Sound’s like more

In the 1980’s the UK’s pop scene emerged strong and bold with a definitive fresh outlook partly incorporating influences from further West.

George Michael took the lead role alongside Andrew Ridgeley as Wham’s songwriter and creative force.Released in 1986 ‘Wham! The Final’ was a compilation of their greatest hits passed down to me by an older sister.

It would be the duo’s last effort following the success of the saxophone sauteed ‘Careless Whisper’ further solidifiying Michael’s stance on an approach targeting a more mature audience which further spurred on his successful solo career years later.
I remember the cassette being white in colour and it’s sticker labelling pale in comparison.
A yellow walkman became my new best friend and I’d studied the album ferociously flipping from A to B side only being infuriated as to the length of time my batteries allowed.
I was to go through about 2 more walkman and even remember having surgically mended the torn recording tape with partial success at some point.
Not bad for an 8 year old who managed to hold on to this pop masterpiece well into the turn of the next decade.
Wham’s where I’d first learn to steadily bob my head or perhaps even attempt singing off-key.
I’d hear my older sisters and their excited girlish giggles and discussions behind closed doors as they’d prep to go out taking turns under one of those beehive style hairdryers we owned.
They spoke of magical musical places with names like ‘Galaxy’ and the ‘Space’ that they’d visit long into the night.