Music
When Wham and Me Wore Shorts
The look was casual and sexy
Wham! What not to like? Still trying to work that one out.
The cool guitarist (Andrew Ridgeley), the fantastic lead singer/songwriter (George Michael) plus some really cute backing singers. I got with the program. After all, their songs were great, particularly to get you dancing. I was sixteen and thought they were all…right.
Don’t get me wrong, there were a load of bands at that time that I preferred musically, but Wham were fun — and where I lived they became a big influence on many young people. Everyone I knew seemed to like something about them, be it their music or the clothes they wore.
Which brings me on to why I am talking about Wham.
They were big news in the UK and this success would soon wing its way around the globe. Although most people won’t associate Wham with inspired fashion trends — in my small world, for a brief time, they did just that. Where I lived, right from their first appearance on TOTP’s you either fancied them, wanted to dress like them, hang out with the wham girls, or all three.
Wham Wore Shorts and Made it Big
By the time their second studio album was released, the very aptly named Make it Big, the band’s music was selling like hot cakes. This album was a phenomenal success with songs such as —
- Wake me up before you go go
- Freedom
- Careless Whisper
Plus many more gracing the vinyl. It was about this time the Wham boys — and girls started to wear shorts! And the teenagers from my neck of the woods joined in.
That summer I can remember going out to the pub, (shhh — I know I was underage), and we were all dressed in shorts. The look was casual and sexy whatever your gender. Though I must say I remember my friend's mum looking at the girls one day and asking,
“Can your shorts really get much shorter?”
And the answer was no. Many times, they would have been considered similar to the hot pants of the 60s. Plus, my girlfriends and I would also don high heels and thought we looked so… cool.
I often think back to that year when Wham and me wore shorts.
Luckily, the summer was very warm, so wearing skimpy clothes day and night worked well. I always thought Wham were making a hip fashion statement, but I’ve since learned that their manager had secured them a £50,000 sponsorship with Fila.
Goodness — to be paid to wear shorts and sing! Wham had the lot.
Here is my favourite Wham song. Well it was when I was in my twenties and I see no reason to change my mind…
I’m Your Man by Wham!
[Verse 1] Call me good Call me bad Call me anything you want to, baby But I know that you’re sad And I know I’ll make you happy With the one thing that you never had
[Chorus 1] Baby, I’m your man Don’t you know that? Baby, I’m your man You bet!
[Chorus 2] If you’re gonna do it, do it right (right) Do it with me! If you’re gonna do it, do it right (right) Do it with me! If you’re gonna do it, do it right (right) Do it with me! If you’re gonna do it, do it right (right) Do it with me!
[Verse 2] So good, you’re divine Wanna take you, wanna make you But they tell me it’s a crime! Everybody knows where the good people go But where we’re going baby Ain’t no such word as no!
[Chorus 3] Baby, I’m your man Don’t you know who I am? Baby, I’m your man You bet!
[Chorus 2] If you’re gonna do it, do it right (right) Do it with me (Come on baby) If you’re gonna do it, do it right (right) Do it with me (Ooh, take me home) If you’re gonna do it, do it right (right) Do it with me (Please don’t leave me here) If you’re gonna do it, do it right To do it on my own
[Breakdown] First class information Sense your inspiration And with some stimulation We can do it right
[Bridge] So why waste time with the other guys When you can have mine? I ain’t askin’ for no sacrifice Baby, your friends do not need to know! I’ve got a real nice place to go Listen I don’t need you to care I don’t need you to understand, yeah All I want is for you to be there And when I’m turned on, if you want me I’m your man! (I’m your man)
Why is this my favourite? I am not sure but I like the assertiveness of the lyrics. The guy is basically saying you’re divine, I’m the one for you, and we’re going to have some bad ass fun!
And… here are Wham — in shorts — from 1983 singing A Ray of Sunshine. It is a must-watch, as somehow it manages to be cool and cheesy, at the same time.
More from May…
