What makes The Final by Wham! notable?

The Final achieved critical acclaim and commercial success, reaching number one in multiple countries and solidifying Wham!'s legacy in pop music. The album features iconic hits that have had lasting cultural impact, such as Last Christmas, which has become a holiday classic and continues to chart annually. Released on May 31, 1986, The Final serves as Wham!'s farewell album, coming after their significant international success. It encapsulates their journey from breakthrough hits like Wake Me Up Before You Go Go to mature, reflective tracks like Careless Whisper, marking the end of a highly successful collaboration between George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley.

Who is The Final for?

The Final works well if you're into dynamic emotional journeys, long, immersive listening sessions and late-night contemplative moods.

How many songs are on The Final?

The Final has 14 tracks, running approximately 71 minutes.

Released 40 years ago

The Final

Wham! · 1986

71 min · 14 tracks · new wave

A vibrant collection of pop anthems infused with elements of blue-eyed soul and infectious energy.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Wake Me Up Before You Go Go — This track stands out for its infectious melody and upbeat lyrics, representing the quintessential Wham! sound that dominated the mid-80s pop scene.
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Careless Whisper — A timeless ballad showcasing George Michael’s songwriting prowess, it reflects themes of regret and lost love with lush saxophone melodies.
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Last Christmas (Pudding mix) — This version of Last Christmas adds a festive twist to the original hit, further cementing its status as a perennial holiday favorite and showcasing Wham!'s playful side.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album blends energetic pop anthems with reflective moments, showcasing Wham!'s evolution while maintaining strong production quality.

What we noticed

The album opens with a high-energy track, 'Wham Rap!', and maintains an upbeat tempo through the first half before introducing slower songs in the latter half.
Several tracks feature prominent saxophone solos, particularly 'Careless Whisper', which adds a distinctive blue-eyed soul element to the pop sound.
The last three tracks shift towards more reflective themes, with 'Where Did Your Heart Go?' providing a somber conclusion to the album.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic emotional journeys
long, immersive listening sessions
late-night contemplative moods
energetic workout motivation

Where this album fits

Career context: Released on May 31, 1986, The Final serves as Wham!'s farewell album, coming after their significant international success. It encapsulates their journey from breakthrough hits like Wake Me Up Before You Go Go to mature, reflective tracks like Careless Whisper, marking the end of a highly successful collaboration between George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley.
Stylistic neighbors: Duran Duran· Culture Club· a-ha