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Post by raliverpool on May 17, 2017 22:18:58 GMT 1
I'll see you tomorrow with the Final 4 ... but I'll leave you with George singing the Best Christmas Song Ever in mine (& his) opinion:
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Post by Shireblogger on May 17, 2017 22:52:17 GMT 1
Yep, that is a surprise. It was one of the two tracks in the two horse race.
Open goal for the winner now, though.
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Post by o on May 18, 2017 10:10:17 GMT 1
I hope Careless whisper doesn't win...
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Post by raliverpool on May 18, 2017 19:49:19 GMT 1
4th 10 Fastlove (1996) 57 Pts
George's energetic tune about the need for gratification and fulfillment without concern for commitment. The song was the second single taken from Michael's third studio album Older, which was his first studio album in six years and only the third of his solo career. A re-sung but otherwise identical chorus of the Patrice Rushen hit "Forget Me Nots" was used about 70% of the way through, although no co-writing credit was initially given. This problem was rectified in the liner notes of Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael. It was his seventh and final number one single in the UK during his lifetime, and also topped the charts in Australia & Spain; as well as peaking at Canada #4 & USA #8.
It scored points from 11 of us (more than any other track), but suffered due to only having 2 top 3 finishes (2 1sts Rooster & darkstar79).
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Post by raliverpool on May 18, 2017 19:57:14 GMT 1
3rd 4 Faith (1987) 58 Pts
The retro rock & roll title track of George's debut solo album, begins with organ played by Chris Cameron, referencing Wham's song "Freedom", followed by guitar strumming, finger clicking, hand-claps, tambourine and hi-hat Bo Diddley homage. The song topped the charts in the USA (#1 Best Selling single of 1988); Australia, Canada; New Zealand; the Netherlands; & Italy; as well as UK #2.
It received points from 10 of us including 2 1sts from smokeyb & Andy; & 2 2nds Crazytowel & Earl Purple.
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Post by raliverpool on May 18, 2017 20:08:38 GMT 1
2nd 11 Everything She Wants (1984) 63 Pts
So George Michael's favourite Wham! song, is also Haven's favourite Wham! song. It was written from the angle of a man being disillusioned by the material demands of his partner, despite the amount of work he does to keep her happy. In a twist, the second verse takes the story a step further by revealing that the woman is pregnant but the man cannot find any happiness in the announcement because "if my best isn't good enough, then how can it be good enough for two?" In stark contrast to its A-side it gained a large amount of royalties off MC Hammer who sampled the track without permission on his Please Hammer Don't Hurt Em album. In its own right it peaked at USA #1 & Canada #1 & Australia #7.
It scored points from 10 Haveners including 1 1st Gezza; 2 2nds Rooster & rubcale; & 1 3rd raliverpool.
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Post by raliverpool on May 18, 2017 20:18:28 GMT 1
And it was not close .....
1st 3 Careless Whisper (1984) 92 Pts
Co-written by Andrew Ridgeley, the other member of the duo. The two had written it together as developing artists three years earlier in Watford, England. This mid-tempo sentimental ballad with a saxophone solo by Steve Gregory, was issued in August 1984, entering the UK Singles Chart at number 12. Within two weeks, it was at number one, ending a nine-week run at the top for "Two Tribes" by Frankie Goes to Hollywood. It stayed at number one for three weeks, going on to become the fifth best-selling single of 1984 in the United Kingdom; it was outsold only by the two Frankie Goes to Hollywood tracks "Two Tribes" and "Relax," Stevie Wonder with "I Just Called to Say I Love You," and Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?" The song also topped the charts in 25 other countries, including the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States in February 1985 under the credit "Wham! featuring George Michael." Spending three weeks at the top in America, the song was later named Billboard's number-one song of 1985. In May 2017 Smooth Radio listeners voted it the greatest song of all time.
It scored points from 10 of us. However, many were high pointages with 4 1sts raliverpool; whitneyfan; mic1812; & Crazytowel; 2 2nds smokeyb & Shireblogger; 1 3rd Earl Purple & 2 4th places.
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Post by raliverpool on May 18, 2017 20:22:13 GMT 1
So I'll leave you with what I think is George Michael best ever performance; his cover of this 1976 Elton John album track which he covered for the Two Rooms Charity album:
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Post by o on May 18, 2017 20:59:33 GMT 1
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Gezza
Member
Posts: 7,846
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Post by Gezza on May 18, 2017 21:09:33 GMT 1
Boo ESW was robbed! Thanks for hosting
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Post by Shireblogger on May 18, 2017 21:23:59 GMT 1
Not remotely surprised at the winner; it is a truly classic song. Thanks very much for running this raliverpool, these are always fun, and superbly researched.
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Post by Whitneyfan on May 19, 2017 21:21:52 GMT 1
Deserved winner... I think there are only a handful of songs better than Careless Whisper by any artist, let alone by him!
Faith isn't one of my favourites but I can see why people like it as it is iconic.
And I don't think Last Christmas sounds even vaguely similar to Can't smile without you!!
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