This is my favorite song from Wham! or George Michael. There's just something about it that I can't quite put my finger on. It just makes me want to blast it and I can't sit still. It came on SiriusXM in my car and I replayed it over and over all the way across Sacramento for like a half hour. 😄
This was definitely very special for Wham To be performing in China, because not many do to this day. I love George’s voice I watch a lot of his interviews and every single one is great, just like every single song he sings is great. I don’t judge you at all because I personally think they both are hot too. Wham was fantastic and George is very much missed. We all will always love him.
George did a beautiful version of careless whisper wearing that white suit singing it live in China they said that nobody was allowed to dance and the police would hit the crowds with trundles and make them sit down that was the last time they spoke to the press
Some context for the video: Wham was chosen by Chinese authorities as the first western band to perform in communist China in 1985 after the Cultural Revolution/Mao Zedong's death. China was culturally isolated during those times and (western) pop music etc was forbidden, so this was a big deal. Queen and the Rolling Stones also tried to become the first western band to play in China, but Wham's manager sabotaged them by sending them brochures promoting Wham as 'wholesome' and Queen as 'flamboyant'.
That concert in China was such a HUGE deal. I remember all the media coverage about it. Still absolutely gutted George us no longer with us. The concert was released on video under the title "Foreign Skies". There's bits and pieces of it on TH-cam.
I'm watching some reactions to long-time favourite bands, and you & Wham! are a natural choice. Freedom is my favourite Wham! song, one of my top of all time.
George Michael was so incredibly gifted musically I remember when wham came out. I was in middle school and the first time I heard his voice I fell in love with him! It's so sad that AIDS took him down. He will always be a beautiful soul to me in my heart. Xo
YOU DID WHAM!!!! Oh my god I can’t wait to watch this when I get home later! I’m so excited and this is one of my favorites by them, it just always puts me in a good mood. Thank you!
George Michael and Queen in one day?!! Amazing!! You should react to George Michael singing Somebody to Love at the Freddie Mercury Tribute concert live with Queen. His live vocals will blow your mind. 🔥🔥🔥
This is my favorite Wham! song of all time. I prefer it to their more popular & well known songs like Wake Me Up Before You Go Go, Everything She Wants & Careless Whisper. I even prefer this song over George's solo song Freedom 90'. Yes, pop stars are immune to dizziness because of their rehearsing their moves over & over again. Thanks for reacting to this song. I didn't think anyone would react to it because there are hardly or next to no reactions for this song. React to Hall & Oates Say It Isn't So & Jody Watley's Still A Thrill please.
I just love I'm Your Man and Edge of Heaven, both Wham songs. I really, really love his live version of Different Corner on the Parkinson show. Even if you don't react to it, you should watch it. It is perfection, like all of his live performances. Thanks for reacting to GM. So glad you are getting to know his music and I think you understand just how special he was. One of the top male vocalist of all time IMO.
Yes I think the way they approached the video is very interesting to say the least. I mean none of us really "knew" China back then. So the fact these two lovely lads played in China... I can only imagine the impression it left on them both. Wonderful reactions as always sir, you really do shine !
George Michael had one of the most beautiful voices... ❤ Wham! music makes me so melancholic. Used to be a big Duran Duran and Wham fan. Glad I got to see Michael live on his Faith tour.
George was such an amazing talent, and a gentle soul. My wife knew him briefly at one of his lowest points, and was amazed by how unassuming he was. I agree the vocals on this song are brilliant, and the song reflects the influence 60's and 70's Motown had on him. He didn't just sing the song, but wrote them. I also love the travelogue and asian culture aspect of it -- reminds me of Grimes video she made for REALiTi when she was touring Southeast Asia: th-cam.com/video/N9XKLqGqwLA/w-d-xo.html
China was really still closed to the West back then. So white guys and pop music were like pegacorns to them. I had a friend who was born in Moscow who said the first song in English she knew was a Duran Duran song. They let them play it on the radio because it was "harmless". Commies were super serious back then so songs/artists who were political would have been a no-no. They like to give credit for the fall of communism to people like Reagan or Gorbachev, but it was really British pop sensations. This is one of my favorite Wham! songs and videos. It's so peppy. I was about 10 at the time.
hi Bryson, love your reaction to this one. I grew up with Wham! and George (actually one and the same). Since i first saw and heard George in "Wham! Rap" and Club Tropicana i couldn't get enough of him. this incomparable voice, that hits you straight in the heart is just unbelievable. You should watch the videos for "i'm your man", careles whisper - live in china" or "where did your heart go" - you'll love it. Thanks for your reactions.
I wore the sh*t out of this concert documentary as a pre-teen. It's from a concert documentary called WHAM! In China. I still have it. My favorite performance from this is "Blue".
George’s first “Freedom” from his 1984 Wham! album, - hence the reason his solo song of the same title was called “Freedom ‘90”. Both are superb songs. This was the last single from the last Wham! album. It takes me right back to the summer of ‘85, when it was a radio hit. Showing my age again 😆🤣! Really loved “coming of age” in the ‘80s with all the great songs, many of which you are discovering/reviewing on your wonderful channel Bryson. Great job - and we appreciate your work and takes on all these great, old songs.
I did live through those times was unforgettable. A lot of people don't understand why the album make it big was such a phenomenal album. Every song on the album is so well-written and has so much heart in it. Comparable songs like where did your heart go or later in his solo career George Michael wrote Kissing a Fool.
i swear YT is our only means for a time machine ..i was born in the late 60s and my teens were in the 80s and it just seems like yesterday when i see these videos , i miss that time so much . love your fashion advice and it is right on the money lol. thanks for such a great reaction to Wham !
Thanks again. I love this because I love listening to George's speaking voice - I miss him so much :(. Love your reactions! I'd love you to do Blue by Wham! - you prob only get the China version that's from this tour, but it's fab. Freedom is a great song, so catchy!! x Take care, again I say you make me laugh xxx
I was so happy to see you react to wham where George started most just do his solo stuff.it's a breath of fresh air compared to the 'music' we have now.it brought back happy memories of my secondary school discos dancing and singing every word out loud to each other.i have a theory that the boy and you end up with is the one that's popular when your a teenager and hormones become a thing🤣 Love pepsi and Shirley's 80's versions of 50's fashion! That's more than a statement blazer Andy's wearing it's 2 tartan suits this Scot🏴 approves🤣
LMAO yep, we were all thinking the same thing you were about George and Andrew being hot. 😂 I have so much to say about this one, so forgive my rambling. It’s been my favorite Wham! song since I first heard it on cassette tape back in 1985, and I think that’s because like you said, even though lyrically it’s sort of a sad song, musically it’s upbeat and full of energy. This one is actually on my playlist of songs that cheer me up for that reason. When I was little, I didn’t understand the video concept at all. It was a really big deal that a pop band was performing in China back then and all of that went right over my head. But I loved how you get to see the playful side of George and Andrew. I respect George’s talent on its own, he was a genius musician, but as a fan I prefer him with Wham! just because it was an entirely different vibe. The songs were more fun (except the ballads, of course). And I’m sad I never got to see them perform live before they ended the band. Okay, I’ll shut up now but just know that you made my day with this one. I’m so happy you liked it!
They didn't have time to do a video for this one so this was put together , which I think turned out well as long as we get to see George loved your reactions
You looked a bit puzzled at first and then that lovely smile appeared, he was very young and wrote very up beat songs for Wham he hadn't experienced loss or pain when he went solo his songs as you know changed his voice also got a little deeper he said in an interview when he hears wham he sounds like a girl I don't think so wham was his youth that's what it was about just young and poppy and gorgeous ♥️
Next time you do Wham if you do please include Edge of Heaven it was thier last video and single before he went solo ,love watching your reactions they make me smile 😊♥️
Man those backups Shirley and Pepsi they were so fine back in the day....the black one is so darn cute! I think she married Paul Weller of the Jam at one point. I got a crush on dat....
It was Dee Cee Lee that married Paul Weller - she was in the original line up with Shirley. When she left, Pepsi joined Wham in her place and stayed until they broke up the band. Loved Pepsi and Shirley, as well as George and Andrew of course.
Thanks for reviewing. This is actually my second-favorite song of all time (love the melody and guitar work in it). My other favorites: #5 "I Can See Clearly Now" by Johnny Nash; #4 "Children of the World" by Amy Grant; #3 "I Am the Walrus" by the Beatles (on really ridiculous days, like Jan. 6, that's the only song that makes any sense to me whatsoever); and #1 "Pleasant Valley Sunday" by the Monkees, written by the great Carole King and Gerry Goffin.
….and you can understand why WHAM! had to disband, there is no way this musical 🎤 direction could be maintained as George matured as a songwriter and producer. He never sang like that as a solo performer.
You have to realize the political climate of this time period of the mid 80's. Communist countries like China & The U.S.S.R. (now Russia) couldn't have been more opposite to the "free" democratic western world of the U.K. & North America. 1985-1986 was the height of the "Cold War". Music from western bands was simply never played on the radio in these countries. So the thought of a western band actually performing in China was such a foreign concept, neither Wham! or China knew what to expect and how the youth of that country would react. Of course, Wham!'s bubble gum pop image was probably the most palatable at the time; their music wasn't exactly very threatening politically was it LOL. To politicians in China it must have seemed like the beginning of the end, the encroachment of western culture and ideals. Little did they know what would happen a mere 4 years later at Tiananmen Square in 1989 with the deadly riots & massacre.
![ฉันจะ "แพรี่" ให้หมด - ผู้แข็งแกร่งที่สุดในโลกอยากจะเป็นนักผจญภัยให้ได้ - ตอนที่ 04 [ซับไทย]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/PvmuP8y9IPk/mqdefault.jpg)
YOUR AWESOME, I LOVE WHAM AND GEORGE MICHAEL, YOU REPRESENT THEM WITH LOVE AND RESPECT, THANK YOU
Agree
That's MY JAM!!! LOVE WHAM! MISS GEORGE MICHEAL.
This is my favorite song from Wham! or George Michael. There's just something about it that I can't quite put my finger on. It just makes me want to blast it and I can't sit still. It came on SiriusXM in my car and I replayed it over and over all the way across Sacramento for like a half hour. 😄
This was definitely very special for Wham To be performing in China, because not many do to this day. I love George’s voice I watch a lot of his interviews and every single one is great, just like every single song he sings is great.
I don’t judge you at all because I personally think they both are hot too.
Wham was fantastic and George is very much missed. We all will always love him.
George also had a beautiful "speaking voice" - you can also hear this in the video "i'm your man - directors cut".
George did a beautiful version of careless whisper wearing that white suit singing it live in China they said that nobody was allowed to dance and the police would hit the crowds with trundles and make them sit down that was the last time they spoke to the press
Some context for the video: Wham was chosen by Chinese authorities as the first western band to perform in communist China in 1985 after the Cultural Revolution/Mao Zedong's death. China was culturally isolated during those times and (western) pop music etc was forbidden, so this was a big deal. Queen and the Rolling Stones also tried to become the first western band to play in China, but Wham's manager sabotaged them by sending them brochures promoting Wham as 'wholesome' and Queen as 'flamboyant'.
Anything with George❤️ I love!!
With the fabulous Pepsi and Shirley on backing vocals!
"The edge of heaven", "Where did your heart go" and "I'm your man" are great, too.
That concert in China was such a HUGE deal. I remember all the media coverage about it. Still absolutely gutted George us no longer with us. The concert was released on video under the title "Foreign Skies". There's bits and pieces of it on TH-cam.
haha the 80s China, have opened up..seeing Wham perform should be refreshing and eye opening for them :)
I'm watching some reactions to long-time favourite bands, and you & Wham! are a natural choice. Freedom is my favourite Wham! song, one of my top of all time.
George Michael was so incredibly gifted musically I remember when wham came out. I was in middle school and the first time I heard his voice I fell in love with him! It's so sad that AIDS took him down. He will always be a beautiful soul to me in my heart. Xo
George did not have AIDS, he died of heart disease.
Grew up on wham loved george his music lives on
Oh, hmm, 1984, 15-ish, shots, dancing around the living room…yes! Love George, and Wham! :)
Hee, hee …. same!!
YOU DID WHAM!!!! Oh my god I can’t wait to watch this when I get home later! I’m so excited and this is one of my favorites by them, it just always puts me in a good mood. Thank you!
Thank you for your support!!
George Michael was one of the best ever and there will never be another like him.
one of my faves by them! another great one is the edge of heaven :) also love the reaction
Thanks!
One of my favorite of theirs and unfortunately not played very often because it wasn't a real music video.
George Michael and Queen in one day?!! Amazing!! You should react to George Michael singing Somebody to Love at the Freddie Mercury Tribute concert live with Queen. His live vocals will blow your mind. 🔥🔥🔥
George said this represents Pop music at its finest and was his favorite on the "make it big" album.
I haven't seen that for years. George was such a sweetheart. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
omg they looked ridiulously young!!! 🤩
6:55 Speaking of short shorts, they do wear them in "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go". Well, after about a minute into the video, lol.
This is my favorite Wham! song of all time. I prefer it to their more popular & well known songs like Wake Me Up Before You Go Go, Everything She Wants & Careless Whisper. I even prefer this song over George's solo song Freedom 90'. Yes, pop stars are immune to dizziness because of their rehearsing their moves over & over again. Thanks for reacting to this song. I didn't think anyone would react to it because there are hardly or next to no reactions for this song. React to Hall & Oates Say It Isn't So & Jody Watley's Still A Thrill please.
I just love I'm Your Man and Edge of Heaven, both Wham songs. I really, really love his live version of Different Corner on the Parkinson show. Even if you don't react to it, you should watch it. It is perfection, like all of his live performances. Thanks for reacting to GM. So glad you are getting to know his music and I think you understand just how special he was. One of the top male vocalist of all time IMO.
Edge Of Heaven
Always a guilty pleasure this song.
Shout out to Wham's bassist Deon Estus!
Always delivered
Yes I think the way they approached the video is very interesting to say the least. I mean none of us really "knew" China back then. So the fact these two lovely lads played in China... I can only imagine the impression it left on them both. Wonderful reactions as always sir, you really do shine !
Thank you!
George Michael had one of the most beautiful voices... ❤ Wham! music makes me so melancholic. Used to be a big Duran Duran and Wham fan. Glad I got to see Michael live on his Faith tour.
George was such an amazing talent, and a gentle soul. My wife knew him briefly at one of his lowest points, and was amazed by how unassuming he was. I agree the vocals on this song are brilliant, and the song reflects the influence 60's and 70's Motown had on him. He didn't just sing the song, but wrote them. I also love the travelogue and asian culture aspect of it -- reminds me of Grimes video she made for REALiTi when she was touring Southeast Asia: th-cam.com/video/N9XKLqGqwLA/w-d-xo.html
Awesome! Wham! is so cool! I really love their music! Thank you for reacting! I love your videos so much!❤️
Thank you so much!!
China was really still closed to the West back then. So white guys and pop music were like pegacorns to them. I had a friend who was born in Moscow who said the first song in English she knew was a Duran Duran song. They let them play it on the radio because it was "harmless". Commies were super serious back then so songs/artists who were political would have been a no-no. They like to give credit for the fall of communism to people like Reagan or Gorbachev, but it was really British pop sensations.
This is one of my favorite Wham! songs and videos. It's so peppy. I was about 10 at the time.
hi Bryson, love your reaction to this one. I grew up with Wham! and George (actually one and the same). Since i first saw and heard George in "Wham! Rap" and Club Tropicana i couldn't get enough of him. this incomparable voice, that hits you straight in the heart is just unbelievable. You should watch the videos for "i'm your man", careles whisper - live in china" or "where did your heart go" - you'll love it. Thanks for your reactions.
by the way, George's sister Melanie was also in this video. She also died on 25.12 - but 3 years after George.
@@michaelageorge7517 I noticed that too☹️
Thank you!!
🥰 *****THIS VIDEO STILL GIVES ME CHILLS AFTER ALL THESE YEARS***** 🥰
Aloha
Didn’t realize how much I missed this gem. Ty!
❤❤❤
I remember them doing this as George Michael and I were both the same age
RIP george
I wore the sh*t out of this concert documentary as a pre-teen. It's from a concert documentary called WHAM! In China. I still have it.
My favorite performance from this is "Blue".
George’s first “Freedom” from his 1984 Wham! album, - hence the reason his solo song of the same title was called “Freedom ‘90”. Both are superb songs. This was the last single from the last Wham! album. It takes me right back to the summer of ‘85, when it was a radio hit. Showing my age again 😆🤣! Really loved “coming of age” in the ‘80s with all the great songs, many of which you are discovering/reviewing on your wonderful channel Bryson. Great job - and we appreciate your work and takes on all these great, old songs.
Thank you so much for continuing to watch!! 😊
That spin HAD to have been sped up, hahahaha!!!! And your fashion advice 😆
😂
I did live through those times was unforgettable. A lot of people don't understand why the album make it big was such a phenomenal album. Every song on the album is so well-written and has so much heart in it. Comparable songs like where did your heart go or later in his solo career George Michael wrote Kissing a Fool.
i swear YT is our only means for a time machine ..i was born in the late 60s and my teens were in the 80s and it just seems like yesterday when i see these videos , i miss that time so much . love your fashion advice and it is right on the money lol. thanks for such a great reaction to Wham !
Haha, thanks for watching!!
Oh,.now I get it. I knew Freedom '90, from 1990, so I now see why year note in it.
It's completely different.
I wonder why he named them the same.
I've just shown my daughter some of your George reactions and she laughed so much at Out side she has subscribed just thought I'd let you know 😊♥️
Thank you so much!! Glad to hear she enjoyed the video. 😂😊❤
Thanks again. I love this because I love listening to George's speaking voice - I miss him so much :(. Love your reactions! I'd love you to do Blue by Wham! - you prob only get the China version that's from this tour, but it's fab. Freedom is a great song, so catchy!! x Take care, again I say you make me laugh xxx
Thank you for watching! 😊
This song just puts you in a good mood. Wham's Freedom is criminally underplayed and ignored now
Agree❤
I was so happy to see you react to wham where George started most just do his solo stuff.it's a breath of fresh air compared to the 'music' we have now.it brought back happy memories of my secondary school discos dancing and singing every word out loud to each other.i have a theory that the boy and you end up with is the one that's popular when your a teenager and hormones become a thing🤣
Love pepsi and Shirley's 80's versions of 50's fashion!
That's more than a statement blazer Andy's wearing it's 2 tartan suits this Scot🏴 approves🤣
Never saw the video. Was a casual fan back then. Thanks
Thank you for watching!
LMAO yep, we were all thinking the same thing you were about George and Andrew being hot. 😂 I have so much to say about this one, so forgive my rambling. It’s been my favorite Wham! song since I first heard it on cassette tape back in 1985, and I think that’s because like you said, even though lyrically it’s sort of a sad song, musically it’s upbeat and full of energy. This one is actually on my playlist of songs that cheer me up for that reason.
When I was little, I didn’t understand the video concept at all. It was a really big deal that a pop band was performing in China back then and all of that went right over my head. But I loved how you get to see the playful side of George and Andrew. I respect George’s talent on its own, he was a genius musician, but as a fan I prefer him with Wham! just because it was an entirely different vibe. The songs were more fun (except the ballads, of course). And I’m sad I never got to see them perform live before they ended the band.
Okay, I’ll shut up now but just know that you made my day with this one. I’m so happy you liked it!
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts!! I'm glad you enjoyed the video! ❤
They didn't have time to do a video for this one so this was put together , which I think turned out well as long as we get to see George loved your reactions
Thank you for watching! 😊
You looked a bit puzzled at first and then that lovely smile appeared, he was very young and wrote very up beat songs for Wham he hadn't experienced loss or pain when he went solo his songs as you know changed his voice also got a little deeper he said in an interview when he hears wham he sounds like a girl I don't think so wham was his youth that's what it was about just young and poppy and gorgeous ♥️
The lyrical Melody of this song is represented by pipe organ at the beginning of the song faith.
You should try one of George's later songs "An Easier Affair".
Next time you do Wham if you do please include Edge of Heaven it was thier last video and single before he went solo ,love watching your reactions they make me smile 😊♥️
A young George Michael during the Wham days has a "Smokey Robinson" quality when he sings in the higher range. Atleast I think so...
Watch this concert in China, specifically‘Careless Whisper’ and ‘Everything She Wants’.
Wow! Now I think you may be ready for an early Wham hit "Bad Boys" next! ;-)
This song is 100% Motown.
Yup. And this track is about just 20 years older than mo'town classics. Son close if you replace in this now pretty long story of pop music ! 😉
Man those backups Shirley and Pepsi they were so fine back in the day....the black one is so darn cute! I think she married Paul Weller of the Jam at one point. I got a crush on dat....
It was Dee Cee Lee that married Paul Weller - she was in the original line up with Shirley. When she left, Pepsi joined Wham in her place and stayed until they broke up the band. Loved Pepsi and Shirley, as well as George and Andrew of course.
i haven’t listened to wham’s music in so long-
suggestion: react to kay cook’s music? she’s zach herron’s ex but she does music as well
Haha not everyone looks like george or andrew😂
Thanks for reviewing. This is actually my second-favorite song of all time (love the melody and guitar work in it). My other favorites: #5 "I Can See Clearly Now" by Johnny Nash; #4 "Children of the World" by Amy Grant; #3 "I Am the Walrus" by the Beatles (on really ridiculous days, like Jan. 6, that's the only song that makes any sense to me whatsoever); and #1 "Pleasant Valley Sunday" by the Monkees, written by the great Carole King and Gerry Goffin.
….and you can understand why WHAM! had to disband, there is no way this musical 🎤 direction could be maintained as George matured as a songwriter and producer. He never sang like that as a solo performer.
Can you react to Duran Duran and their new song and video Never Give You Up? Thanks!
Gosh. Sigh....high school
You have to realize the political climate of this time period of the mid 80's. Communist countries like China & The U.S.S.R. (now Russia) couldn't have been more opposite to the "free" democratic western world of the U.K. & North America. 1985-1986 was the height of the "Cold War". Music from western bands was simply never played on the radio in these countries. So the thought of a western band actually performing in China was such a foreign concept, neither Wham! or China knew what to expect and how the youth of that country would react. Of course, Wham!'s bubble gum pop image was probably the most palatable at the time; their music wasn't exactly very threatening politically was it LOL. To politicians in China it must have seemed like the beginning of the end, the encroachment of western culture and ideals. Little did they know what would happen a mere 4 years later at Tiananmen Square in 1989 with the deadly riots & massacre.
Thank you so much for the context! I can't begin to imagine what that experience must've been like for them!!