"Careless Whisper" is one of George Michael's most iconic songs, and here are some interesting facts about the song and George Michael himself:
Collaborative Effort: Although George Michael is often associated with "Careless Whisper," the song is officially credited to "Wham! featuring George Michael." Wham! was a British pop duo consisting of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley.
Songwriting Inspiration: The song was written when George Michael was just 17 years old, making it one of his earliest compositions. He penned it in collaboration with Andrew Ridgeley.
Iconic Saxophone Solo: The song is known for its memorable saxophone solo, which was performed by Steve Gregory. The saxophone melody is instantly recognizable and has become one of the most famous saxophone solos in pop music history.
Chart-Topping Success: "Careless Whisper" was a massive commercial success, topping the charts in multiple countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom. It helped solidify George Michael's status as a global superstar.
Controversial Music Video: The music video for "Careless Whisper" is notable for its steamy content. It features scenes of George Michael in a passionate embrace with his girlfriend, which was considered controversial at the time.
Multiple Covers and Samples: Over the years, "Careless Whisper" has been covered and sampled by various artists across different genres. It has also appeared in numerous movies and TV shows.
Grammy Award-Winning Artist: George Michael won a Grammy Award for "Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals" for his collaboration with Aretha Franklin on the song "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)," which showcased his versatility as an artist.
Charitable Contributions: George Michael was known for his philanthropic work. He donated the royalties from "Last Christmas" to the charity Band Aid and also gave a large portion of the royalties from "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" to various AIDS charities.
Tragic Passing: George Michael passed away on December 25, 2016, at the age of 53. His death was a significant loss to the music industry, and he is remembered as one of the greatest pop artists of his generation.
"Careless Whisper" remains an enduring classic in the world of music and continues to be cherished by fans around the world.