George Michael’s first solo single, ‘Careless Whisper’ has posthumously claimed the Number One spot on the Physical Singles Chart more than 40 years after its release. The track, which established Michael as a solo artist, recently had its own EP released in October to commemorate its 40th Anniversary, featuring an extended edition, a live rendition from Madison Square Garden and an instrumental alongside the original.
Michael gained worldwide acclaim through being a member of English pop duo, Wham! alongside Andrew Ridgeley from 1981 to 1986. The pair had many notable tracks throughout the 1980s, including: ‘Club Tropicana’, ‘Everything She Wants’ and ‘Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go’ – an impressive discography which sold more than 30 million certified records worldwide.
‘Careless Whisper’ was written in 1981 by Michael at 17-years-old. The track juxtaposed Wham’s pre-existing hits, they were usually energetic with infectious dance-driven beats and playful lyrics, whereas ‘Careless Whisper’ conveyed a sombreness and sincerity, expressing a profound maturity from the singer-songwriter. Michael’s vocals were smooth and soulful alongside the captivating saxophone instrumental, which soon iconically characterised the track.
In Michael’s 1991 memoir, ‘Blare’, the pop icon reminisced on the construction of ‘Careless Whisper’: “I was on my way to DJ at the Bel Air when I wrote ‘Careless Whisper’. I have always written on buses, trains and in cars. It always happens on journeys… With ‘Careless Whisper’ I remember exactly where it first came to me, where I came up with the sax line… I can remember very vaguely where I was when I wrote things after Wham! got off the ground, but with ‘Careless Whisper’ I remember exactly the time and place”.
Michael had released many hits throughout his solo career, including ‘Faith’, ‘Freedom ‘90’, ‘Father Figure’ and Fastlove, Pt. 1’, however, ‘Careless Whisper’ would always remain his biggest hit after it released on July 24, 1984. It sold over 6 million copies and reached Number 1 in 25 countries. It made Michael a breakthrough artist when he was awarded an Ivor Novello in 1985 for the track as ‘Songwriter of the Year’, becoming the youngest recipient at 21-years-old.
The re-release of the single in October saw the track climb to the Number 1 spot on the Physical Singles Chart on October 31 and again this week on November 14.
Upon the anniversary re-release of ‘Careless Whisper’, the track’s guitarist Hugh Burns fondly discussed with the Independent his work with Wham! and Michael. He stated: “The thing about George that was exceptional – and I’ve worked with a lot of wonderful singers – is that he had all his ideas in his head… Very often he would sing it to you, to give you an idea. He was very strict on detail, and he had a remarkable talent for getting the feel just right”. Burns had recorded on the track ‘Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go’ and performed alongside Michael during his performance of ‘Jesus to a Child’ at the MTV Europe Music Awards in 1994.
Despite his devastating passing over seven years ago, Michael remains a prominent musician in the industry, continuing to posthumously top the charts. Not only with ‘Careless Whisper’ but during every festive period, Wham’s iconic Christmas single, ‘Last Christmas’ tops the charts. 39 years after its release, it was crowned a UK Number 1 single on December 22, 2023, for the first time.
