Make It Big

{{about|the album by Wham!|the song sung by the Beach Boys|Make It Big (song)|the film|Make It Big (film)}}

{{Infobox album

| name = Make It Big

| type = studio

| artist = Wham!

| cover = Wham! Make It Big European cover.jpeg

| border = yes

| alt =

| released = {{start date|1984|10|22|df=y}} (US){{cite web|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/FMQB-Album/1984/FMQB-Album-1984-10-12.pdf|title=FMQB|page=30}}
{{start date|1984|11|5|df=y}} (UK){{cite web|url=https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/4131-272-2|title=BPI}}

| recorded = 1984

| studio =

Studio Miraval (France)
Sarm West (London){{cite magazine |last=Buskin |first=Richard |date=March 2013 |title=Classic Tracks: George Michael 'Faith' |url=https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/classic-tracks-george-michael-faith |magazine=Sound on Sound |access-date=19 December 2016}}

| genre = {{hlist|Pop|new wave{{cite web |date=31 May 2023 |title=Top 40 New Wave Albums |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/best-new-wave-albums/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |access-date=4 October 2024}}|pop-soul}}

| length = 38:02

| label =

Epic (UK)
Columbia (US)

| producer = George Michael

| prev_title = Fantastic

| prev_year = 1983

| next_title = Music from the Edge of Heaven

| next_year = 1986

| misc = {{Extra album cover

| header = Alternative cover

| type = studio

| cover = Wham!_-_Make_It_Big_(North_American_album_artwork).png

| border = yes

| alt =

| caption = Album cover in North America

}}

{{Singles

| name = Make It Big

| type = studio

| single1 = Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go

| single1date = 14 May 1984

| single2 = Careless Whisper

| single2date = 23 July 1984

| single3 = Freedom

| single3date = 1 October 1984

| single4 = Everything She Wants

| single4date = 3 December 1984

}}

Make It Big is the second studio album by English pop duo Wham!, released in 1984. In comparison to their earlier work, Wham! (George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley) had more control over the album's production and Michael would also be credited as a producer. The album was a commercial success, hitting number one in both the US and the UK and spawning four singles, all reaching the top three in the US and the UK. Make It Big was certified 4× platinum in the US during the time of its release, and has since been certified 6× platinum in the US. In March 2024, Make It Big was reissued on vinyl for the first time in 30 years.{{cite web |date=8 February 2024 |title=WHAM! Re-Release Their Iconic Albums 'Fantastic' and 'Make It Big' |url=https://www.legacyrecordings.com/2024/02/08/wham-re-release-their-iconic-albums-fantastic-and-make-it-big/ |publisher=Legacy Recordings |access-date=8 May 2025}}

The music video for single "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" had the duo in shirts that read Choose Life. It would be the first of several hits from the album. The second single "Careless Whisper" is technically a Wham! song as it appears on the Wham! album Make It Big. However, when released as a single, it was credited either to Wham! featuring George Michael (in North America and several other countries) or solely to George Michael (in the United Kingdom and some European countries) as it became apparent, that at some point in the near future, Michael would be embarking on a solo career. The music video for third single "Freedom" featured the duo while performing a concert in China; incidentally Wham! would become the first Western popular music act to tour China. The fourth single "Everything She Wants" was released as a double A-side with "Last Christmas"; "Last Christmas" would later appear on Music from the Edge of Heaven, an album released only in North America and Japan.

Background and production

The album was mostly written and recorded at Studio Miraval in Southern France over a course of six weeks, beginning in early July 1984.{{cite AV media |author=WhamBamGM |date=4 November 2011 |title=Wham South Of France Make It Big |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pH2Fe-Y67MY |publisher=YouTube |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/pH2Fe-Y67MY |archive-date=2021-12-13 |url-status=live}}{{cbignore}} This allowed Michael to escape press attention and work peacefully. According to Andrew Ridgeley, the decision to record in the south of France was made largely due to tax reasons, as well as it being the ideal place for them to spend the summer due to the hot weather.{{cite web |date=19 December 2018 |title=Think Big: Wham! Interview in Record Mirror (1984) |url=https://gmforever.com/think-big-wham-interview-in-record-mirror-1984/ |website=GMForever.com |access-date=12 January 2021}} Plus, it was one and a half hours away from London, and Michael "had to keep going back to do things for Careless Whisper". Like "Careless Whisper" and "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go", most of the songs were recorded with a live rhythm section.

The main album credits attribute it as having been mixed at Good Earth Studios in London and Marcadet Studios in Paris.{{cite AV media notes |title=Make It Big |type=liner notes |others=Wham! |publisher=Epic Records |year=1984 |id=86311}} However, it turns out to be neither, as engineer Porter revealed: most of the album was mixed at Sarm West's Studio 2 (where "Careless Whisper" and "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" were recorded), with some mixing already completed at Studio Miraval.{{cite web|url=https://80salbumgearlists.blogspot.com/2021/01/last-christmas.html|title=George Michael Wham/solo songs comments & research|date=12 January 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210125222114/https://80salbumgearlists.blogspot.com/2021/01/last-christmas.html|archive-date=25 January 2021}}

Critical reception

{{Music ratings

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{cite web |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |title=Make It Big – Wham! |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/make-it-big-mw0000192387 |website=AllMusic |access-date=8 May 2025}}

| rev2 = Robert Christgau

| rev2score = B{{cite web |title=Robert Christgau: CG: Wham! |url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?id=4059&name=Wham! |access-date=26 June 2011}}

| rev3 = Rolling Stone

| rev3score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/wham/albums/album/260656/review/5944500/make_it_big |title=Wham!: Make It Big |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=20 February 2009 |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220012912/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/wham/albums/album/260656/review/5944500/make_it_big |archivedate=20 February 2009 }}

| rev4 = Record Mirror

| rev4score = {{Rating|2|5}}{{Cite magazine |last1=Cordery |first1=Mark |date=November 10, 1984 |title=Album: Careless misters |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Record-Mirror/80s/84/Record-Mirror-1984-11-10-OCR.pdf |access-date=April 6, 2025 |magazine=Record Mirror |page=17 |issue=}}

}}

Make It Big, Wham's second album, would see the duo score hit singles in the United States. Their first album Fantastic was a hit in the UK but failed to make an impact in the US. Make It Big received some positive reviews. Christopher Connelly from Rolling Stone wrote that the "music is an unabashed rehash of Motown", adding "Make It Big is an almost flawless pop record, a record that does exactly what it wants to and has a great deal of fun doing it." In a retrospective review, Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic writes, "They succeeded on a grander scale than they ever could have imagined, conquering the world and elsewhere with this effervescent set of giddy new wave pop-soul." Billboard magazine described the album as "a one-two punch",{{cite magazine |date=November 10, 1984 |title=Albums Pop Picks Review: Make It Big |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1984/BB-1984-11-10.pdf |magazine=Billboard |page=87 |volume=96 |issue=45 |editor=}} while Cash Box described its sound as "less tense, more tuneful".{{Cite magazine |date=November 3, 1984 |title=Album Popular New & Developing Pick Reviews: Make It Big |url=https://archive.org/details/cashbox47unse_20/page/9/mode/2up |magazine=Cash Box |pages=9 |volume=47 |issue=20}}

Track listing

{{Track listing

| headline = Side one

| all_writing = George Michael, except where noted

| title1 = Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go

| writer1 =

| length1 = 3:50

| title2 = Everything She Wants

| writer2 =

| length2 = 5:01

| title3 = Heartbeat

| writer3 =

| length3 = 4:42

| title4 = Like a Baby

| writer4 =

| length4 = 4:12

}}

{{track listing

| headline = Side two

| title5 = Freedom

| writer5 =

| length5 = 5:01

| title6 = If You Were There

| writer6 = {{hlist|Ernie Isley|Marvin Isley|Chris Jasper}}

| length6 = 3:38

| title7 = Credit Card Baby

| writer7 =

| length7 = 5:08

| title8 = Careless Whisper

| writer8 = {{hlist|George Michael|Andrew Ridgeley}}

| length8 = 6:30

| total_length = 38:02

}}

Personnel

Wham!

George Michael – lead vocals, backing vocals; Roland Juno-60 (2), LinnDrum (2), keyboards (3)
Andrew Ridgeley – electric guitars, backing vocals; acoustic guitar (8)

Additional musicians

Tommy Eyre – keyboards (1, 4–7)
Andy Richards – keyboards (8)
Anne Dudley – additional keyboards
Tom Herries – additional keyboards
Hugh Burns – electric and acoustic guitars
Deon Estus – bass guitar
Trevor Murrell – drums; LinnDrum (1)
Danny Cummings – percussion
David Baptiste – alto saxophone
Steve Gregory – tenor saxophone (8)
Colin Graham – trumpet
Paul Spong – trumpet
Pepsi & Shirlie – backing vocals

Production

George Michael – producer, arrangements
Chris Porter – engineer
Paul Gomersall – assistant engineer
P/S/A – design
Tony McGee – photography

Charts

=Weekly charts=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center;" \|+Weekly chart performance for Make It Big !Chart (1984–85) !Peak position
scope="row"\|Australian Kent Music Report{{Cite book\|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992\|last=Kent\|first=David\|author-link=David Kent (historian)\|publisher=Australian Chart Book\|location=St Ives, NSW\|year=1993\|isbn=0-646-11917-6\|title-link=Kent Music Report}} \|1
scope="row"\|Austrian Albums Chart{{cite web\|title=austriancharts.at Wham! – Make It Big\|work=Hung Medien\|language=German\|format=ASP\|url=http://austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Wham!&titel=Make+It+Big&cat=a\|accessdate=26 February 2012}} \|4
scope="row"\|Canadian RPM Albums Chart[http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.9645&type=1&interval=20&PHPSESSID=c8nspnsmvhm14rbbre8j7ql7a2 Library and Archives Canada.] {{Webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302074430/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.9645&type=1&interval=20&PHPSESSID=c8nspnsmvhm14rbbre8j7ql7a2 \|date=2 March 2014 }} Retrieved 26 February 2012 \|1
scope="row"\|Dutch Albums Chart{{cite web\|title=dutchcharts.nl Wham! – Make It Big\|work=Hung Medien\|publisher=MegaCharts\|url=http://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Wham!&titel=Make+It+Big&cat=a\|format=ASP\|accessdate=26 February 2012}} \|1
scope="row"\|European Top 100 Albums{{cite journal\|title=Europarade\|language=Dutch\|date=19 January 1985\|journal=Hitkrant\|publisher=Nationale Hitkrant Productions\|location=Amsterdam\|volume=9\|issue=3\|issn=0165-4942}} \|1
scope="row"\|Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista){{cite book \|url=https://musiikkiarkisto.fi/oa/_tiedostot/julkaisut/sisaltaa-hitin.pdf#page=280\|first=Timo \|last=Pennanen \|year=2021 \|title=Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 \|section=Wham!\|page=280\|publisher=Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava \|location=Helsinki\|access-date=9 June 2022}} \| 1
scope="row"\|Italian M&D Albums Chart{{cite web\|url=http://www.musicaedischi.it/classifiche_archivio.php\|title=Classifiche\|work=Musica e Dischi\|language=it\|access-date=10 June 2022}} Set "Tipo" on "Album". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Wham!". \|1
scope="row"\|Japanese LPs Charts (Oricon and Music Labo)Billboard. 8 December 1984, [https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=zSQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA59#v=onepage&q&f=false p 59]. \|1
scope="row"\|New Zealand Albums Chart{{cite web\|title=charts.nz Wham! – Make It Big\|work=Hung Medien\|publisher=Recorded Music NZ\|url=https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Wham!&titel=Make+It+Big&cat=a\|format=ASP\|accessdate=26 February 2012}} \|1
scope="row"\|Norwegian Albums Chart{{cite web\|title=norwegiancharts.com Wham! – Make It Big\|work=Hung Medien\|publisher=VG-lista\|format=ASP\|url=http://norwegiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Wham!&titel=Make+It+Big&cat=a\|accessdate=26 February 2012}} \|1
scope="row"\|Swedish Albums Chart{{cite web\|title=swedishcharts.com Wham! – Make It Big\|format=ASP\|url=http://swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Wham!&titel=Make+It+Big&cat=a\|language=Swedish\|accessdate=26 February 2012}} \|3
scope="row"\|Swiss Albums Chart{{cite web\|title= Wham! – Make It Big – hitparade.ch\|url=http://hitparade.ch/showitem.asp?interpret=Wham!&titel=Make+It+Big&cat=a\|language=German\|work=Hung Medien\|format=ASP\|publisher=Swiss Music Charts\|accessdate=26 February 2012}} \|1
scope="row"\|UK Albums Chart{{cite web\| url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/_/Wham!\| title= Wham! > Artists > Official Charts\| publisher=UK Albums Chart\|accessdate=1 May 2013}} \|1
scope="row"\|US Billboard 200{{cite web\|title=Allmusic: Make It Big > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums\|publisher=allmusic.com\|url={{AllMusic\|class=album\|id=r21727/charts-awards\|pure_url=yes}}\|accessdate=26 February 2012}} \|1
scope="row"\|US Billboard Top R&B Albums \|20
scope="row"\|West German Albums Chart{{cite web \| url=http://www.officialcharts.de/album.asp?artist=Wham!&title=Make+It+Big&cat=a&country=de\| archive-url=https://archive.today/20140707084932/http://www.officialcharts.de/album.asp?artist=Wham!&title=Make+It+Big&cat=a&country=de\| url-status=dead\| archive-date=7 July 2014\| title=Album Search: Wham! – Make It Big\| language=German\| publisher=Media Control\| accessdate=26 February 2012}} \|5

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center;"

|+Weekly chart performance for Make It Big

!Chart (1984–85)

!Peak
position

scope="row"|Australian Kent Music Report{{Cite book|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, NSW|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6|title-link=Kent Music Report}}

scope="row"|Austrian Albums Chart{{cite web|title=austriancharts.at Wham! – Make It Big|work=Hung Medien|language=German|format=ASP|url=http://austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Wham!&titel=Make+It+Big&cat=a|accessdate=26 February 2012}}

scope="row"|Canadian RPM Albums Chart[http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.9645&type=1&interval=20&PHPSESSID=c8nspnsmvhm14rbbre8j7ql7a2 Library and Archives Canada.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302074430/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.9645&type=1&interval=20&PHPSESSID=c8nspnsmvhm14rbbre8j7ql7a2 |date=2 March 2014 }} Retrieved 26 February 2012

scope="row"|Dutch Albums Chart{{cite web|title=dutchcharts.nl Wham! – Make It Big|work=Hung Medien|publisher=MegaCharts|url=http://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Wham!&titel=Make+It+Big&cat=a|format=ASP|accessdate=26 February 2012}}

scope="row"|European Top 100 Albums{{cite journal|title=Europarade|language=Dutch|date=19 January 1985|journal=Hitkrant|publisher=Nationale Hitkrant Productions|location=Amsterdam|volume=9|issue=3|issn=0165-4942}}

scope="row"|Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista){{cite book |url=https://musiikkiarkisto.fi/oa/_tiedostot/julkaisut/sisaltaa-hitin.pdf#page=280|first=Timo |last=Pennanen |year=2021 |title=Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 |section=Wham!|page=280|publisher=Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava |location=Helsinki|access-date=9 June 2022}}

| 1

scope="row"|Italian M&D Albums Chart{{cite web|url=http://www.musicaedischi.it/classifiche_archivio.php|title=Classifiche|work=Musica e Dischi|language=it|access-date=10 June 2022}} Set "Tipo" on "Album". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Wham!".

scope="row"|Japanese LPs Charts (Oricon and Music Labo)Billboard. 8 December 1984, [https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=zSQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA59#v=onepage&q&f=false p 59].

scope="row"|New Zealand Albums Chart{{cite web|title=charts.nz Wham! – Make It Big|work=Hung Medien|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|url=https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Wham!&titel=Make+It+Big&cat=a|format=ASP|accessdate=26 February 2012}}

scope="row"|Norwegian Albums Chart{{cite web|title=norwegiancharts.com Wham! – Make It Big|work=Hung Medien|publisher=VG-lista|format=ASP|url=http://norwegiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Wham!&titel=Make+It+Big&cat=a|accessdate=26 February 2012}}

scope="row"|Swedish Albums Chart{{cite web|title=swedishcharts.com Wham! – Make It Big|format=ASP|url=http://swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Wham!&titel=Make+It+Big&cat=a|language=Swedish|accessdate=26 February 2012}}

scope="row"|Swiss Albums Chart{{cite web|title= Wham! – Make It Big – hitparade.ch|url=http://hitparade.ch/showitem.asp?interpret=Wham!&titel=Make+It+Big&cat=a|language=German|work=Hung Medien|format=ASP|publisher=Swiss Music Charts|accessdate=26 February 2012}}

scope="row"|UK Albums Chart{{cite web| url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/_/Wham!| title= Wham! > Artists > Official Charts| publisher=UK Albums Chart|accessdate=1 May 2013}}

scope="row"|US Billboard 200{{cite web|title=Allmusic: Make It Big > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums|publisher=allmusic.com|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r21727/charts-awards|pure_url=yes}}|accessdate=26 February 2012}}

scope="row"|US Billboard Top R&B Albums

|20

scope="row"|West German Albums Chart{{cite web

| url=http://www.officialcharts.de/album.asp?artist=Wham!&title=Make+It+Big&cat=a&country=de| archive-url=https://archive.today/20140707084932/http://www.officialcharts.de/album.asp?artist=Wham!&title=Make+It+Big&cat=a&country=de| url-status=dead| archive-date=7 July 2014| title=Album Search: Wham! – Make It Big| language=German| publisher=Media Control| accessdate=26 February 2012}}

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" ! scope="col"\| Chart (2024) ! scope="col"\| Peak position
scope="row"\| Greek Albums (IFPI){{cite web\|url=https://www.ifpi.gr/charts_el.html \|publisher=IFPI Greece \|access-date=17 April 2024 \|title=Official IFPI Charts – Top-75 Albums Sales Chart (Combined)– Εβδομάδα: 15/2024 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240417083127/https://www.ifpi.gr/charts_el.html \|archive-date=17 April 2024 \|url-status=live}} \| 73
scope="row"\| Hungarian Physical Albums (MAHASZ){{cite web \|title=Album Top 40 slágerlista (fizikai hanghordozók) – 2024. 13. hét \|url=https://slagerlistak.hu/album-top-40-slagerlista-fizikai-hanghordozok/2024/13 \|publisher=MAHASZ \|access-date=4 April 2024}} \| 21

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

! scope="col"| Chart (2024)

! scope="col"| Peak
position

scope="row"| Greek Albums (IFPI){{cite web|url=https://www.ifpi.gr/charts_el.html |publisher=IFPI Greece |access-date=17 April 2024 |title=Official IFPI Charts – Top-75 Albums Sales Chart (Combined)– Εβδομάδα: 15/2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240417083127/https://www.ifpi.gr/charts_el.html |archive-date=17 April 2024 |url-status=live}}

| 73

scope="row"| Hungarian Physical Albums (MAHASZ){{cite web |title=Album Top 40 slágerlista (fizikai hanghordozók) – 2024. 13. hét |url=https://slagerlistak.hu/album-top-40-slagerlista-fizikai-hanghordozok/2024/13 |publisher=MAHASZ |access-date=4 April 2024}}

| 21

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center;" \|+1984 year-end chart performance for "Make It Big" !Chart (1984) !Position
scope="row"\|Australian Albums Chart \|55
scope="row"\|Canadian Albums Chart{{cite web\|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.9642&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=mhe12pta2k83e08udtq66ot062\|title=RPM Top 100 Albums of 1984\|publisher=RPM\|accessdate=26 February 2012}} \|44
scope="row"\|French Albums Chart{{cite web\|url=http://www.infodisc.fr/B-CD_1984.php \|title=Les Albums (CD) de 1984 par InfoDisc \|language=French \|format=PHP \|publisher=infodisc.fr \|accessdate=26 February 2012 \|url-status=dead \|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121027131308/http://www.infodisc.fr/B-CD_1984.php \|archivedate=27 October 2012 }} \|19
scope="row"\|UK Albums Chart{{cite web\|url=http://chartheaven.9.forumer.com/a/complete-uk-yearend-album-charts_post21.html \|title=Complete UK Year-End Album Charts \|accessdate=26 February 2012 \|url-status=dead \|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111074744/http://chartheaven.9.forumer.com/a/complete-uk-yearend-album-charts_post21.html \|archivedate=11 January 2012 }} \|4

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center;"

|+1984 year-end chart performance for "Make It Big"

!Chart (1984)

!Position

scope="row"|Australian Albums Chart

|55

scope="row"|Canadian Albums Chart{{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.9642&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=mhe12pta2k83e08udtq66ot062|title=RPM Top 100 Albums of 1984|publisher=RPM|accessdate=26 February 2012}}

|44

scope="row"|French Albums Chart{{cite web|url=http://www.infodisc.fr/B-CD_1984.php |title=Les Albums (CD) de 1984 par InfoDisc |language=French |format=PHP |publisher=infodisc.fr |accessdate=26 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121027131308/http://www.infodisc.fr/B-CD_1984.php |archivedate=27 October 2012 }}

|19

scope="row"|UK Albums Chart{{cite web|url=http://chartheaven.9.forumer.com/a/complete-uk-yearend-album-charts_post21.html |title=Complete UK Year-End Album Charts |accessdate=26 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111074744/http://chartheaven.9.forumer.com/a/complete-uk-yearend-album-charts_post21.html |archivedate=11 January 2012 }}

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center;" \|+1985 year-end chart performance for "Make It Big" !Chart (1985) !Position
scope="row"\|Australian Albums Chart \|20
scope="row"\|Austrian Albums Chart{{cite web\|url=http://austriancharts.at/1985_album.asp \|title=Austriancharts.at – Jahreshitparade 1985\|publisher=Hung Medien \|language=German\|format=ASP\|accessdate=1 August 2010}} \|13
scope="row"\|Canadian Albums Chart{{cite web\|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.0618&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=mhe12pta2k83e08udtq66ot062\|title=RPM Top 100 Albums of 1985\|publisher=RPM\|accessdate=1 November 2011\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021000517/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.0618&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=mhe12pta2k83e08udtq66ot062\|archive-date=21 October 2012\|url-status=dead}} \|8
scope="row"\|Japanese Albums Chart{{cite web\|url=http://entamedata.web.fc2.com/music/music_a1985.html\|title=Japanese Year-End Albums Chart 1985\|publisher=Oricon\|language=Japanese\|accessdate=29 August 2011\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131026060047/http://entamedata.web.fc2.com/music/music_a1985.html\|archive-date=26 October 2013\|url-status=dead}} \|2
scope="row"\| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ){{cite web\|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-albums/1985-12-31\|title=Top Selling Albums of 1985 — The Official New Zealand Music Chart\|publisher=Recorded Music New Zealand\|access-date=3 February 2022}} \| 19
scope="row"\|Swiss Albums Chart{{cite web \|url=http://hitparade.ch/year.asp?key=1985\|title=Hitparade.ch – Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1985\|publisher=Hung Medien \|accessdate=17 October 2011}} \|14
scope="row"\|UK Albums Chart \|18
scope="row"\|US Billboard 200{{cite magazine\|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1985/the-billboard-200\|title=Billboard 200 Albums - Year-End 1985 \| Billboard\|magazine=Billboard\|accessdate=2 June 2017}} \|4

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center;"

|+1985 year-end chart performance for "Make It Big"

!Chart (1985)

!Position

scope="row"|Australian Albums Chart

|20

scope="row"|Austrian Albums Chart{{cite web|url=http://austriancharts.at/1985_album.asp |title=Austriancharts.at – Jahreshitparade 1985|publisher=Hung Medien |language=German|format=ASP|accessdate=1 August 2010}}

|13

scope="row"|Canadian Albums Chart{{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.0618&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=mhe12pta2k83e08udtq66ot062|title=RPM Top 100 Albums of 1985|publisher=RPM|accessdate=1 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021000517/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.0618&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=mhe12pta2k83e08udtq66ot062|archive-date=21 October 2012|url-status=dead}}

scope="row"|Japanese Albums Chart{{cite web|url=http://entamedata.web.fc2.com/music/music_a1985.html|title=Japanese Year-End Albums Chart 1985|publisher=Oricon|language=Japanese|accessdate=29 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131026060047/http://entamedata.web.fc2.com/music/music_a1985.html|archive-date=26 October 2013|url-status=dead}}

scope="row"| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ){{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-albums/1985-12-31|title=Top Selling Albums of 1985 — The Official New Zealand Music Chart|publisher=Recorded Music New Zealand|access-date=3 February 2022}}

| 19

scope="row"|Swiss Albums Chart{{cite web |url=http://hitparade.ch/year.asp?key=1985|title=Hitparade.ch – Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1985|publisher=Hung Medien |accessdate=17 October 2011}}

|14

scope="row"|UK Albums Chart

|18

scope="row"|US Billboard 200{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1985/the-billboard-200|title=Billboard 200 Albums - Year-End 1985 | Billboard|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=2 June 2017}}

=Decade-end charts=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" \|+1980s end chart performance for "Make It Big" !Chart (1980s) !Position
scope="row"\|Japanese Albums Chart \|21
scope="row"\|UK Albums Chart{{Cite web\|url=http://www.theofficialcharts.com/artist-chart-history/ \|title=Artist Chart History \|year=2010 \|publisher=Official Charts Company \|location=London \|accessdate=9 September 2011 \|url-status=dead \|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903045039/http://www.theofficialcharts.com/artist-chart-history/ \|archivedate=3 September 2011 }} \|18

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|+1980s end chart performance for "Make It Big"

!Chart (1980s)

!Position

scope="row"|Japanese Albums Chart

|21

scope="row"|UK Albums Chart{{Cite web|url=http://www.theofficialcharts.com/artist-chart-history/ |title=Artist Chart History |year=2010 |publisher=Official Charts Company |location=London |accessdate=9 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903045039/http://www.theofficialcharts.com/artist-chart-history/ |archivedate=3 September 2011 }}

|18

Certifications and sales

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for Make It Big}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=1984|certyear=1985|certref={{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/vinyl-albums-chart/2024-04-01|title=ARIA Top 20 Vinyl Albums for week of 1 April 2024|website=ARIA|date=1 April 2024|access-date=30 March 2024}}|accessdate=30 March 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|title=Make It Big|artist=Wham|relyear=1984|type=album|region=Canada|award=Platinum|number=6|access-date=26 February 2012}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|title=Make It Big|artist=Wham|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=1984|certyear=2021|id=10627|access-date=6 October 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|title=Make It Big|artist=Wham|relyear=1984|type=album|region=Finland|award=Platinum|salesamount=53,465|access-date=26 February 2012}}

{{Certification Table Entry|title=Make It Big|artist=Wham|relyear=1984|type=album|region=France|award=Gold|number=2|source=infodisc|certyear=1988}}

{{Certification Table Entry|title=Make It Big|artist=Wham|relyear=1984|type=album|region=Germany|award=Gold|access-date=26 February 2012}}

{{certification Table Entry|title=Make It Big|artist=Wham|type=album|relyear=1985|certyear=1985|region=Hong Kong|award=Platinum}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan (Oricon Charts)|nocert=yes|salesamount=821,000|salesref={{cite book|title=Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005|publisher=Oricon Entertainment|location=Roppongi, Tokyo|year=2006|isbn=4-87131-077-9}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|title=Make It Big|artist=Wham|type=album|relyear=1985|certyear=1984|region=Netherlands|award=Platinum}}

{{Certification Table Entry |region=New Zealand |type=album |title=Make it Big |artist=Wham! |award=Platinum |relyear=1984 |id=1985-05-24 |source=newchart |access-date=2024-11-20 |certyear=1985 }}

{{Certification Table Entry|title=Make It Big|artist=Wham|relyear=1984|id=4131-272-2|type=album|region=United Kingdom|award=Platinum|number=4|salesamount=1,300,000|salesref={{cite web|url=http://www.musicweek.com/analysis/read/george-michael-on-the-charts/067107|title=George Michael on the charts|date=11 January 2017|work=Music Week|publisher=Intent Media|access-date=12 January 2017}}|access-date=26 February 2012}}

{{Certification Table Entry|title=Make It Big|artist=Wham|relyear=1984|type=album|region=United States|award=Platinum|number=6|access-date=26 February 2012|refname="RIAA"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|title=Make It Big|artist=Wham|region=Worldwide|nocert=true|salesamount=10,000,000|salesref={{cite magazine|url=https://www.classicpopmag.com/2021/08/wham-make-it-big/|magazine=Classic Pop|title=Making Wham!: Make It Big|date=13 August 2021|accessdate=23 August 2022}}}}

The Big Tour

Wham! embarked on a world tour to promote the album in December 1984, opening at Whitley Bay's Ice Rink, before going on to dates in Japan, Australia, United States, United Kingdom, Hong Kong and China, ending in April 1985 at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Canton.

References

Category:1984 albums

Category:Wham! albums

Category:Columbia Records albums

Category:Epic Records albums

Category:Albums recorded at Miraval Studios