30 years ago, Wham! tops the pop charts with 'Wake Me Up'

Today's Morning Edition music features "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" by Wham!. The song was No. 1 on the pop charts 30 years ago today. It was the English musical duo's first No. 1 hit.

George Michael says he was inspired to write the song after seeing a note that his Wham! partner Andrew Ridgeley left for his parents. Prior to this release, Wham! was known for moodier, more political music.

In 1984, Michael had this to say about the song: "I just wanted to make a really energetic pop record that had all the best elements of Fifties and Sixties records, combined with our attitude and our approach, which is obviously more uptempo and a lot younger than some of those records."

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