"Make It Big" is the second studio album by English pop duo Wham!, released in 1984. Compared to their earlier work, Wham!—consisting of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley—had greater control over the album's production, with Michael also credited as a producer. The album achieved commercial success, reaching number one in both the US and the UK and spawning four singles, all of which hit the top three in both charts. Make It Big was certified 4× platinum in the US upon its release and has since been certified 6× platinum. In March 2024, it was reissued on vinyl for the first time in 30 years.
The music video for the hit single "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" featured the duo in shirts that read "Choose Life," marking the beginning of several successful tracks from the album. The second single, "Careless Whisper," is technically a Wham! song, as it appears on Make It Big. However, it was released as a single either credited to Wham! featuring George Michael (in North America and other countries) or solely to George Michael (in the UK and some European nations), signaling his impending solo career. The music video for the third single, "Freedom," showcased the duo performing a concert in China, where Wham! became the first Western pop act to tour. The fourth single, "Everything She Wants," was released as a double A-side with "Last Christmas," the latter of which later appeared on Music from the Edge of Heaven, an album released only in North America and Japan.
### Background and Production
The album was primarily written and recorded at Studio Miraval in Southern France over six weeks, beginning in early July 1984. This setting allowed Michael to escape media scrutiny and work without distractions. According to Ridgeley, the choice to record in France was influenced by tax considerations and the region's favorable summer climate. Additionally, it was about an hour and a half from London, which facilitated Michael's commitments related to "Careless Whisper." Most songs were recorded with a live rhythm section, including hits like "Careless Whisper" and "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go."
While the album credits indicated mixing at Good Earth Studios in London and Marcadet Studios in Paris, it was primarily mixed at Sarm West's Studio 2, where the two hit singles were recorded, with some mixing done at Studio Miraval.
