Tracklist
| A1 | Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go | |
| A2 | Everything She Wants | |
| A3 | Heartbeat | |
| A4 | Like A Baby | |
| B1 | Freedom | |
| B2 | If You Were There | |
| B3 | Credit Card Baby | |
| B4 | Careless Whisper |
Companies, etc.
- Phonographic Copyright ℗ – CBS Records
- Copyright © – CBS Records
- Published By – Morrison Leahy Music Ltd.
- Published By – Carlin Music Corp.
- Pressed By – CBS Pressing Plant, Aston Clinton
Credits
- Design – P/S/A*
- Engineer – Chris Porter
- Engineer [Assistant] – Paul Gomersall
- Photography By – Tony McGee
- Producer, Arranged By – George Michael
Notes
Issued with printed inner sleeve & 12 x 12 lyric insert.
Also May Contain a poster
Publishers:
A1-B1,B3,B4: Morrison Leahy Music Limited
B2: Carlin Music Corp.
Ⓡ 1984 CBS Inc.
Also May Contain a poster
Publishers:
A1-B1,B3,B4: Morrison Leahy Music Limited
B2: Carlin Music Corp.
Ⓡ 1984 CBS Inc.
Barcode and Other Identifiers
- Barcode: none
- Matrix / Runout (Runout, side A, etched. Var. 1): EPC 86311 A2
- Matrix / Runout (Runout, side B, etched. Var. 1): EPC 86311 B2
- Matrix / Runout (Runout, side A, etched. Var. 2): EPC 86311 A2
- Matrix / Runout (Runout, side B, etched. Var. 2): EPC 86311 B5
- Matrix / Runout (Runout, side A, etched. Var. 3): EPC 86311 A6
- Matrix / Runout (Runout, side B, etched. Var. 3): EPC 86311 B2
- Matrix / Runout (Runout, side A, etched. Var. 4): EPC 86311 A6
- Matrix / Runout (Runout, side B, etched. Var. 4): EPC 86311 B5
- Matrix / Runout (Runout, side A, etched. Var. 5): EPC 86311 A7
- Matrix / Runout (Runout, side B, etched. Var. 5): EPC 86311 B5
- Label Code: LC 0199
- Rights Society: MS / BIEM
- Price Code: CB 231
- Price Code (Circled): 58
Other Versions (5 of 242)
View All| Title (Format) | Label | Cat# | Country | Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Make It Big (LP, Album, Stereo) | Epic | EPC 86311, 86311 | Europe | 1984 | |||
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Make It Big (LP, Album, with Limited Edition Bonus Poster) | Epic | ELPS 4451 | Australia | 1984 | ||
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Make It Big (Cassette, Album, Dolby, B NR) | Columbia | FCT 39595, FCT39595 | US | 1984 | ||
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Make It Big (LP, Album, Stereo, Carrollton Pressing) | Columbia | FC 39595 | US | 1984 | ||
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Make It Big (LP, Album, Stereo) | Epic | EPC 86311 | Italy | 1984 |
Recommendations
Reviews
-
Pick up the 2024 EU reissue - it's more fun and the inner groove distortion is brutal on this first pressing and borderline ruins Careless Whisper. -
Edited 2 years agoAmong The Very Greatest Pop Albums To Come Out In The 1980's, Stacked Back To Back With Hits. George Michaels Original Magnum Opus Unit His Solo Career Began. This Original UK First Pressing Is The Real Deal, Beautifully Warm And Smooth. Doesn't Have The High End Harshness Or Sterility That Is Present On The First Japanese Pressing And Is More Focused Than The First USA Copies. -
When George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley decided to make their image more mature for Make It Big, it was the best decision they ever made, given that they cracked America, achieved critical success for the first time, and Michael gained more credibility as a songwriter.
This album really was a surprise, considering how much of an improvement it is on Wham's debut in every aspect. The songwriting, singing and production take a huge leap forward, and also the record seems focused, unlike their first album Fantastic which couldn't decide what it wanted to be.
In my opinion, this album rivals Faith as George Michael's best set of songs. Opening with the now-infamous pop ditty and transatlantic no.1 'Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go', the LP is very consistent with all the album tracks having unique qualities of their own. The record flows evenly between up and downbeat songs, with the big-sounding 'Heartbeat', the Motown-esque 'Freedom', the atmospheric 'Everything She Wants', the melancholy 'Like A Baby' and the funk of 'Credit Card Baby'. Then the album closes with what became Michael's first solo single (although credited to Wham in the USA), the timeless 'Careless Whisper'. A song that Michael and Ridgeley wrote together at only 17, it has become a classic with its haunting saxophone riff and dark lyrics.
The stellar songwriting is also boosted by Michael's commendable arrangements and production, an impressive feat given his young age at the time. Elements of instrumentation are never overused and the drum machines never sound dated even now.
Make It Big truly rivals Faith as George Michael’s best work, which says how great a record it really is. A lot of people automatically dismiss Wham's music as cheesy teen pop (which was why Michael split Wham in the beginning), but with the exception of 'Go-Go', none of that is present on this album. Very close to 10/10.
Release
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