Heaven 17 - Come Live With Me (Virgin)

George [Michael]: Some people said that Carol Kenyon's singing was only reason that "Temptation" got to Number Two. I would agree with them. This is not as original and it's really a return to the "clever" Heaven 17. Andrew [Ridgley]: Even more of a dirge than "Temptation". They've definitely gone way downhill since Penthouse And Pavement. That was energetic and lively; this is dross. (Wham!, Smash Hits, June 23, 1983)

What an extraordinary choice of single, After the sublime "Temptation" this begging letter from an older man to a younger girl seems far too reflective and lyrically top-heavy to strike a common chord. The B-side, a re-recorded "Let's All Make A Bomb", still sounds good. (Max Bell, No 1, June 18, 1983)

Despite the last hit, despite all the talk, here at last is the single that proves that Glenn and the boys aren't really in the big League at all. It's a fine idea (as usual) but one that gets lost entirely with some incredibly clumsy phrasing and unnecessary frippery. A miss is as good as a smile and Heaven 17 make me laugh. (John Shearlaw, Record Mirror, June 18, 1983)

Wham! - Club Tropicana (Innervision)

This time we see the bad boys avoiding their oppressive parents by saving up their social security and swanning off to Ibiza (oh, really). This is the 4th track taken off Fantastic and it's a heap of meaningless summer drivel. The boys have obviously got a bad case of sunstroke. (Peter Martin, Smash Hits, August 4, 1983)

Andrew 'Shorts' Ridgeley is convinced this will be their first No.1. Personally I'd have put more money on "Nothing Looks The Same In The Light" but this is likeable enough and, most importantly, a marked change from the Bad Guns Rap trilogy. (Paul Simper, No 1, July 23, 1983)

Perhaps it's because I'm a pale, skinny weakling that I detest Wham so much as they flex their muscles and flash those dazzling smiles, while I'm in the shade covering myself in Camomile lotion. Their stuff moves my penguin-like feet not an inch. Now, perhaps if I sent off for that Bullworker... (Robin Smith, Record Mirror, July 23, 1983)

Wham! - Freedom (Epic)

Ever since I gave "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go" a less than rave review, Wham! have apparently been saying that I was "out to get them". Not true. As their past releases (and, indeed, "Careless Whisper") show, Wham! have a tremendous spark of talent. I just don't think they're using it very well. With records like this weedy, uninspiring Motown-derived effort, I reckon they're aiming far too low. Take some risks, boys. You can afford to. Still, although this sounds like The Truth on a wet afternoon, it will undoubtedly be a hit. Such is life. (Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, September 13, 1984)

"I don't want your freedom/I don't want to play round/I don't want nobody babe/Part-time love just brings me down." The bad boys have changed their tune in more ways than one. Now it's the girl who wants the freedom to fool around, and George isn't too keen on the idea. Like 'Wake Me Up', 'Freedom' is unashamedly lightweight and catchy. It bounces and swings along in masterly fashion and after two hearings you'll be singing it in the street. OK, so it may not be the toughest, most essential dance record of the week, but it's a cleverly crafted pop song which blends Motown with The Four Seasons and a touch of Bay City Rollers (ask your mum) .. . (Karen Swayne, No 1, September 22, 1984)

Wham! - I'm Your Man (Epic)

I must say, I do like the cut of George Michael's jib. What usually happens once you've become the world's most famous rising pop star is you get complacent and start making useless records, or you go dotty and stop making records altogether. Not George. George cares about pop for too much to let himself become distracted just yet. He's passionate about pop and he's good at it too: not a great songwriter but a stylish "craftsman" and a marvellous singer. On "I'm Your Man" he comes on all breathy and slippery in a racy pumping romp that's a little bit Motown and quite a lot George McCrae. A dignified hit: G. Michael is a proper star. (Not entirely sure what Andrew does on this but, no doubt, he does it very well too). (Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, November 6, 1986)

I don't own a crystal ball anymore but I suppose "I'm Your Man" will get to Number One. However, the first Wham! single this year doesn't have the snap, crackle and pop of "Go-Go" or the sheer cheek of "Freedom"'s Motown rip-off. To these ears it's a rather pale re-write of "Freedom" with a weedy sax. Perhaps George is working too hard. (Adrian Tierney-Jones, No 1, November 16, 1985)

Roman Holliday - Don't Try To Stop It (Jive)

George: My single of the week. It was a really pleasant surprise putting it on. Very lively, a good summer record and, with the right breaks, it should be a big hit. Well done. Andrew: The chorus has a really good hook and they've captured a bouncy uptempo beat which is just right for the summer. It sounds like a sophisticated JoBoxers. My favourite single of this bunch. (Wham!, Smash Hits, June 23, 1983)

Wham! - Last Christmas (Epic)

And the public gets what the public wants . . . The mega-duo celebrate a mega-golden year with another mega-hit - no doubt about that. Well, it is Christmas and George finds himself in the clutches of a young-love crisis while Andrew looks on sympathetically and the Whamettes swoon. For all musicologists out there note the close similarity to Peaches & Herb's cream-curdling duet, "Reunited". (Lesley White, Smash Hits, December 6, 1984)

Predictable schmaltzy seasonal love story from Pinky and Perky. This must be the tenth song in the last six months to have lifted the chord structure of Peaches And Herb's "Reunited". Obviously a hit, but I'd rather listen to the Queen's speech myself. (Andy Strickland, Record Mirror, December 8, 1984)

Laudable B-Sides: Now considered something of a Christmas staple, "Last Christmas" was originally released as a double A side single, with "Everything She Wants" on the flip. After Christmas, Epic simply put the same single in a new sleeve and reversed the order, causing "Everything She Wants" to become the next big hit for the group. Incidentally, the much more obscure extended mix of "Last Christmas" was known as the "Pudding Mix".

Wham - Wake Me Up Before You Go Go (Epic)

At last Wham have come up with a song to match the freshness and appeal that first sent them hurtling chartwards with "Young Guns". This is unstoppable, hip-swinging, finger-clicking stuff from George and Andrew, sung with a justifiable swagger and bags of horns. Light the blue touch paper and watch it rocket to No.1. (Frank Hopkinson, No 1, May 19, 1984)

An absolutely dreadful comeback in which George and Andrew ditch everything they do well in favour of a feeble foray into Shakin' Stevens country. Sounds like Darts or some similarly weak '50s impersonators. Awful. My copy took one look at me, hung its head in shame and slunk off to hide under the bed, as well it might. (Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, May 10, 1984)

I sympathise with the dynamic duo for having at last solved their contractual wrangles and weathered a considerable media backlash - they deserve to silence their critics by coming back with a bang! As a fan, I have to say this is more like a bubblegum pop ping! Nauseatingly catchy, to my mind, it's an overdose of hooks and catches. As a commercial product it will doubtless succeed, but have style, depth and panache been replaced by the lowest common denominator? (Pedro, Record Mirror, May 19, 1984)

Wham! - Wham Rap! (Innervision)

A hard, hot and witty rap on the subject of unemployment. Brilliant words, real excitement, hundreds of ideas, built-in participation and maximum humour. I'd be lost in admiration if I could find time to stand still. Single Of The Fortnight. (Neil Tennant, Smash Hits, June 24, 1982)