The Edge of Heaven: Difference between revisions

"The Edge of Heaven"
"The Edge of Heaven"
Single by Wham!
from the album The Final and Music from the Edge of Heaven
B-side	"Wham Rap '86" (UK); "Blue (Live in China)" (various); "Where Did Your Heart Go?" (Japan); "Battlestations" (various);
Released	9 June 1986
Recorded	March 1986
Genre	Dance-pop; disco;
Length	4:34
Label	Epic
Songwriter(s)	George Michael
Producer(s)	George Michael
Wham! singles chronology
Music video
	"The Edge of Heaven" on YouTube

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"The Edge of Heaven" is a song by English pop duo Wham!, released on Epic Records in 1986. It was written and produced by George Michael, one half of the duo, and was promoted in advance as Wham!'s farewell single.

History

With the known desire of George Michael to move into a more adult market, Wham! had announced in early 1986 that Michael and his musical partner Andrew Ridgeley would go their separate ways after a farewell single, album and concert. The album was called The Final and the concert was held in front of 72,000 fans at London's Wembley Stadium on 28 June 1986.^[3] Prior to the official release date of the single, the song had been performed during their 1985 Whamamerica! tour.^[4]

The single, a five-minute tale of emotional and physical frustration within a relationship, featured a guest appearance by the duo's friend Elton John on piano. The song became Wham!'s fourth No. 1 in the UK Singles Chart^[5] and their final US top-ten hit.

Michael has said the lyrics to the song were "deliberately and overtly sexual, especially the first verse". The reason for this, he says, was he thought no one would care "because no one listens to a Wham! lyric. It had got to that stage."^[6]

Epic released a double record set in the UK, with 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 Was (Not Was) song "Where Did Your Heart Go?"—on the flip-side of the second disc. "Where Did Your Heart Go?" was later given an equal billing and reached the UK Top 40 as a result.

In the United States, "The Edge of Heaven" was backed with a live version of "Blue" from Wham!'s tour of China. "Where Did Your Heart Go?" was released separately as the fourth and final single from Music from the Edge of Heaven (the shortened American version of The Final), and charted at number 50.

Reception

Cash Box said that "The live-wire, uptempo track moves along at a "Wake Me Up Before You GoGo" pace."^[7]

Music video

The official music video for the song was directed by Andy Morahan and filmed at stage 1, Twickenham Film Studios on 5 June 1986.^[8]^[9] It features a performance in front of a crowd and is filmed in black and white.^[10]^[11] It features a brief early appearance by Danny John-Jules, emerging from the audience to dance alongside Michael onstage, as well as appearances by David Austin on guitar and Deon Estus on bass.

Track listing

All tracks are written by George Michael except where indicated

7-inch: Epic / A FIN 1 (UK)
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"The Edge of Heaven"		4:37
2.	"Wham Rap '86"	G. Michael, A. Ridgeley	6:33

7-inch: Columbia / 38-06182 (US)
No.	Title	Length
1.	"The Edge of Heaven"	4:37
2.	"Blue" (Live in China)	5:18

2x7-inch: Epic / FIN 1 (UK) - Limited edition double 7-inch pack
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"The Edge of Heaven"		4:37
2.	"Wham Rap '86"	G. Michael, A. Ridgeley	6:33
3.	"Battlestations"		5:25
4.	"Where Did Your Heart Go?"	D. Was, D. Was	5:43

12-inch: Epic / FIN T1 (UK)
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Battlestations"		5:25
2.	"Where Did Your Heart Go?"	D. Was, D. Was	5:43
3.	"The Edge of Heaven"		4:37
4.	"Wham Rap '86"	G. Michael, A. Ridgeley	6:33

Chart

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "The Edge of Heaven"
Chart (1986)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)^[12]	2
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)^[13]	11
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)^[14]	1
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[15]	10
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)^[16]	1
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)^[17]	3
France (SNEP)^[18]	22
Germany (GfK)^[19]	4
Greece (Music & Media)^[20]	1
Iceland (RÚV)^[21]	2
Ireland (IRMA)^[22]	1
Italy (Musica e dischi)^[23]	2
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[24]	1
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[25]	1
Norway (VG-lista)^[26]	2
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[27]	3
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)^[28]	10
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[29]	4
UK Singles (OCC)^[30]	1
US Billboard Hot 100^[31]	10
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)^[32]	22

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for "The Edge of Heaven"
Chart (1986)	Position
Australia (Kent Music Report)^[33]	57
Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)^[34]	11
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[35]	92
Germany (Official German Charts)^[36]	33
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[37]	10
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[38]	17
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[39]	26

Certifications

Certifications for "The Edge of Heaven"
Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)^[41] The Edge of Heaven/Where Did Your Heart Go	Silver	519,894^[40]

References

^ "New Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 7 June 1986. p. 6. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
^ Berger, Arion (2004). "Wham!". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. p. 868. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
^ "Tours Menu". Tours.yogsbackyard.co.uk. Archived from the original on 12 September 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
^ Wham! - Whamamerica! setlist 1985
^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 463. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
^ Bare by George Michael and Tony Parsons, Penguin Books, 1991, page 170 ISBN 0-14-013235-X
^ "Single Releases" (PDF). Cash Box. 28 June 1986. p. 9. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
^ George Michael: the making of a superstar - Bruce Dessau. Sidgwick & Jackson, 1989
^ Wham! - The Edge of Heaven (Official Video), retrieved 1 May 2022
^ The Last Wham! Interview EVER - "Number One" by Debbi Voller, 28 June 1986
^ Garcia, Alex S. "mvdbase.com - Wham! - "The edge of Heaven"". Music Video DataBase. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
^ David Kent (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. Australian Chart Book, St Ives, N.S.W. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
^ "Wham! – The Edge of Heaven" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
^ "Wham! – The Edge of Heaven" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0719." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
^ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Wham!". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 280. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
^ "Wham! – The Edge of Heaven" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
^ "Wham! – The Edge of Heaven" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
^ "Top 3 in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 3, no. 36. 13 September 1986. p. 18. OCLC 29800226. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2022 – via World Radio History.
^ "Wham! Chart History". RÚV. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Edge of Heaven". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
^ "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Wham!".
^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 28, 1986" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
^ "Wham! – The Edge of Heaven" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
^ "Wham! – The Edge of Heaven". VG-lista. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
^ "Wham! – The Edge of Heaven". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
^ "Wham! – The Edge of Heaven". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
^ "Wham! – The Edge of Heaven". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
^ "Wham! Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
^ "Wham! Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
^ "National Top 100 Singles for 1986". Kent Music Report. No. 650. December 1986. Retrieved 24 January 2023 – via Imgur.
^ "Jaaroverzichten 1986". Ultratop. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0760." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1986". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1986". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1986 – hitparade.ch". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
^ "George Michael on the charts". Music Week. Intent Media. 11 January 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
^ "British single certifications – Wham! – The Edge of Heaven". British Phonographic Industry.

External links

AllMusic.com entry for "The Edge of Heaven"

[1] "New Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 7 June 1986. p. 6. Retrieved 16 August 2024.

[RS_2004-2] Berger, Arion (2004). "Wham!". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. p. 868. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.

[3] "Tours Menu". Tours.yogsbackyard.co.uk. Archived from the original on 12 September 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2014.

[4] Wham! - Whamamerica! setlist 1985

[British_Hit_Singles_&_Albums-5] Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 463. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.

[6] Bare by George Michael and Tony Parsons, Penguin Books, 1991, page 170 ISBN 0-14-013235-X

[cb-7] "Single Releases" (PDF). Cash Box. 28 June 1986. p. 9. Retrieved 4 August 2022.

[8] George Michael: the making of a superstar - Bruce Dessau. Sidgwick & Jackson, 1989

[9] Wham! - The Edge of Heaven (Official Video), retrieved 1 May 2022

[10] The Last Wham! Interview EVER - "Number One" by Debbi Voller, 28 June 1986

[mvdbase-11] Garcia, Alex S. "mvdbase.com - Wham! - "The edge of Heaven"". Music Video DataBase. Retrieved 31 October 2015.

[12] David Kent (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. Australian Chart Book, St Ives, N.S.W. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.

[sc_Austria_Wham!-13] "Wham! – The Edge of Heaven" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 6 March 2016.

[sc_Flanders_Wham!-14] "Wham! – The Edge of Heaven" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 6 March 2016.

[sc_Canadatopsingles_-15] "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0719." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 10 June 2022.

[16] "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 26 June 2021.

[Finland-17] Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Wham!". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 280. Retrieved 9 June 2022.

[sc_France_Wham!-18] "Wham! – The Edge of Heaven" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 6 March 2016.

[sc_Germany_Wham!-19] "Wham! – The Edge of Heaven" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 6 March 2016.

[20] "Top 3 in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 3, no. 36. 13 September 1986. p. 18. OCLC 29800226. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2022 – via World Radio History.

[21] "Wham! Chart History". RÚV. Retrieved 7 November 2018.

[sc_Ireland2_Wham!-22] "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Edge of Heaven". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 6 March 2016.

[23] "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Wham!".

[sc_Dutch40_-24] "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 28, 1986" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 31 December 2017.

[sc_Dutch100_Wham!-25] "Wham! – The Edge of Heaven" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 6 March 2016.

[sc_Norway_Wham!-26] "Wham! – The Edge of Heaven". VG-lista. Retrieved 6 March 2016.

[sc_New_Zealand_Wham!-27] "Wham! – The Edge of Heaven". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 6 March 2016.

[sc_Sweden_Wham!-28] "Wham! – The Edge of Heaven". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 6 March 2016.

[sc_Switzerland_Wham!-29] "Wham! – The Edge of Heaven". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 6 March 2016.

[sc_UK_Wham!-30] "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 June 2022.

[sc_Billboardhot100_Wham!-31] "Wham! Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 24 March 2016.

[sc_Billboardadultcontemporary_Wham!-32] "Wham! Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 24 March 2016.

[aus86-33] "National Top 100 Singles for 1986". Kent Music Report. No. 650. December 1986. Retrieved 24 January 2023 – via Imgur.

[34] "Jaaroverzichten 1986". Ultratop. Retrieved 20 May 2020.

[CANYE86-35] "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0760." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 10 June 2022.

[36] "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 20 May 2020.

[37] "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1986". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 20 May 2020.

[38] "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1986". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 20 May 2020.

[39] "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1986 – hitparade.ch". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 May 2020.

[UK_sales-40] "George Michael on the charts". Music Week. Intent Media. 11 January 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2024.

[United_KingdomWham!The_Edge_of_HeavensingleCertRef-41] "British single certifications – Wham! – The Edge of Heaven". British Phonographic Industry.

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@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 | artist     = [[Wham!]]
 | album      = [[The Final (album)|The Final]] {{noitalic|and}} [[Music from the Edge of Heaven]]
 | B-side     = {{flatlist|
-* "[[Wham Rap]] '86" {{small|(UK)}}
+* "[[Wham Rap]] '86" (UK)
-* "Blue (Live In China)" {{small|(various)}}
+* "Blue (Live in China)" (various)
-* "Where Did Your Heart Go" {{small|(Japan)}}
+* "[[Where Did Your Heart Go?]]" (Japan)
-* "Battlestations" {{small|(various)}}
+* "Battlestations" (various)
 }}
+| released   = {{start date|1986|6|9|df=y}}<ref>{{cite magazine|date=7 June 1986|title=New Singles|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1986/Music-Week-1986-06-07.pdf|magazine=[[Music Week]]|page=6|access-date=16 August 2024}}</ref>
-| released   = 18 June 1986
+| recorded   = March 1986
-| recorded   = March 1986<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0516063/?ref_=m_tt_ep_pr Internet Movie Database: ''Aspel & Company''] - George Michael - Episode 3.8 (1 Mar. 1986)</ref><ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yjhZYMvDww|title=George Michael on Michael Aspel Show 1986}}</ref>
 | studio     =
-| venue      =
+| genre      =
-| genre      = [[Dance-pop]]
+* [[Dance-pop]]
+* [[disco]]<ref name= "RS 2004">{{cite book |chapter= Wham!|last= Berger|first= Arion|title=[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide|The New Rolling Stone Album Guide]] |year=2004 |publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]] |edition=4th |editor1-last=Brackett |editor1-first=Nathan |editor2-last=Hoard |editor2-first=Christian |isbn=0-7432-0169-8 |page= 868}}</ref>
 | length     = 4:34
-| label      = [[Columbia Records|CBS]]
+| label      = [[Epic Records|Epic]]
 | writer     = [[George Michael]]
 | producer   = George Michael
@@ Line 33: / Line 34: @@
 ==History==
-With the known desire of George Michael to move into a more adult market, Wham! had announced in the [[Spring (season)|spring]] of 1986 that Michael and his musical partner [[Andrew Ridgeley]] would go their separate ways after a farewell single, album and concert. The album was called ''The Final'' and the concert was held in front of 72,000 fans at [[London]]'s [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]] on Saturday 28 June 1986.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tours.yogsbackyard.co.uk/home.php |title=Tours Menu |publisher=Tours.yogsbackyard.co.uk |accessdate=30 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120912030459/http://www.tours.yogsbackyard.co.uk/home.php |archivedate=12 September 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
+With the known desire of George Michael to move into a more adult market, Wham! had announced in early 1986 that Michael and his musical partner [[Andrew Ridgeley]] would go their separate ways after a farewell single, album and concert. The album was called ''The Final'' and the concert was held in front of 72,000 fans at [[London]]'s [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]] on 28 June 1986.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tours.yogsbackyard.co.uk/home.php |title=Tours Menu |publisher=Tours.yogsbackyard.co.uk |access-date=30 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120912030459/http://www.tours.yogsbackyard.co.uk/home.php |archive-date=12 September 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
-Prior to the official release date of the single, the song had been performed during their 1985 "Whamamerica!" tour.<ref>[https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/wham/1985/veterans-stadium-philadelphia-pa-33dc2049.html Wham!] - Whamamerica! setlist 1985</ref>
+Prior to the official release date of the single, the song had been performed during their 1985 [[Whamamerica!]] tour.<ref>[https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/wham/1985/veterans-stadium-philadelphia-pa-33dc2049.html Wham!] - Whamamerica! setlist 1985</ref>
-The single, a five-minute tale of emotional and physical frustration within a relationship, was a slick and upbeat — albeit harder-edged than earlier works — pop tune which featured a guest appearance by [[Elton John]], a friend of Michael and Ridgeley, on piano. It became the fourth No. 1 in the [[UK Singles Chart]]<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book | first= David | last= Roberts | year= 2006 | title= [[British Hit Singles & Albums]] | edition= 19th | publisher= Guinness World Records Limited | location= London | isbn= 1-904994-10-5 | page= 463}}</ref> (and the final US Top Ten hit, reaching #10) for the duo. It was also to be their last UK number one for almost 35 years; they would not top the UK Singles Chart again until "[[Last Christmas]]" finally reached that milestone in January 2021.
+The single, a five-minute tale of emotional and physical frustration within a relationship, featured a guest appearance by the duo's friend [[Elton John]] on piano. The song became Wham!'s fourth No. 1 in the [[UK Singles Chart]]<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book | first= David | last= Roberts | year= 2006 | title= [[British Hit Singles & Albums]] | edition= 19th | publisher= Guinness World Records Limited | location= London | isbn= 1-904994-10-5 | page= 463}}</ref> and their final US top-ten hit.
-Michael has said the lyrics to the song were "deliberately and overtly sexual, especially the first verse". The reason for this, he says, was he thought no one would care "because no one listens to a Wham! lyric. It had got to that stage."<ref>Bare by George Michael and [[Tony Parsons (British journalist)|Tony Parsons]], [[Penguin Books]], 1991, page 170  {{ISBN|0-14-013235-X}}</ref>
+Michael has said the lyrics to the song were "deliberately and overtly sexual, especially the first verse". The reason for this, he says, was he thought no one would care "because no one listens to a Wham! lyric. It had got to that stage."<ref>Bare by George Michael and [[Tony Parsons (British journalist)|Tony Parsons]], [[Penguin Books]], 1991, page 170 {{ISBN|0-14-013235-X}}</ref>
-Epic released a double record set in the UK, with 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 [[Was (Not Was)]] song "Where Did Your Heart Go?"—on the flip of the second disc. "Where Did Your Heart Go?" was later given an equal billing and reached a lowly position in the [[UK Singles Chart|UK Top 40]] as a result.
+Epic released a double record set in the UK, with 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 [[Was (Not Was)]] song "[[Where Did Your Heart Go?]]"—on the flip-side of the second disc. "Where Did Your Heart Go?" was later given an equal billing and reached the [[UK Singles Chart|UK Top 40]] as a result.
-In the United States, "The Edge of Heaven" was backed with a live version of "Blue" from Wham!'s tour of China. "Where Did Your Heart Go?" was released separately as the follow-up and the fourth and last single from ''Music from the Edge of Heaven'' (the shortened American version of ''The Final''), and charted at #50 (backed with "Wham! Rap '86").
+In the United States, "The Edge of Heaven" was backed with a live version of "Blue" from Wham!'s tour of China. "Where Did Your Heart Go?" was released separately as the fourth and final single from ''Music from the Edge of Heaven'' (the shortened American version of ''The Final''), and charted at number 50.
+==Reception==
+''[[Cash Box]]'' said that "The live-wire, uptempo track moves along at a "Wake Me Up Before You GoGo" pace."<ref name=cb>{{cite magazine|title=Single Releases|magazine=Cash Box|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1986/CB-1986-06-28.pdf|date=28 June 1986|accessdate=2022-08-04|page=9}}</ref>
 ==Music video==
+The official [[music video]] for the song was directed by [[Andy Morahan]] and filmed at stage 1, [[Twickenham Film Studios]] on 5 June 1986.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=tjEbaesdxpgC&q=music+video+the+edge+of+heaven+twickenham+wham! George Michael: the making of a superstar] - Bruce Dessau. Sidgwick & Jackson, 1989</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Wham! - The Edge of Heaven (Official Video) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCqEyJc-wdk |language=en |access-date=2022-05-01}}</ref> It features a performance in front of a crowd and is filmed in black and white.<ref>[http://www.george.michael.szm.com/Esection/E1986no1.html The Last Wham! Interview EVER] - "[[Number One (magazine)|Number One]]" by Debbi Voller, 28 June 1986</ref><ref name="mvdbase">{{cite web|url=http://www.mvdbase.com/video.php?id=29654|title=mvdbase.com - Wham! - "The edge of Heaven"|work=Music Video DataBase|last=Garcia|first=Alex S|access-date=31 October 2015}}</ref> It features a brief early appearance by [[Danny John-Jules]], emerging from the audience to dance alongside Michael onstage, as well as appearances by [[David Austin (singer)|David Austin]] on guitar and [[Deon Estus]] on bass.
-{{expand section|date=October 2015}}
-The official [[music video]] for the song was directed by [[Andy Morahan]] and filmed at stage 1, [[Twickenham Film Studios]] in June 1986.<ref>[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=tjEbaesdxpgC&q=music+video+the+edge+of+heaven+twickenham+wham!&dq=music+video+the+edge+of+heaven+twickenham+wham!&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjyyrOH7bPbAhUsIMAKHcO6CWoQ6AEIJDAA George Michael: the making of a superstar] - Bruce Dessau. Sidgwick & Jackson, 1989</ref> It features a performance in front of a crowd and is filmed in black and white.<ref>[http://www.george.michael.szm.com/Esection/E1986no1.html The Last Wham! Interview EVER] - "[[Number One (magazine)|Number One]]" by Debbi Voller, 28 June 1986</ref><ref name="mvdbase">{{cite web|url=http://www.mvdbase.com/video.php?id=29654|title=mvdbase.com -  Wham! - "The edge of Heaven"|work=Music Video DataBase|last=Garcia|first=Alex S|accessdate=31 October 2015}}</ref> It features a brief early appearance by [[Danny John-Jules]], emerging from the audience to dance alongside Michael onstage.
 ==Track listing==
 {{track listing
 | all_writing     = [[George Michael]] except where indicated
-| headline        = 7": Epic / A FIN 1 (UK)
+| headline        = 7-inch: Epic / A FIN 1 (UK)
 | title1          = The Edge of Heaven
 | length1         = 4:37
@@ Line 60: / Line 63: @@
 {{track listing
-| headline        = 7": Columbia / 38-06182 (US)
+| headline        = 7-inch: Columbia / 38-06182 (US)
 | title1          = The Edge of Heaven
 | length1         = 4:37
@@ Line 69: / Line 72: @@
 {{track listing
-| headline        = 2x7": Epic / FIN 1 (UK) - Limited edition double 7" pack
+| headline        = 2x7-inch: Epic / FIN 1 (UK) - Limited edition double 7-inch pack
 | title1          = The Edge of Heaven
 | length1         = 4:37
@@ Line 83: / Line 86: @@
 {{track listing
-| headline        = 12": Epic / FIN T1 (UK)
+| headline        = 12-inch: Epic / FIN T1 (UK)
 | title1          = Battlestations
 | length1         = 5:25
@@ Line 96: / Line 99: @@
 }}
-==Chart and certifications==
+==Chart==
 {{col-begin}}
 {{col-2}}
 ===Weekly charts===
-{| class="wikitable sortable"
+{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center"
+|+Weekly chart performance for "The Edge of Heaven"
-|-
 !Chart (1986)
-!Peak<br>position
+!Peak<br />position
 |-
-|align="left"|Australia ([[ARIA Charts|ARIA]])<ref>{{cite book | title = Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 | author = David Kent | isbn = 0-646-11917-6 | year = 1993 | publisher = Australian Chart Book, St Ives, N.S.W. | authorlink = David Kent (historian)}}</ref>
+!scope="row"|Australia ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref>{{cite book | title = Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 | author = David Kent | isbn = 0-646-11917-6 | year = 1993 | publisher = Australian Chart Book, St Ives, N.S.W. | authorlink = David Kent (historian)}}</ref>
+|2
-| style="text-align:center;"|2
 |-
-{{singlechart|Austria|11|artist=Wham!|song=The Edge of Heaven|accessdate=6 March 2016}}
+{{singlechart|Austria|11|artist=Wham!|song=The Edge of Heaven|accessdate=6 March 2016|rowheader=true}}
 |-
-{{singlechart|Flanders|1|artist=Wham!|song=The Edge of Heaven|accessdate=6 March 2016}}
+{{singlechart|Flanders|1|artist=Wham!|song=The Edge of Heaven|accessdate=6 March 2016|rowheader=true}}
 |-
-{{singlechart|France|22|artist=Wham!|song=The Edge of Heaven|accessdate=6 March 2016}}
+{{singlechart|Canadatopsingles|10|chartid=0719|accessdate=10 June 2022|rowheader=true}}
 |-
+!scope="row"|Europe ([[European Hot 100 Singles]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1986/M&M-1986-07-19.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|work=Music & Media|access-date=26 June 2021}}</ref>
-{{singlechart|Germany|4|artist=Wham!|song=The Edge of Heaven|songid=1461|accessdate=6 March 2016}}
+|1
 |-
+!scope="row"|Finland ([[Suomen virallinen lista]])<ref name = "Finland">{{cite book |url=https://musiikkiarkisto.fi/oa/_tiedostot/julkaisut/sisaltaa-hitin.pdf#page=280|first=Timo |last=Pennanen |year=2021 |title=Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 |section=Wham!|page=280|publisher=Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava |location=Helsinki|access-date=9 June 2022}}</ref>
-|Iceland ([[RÚV]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ruv.is/persona/wham|publisher=[[RÚV]]|title= Wham! Chart History| accessdate=7 November 2018}}</ref>
+| 3
-|style="text-align:center;"|2
 |-
-{{singlechart|Ireland2|1|artist=Wham!|song=Edge of Heaven|accessdate=6 March 2016}}
+{{singlechart|France|22|artist=Wham!|song=The Edge of Heaven|accessdate=6 March 2016|rowheader=true}}
 |-
-{{singlechart|Dutch40|1|year=1986|week=28|accessdate=2017-12-31}}
+{{singlechart|Germany|4|artist=Wham!|song=The Edge of Heaven|songid=1461|accessdate=6 March 2016|rowheader=true}}
 |-
+!scope="row"| Greece (''[[Music & Media]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Top 3 in Europe|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|date=13 September 1986|volume=3|issue=36|page=18|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1986/M&M-1986-09-13.pdf|oclc=29800226|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308061524/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1986/M&M-1986-09-13.pdf|archive-date=8 March 2021|access-date=5 February 2022|via=World Radio History}}</ref>
-{{singlechart|Dutch100|1|artist=Wham!|song=The Edge of Heaven|accessdate=6 March 2016}}
+| 1
 |-
+!scope="row"|Iceland ([[RÚV]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ruv.is/persona/wham|publisher=[[RÚV]]|title= Wham! Chart History| access-date=7 November 2018}}</ref>
-{{singlechart|Norway|2|artist=Wham!|song=The Edge of Heaven|accessdate=6 March 2016}}
+|2
 |-
-{{singlechart|New Zealand|3|artist=Wham!|song=The Edge of Heaven|accessdate=6 March 2016}}
+{{singlechart|Ireland2|1|artist=Wham!|song=Edge of Heaven|accessdate=6 March 2016|rowheader=true}}
 |-
+!scope="row"|Italy (''[[Musica e dischi]]'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicaedischi.it/classifiche_archivio.php|title=Classifiche|work=[[Musica e dischi]]|language=it}} Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Wham!".</ref>
-{{singlechart|Sweden|10|artist=Wham!|song=The Edge of Heaven|accessdate=6 March 2016}}
+|2
 |-
-{{singlechart|Switzerland|4|artist=Wham!|song=The Edge of Heaven|accessdate=6 March 2016}}
+{{singlechart|Dutch40|1|year=1986|week=28|accessdate=31 December 2017|rowheader=true}}
 |-
-{{singlechart|UK|1|artist=Wham!|date=1986-06-28|accessdate=6 March 2016}}
+{{singlechart|Dutch100|1|artist=Wham!|song=The Edge of Heaven|accessdate=6 March 2016|rowheader=true}}
 |-
-{{singlechart|Billboardhot100|10|artist=Wham!|rowheader=|accessdate=24 March 2016}}
+{{singlechart|Norway|2|artist=Wham!|song=The Edge of Heaven|accessdate=6 March 2016|rowheader=true}}
 |-
-{{singlechart|Billboardadultcontemporary|22|artist=Wham!|rowheader=|accessdate=24 March 2016}}
+{{singlechart|New Zealand|3|artist=Wham!|song=The Edge of Heaven|accessdate=6 March 2016|rowheader=true}}
+|-
+{{singlechart|Sweden|10|artist=Wham!|song=The Edge of Heaven|accessdate=6 March 2016|rowheader=true}}
+|-
+{{singlechart|Switzerland|4|artist=Wham!|song=The Edge of Heaven|accessdate=6 March 2016|rowheader=true}}
+|-
+{{singlechart|UK|1|artist=Wham!|date=19860628|accessdate=10 June 2022|rowheader=true}}
+|-
+{{singlechart|Billboardhot100|10|artist=Wham!|accessdate=24 March 2016|rowheader=true}}
+|-
+{{singlechart|Billboardadultcontemporary|22|artist=Wham!|accessdate=24 March 2016|rowheader=true}}
 |}
 {{col-2}}
 ===Year-end charts===
-{| class="wikitable sortable"
+{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
+|+Year-end chart performance for "The Edge of Heaven"
-|-
 !Chart (1986)
 !Position
 |-
-|Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1986|title=Jaaroverzichten 1986|publisher=Ultratop|accessdate=20 May 2020}}</ref>
+!scope="row"|Australia ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref name="aus86">{{cite magazine|url=https://i.imgur.com/F7ais40.jpg|title=National Top 100 Singles for 1986|magazine=[[Kent Music Report]]|issue=650|date=December 1986|via=Imgur|access-date= 24 January 2023}}</ref>
+|style="text-align:center;"|57
+|-
+!scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1986|title=Jaaroverzichten 1986|publisher=Ultratop|access-date=20 May 2020}}</ref>
 |style="text-align:center;"|11
 |-
+{{singlechart|Canadatopsingles|92|chartid=0760|accessdate=10 June 2022|rowheader=true|refname="CANYE86"}}
-|Germany (Official German Charts)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1986|title=Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts|language=German|work=[[GfK Entertainment]]|publisher=offiziellecharts.de|accessdate=20 May 2020}}</ref>
+|-
+!scope="row"|Germany (Official German Charts)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1986|title=Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts|language=German|work=[[GfK Entertainment]]|publisher=offiziellecharts.de|access-date=20 May 2020}}</ref>
 |style="text-align:center;"|33
 |-
-|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1986|title=Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1986|publisher=Dutch Top 40|accessdate=20 May 2020}}</ref>
+!scope="row"|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1986|title=Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1986|publisher=Dutch Top 40|access-date=20 May 2020}}</ref>
 |style="text-align:center;"|10
 |-
-|Netherlands (Single Top 100)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1986&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten – Single 1986|website=dutchcharts.nl|accessdate=20 May 2020}}</ref>
+!scope="row"|Netherlands (Single Top 100)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1986&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten – Single 1986|website=dutchcharts.nl|access-date=20 May 2020}}</ref>
 |style="text-align:center;"|17
 |-
-|Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hitparade.ch/charts/jahreshitparade/1986|title=Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1986 – hitparade.ch|publisher=Hung Medien|accessdate=20 May 2020}}</ref>
+!scope="row"|Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hitparade.ch/charts/jahreshitparade/1986|title=Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1986 – hitparade.ch|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=20 May 2020}}</ref>
 |style="text-align:center;"|26
 |}
-===Certifications===
-{{Certification Table Top}}
-{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Wham!|title=The Edge of Heaven|award=Silver|relyear=1986|certyear=1986}}
-{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=yes}}
 {{col-end}}
+==Certifications==
+{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "The Edge of Heaven"}}
+{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Wham!|title=The Edge of Heaven|award=Silver|relyear=1986|certyear=1986|id=6905-272-1|note=The Edge of Heaven/Where Did Your Heart Go|salesamount=519,894|salesref=<ref name="UK sales">{{cite web|url=http://www.musicweek.com/analysis/read/george-michael-on-the-charts/067107|title=George Michael on the charts|date=11 January 2017|work=[[Music Week]]|publisher=Intent Media|accessdate=16 August 2024}}</ref>}}
+{{table end}}
 ==References==
@@ Line 174: / Line 196: @@
 ==External links==
-*[{{Allmusic|class=song|id=t928073|pure_url=yes}} AllMusic.com entry for "The Edge of Heaven"]
+*[{{AllMusic|class=song|id=t928073|pure_url=yes}} AllMusic.com entry for "The Edge of Heaven"]
 {{Wham!}}
+{{Authority control}}
-{{DEFAULTSORT:Edge Of Heaven, The}}
+{{DEFAULTSORT:Edge of Heaven, The}}
 [[Category:1985 songs]]
 [[Category:1986 singles]]
+[[Category:Black-and-white music videos]]
 [[Category:Columbia Records singles]]
 [[Category:Dutch Top 40 number-one singles]]
@@ Line 187: / Line 211: @@
 [[Category:Song recordings produced by George Michael]]
 [[Category:Songs written by George Michael]]
-[[Category:UK Singles Chart number-one singles]]
+[[Category:UK singles chart number-one singles]]
 [[Category:Wham! songs]]

v t e Wham!
George Michael Andrew Ridgeley
Studio albums	Fantastic Make It Big Music from the Edge of Heaven
Compilations	The Final The Best of Wham!: If You Were There... The Singles: Echoes from the Edge of Heaven
Singles	"Wham Rap! (Enjoy What You Do)" "Young Guns (Go for It!)" "Bad Boys" "Club Tropicana" "Club Fantastic Megamix" "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" "Careless Whisper" "Freedom" "Everything She Wants" "Last Christmas" "I'm Your Man" "The Edge of Heaven" "Where Did Your Heart Go?"
Concerts and tours	Club Fantastic The Big Tour Whamamerica! The Final
Filmography	Wham! in China: Foreign Skies Wham!
Related articles	Discography Deon Estus Dee C. Lee Pepsi & Shirlie Tommy Eyre Whamageddon Last Christmas soundtrack