Wham! Fantastic

LP02166

UPC:19658815021

Fantasticis the debut studio album by English pop duoWham!, released on 1 July 1983.[4]It reached number one on theUK Albums Chart. It included the previously released singles “Young Guns”, “Wham Rap!” and “Bad Boys”. “Club Tropicana” was released as a single to coincide with the album’s release. Although not on the album, “Club Fantastic Megamix” (a medley of songs from the album) was released against the band’s wishes byInnervisionsoon afterFantastic, and whilst they were in proceedings to leave the label.[5]

According toAndrew Ridgeleyin his 2019 bookWham! George and Me, it was during the early stages of writing and recording of this album that the pair agreed thatGeorge Michaelshould take sole responsibility for writing the group’s material. Before securing their first record deal, they had written songs together, and made their first demos with these songs. When work started in the studio, Michaelaccording to Ridgeleystarted working “at lightning speed”, and it quickly became clear that he was by far the better songwriter. Ridgeley would later say that it was not something that he particularly wanted, but there was no doubt it was the way to go to achieve the success they both wanted.[6]Two new songs, “Golden Soul” and “Soul Boy”, were written by Michael and Ridgeley for the album but both were shelved as “neither of them were any good”.[7]They were replaced by tracks written and arranged by Michael.

The album features ahidden track(played on ahonky-tonk-style piano) after the final 20 seconds of “Young Guns (Go for It!)”.

In the US, the album was originally released as the group “WHAM! U.K.”, due to a conflict with a US group with the same name (Columbia BFC-38911).

Dutch pressing of the debut LP from 1983 by George Michael & Andrew Ridgley. Includes the hits “Young Guns (Go For It!)”, “Wham Rap! (Enjoy What You Do?)”, “Bad Boys” & “Club Tropicana.