I'm Your Man (Wham! song)

"I'm Your Man" is a song by British pop duo Wham!, released in 1985 on Epic Records in the UK and most of the world, and Columbia Records in the US. It was written and produced by George Michael, one half of the duo.

History

The song was long-awaited, as Wham! had spent much of 1985 touring and then resting. A ground breaking appearance in China had been followed by a stint at Live Aid, but there had been no new Wham! material until November and the release of "I'm Your Man", a straightforward song of seduction through personality.

The video was similar to that of previous hit "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" (which had been a success the previous year), in that it was essentially an "as live" performance of the song in front of a crowd of fans. It was also shot in black and white rather than colour. It was shot inside and outside of London's historic Marquee Club.

"I'm Your Man" became Wham!'s third No. 1 in the UK Singles Chart,^[1] but did not feature on a studio album, and was essentially an isolated single which was only followed up by a re-issue of the previous year's Christmas hit, "Last Christmas". Already the signs were there that George, now bearded, was ready to move his career into an adult market. The song also reached No. 3 in the US Billboard Hot 100, prevented from further chart movement by "Burning Heart" by Survivor and "That's What Friends Are For" by Dionne and Friends.^[2]

Within six months of "I'm Your Man", Wham! had announced their split. They had a fourth and final number one and released a farewell album, prior to a concert at Wembley Stadium, at which "I'm Your Man" was the last song Michael performed with partner Andrew Ridgeley.

An extended mix of the song was released on Wham!'s 1986 album Music from the Edge of Heaven (the U.S. version of their final album The Final).

In 1996 the song was re-recorded by Michael in a funkier style. It appeared, credited to Michael solo, as a B-side on the "Fastlove" CD single (also being interpolated into an extended mix of "Fastlove") and, credited to Wham!, on The Best of Wham!: If You Were There....

Track listing

All songs written and composed by George Michael. 

• Also released as a picture disc (WTA 6716) and cassette (TA40 6716)
• "Do It Right" is the instrumental version of "I'm Your Man"

Chart performance

Lisa Moorish version

In 1995, Lisa Moorish covered "I'm Your Man" for her album I've Gotta Have It All, the background vocals was sung by George Michael. Just like "Mr Friday Night", the cover was also a moderate success in the UK charts.

Charts

Shane Richie version

"I'm Your Man"
Single by Shane Richie
Released	November 24, 2003
Genre	Pop
Label	Sony BMG
Writer(s)	George Michael

In 2003, Shane Richie also covered the song as a fundraising single for the BBC charity Children in Need. Richie's version of the song reached number 2 in the UK singles chart.

Track listing

CD

1. "I'm Your Man"
2. "I'm Your Man" (Party Remix)

DVD

1. "I'm Your Man" (video)
2. "I'm Your Man" (making-of video)

Chart performance

Cover versions

• In 2008, the song was performed by Westlife on their Back Home Tour.

References