Imagine an international hit song that started with a broom shoved into the back of a sofa. This is the real story of George Michael’s famous song, “Careless Whisper.”
In 1981, George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley were still starting. Their producer, Paul Mex, used his small portable recording studio in Ridgeley’s messy living room. They did not have a mic stand, so they used Mrs. Ridgeley’s broom. This simple trick helped capture one of pop music’s biggest songs.
George Michael – Careless Whisper (Official Video)
George Michael sang the entire demo in just one take because they had to hurry before Mrs. Ridgeley got too upset about the mess. This rough recording with the broomstick stand perfectly showed Michael’s talent.
Fans still love the song today, even knowing it is about feeling guilty over being unfaithful. One viewer pointed out that it is funny how a song about regret became the official theme song of sex for many people. Another person said George Michael wrote this song at 17, while they were only deciding what cereal to eat.
The broomstick demo of “Careless Whisper” showed Michael had immense talent. It also proved the song was too big for Wham! It was his first step toward becoming a solo star. He later took the same creative control from the living room into the big recording studios, always wanting things done his way. This is how he made his famous solo album, Faith.
George Michael – I Want Your Sex (Official Video)
On his album Faith, Michael showed he did not need anyone else. He did the same kind of DIY work but with studio tools. For his hit song “I Want Your Sex (Part 1),” he played nearly all the instruments himself. He was the writer, the singer, and the producer.
George Michael was an artist who always went for perfection. His music is filled with honest emotion, whether he is singing about regret or desire. To see more of his creative journey and the history behind his other songs, find his official pages. Follow George Michael on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.