance, that was not what my love of Wham was about.
It was the music. And in 2017 it’s still the music.
I didn’t analyze it a whole lot when I was a teen or in my 20s. I see now that the reason I like Wham so much is because I am a fan of the multitude of influences that are reflected in their music: soul, R&B, rock ‘n roll, even new wave, and the early, fun side of rap.
Sure, some of these influences are often subtle, but once you start listening for them, they all start to surface. Wham took all these various musical inspirations and put them through the pop lens of the 80s. Add in George’s one-of-a-kind voice and you get an iconic band and sound.
Let’s jump to the first song off of Wham’s last album, Edge of Heaven. With its memorable beginning, energetic beat, and catchy chorus, this was a smart choice to lead off George and Andrew’s final effort.
This one is danceable, but also goes a little more rockin’ than the typical Wham tune. Check out that short guitar solo mid-way through! As ever, a great vocal performance by George with that unforgettable random howl in the final seconds.
These next two picks are often played back-to-back by me. Slightly different tunes, but both are so fun! It’s awfully difficult to be in a bad mood while either of these are playing. They both admittedly verge on being, well, silly, but that doesn’t prevent me from adoring them.
In 1986, “Wham Rap! (Enjoy What You Do)” was cutting-edge. Obviously, the Beastie Boys had enormous success taking rap and turning it on its head that year, but it was almost unheard of at that time for a pop act to incorporate rap into its sound.
The disco and funk elements interwoven with the lyrics delivered in rap-style are memorable rather than edgy. Still, there was a boldness to this choice by the Wham boys and I think it’s extremely successful. (I must add: those horns!)
I can appreciate others mocking this one, but I think it’s a genius mid-80s pop tune. I own to listening to it with a smile on my face!
Like “Edge of Heaven,” “I’m Your Man” is another Wham tune that veers toward the rock ‘n roll end of the pop spectrum. George sounds extra forceful in his delivery and holds some glorious notes. That fast, clipped beat and more horns(!) add to the urgency to the whole endeavor.
“Freedom ‘ 90” was a massive hit for George, of course, but I loved Wham’s original, mostly forgotten “Freedom ‘ 84”. Eventually, George slowed it down and performed it acoustically from time-to-time.
This live version is a gem, showcasing the loveliness of the tune’s melody and George’s massive singing talent!
Give it a few seconds, the song improves once the audience settles down and realizes what George is trying to do. And don’t miss the pretty harmonizing in the last few seconds with George and his back-up singers!
Through my writing about music, I have learned a few things about my musical tastes. One of them is that I like some songs that are very subtle, soothing, and understated, but I also REALLY like the occasional bombastic tune.
“Where Did Your Heart Go” falls in the latter camp. It’s SO over-the-top lyrically, melodically, and vocally.
I guess if we’re being honest, Wham rarely did understated, but this song is a true melodramatic ballad complete with 80s sax. In so many ways, I should abhor this song and, yet, I think it’s stunning and call it a favorite.
Let’s end this was the deliciously absurd “Bad Boys!” You do NOT want to miss this video. I just chuckled out loud as I watched the final pose. “Woo-woo!”
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