STEP TO THE BEAT

George Michael – Careless Whisper (UK 12″ Maxi Single)

READER REQUEST

“Careless Whisper” is a 1984 single by George Michael (credited to Wham! featuring George Michael in the USA and Japan). The song was George Michael’s first solo single although he was still performing in Wham! at the time (the song is included on Wham!’s album Make it Big).

A mid-tempo ballad with a soulful production standard and a remarkable saxophone solo (played by Steve Gregory), the single was issued in August 1984, entering the UK singles chart at number twelve. Within two weeks, it was at number one, ending a nine-week run at the top for “Two Tribes” by Frankie Goes to Hollywood. It stayed at number one for three weeks, later going to the top of the charts in seventeen other countries, including the USA‘s Billboard Hot 100 in February 1985. It went on to become the 5th best-selling single of 1984 in the UK.

Jerry Wexler Version

The song went through at least two rounds of production. In the first, Michael worked with legendary producer Jerry Wexler. Michael was unhappy with the version that was originally produced and decided to re-record and produce the song himself, this time coming up with the version that was finally released. The version Wexler produced did, however, see the light of day, but only later on, as a (4:41) B-side “Special Version” on 12″, released in England.

Click here to listen to this version.

Single Information

Bass Deon Estes (who would later pursue a solo career in 1989 with the help of George Michael)
Drums Trevor Morrell
Guitar Hugh Burns
Keyboards Chris Parren
Percussion Danny Cummings
Photography Tony McGee
Producer, Arranged By George Michael
Written by Andrew Ridgeley, George Michael

“This record is dedicated to my Mother and Father. Five minutes in return for 21 years”

Label:

Epic

Catalog Number:

TA4603

Track Listing:

Side One

Careless Whisper (Extended Version) (6:30) (this is the same version that appears on the “Make It Big” album)

Side Two

Careless Whisper (Instrumental) (5:05)

Rip Information:

Source: UK 12″ single

Format: mp3

Bitrate: 320 kbps

Password: steptothebeat

To rate this post, click on the comments hyperlink below its title.