George Michael has been named the UK’s most popular music artist with 20 entries in Smooth Radio’s All Time Top 500 list, with Careless Whisper voted the nation’s No.1 favourite song for the eighth year running
When it comes to music, Britain has consistently delivered far beyond expectations for more than 50 years. The Beatles transformed what a pop group could achieve sonically, while cultural shapeshifters like David Bowie fused experimental artistry with commercial appeal in ways that continue to influence musicians today.
Yet the most successful British pop star of all time isn’t Bowie, Sir Paul McCartney, or even arena giants Queen.
Despite fierce rivalry from the likes of Sir Elton John and Adele, George Michael has been crowned the UK’s most beloved music artist with an astonishing 20 entries in Smooth Radio’s All Time Top 500 list.
George also claims the top two positions on the chart of the nation’s favourite 500 songs, with his global smash “Careless Whisper” voted as the No 1 favourite track for the eighth consecutive year.
The initial concept for Careless Whisper, featuring its iconic saxophone riff performed by session player Steve Gregory, first occurred to George aged 17, while working as a DJ at the Bel Air restaurant near Bushey in Hertfordshire.
George revealed he was inspired by a girl he encountered at an ice rink and developed ideas for the track over three months, humming the different sections during his bus journeys to work.
The song’s finished version materialised when George’s closest friend and musical collaborator Andrew Ridgeley demonstrated a chord progression on the white Fender Telecaster he had received for his 18th birthday. In his book Wham! George & Me, Andrew describes the moment when inspiration struck: “‘What do you make of this?’ I said working through the chords.
“He looked at me, a little surprised. ‘Oh my God, Andy. That goes perfectly with an idea I’ve had going round and round in my head! Play it again… I carried on playing with [George] singing what would later become the haunting saxophone melody. Through an extraordinary coincidence our separate ideas complemented each other perfectly.”
The duo created an initial demo of the track in 1981, followed by a second recording the next year for what was then a considerable £200. Despite Careless Whisper featuring on the demo tape that secured Wham! their recording contract, the song wasn’t released commercially until appearing on the band’s sophomore album in 1984.
Issued as George’s solo single that July, Careless Whisper reached number one within a fortnight, holding the top position for three weeks and becoming the UK’s fifth biggest-selling single of the year. The year’s biggest seller, naturally, was the all-star “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” by Band Aid.
Yet George’s romantic ballad appears to possess enduring appeal that other major hits from that year, including Stevie Wonder’s I Just Called to Say I Love You and Frankie Goes To Hollywood’s twin chart-toppers Relax and Two Tribes, haven’t quite matched.
George also claims the No.2 spot on Smooth Radio’s chart with A Different Corner. Smooth Radio presenter Kate Garraway said: “It’s fantastic that George Michael’s music and legacy shine as brightly as ever, with ‘Careless Whisper’ voted the No 1 song and George Michael named the most popular artist.
“It’s a fitting tribute to one of the greatest artists of all time. And what makes these results even more exciting is seeing singers like Sir Elton John and Whitney Houston, and groups such as Queen and Abba, connecting with a whole new generation.”
The Top 20 in full:
1. Careless Whisper – George Michael [1984]
2. A Different Corner – George Michael [1986]
3. Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen [1975]
4. Man in the Mirror – Michel Jackson [1988]
5. Bridge Over Troubled Water – Simon & Garfunkel [1970]
6. Billie Jean – Michael Jackson [1983]
7. Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me – Elton John & George Michael [1991]
8. Human Nature – Michael Jackson [1983]
9. Dance With My Father – Luther Vandross [2004]
10. Running Up That Hill – Kate Bush [1985]
11. Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler [1988]
12. Father Figure – George Michael [1987]
13. Always On My Mind – Elvis Presley [1972]
14. Hotel California – Eagles [1976]
15. Jesus to a Child – George Michael [1994]
16. Dancing Queen – ABBA [1976]
17. (Everything I do) I do it for you – Bryan Adams [1991]
18. Suspicious Minds – Elvis Presley [1969]
19. I Will Always Love You – Whitney Houston [1992]
20. Fastlove – George Michael [1996]
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: mirror.co.uk
