The Edge Of Heaven

7" : Epic FIN 1 (2x7", Gatefold)
7" : Epic A FIN 1
12" : Epic FIN T1 4949
CHARTED : 21 JUNE 86
HIGHEST CHART POSITION : 1
Number of Weeks : 12

 FRONT U.K Gatefold Single COVER

Spectrum Photography Trevor Key
Inside Photography Tony McGee
Artwork Peter Saville Associates

"It's just a matter of time before my heart is looking for a home"

After months of rumours, George finally confirmed in March 1986 that Wham! were to split. "It's the most amicable split in pop history", he told a television interviewer. "Some time ago we decided that  everything we wanted to achieve had been achieved. We decided to record a few more singles and play Wembley Stadium in the summer".

What proved to be the last proper Wham! single appeared early in June. 

The release caused some controversy, appearing initially in 7" double-pack and 12" form only - although the two lead tracks of the four-song set were eventually issued by themselves. Due to the fact that the single was an E.P, the price of the 7" was twice as expensive (£2.75 - very expensive in 1986). Usual shop owners commented that they were surprised that the single reached #2 on its first week of release when fewer copies were actually being bought. UK Chart compilers at the time, Gallup, claimed that the single shifted 60.000 copies in its first week, sufficiently taking it to #2.
The Edge Of Heaven, a five minute tale of emotional and physical frustration within a relationship, was a slick and upbeat pop tune, featuring Elton John on piano and David Austin on guitar. The other tracks were an updated version of Wham!'s early signature song Wham Rap (Enjoy What You Do) on the flip of disc one, and two new songs - Battlestations and a cover of the 1981 Was (Not Was) song Where Did Your Heart Go? - on the flip of the second disc.

The message on both the 7" and 12" covers read:
"We would like to thank everyone who has helped us to come through the last four years with our careers, our sanity and our friendship intact. Special thanks, as always, go to our families, our close friends and of course, to Siobhan."
Siobahn was Siobahn Bailey who worked for Nomis, Wham!'s managers. She became George's personal assistant when he fired Nomis in 1986 and Wham! split.

The single became, unsurprisingly, the fourth and final #1 in the UK, 
and sold 200.000 copies.

 
2x7" single (U.K)
A. The Edge Of Heaven —  4:37
B. Wham Rap' 86 — 6:33
C. Battlestations — 5:32
D. Where Did Your Heart Go ? — 5:45

INSIDE U.K Gatefold Single COVER

BACK U.K Gatefold Single COVER

7" single (U.K)

A. The Edge Of Heaven —  4:37
B. Wham Rap' 86 — 6:33

12" single (U.K)
A1. Battlestations — 5:32
A2. Where Did Your Heart Go ? — 5:45
B1. The Edge Of Heaven —  4:37
B2. Wham Rap' 86 — 6:33

12" U.K Front Cover

12" U.K INSIDE

12" U.K Back Cover

7" single EPCA 7183 (Europe)
A. The Edge Of Heaven — 4:37
B. Battlestations — 5:32

French Front Cover

French Back Cover


7" single Columbia 38-06182 (U.S)
A. The Edge Of Heaven — 4:37
B. Blue (Live In China) 5:18

 U.S Front Cover

U.S Back Cover


In the United States, The Edge of Heaven was backed with a live version of Blue from Wham!'s 1985 tour in China. The single reached #10 in the Billboard Hot 100.

MUSIC VIDEO

Directed by George and Andy Morahan, and photographied by Daniel Pearl, Wham!'s action packed video for The Edge Of Heaven is an elegant cross between a Marquee styled rock performance and sentimental footage of Wham!'s career. The audience comprised 300 students from the Epsom College of Art who earned £30 for their enthusiastic cheering and dancing. The band's high sprits make for a climactic final promo despite the poignant ghost of a clock ticking away and the touching farewell 'GOODBYE' scrolling across the screen.

THE EDGE OF HEAVEN 

(George Michael)

Engineered by Chris Porter

I would lock you up

But I could not bear to hear you

Screaming to be set free

I would chain you up

If I'd thought you'd swear

The only one that mattered was me, me, me

I would strap you up

But don't worry baby

You know I wouldn't hurt you 'less you wanted me to

It's too late to stop

Won't the heavens save me?

My daddy said the devil looks a lot like you

You take me to the edge of heaven

Tell me that my soul's forgiven

Hide you baby's eyes and we can...

You take me to the edge of heaven

One last time might be forever

When the passion dies

It's just a matter of time before my heart is

Looking for a home

I'm like a maniac, at the end of the day

I'm like a doggie barking at your door

So come take me back to the place you stay

And maybe we can do it once more

You say I'm dangerous

But don't worry baby

I get excited at the things that you do

And there's a place for us in a dirty movie

'Cos no-one does it better than me and you

You take me to the edge of heaven

Tell me that my soul's forgiven

Hide your baby's eyes and we can...

You take me to the edge of heaven

One last time might be forever

Please don't tell me lies

It's just a matter of time before my heart is

Looking for a home

I ain't got no more worries

I'm gonna spend some times with you

Loving you takes such courage

And don't you think that I know it

You take me to the edge of heaven

You tell me that my soul's forgiven

Hide your baby's eyes and we can...

You take me to the edge of heaven

One last time might be forever

Don't you tell me lies, because believe me baby

One day you'll wake up on your own.

I ain't got no more worries

I ain't got no more time for you

Loving you takes such courage

Everyone's got their eyes on you

I ain't got no more worries

I ain't got no more time for you

Loving you takes such courage

And don't you think that I know it