Elton John feat. George Michael – Wrap Her Up
A synth-rock flirtation with fame, fashion, and falsetto
In late 1985, Elton John released “Wrap Her Up” as the second single from his album Ice on Fire—a track that paired him with rising pop icon George Michael and delivered one of the most playful, name-dropping romps of the decade. With its blend of synth-rock, blue-eyed soul, and new wave swagger, the song was a cheeky tribute to glamour, desire, and the irresistible pull of pop culture femininity.
Sound: sequenced sass and falsetto flair
Produced by Gus Dudgeon, the track is a glossy, groove-driven affair. Fred Mandel’s keyboards and sequencing lay down a slick foundation, while Davey Johnstone’s guitar and Charlie Morgan’s drums add punch. The horn section—arranged by David Bitelli—brings a brassy, Motown-inspired edge, and James Newton Howard’s string arrangements add a touch of sophistication.
George Michael’s falsetto backing vocals are front and center, with Elton and George trading lines and harmonizing through the chorus. Michael later joked that his falsetto “sounded like I had my willy in a garotte”—but the chemistry between the two is undeniable.
Lyrics: fashion, fame, and fantasy
Written by a six-person team—Elton John, Bernie Taupin, Charlie Morgan, Paul Westwood, Davey Johnstone, and Fred Mandel—the lyrics are a playful catalog of iconic women. From Marlene Dietrich to Madonna, Grace Jones to Nancy Reagan, the song name-drops over 30 famous figures, turning the chorus into a kind of pop-culture roll call.
“Wrap her up, I’ll take her home with me / Wrap her up, she is all I need…” It’s not meant to be taken seriously—it’s a celebration of allure, image, and the fantasy of fame. The single version fades out early, cutting off most of the name list, while the full album version runs 6:21 and includes the entire roll call.
Music video: custard pies and café cool
Directed by Russell Mulcahy, the music video features Elton, George, and Kiki Dee (who also sings backing vocals) in a playful, performance-driven setting. At one point, Elton hits Kiki with a custard pie—because why not? The video mixes live band shots with backstage antics and was later included in The Very Best of Elton John video compilation.
Chart climb: modest but memorable
“Wrap Her Up” reached No. 12 in the UK, No. 20 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and charted in Australia (No. 22), Canada (No. 26), Ireland (No. 12), New Zealand (No. 33), and Germany (No. 54). While not a blockbuster, it kept Elton’s chart streak alive and added another notch to George Michael’s growing résumé.
Legacy: a duet drenched in pop culture
Though not as enduring as Elton’s biggest hits, “Wrap Her Up” remains a fascinating time capsule. It’s one of the few Elton tracks with such a long list of co-writers, and one of the earliest collaborations between him and George Michael—who would later duet again on “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me.”
The song’s blend of falsetto, funk, and fashion makes it a standout moment on Ice on Fire, and a reminder that sometimes, pop music is best when it’s having fun.