Careless Whisper
George Michael
1985
Annual listening-list association, not an original-release-date field. Original release year reconciled with reviewed recording-specific Artist Essentials evidence in v3.6.
Release: 1984
Release: 1984Source checked | Recent carryover
V3.6 reconciles the original release year with the reviewed Artist Essentials entry for this exact retained recording ID. Year precision is used; an album-first release is not silently replaced by a later single, reissue or annual-list year. The official anniversary history dates George Michael's original solo single to 1984. Its later Wham! album appearance and the live recording first issued in 2024 are separate release events.
The large badge identifies this listening list, not a newly issued recording. Later reissues and renewed chart popularity do not replace an original release date. How years are assigned.
Owner-supplied release annotations
Reported dates in 1984.html, 1985.html, 1985.html. Not independently established; neighboring dates can reflect album/single or regional differences.
Careless Whisper - official 40th anniversary release history
The official Sony/artist anniversary page identifies the original solo single's 1984 release. The subsequent Make It Big album association does not turn the selected solo recording into a newly dated Wham! performance.
Careless Whisper - official original and later version distinction
The artist store distinguishes the original 1984 recording and extended/instrumental mixes from the previously unreleased Madison Square Garden live performance issued in 2024. The new package is not used as the original recording date.
Inspiration and background
Supplied note - not independently verified
This note came with the supplied collection and has not been independently verified.
George Michael wrote this song about the guilt of betraying a friend in a relationship.
Evidence scope: Source-provided note, not an established account of the songwriter's intent
Sources for this information
Owner-supplied 1985.html, song-list position 1
Supplied annotation reproduced with attribution; underlying historical claims have NOT been independently verified.
Other appearances and versions
catalog version unspecified
Textual identity reconciliation, not audio-fingerprint or exact-pressing verification. Version labels are catalog safeguards.
An annual chart year and an original release date are different. Similar titles may be covers or different masters; no audio fingerprint has been performed.
Sources and scope
Source-backed annual association (secondary source; not a complete discographic review)
Editorial artist-repertoire classification
Billboard year-end 1985 table (Wikipedia transcription)
Secondary chart transcription reviewed for title, artist and annual association. Not proof of release date, genre or inspiration.
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