Wham! – “Club Tropicana”
Sun and satire in a cocktail glass
Released on 22 July 1983 as the fourth and final single from their debut album Fantastic, “Club Tropicana” is Wham! at their breeziest. Written by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley back in 1981, it’s a vibrant ode to sun-soaked escapism — all cocktails, beach bodies, and big brass riffs — with just the slightest wink at the consumerist fantasy of the good life.
The track opens with tropical sound effects — cicadas chirping, jets overhead — before locking into a funky bassline, splashy brass hooks, and George Michael’s smooth-as-suntan-oil vocals. Beneath all the beachy charm, though, there’s a tongue-in-cheek edge: is this really paradise, or just package holiday perfection with a price tag?
From Joke to Jet-Set
While early versions of the song leaned even more toward satire, the final cut walks a playful line between celebration and parody. George delivers lines like “Fun and sunshine, there’s enough for everyone” with just enough sparkle to keep you dancing — and just enough irony to make you smirk.
Musically, it’s peak early-’80s funk-pop: tight grooves, disco shimmer, and a melody that’s equal parts sunshine and sass. George and Andrew wanted to have fun and be seen having fun — and “Club Tropicana” gave them the soundtrack to do it.
Chart Buzz and Poolside Glam
The single peaked at No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart, staying on the chart for 11 weeks and landing as the 39th best-selling UK single of 1983. It also reached No. 4 in Ireland, No. 8 in the Netherlands, No. 10 in Norway, and performed modestly elsewhere — No. 13 in West Germany, No. 25 in New Zealand, and No. 60 in Australia.
The music video, directed by Duncan Gibbins, sealed the deal. Shot at Pikes Hotel in Ibiza, it features George, Andrew, and backing vocalists Shirlie Holliman and Dee C. Lee living it up poolside — sipping cocktails, flirting in sunglasses, and looking effortlessly glam. The final twist? The four jet-setters are actually the airline crew. It’s flirty, meta, and totally on brand.
Why It Still Sizzles
“Club Tropicana” has aged like a frozen daiquiri in the sun — still sweet, still cheeky. It’s a reminder that George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley weren’t just pop stars — they were stylish satirists, poking fun at excess while partying in its glow. And they did it all with trumpets, tans, and the best poolside wardrobes of 1983.