Released in 1984, Wham!’s “Make It Big” is the album that catapulted George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley from pop sensations to global superstars. This sophomore release not only solidified their status in the music world but also marked a significant evolution in their artistic journey. Following their debut album “Fantastic,” which was steeped in a post-disco teenybopper appeal, “Make It Big” showcased a more polished, confident, and expansive sound. Here, Wham! moved towards mainstream pop, blending elements of R&B and funk, which helped them break into the American market and achieve international acclaim.
Artistic Intentions
The artistic intentions behind “Make It Big” were clear: Wham! was aiming for the stars. In interviews from the time, George Michael spoke about the desire to create music that was joyous and universal, a soundtrack that transcended the gloomy socio-economic backdrop of early 1980s Britain. Songs like “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” and “Freedom” exemplify this ethos, bursting with vibrant energy and catchy hooks that are designed to resonate on a massive scale. Michael’s songwriting took a confident leap forward, focusing on themes of love, aspiration, and freedom, which not only appealed to a broad audience but also offered a deeper emotional connection compared to their earlier work.
Sonic Exploration
“Make It Big” is characterized by its exceptionally crisp and clean production, a hallmark of the mid-80s pop sound that played a significant role in its massive commercial success. The production, led by George Michael, showcases a polished aesthetic with meticulous attention to vocal clarity and instrumental precision. This clarity in production not only makes each track immediately accessible and radio-friendly but also serves to highlight the album’s vibrant and uplifting themes. The sound quality helps to elevate the joyous, carefree sentiment that Wham! aimed to convey, acting as a counterbalance to the heavier, more introspective content found in much of the era’s popular music.
Musical Arrangements
The arrangements on “Make It Big” are notable for their dynamic use of synthesizers, saxophone solos, and background vocals that complement Michael’s lead vocals. The album opens with “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” featuring a memorable arrangement of punchy horns, a jangling guitar riff, and energetic backing vocals that echo the exuberance of the song. Similarly, “Everything She Wants” remixes the traditional pop formula with a synth bass line and rhythmically complex layers that add a sense of depth and sophistication to the track. These arrangements not only enhance the individual tracks but also cohesively bind the album’s sound, creating a distinctive auditory signature that is both innovative and nostalgic.
Genre Elements
Musically, “Make It Big” taps into a variety of genres, predominantly pop, with strong undercurrents of R&B and funk, reflective of the broader 1980s musical landscape. This blend is particularly evident in tracks like “Freedom” and “Careless Whisper,” where the R&B influence is infused with pop sensibilities to create a sound that is both emotionally resonant and broadly appealing.
The use of saxophone in “Careless Whisper” is a defining moment of genre blending, offering a soulful counterpoint to the pop structure of the song. While Wham! stays relatively true to the pop genre, their integration of R&B elements adds a layer of complexity and richness, ensuring that “Make It Big” feels both timeless and innovative, capturing the essence of an era while pushing its boundaries.
Lyrical Analysis
“Make It Big” explores themes of love, freedom, ambition, and the joy of youthful exuberance, which resonate through its energetic and heartfelt lyrics. These themes are interwoven with stories of romantic adventures and personal aspirations, providing a relatable and optimistic view of life’s possibilities. In “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” the lyrics convey a playful and spirited love story, using vibrant imagery and lively expressions to evoke feelings of excitement and happiness. On the other hand, “Careless Whisper” deals with themes of remorse and lost love, offering a poignant counterbalance to the album’s generally upbeat tone.
Recurring motifs of personal freedom and self-discovery emerge in songs like “Freedom,” where the lyrics speak directly to the desire for autonomy in one’s life and relationships. This theme of liberation not only underscores the album’s title but also reflects George Michael’s own artistic and personal journey at the time.
Lyrical Depth
The lyrics throughout “Make It Big” are crafted with a straightforward, narrative style that prioritizes clarity and emotional directness over abstract poetic forms. This approach makes the album accessible and relatable, allowing listeners to easily connect with the music’s themes and messages. However, this does not detract from the lyrical sophistication seen in tracks like “Careless Whisper,” where the use of a haunting saxophone intro and a remorseful narrative explores the complexities of betrayal and regret in a deeply emotional context.
Emotional Impact
The emotional impact of the lyrics on “Make It Big” is significant, as they are designed to evoke a wide range of feelings, from the exhilarating joy in “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” to the reflective sorrow of “Careless Whisper.” The straightforward and heartfelt delivery of the lyrics enhances their emotional resonance, making each song both a personal and a universal statement. The album’s ability to balance these emotions—often within the span of a single track—adds a layer of depth to its appeal, engaging listeners in a way that invites not only dancing and celebration but also introspection and empathy.
Cohesion and Flow
“Make It Big” is structured in a way that not only showcases Wham!’s versatility but also maintains a seamless flow that enhances the listening experience. The album kicks off with the energetic “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” setting a lively and upbeat tone that captures the listener’s attention immediately. This is followed by “Everything She Wants,” which, while still rhythmic and catchy, introduces a slightly more reflective mood, discussing the material and emotional demands of relationships.
The progression from vibrant pop anthems to more introspective tracks like “Careless Whisper” demonstrates a thoughtful arrangement that mirrors the emotional and narrative development across the album. The closing tracks, including “Credit Card Baby” and “Freedom,” tie back to the album’s initial themes of love and personal aspiration, bringing the journey full circle with a renewed sense of energy and optimism. This track ordering creates a satisfying emotional arc that feels both intentional and natural, enhancing the album’s overall impact.
Thematic Consistency
Throughout “Make It Big,” the themes of love, freedom, and ambition are not only recurrent but are also consistently integrated into each track, both lyrically and sonically. This thematic consistency is a key element in the album’s cohesion, as it ensures that each song contributes to a unified narrative experience. The production style remains largely uniform across the album, employing a clean and polished pop sound that supports the lyrical content effectively.
However, the album does not shy away from exploring a range of emotions within its thematic framework. From the exuberant joy of “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” to the somber tones of “Careless Whisper,” the emotional shifts are handled smoothly, without creating jarring transitions. This emotional diversity enriches the album, providing depth and variety while still maintaining a cohesive feel.
Standout Tracks and Moments
Several tracks on “Make It Big” stand out not only as chart-toppers but as definitive examples of 80s pop excellence, each showcasing Wham!’s knack for blending catchy melodies with compelling lyrical content.
“Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” is undoubtedly one of the most iconic tracks of the decade, characterized by its exuberant energy and catchy chorus. Its use of a distinctive jitterbug beat and Motown-inspired backing vocals sets it apart as a vibrant celebration of pop music.
“Careless Whisper” stands out for entirely different reasons. Featuring one of the most recognizable saxophone riffs in pop music history, the song marks a significant artistic achievement for George Michael as a songwriter. Its deep emotional resonance and mature sound contrast with the rest of the album, showcasing Michael’s versatility and ability to craft a timeless ballad.
“Everything She Wants” is another highlight, notable for its sophisticated blend of pop and funk. The song’s introspective lyrics about the materialistic demands of modern relationships, paired with its innovative rhythmic structure, make it a standout track that combines commercial appeal with artistic depth.
Memorable Moments
The opening chords of “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” instantly capture the essence of the album—joyous, energetic, and irresistibly catchy. This moment sets the tone for the entire album and remains one of the most memorable intros in pop music.
The saxophone solo in “Careless Whisper” is not just a standout musical moment on the album but a defining moment in pop music of the 80s. It beautifully captures the song’s theme of regret and lost love, and its haunting melody lingers long after the song ends.
The lyrical poignancy of “Everything She Wants” during the lines, “And now you tell me that you’re having my baby, I’ll tell you that I’m happy if you want me to,” reflects a complex emotional truth rarely explored in pop music with such candor. This moment underscores George Michael’s skill as a lyricist who could convey deep personal and social issues through accessible pop music.
Each of these tracks and moments not only highlights the individual talents of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley but also encapsulates the broad appeal of “Make It Big,” blending catchy pop sensibilities with a depth that appealed to a wide audience. These elements together reinforce the album’s status as a landmark in the pop genre.
Artistic Contribution and Innovation
“Make It Big” occupies a unique and prominent place within the pop genre and the broader music industry. Released during a period of significant transition in the music landscape, the album not only embraced the emerging trends of the 1980s but also helped define them. Its synthesis of upbeat pop with elements of R&B and funk resonated widely, influencing a host of artists and shaping the sound of mainstream pop music for years to come.
Wham!’s approach did not merely adhere to the established norms of pop music; rather, it expanded on them, bringing a fresh vibrancy and a new level of production quality that set new standards. The album’s success in the U.S. marked a significant breakthrough for British pop music, paving the way for other British acts to find success across the Atlantic.
Innovation
Production Techniques
The production on “Make It Big” was ahead of its time, utilizing cutting-edge technology and studio techniques to create a sound that was both immaculately clean and richly textured. This level of production was instrumental in defining the polished sound of mid-80s pop.
Genre Blending
Wham!’s seamless integration of funk and R&B elements into their pop songs was particularly innovative. Tracks like “Everything She Wants” and “Careless Whisper” demonstrate a sophisticated musical hybridity that was relatively uncommon in mainstream pop music at that time. This blend not only broadened the appeal of their music but also contributed to the evolution of pop as a genre.
Thematic Exploration:
While many pop acts of the era focused on light, carefree themes, “Make It Big” ventured into more complex emotional and social territories. Songs like “Careless Whisper” with its themes of betrayal and remorse, and “Everything She Wants” with its commentary on materialism and relationship dynamics, offered a deeper lyrical depth that challenged the norms of typical pop subject matter.
Closing Thoughts
“Make It Big” is an album that truly lives up to its title, encapsulating the essence of 1980s pop with its exuberant energy, sophisticated production, and a seamless blend of musical styles. The album’s strengths are manifold, highlighted by its polished sound, infectious melodies, and a thoughtful mix of light-hearted pop anthems and deeper, more reflective ballads. The tracks are meticulously crafted, featuring memorable hooks and compelling lyrical content that range from the joys of youthful freedom to the complexities of adult relationships.
However, the album does have its limitations. While its mainstream appeal is undeniable, some critics and listeners might find the pop sensibilities too calculated or the emotional depth insufficient when compared to more avant-garde or introspective musical works. Additionally, the consistency in sound and theme, while contributing to the album’s cohesion, might also be perceived as lacking in diversity across tracks, potentially diminishing its replay value for a segment of the audience.
Official Rating
Given these considerations, a rating of 7 out of 10 feels appropriate for “Make It Big.” This score reflects a strong recognition of the album’s significant artistic and commercial achievements, as well as its pivotal role in defining mid-80s pop music. However, the rating also acknowledges room for deeper lyrical exploration and greater musical variation, aspects that might have elevated the album further.