"Wake Up " is a song written by British rock musicianGraham Parker and performed by Graham Parker and the Shot. Inspired by Smokey Robinson, the song was crucial in convincing Elektra Records to allow Parker and producer William Wittman to record a full album. The song is also notable for Parker's breathy singing and its lush arrangement. Released as a single in April 1985, "Wake Up " became Parker's only American Top 40 hit. It has seen positive reception from critics and has been included on multiple compilation albums.
Background
"Wake Up " was one of the first songs Parker recorded with producer William Wittman. Elektra Records had been skeptical of Wittman, so the company initially only funded the recording of four tracks to test the combination; "Wake Up" would ultimately convince Elektra to allow for Parker and Wittman to record a full album. Parker sought to emulate Smokey Robinson and avoid sounding "slushy" on the song. He explained, "This is everything I wanted to write, nothing about worrying about what Graham Parker is supposed to write about. Smokey Robinson could have written this. My aim is to write something like 'Just My Imagination' or 'Being with You.' That's perfect songwriting. They're love songs, but nothing about them is embarrassing or cringe-inducing." Parker said of his singing on the track, "That breathy voice - I wrote the song like that. It was in my imagination, and when it came to recording, I could do it, with a bit of tuning up and stuff."
Release
"Wake Up " was released as a single in April 1985, featuring "Canned Laughter" as the B-side in the UK and "Bricks and Mortar" in the US. The single saw success in the US, reaching number 39 on the BillboardHot 100 and number 19 on the Mainstream Rock chart. It also reached number 94 in Canada. The single was accompanied by a music video featuring Parker that Elektra spent $97,000 on producing. "Wake Up " would ultimately be Parker's only Top 40 hit in America. Parker said of this, "Seeing as 'Wake Up' was indeed my only chart stab in the States, I suppose I am a one hit wonder. What a fabulous realization!" When asked about why the song became a hit while others did not, he stated, "It clicked because Elektra spent a hell of a lot of money, that's the only reason . Do you want reality, or shall I give you some cock and bull story?" The song has also appeared on the Parker compilation Passion is No Ordinary Word: The Graham Parker Anthology.
Reception
Frank Spotnitz of the Chicago Tribune described the song as "a soulful but delicate love song" and lauded it as "one of the finest songs has written." He went on to call it a highlight of Steady Nerves. Parke Puterbaugh of Rolling Stone praised the song's "intimate, atmospheric balladry" while William Ruhlmann of AllMusic noted it as a prime example of Parker "praising his romantic life" on Steady Nerves. Trouser Press called the song "gorgeously romantic." Parker later said that the recording and its production "worked for me." He later contrasted this with the rest of the album, saying Wake Up' is one track on Nerves suitable for the production, I think. The rest was like a wall of sludge. Maybe should have just done a single."
