Songwriter: George Michael Andrew Ridgeley

Producer: Bob Carter

[Hook]
You got soul on the dole?
You're gonna have a good time
Down on the line
You got soul on the dole?
You're gonna have a good time
Down on the line
I said I get, get, get on down
I said I get, get, get, on down
I said I get, get, get on down
I said I get, get, get, on down

[Verse 1]
Hey, everybody, take a look at me
I’ve got street credibility
I may not have a job but I have a good time
With the boys that I meet down on the line
I said, D-H-S-S
Man the rhythm that they're givin' is the very best
I said, B one, B two
Make the claims, on your name, all you have to do
Well, folks can be a drag, if work ain't your bag
And won't you let them know?
You're more dead than alive, in a nine to five
Then they say you'd got to go
And get yourself a job, or get out of this house
Get yourself a job, are you a man or a mouse?
A finger in each ear, you pretend not to hear
Gotta get some space, get out of this place

[Chorus]
Wham, bam!
I am a man
Job or no job, you can’t tell me that I’m not
Do you enjoy what you do?
If not, just stop
Don’t stay there and rot

[Verse 2]
In the streets, in the cars, on the underground
If you listen real hard, you can hear the sound
Of a million people, switching off for work
Well listen Mr. Average, you're a jerk
Not me, you can't hold me down
Not me, I'm gonna fool around
Gonna have some fun, look out for number one
You can dig your grave, I'm staying young

[Chorus]
Wham, bam!
I am a man
Job or no job, you can’t tell me that I’m not
Do you enjoy what you do?
If not, just stop
Don’t stay there and rot

[Bridge]
If you’re a pub man or a club man
Maybe a jet black guy with a hip hi-fi
A white cool cat with a trilby hat
Maybe leather and studs is where you’re at
Make the most of every day
Don’t let hard times stand in your way
Give a wham, give a bam but don’t give a damn
‘Cause the benefit gang are gonna pay

[Verse 3]
Now reach up high and touch your soul
The boys from Wham! will help you reach that goal
It’s gonna break your mama’s heart (So sad)
It’s gonna break your daddy’s heart (Too bad)
But you’ll throw the dice and take my advice
Because I know that you’re smart
Can you dig this thing? (Yeah!)
Are you gonna get down? (Yeah!)
Say wham! (Wham!)
Say bam! (Bam!)

[Chorus]
Wham, bam!
I am a man
Job or no job, you can’t tell me that I’m not
Do you enjoy what you do?
If not, just stop
Don’t stay there and rot (D-H-S-S)
Wham, bam!
I am a man
Job or no job (D-H-S-S), you can’t tell me that I’m not
Do (D-H-S-S) you enjoy what you do?
If not (D-H-S-S), just stop
Don’t stay there and rot (D-H-S-S)
Wham, bam!
I am a man
Job or no job (D-H-S-S), you can’t tell me that I’m not
Do (D-H-S-S) you enjoy what you do?
If not (D-H-S-S), just stop
Don’t stay there and rot

Wham!

Wham! were an English pop group, formed in 1981 by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley. Despite how brief their career was, the duo had a lot of impact and George Michael went on to become a successful solo artist.

Their first moment in the limelight came in 1982 when they were picked to go on Top of the Pops, and performed the single “Young Guns (Go for It!)”. It was an overnight sensation and peaked at #3 in the UK charts, paving the way for further singles “Wham Rap! (Enjoy What You Do)”, “Bad Boys” and “Club Tropicana”. By the time they released their debut album Fantastic in 1983, Wham! had become one of Britain’s biggest pop acts. International recognition came with Make It Big in 1984, along with a string of hit singles — “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” entered the charts around the world at #1, as well as “Careless Whisper” (issued as George Michael solo piece), “Freedom” and “Last Christmas”, which made it to #2 after “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”, where George Michael also participated.

By 1986, George Michael wanted to distance himself from Wham! and launch a solo career, so a final greatest hits album The Final (marketed as Music from the Edge of Heaven in the US and Japan) was released. Farewell single “The Edge of Heaven” went to #1 in the UK and made it to the top 10 in America.