"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.

Background and writing

"I'm Your Man", according to Michael, was "pretty different to anything [Wham! has] ever done". According to Michael: "''I'm Your Man' was written very quickly. The whole of the first verse and chorus came to me in five minutes on an internal flight in America [during the Whamamerica! tour]."

History

"I'm Your Man" became Wham!'s third number one on the UK Singles Chart, 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". The song also reached number three on the US Billboard Hot 100, prevented from further chart movement by Rocky IV soundtrack single "Burning Heart" by Survivor and "That's What Friends Are For" by Dionne and Friends. 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.... In 2012, comedian John Bishop mimed and danced to the song along with a "Mini Me" version of himself at the end of his tour DVD Rollercoaster.

Reception

Cash Box said that it "continues to show the group’s indebtedness to Motown grooves and girl group vocal arrangements." Billboard agreed that it has Motown influence and is "handled with affection and accuracy."

Music video

The official music video for the song was directed by Andy Morahan. The video is presented in black and white, set in the Marquee Club, Wardour Street, London, where Wham! are performing the song. An extended intro and outro features Michael and Ridgeley trying without success to sell tickets to passersby. Michael makes a phone call to his agent Simon Napier-Bell, complaining about having to sing at the Marquee. He is heard saying "Simon, don't cry" and finally hangs up on him with the words "we got a gig to play goodbye". During the video, film countdown numbers flash up at times, making the numbers 69 and 66. It also shows "SEX" in the countdown.

Track listing

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Lisa Moorish version

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

Charts

Shane Richie version

In 2003, actor and EastEnders star Shane Richie also covered the song as a fundraising single for the BBC charity Children in Need. Produced by Absolute, Richie's version of the song reached number two on the UK Singles Chart.

Track listing

UK CD single UK DVD single

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications