George Michael’s “Careless Whisper” Turns 40 With New EP, Featuring Previously Unreleased Live Version From 2008

George Michael often wrote songs while commuting to his DJ gig at the Bel Air Restaurant in London. On his way to work one day, Michael, then 17, started writing a song inspired by a real-life account of two-timing of a former girlfriend that became his first hit.

“In the very early days, George would compose everything in his head—the lyrics, vocals, melodies, and even the rhythm,” Michael’s childhood friend and longtime collaborator David Austin recently told American Songwriter. “As a teenager with ‘Careless Whisper,’ he essentially wrote the lyrics and melody in his head over time, adding bits here and there.”

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of Michael’s hit single, George Michael Entertainment (GME) and Sony Music released the Careless Whisper EP. Available on CD, digitally, and on 12-inch picture disc, 12-inch standard, white, and ruby marble vinyl, the Careless Whisper EP features the original single, an extended mix, an instrumental, and a previously unreleased live recording of the pop hit performed by Michael at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Recorded on July 23, 2008, the performance was part of Michael’s 25 Live Tour, a return to New York after a 17-year hiatus since his Cover to Cover Tour in ’91.

“As we celebrate 40 years of ‘Careless Whisper,’ we are proud to share something truly special with George’s millions of fans around the world,” reads a statement by GME. “This EP is a heartfelt ‘thank you’ from us to you for your unwavering support and love. We are truly grateful.”

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The song made Michael the youngest recipient of an Ivor Novello Award at age 21 and the first artist to top the charts solo and as a member of a group or duo. Today, “Careless Whisper” continues to resonate with fans—new and old—and has surpassed 1.2 billion views on YouTube and more than 700 million on TikTok.

Co-written with Wham! partner Andrew Ridgeley, who later came up with the chord sequence using a Fender Telecaster gifted to him on his 18th birthday, “Careless Whisper” was released on the duo’s 1984 album, Make It Big, shot to No. 1 in 25 countries, including the Billboard Hot 100, and delivered one of the most iconic saxophone riffs in music history by Stephen Gregory.

“It was a remarkable coincidence that I was mucking around with chords and told George, ‘You have to have a listen to this,’ and he said, ‘I have a melody that fits perfectly over that,” recalled Ridgeley of how the song came together, sonically. “That was the sax melody. We shared the same taste. I like to think of it as a magical coincidence.”

‘Careless Whisper’ Track List:

  1. Careless Whisper​
  2. Careless Whisper​ Extended mix
  3. Careless Whisper​ Live At Madison Square Garden, July 2008
  4. Careless Whisper​ Instrumental

Photo: Courtesy of High Rise PR