George Michael, studio portrait, London, 1987. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images)
Even if you're not a fan of the late pop star George Michael, chances are that you'll instantly recognize the saxophone riff from his 1984 hit single "Careless Whisper." Originally written by Michael and bandmate Andrew Ridgeley for the Wham! album Make it Big, the single was released just as the singer was beginning to take a new direction musically.
As the album's title suggested, the song made it big.
It was a commercial success around the world, and reached number one in nearly 25 countries, selling six million copies globally with two million sales in the United States alone.
Just last week, nearly 39 years since its initial release, "Careless Whisper" also reached one-billion views on YouTube. It is now only the eighth song from the 1980s to join the video-sharing service's "Billion Views" club – alongside such tracks as Guns N' Roses' "Sweet Child O' Mine," A-Ha's "Take On Me," Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean," Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up," Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Want to Have Fun," Europe's "The Final Countdown," and The Police's "Every Breath You Take."
"This is an interesting time to see these songs hit the milestone in this new medium," explained Bruce Barber, professional in residence and general manager at 88.7 WNHU.
"With music, you can always ask the question what is the 'x-factor' that makes it resonate with listeners, and that is true with this platform," added Barber. "I don't see the common thread of these songs that have reached a billion views. But it is hard to put your finger on what causes any song to reach the milestone. There is just something that is sparking renewed interest here."
Views Keep Coming
The British pop star (real name Georgis Kyriacos Panayiotou) died on Christmas Day 2016 at age 53, but he left behind a legacy that includes dozens of hits. He sold more than a million albums during his career, and won two Grammy awards, while "Careless Whisper" is clearly what fans most remember, and what they are watching on YouTube.
According to Variety, the song's video could also be well on the way to two billion views, as it receives upwards of 400,000 views daily!
George Michael - Careless Whisper (Official Video)
The video for "Careless Whisper" was directed by filmmaker Duncan Gibbins, who had previously directed the video for Wham!'s breakout hit "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go." First uploaded to YouTube in 2009, the "Careless Whisper" video is practically a time capsule of the mid-1980s as it features Michael in Miami with his trademark poofy hair of the era and his gold earrings.
Perhaps the flashback to the 1980s is the song's "x-factor."
It is also a song that is arguably loved by many and probably loathed by just as many. In many ways, it could benefit from social media, where it has been discovered by a new generation of listeners.
"The staying power of all 20th-century pop culture is often the result of it entering 'meme culture,'" said Dr. Aram Sinnreich, professor of communication at American University.
"For this song, there has been no shortage of various villainous homoerotic memes that play into what we remember about the 1980s," added Sinnreich. "It also has a catchy earworm. Even before the meme era, this was a track that likely had staying power."
So Good It's Bad!
"Careless Whisper" could also be one of those songs that resonate with some viewers for its nostalgia factor, even as some appreciate it as a cheesy, over-produced throwback to the decade of excess.
"Never underestimate the power of a guilty pleasure song," said Barber. "With some songs, it takes you awhile to appreciate them, just as there are others that you may instantly love. It is hard to say which this may be."
But with 400,000 new views daily, someone may have that sax riff playing on repeat!
