Obviously George's final version is not simply better it's a masterpiece. What surprises me is to think that a boy of 20 had the strength to reject the version of a legendary producer like Wexler and go his own way. This song still gives me shivers after 40 years
The real question is why would jerry Wexler think this was any good. Doesn't take an expert to hear that this is just bad. Sounds like Wexler didn't care and put in a half hearted effort.
I think its the "what might have been-ness" about this version. Its beautiful in its own way, but there is something missing. Kind of like a sculpture sculpted without the sculptor's hand.
It's so interesting to hear this version. I also can totally understand why he didn't like this version. It's a bit cheesy sounding and it doesn't quite work.
This is the first version of "Careless Whisper", produced by Jerry Wexler in 1983. George was unhappy with it, and re-produced the song for its 1984 release. This very first version was released as a b-side on the japanese maxi-single.
I think this track still would have been a hit but the version George ended up producing and releasing was a timeless masterpiece. That's when you know you've written a good song. When a guaranteed Top 20 Billboard spot and national radio play is just not quite good enough. "Let's do it again... I think we can do better."
And this proves how amazing George Michael was as a singer, writer and producer. Him producing this song gave it all the soul it has and is the reason it got so big in the first place. This song is fine, but George’s version is superb.
Audio recorded in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, USA, produced by legendary Atlantic Records soul producer Jerry Wexler in 1983. The video was filmed in Florida. When George re-recorded and produced it himself some months later in 1984, new film was shot in a studio and intercut with the original film from the first video. Here's how his PR people explained his "change in look," to obscure any interest in the original recording and to obfuscate it as much as possible: George filmed the parts with his longer hair first, then inconvenienced everyone-cast and crew-by going back to England from Florida just to get his hair cut. The magazines I was reading at the time called it "The Most Expensive Haircut in History." Of course now we know that the shorter-hair footage was shot many, many months before the final version of the video.
This version actually is quite charming in an innocent 80s soap opera kind of way. This is still better than 90% of everything else released in the 80s, and I love 80s music.
Wow... I was today years old when I learned about this version. I'm so grateful for the final cut that George Michael did himself!! I miss him so much! 😞
Da quando ho scoperto questa canzone l'ho ascoltata almeno cento volte,ma non mi stanco mai d sentirla , è bellissima sentirla e vedere George che canta direttamente beautifull ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ grandissimo George ❤
Pretty much everyone that heard George and Andrew’s early demo of the song absolutely knew it was going to be a hit. So much so that they sat on it for a few years before it swung back into focus for completion. That’s the magic of a great song. When you hear it, you know it.
Very different. Sounds like the vocals were overdubbed. GM's vocal performance on his 1984 version is so much more dynamic. Funny to see this original cut of the music video. Did the femme fatale in the sports car flip him off at the end too? Brutal.
Since GM was unhappy with this version, this year of 2020 i'm feeling so happy when i heard it. And yes, i'm a 17 year old teen but i like it. #quarantineplaylist
You don’t need to be an adult to like old songs. The genre you grew up with is the one you’ll like the most. I’m also a teen but I like old songs, just because I grew up listen with it. My family was playing it the whole time.
@@takashi06228 That's awesome. I'm 60 and this genre was what everyone was listening to when I was in my 20's. It's so refreshing hearing todays generation liking this genre of music.
Kudos to you teenagers for expanding your listening range and openness to music from other decades. Keep digging the greats, there is so much more to explore.
The ending is fantastic. it has that gospel feel to it. I find myself listening to this version more now that the final version has been ingrained in my head forever
The Netflix documentary sent me on a quest. I simply had to hear the entire vapid version & it's really hard to believe this came out of Muscle Shoals. Had this been released Wham might've been doomed
No, Wham! wouldn't have been doomed and neither would GM's career - he wrote this song at 17, he wrote A Different Corner not much later, his talent wasn't going anywhere - yes, GM's version of this kickstarted his career but that career may have been different if GM wasn't the sort of the person to be so certain about his own talent and commitment to getting it right, the way he knew it should be. That's why his career was so stellar - He always knew when he wrote a good song, knew exactly how it should sound, how to get that sound and not accept anything less - like this weak version of his masterpiece.
The official version hits you right away with a more powerful saxophone, but this one has something sweeter and more melancholic in George's voice and in the final part, where the strings are heard much more and accompany the feeling of sadness that closes the song... I prefer this video to the official one because it explains better the story behind it. I would have kept it like this, rather than editing it with other clips of George Michael singing near some ropes on a dark background... This is a less elaborate, yet very delicate version. A diamond in the rough, in my opinion. And by the way, I also prefer this version of George, my beloved all-curls-and-girls George💖💖💖
For sure he did, because had he not, none of us would be here still talking about this song 38 years later. And listening to it, I think 90% of it was in the bass and guitar performance on the GM version.
Sherita Jones I was 3 years old in this version.... I heard it for the first time when I was 4 years old in 1984. Ever since I have been so in love with it.....
Well, the '84 version expresses the melancholy of romance, a state of mind that is relatable through the ages. On the other hand, this '83 version seems to me that expresses the 80s depression while being 100% faithful to the 80s soul sound. This version doesn't have the dynamic to be the timeless masterpiece this song really is.
I honestly don't think so if it was released, it would've probably been a "slept-on" album track not getting the chance of spotlight until later on. If this mix was picked then many wouldn't discover George Michael. George knew what he was doing when making the final mix, the final mix is perfection & timeless. It's like in the case of Billie Jean and how MJ, Bruce & Quincy mixed that song 92 times before getting to it's final form, a hit has to have structure and base. There's a reason why so many hit songs are timeless because of their sonic value.
This is not bad at all....it still would have been a Hit!......but big up’s to George M. ....he knew as the performer it could better,and it def. was...Forever A Classic.....🎧🔥 He was 17 when he wrote this.....🔥
It's crazy how much difference a year makes to George's vocals! This 1983 version, he sounds juvenile and young...but the 1984 version sounds he sounds like a mature real man who had been around the block a few times!❤😢
Admire GM for taking "Careless Whisper" and arranging and producing it himself , rather than taking this Jerry Wexler arrangement to market. This version of the song never would have been the world classic (no.1 in 25 countries) that it went on to become - as everyone points out, the instrumentals are cheesy, and the vocal effects are flat - George has added a fair bit of reverb/echo onto his voice in his own arrangement, which makes his voice sound so much richer. GM was only around 20 years old at the time - its amazing that 1) he had the balls to stand up to one of the legends of the music industry at such a young age, and 2) that he had incredible talent to do a better production job on the track than one of the industry's best respected producers at the time. What a talent!!
This would have fit right in on the Fantastic album. George's vocal performance is more in line with that debut album than it is with anything later. He even performed Careless Whisper on Wham!'s first tour, Club Fantastic, in 1983.
this is a version i would play in the background but the official version steals all of my attention. every ad lib, note change and sound of desperation and regret. and the strong sax, where i can’t help but move my head along like it‘s singing to me. in this version the sax line is pretty but in the official it is pretty AND at the same time hits you deeply
@@racheldan815 besides careless whisper there's also extra large black and white the first episode she plays the role of Mrs pillinger. if you find any other info on her let me know. on her obituary it doesn't have much info on the commercials and movies she appeared on
Being from Muscle Shoals, I would have to say for that time period George made the right decision but as some are posting, the original is beginning to sound better now that George's version seems trapped in that time period. I also guarantee you if you were listening to this as a completely finished product on an expensive sound system (as you've no doubt heard George's version on) instead of your crappy computer speakers, this would sound incredible as well, just different.
Originally I listened this version on my crappy handphone speaker it sounded meh..! After reading your comment, I bluetooh the sound to a better speaker with bass, and whoa... the difference it made.. and yes, some part of it is better. Can someone combine the best of both versions?
It starts weak....but keeps getting better and better to the extend that I actually like the ending better than George Michaels version. Overall I do like it.....
Aside from the audio, it’s also interesting to see the original video. I had always wondered why his hair was a different colour in the “story” sequences when he’d gone lighter for Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.
First time that I have heard this 36 years after it was recorded. I read about it in Andrews book. George was right, this is inferior to the version that was released as a single.
The strings at the end were a nice surprise. I don't hate this version. It's impossible to like it better than the familiar version, but it's very good in it's own ways.
This version sounds like a rough demo. A simple drum pattern and the saxophone riff is also being played all over the ending lyrics so you can't hear them properly. I've heard part of the original demo for Careless Whisper without the saxophone, and part of the demos for the Wham songs Young Guns and Wham Rap.
This truly goes to show the brilliance of George. He had been sitting on the song since he was 15 years old and knew exactly what he wanted from the recording. This version was too fast by about 10 to 15% and it is surprising that Jerry Wexler had anything to do with this. Because the instrumentation and the mix is very juvenile. There is no subtlety about any of the instruments. It’s all blasting in your face. Almost as if it was recorded in the 2000s. It also sounds as if it is a mono recording. Like he did this as fast and cheap as he possibly could. There is very little panning and it just doesn’t have a studio quality feel to it. Almost as if it was recorded in a home studio. The fact that George refused to use it for mass release and decided to re-record it and mix and master it himself… Incredible. Because the final mix on the Make It Big album is one of the best recordings ever. Not to mention, the instrumentation and background vocals totally made the song. God bless that man. He had such an impact on my life and my writing and recording style. I hope he has found peace beyond this life. To live happy and free, away from prying eyes and ears. Where he can just be the kid inside of him again.
George and Andrew left for the United States with the Careless Whisper demo. Jerry Wexler and George produced this original version of the song. Back in England, George, unconvinced by the final result, decided to record his own version, including that famous saxophone riff. An excellent decision, as George's version is a masterpiece.
George Michael was right, this version is okay, but I love the version that was finally released. I'm glad George fixed it. I am also glad that Jerry's version was released as well and not just forgotten. I have absolutley loved this sing since I was a small kid. Thanks for posting
It's honestly amazing to think about...a twenty year old British kid gave his song to one of the most legendary producers of all time, a guy who helped guide the careers of Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin, but then redid the song and handily outperformed the legend. George amped up the drums and the guitar riff, gave the bassline a little more pop and sizzle, and laid down a stronger vocal. The results are night and day, though...it's a testament to just how talented George was. And he still gave a writing credit to Andrew, which has helped the guy live comfortably ever since. And that is a testament to how kind George was.
Georges version has a timeless, elegant, haunting quality. This feels very early 80's , US TV show. And Georges voice sounds pretty flat in the mix - esp in contrast to the sexy, reverby sax. Nice strings though towards the end - very dramatic.
people are just so quick to judge in a tough way that version of Careless Whisper. Just because GM didn't like the way that it sounds doesn't mean it's awful ! come on its sounds different indeed but it's not that awful I like it though
This song is basically a sad song and this one sounds more saddened than official one which in my opinion they have converted into a romantic song by their mistake.
As I listened to this, I thought, "cheesy, elevator Muzak version." Then I read the comments of others and read the same things. Really this version sounds like a background song from a Miami Vice episode. George was right not to release this version except as a B side on a foreign release.
Until now I never appreciated -- or even noticed -- the subtle Latin percussion in the regular version, which gives it a richness that this version lacks. This version sounds rather thin and empty by comparison. I do like the outro to this version, though.
VERY NICE and the middle and ending are great. The vocals are alittle weak compared to the original and George's voice is better than its portrayed in this song.
the backup vocals werent developed either. some words are different if you listen close 'stay away" instead of "please stay" there was another stanza that was dropped from the beginning about "falling to the dancefloor" you can hear in his original demo in the biography on netflix. rip george.its sad he never liked this song...
Obviously George's final version is not simply better it's a masterpiece. What surprises me is to think that a boy of 20 had the strength to reject the version of a legendary producer like Wexler and go his own way. This song still gives me shivers after 40 years
I just said the same thing to my partner. To have that knowing and conviction at 20 is extraordinary. These two were rock solid as humans and friends.
Felt something was missing!
Kalpea versio Georgen loistavasta teoksesta ❤
The real question is why would jerry Wexler think this was any good. Doesn't take an expert to hear that this is just bad. Sounds like Wexler didn't care and put in a half hearted effort.
Hard to believe this is the best Wexler could do, sounds like something he did in his basement.
The final version is absolutely brilliant but there’s something about this one that makes me shiver
I think its the "what might have been-ness" about this version. Its beautiful in its own way, but there is something missing. Kind of like a sculpture sculpted without the sculptor's hand.
I can totally understand why George Michael didn’t like this
It's so interesting to hear this version. I also can totally understand why he didn't like this version. It's a bit cheesy sounding and it doesn't quite work.
Me too!!!
it sounds like karaoke
It sounds like "tinny" soap opera/Emmys..orchestral music. George's vocals are IMPECCABLE, as usual !! 🤴 🇬🇧
Metoo
It's testament to George's talent that he was able to bring this song to a much higher level with his own production.
This is the first version of "Careless Whisper", produced by Jerry Wexler in 1983. George was unhappy with it, and re-produced the song for its 1984 release. This very first version was released as a b-side on the japanese maxi-single.
Thanks for sharing.. this is so original💜🤗
THE VIDEOCLIP IS DIFFERENT TOOOO how did you get this????
@@juliadelgadoortiz5484 this was the first video released, nowadays very hard to come by.
So glad George re-recorded, touch of a genius
Agree. This version has no soul .
I think this track still would have been a hit but the version George ended up producing and releasing was a timeless masterpiece. That's when you know you've written a good song. When a guaranteed Top 20 Billboard spot and national radio play is just not quite good enough. "Let's do it again... I think we can do better."
I'm glad George Michael took matters into his own hands.
And this proves how amazing George Michael was as a singer, writer and producer. Him producing this song gave it all the soul it has and is the reason it got so big in the first place. This song is fine, but George’s version is superb.
Audio recorded in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, USA, produced by legendary Atlantic Records soul producer Jerry Wexler in 1983. The video was filmed in Florida. When George re-recorded and produced it himself some months later in 1984, new film was shot in a studio and intercut with the original film from the first video. Here's how his PR people explained his "change in look," to obscure any interest in the original recording and to obfuscate it as much as possible: George filmed the parts with his longer hair first, then inconvenienced everyone-cast and crew-by going back to England from Florida just to get his hair cut. The magazines I was reading at the time called it "The Most Expensive Haircut in History." Of course now we know that the shorter-hair footage was shot many, many months before the final version of the video.
Thanks for filling in some blanks there!
Melanie his middle sister was his hairdresser.
This version actually is quite charming in an innocent 80s soap opera kind of way. This is still better than 90% of everything else released in the 80s, and I love 80s music.
Even the mic choice isn’t right on this version. Whatever George ended up using for the final version was perfect.
Wow... I was today years old when I learned about this version. I'm so grateful for the final cut that George Michael did himself!! I miss him so much! 😞
а мне сегодня лет😂
I really enjoy both versions! It is his voice and spirit that sends me. A Greek Statue come to life complete with a soul and heart.
Da quando ho scoperto questa canzone l'ho ascoltata almeno cento volte,ma non mi stanco mai d sentirla , è bellissima sentirla e vedere George che canta direttamente beautifull ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ grandissimo George ❤
Pretty much everyone that heard George and Andrew’s early demo of the song absolutely knew it was going to be a hit. So much so that they sat on it for a few years before it swung back into focus for completion. That’s the magic of a great song. When you hear it, you know it.
This was interesting, but the George version is untouchable of course. Such an amazing production.
Very different. Sounds like the vocals were overdubbed. GM's vocal performance on his 1984 version is so much more dynamic. Funny to see this original cut of the music video. Did the femme fatale in the sports car flip him off at the end too? Brutal.
Since GM was unhappy with this version, this year of 2020 i'm feeling so happy when i heard it.
And yes, i'm a 17 year old teen but i like it. #quarantineplaylist
You don’t need to be an adult to like old songs. The genre you grew up with is the one you’ll like the most. I’m also a teen but I like old songs, just because I grew up listen with it. My family was playing it the whole time.
@@takashi06228 im 14 and i love old songs, song is just song it doesnt matter what are u listening
@@blitzboy9095 I totally agree.
@@takashi06228 That's awesome. I'm 60 and this genre was what everyone was listening to when I was in my 20's. It's so refreshing hearing todays generation liking this genre of music.
Kudos to you teenagers for expanding your listening range and openness to music from other decades. Keep digging the greats, there is so much more to explore.
This is like watching footage of Back to the Future with erick stoltz instead of mike fox
Bona fide LOL there
Si RUclips existiera en los 80s este sería el video mas visto de la historia.
The ending is fantastic. it has that gospel feel to it. I find myself listening to this version more now that the final version has been ingrained in my head forever
cool
i like the ending to the one released very haunting is is the beginning
Today 11th of October 2024, for the very first time in my life I know about this, and I was born in the 1970's . Glad I found this.
There's an even earlier version too thats much different.
Immortal song , Immortal artist .
Rest in Peace George Michael 🎤🌹💐.
And even the videoclip is different, what an amazing find!
It’s not hard to see why George wasn’t too thrilled about Wexler’s mix. The reverb-drenched sax just reeks of the 70’s
so instead put the glossy 80's sax
@@cultfilmfreakreviews it's better to say george's version defined the 80's sax
And the percussion is madness, I definitely see why George reworked that.
OK damn I'm loving this version!!! The ending is incredible. Its got more innocence and I want it on CD now. Yes I still use CDs :)
😃lol, mee too
Shows George Michael’s brilliance in his reproducing Careless Whisper to create the classy and forever loved song and video it is! ❤❤❤
The Netflix documentary sent me on a quest. I simply had to hear the entire vapid version & it's really hard to believe this came out of Muscle Shoals. Had this been released Wham might've been doomed
Yes I had to bear this too . His voice is more subdued but still very very good
No, Wham! wouldn't have been doomed and neither would GM's career - he wrote this song at 17, he wrote A Different Corner not much later, his talent wasn't going anywhere - yes, GM's version of this kickstarted his career but that career may have been different if GM wasn't the sort of the person to be so certain about his own talent and commitment to getting it right, the way he knew it should be. That's why his career was so stellar - He always knew when he wrote a good song, knew exactly how it should sound, how to get that sound and not accept anything less - like this weak version of his masterpiece.
I quite like this version! They both have their qualities but I can see why George Michael wanted to change it. His version is higher quality
Fantastic song.
Well, I love both versions. I miss you Georgios!💔
The official version hits you right away with a more powerful saxophone, but this one has something sweeter and more melancholic in George's voice and in the final part, where the strings are heard much more and accompany the feeling of sadness that closes the song... I prefer this video to the official one because it explains better the story behind it. I would have kept it like this, rather than editing it with other clips of George Michael singing near some ropes on a dark background... This is a less elaborate, yet very delicate version. A diamond in the rough, in my opinion. And by the way, I also prefer this version of George, my beloved all-curls-and-girls George💖💖💖
This version is like background music in a restaurant or shopping mall feel to it.
Would have never been the hit it became if this stayed. Yikes…..
Yeah, because that’s not at all what the released version has become…
This version looks like "lounge version" 😊 for Hotel lobby, I like It to😊
Although George made the right call in doing it his way, Wexler's fade-out ending -- the last 30 seconds -- is actually pretty incredible.
For sure he did, because had he not, none of us would be here still talking about this song 38 years later. And listening to it, I think 90% of it was in the bass and guitar performance on the GM version.
If they would have just kept that ending in the GM version...
@@michaeljasongaines2363 GM's reproduced stays consistent where Jerry Wexler's just keeps building until it lets rip at the end.
This is a masterpiece the more I listen to it
?? Just more strings and a gospel piano right in the last few seconds.
Such an amazing song. This version is also made to perfection.
To each their own, but George Michael knew exactly what he was looking for...and this wasn't it.
I love both versions because of George’s voice . But the official version rocks with the Sax intro
Sir Andrew Ridgeley delivers the "Dear George" note at 3:41 ! 😥 💔
I was only in the 6th grade when this song came out and I still love it!😘
Sherita Jones I was 3 years old in this version.... I heard it for the first time when I was 4 years old in 1984. Ever since I have been so in love with it.....
Well, the '84 version expresses the melancholy of romance, a state of mind that is relatable through the ages. On the other hand, this '83 version seems to me that expresses the 80s depression while being 100% faithful to the 80s soul sound. This version doesn't have the dynamic to be the timeless masterpiece this song really is.
I think that this version has much more of a 70s sound to it. And the other one an 80s sound.
This still sounds good and it would have still been a hit if was released but George's retouched version is perfection.
The last 30 secs should have been carried over.
I honestly don't think so if it was released, it would've probably been a "slept-on" album track not getting the chance of spotlight until later on. If this mix was picked then many wouldn't discover George Michael. George knew what he was doing when making the final mix, the final mix is perfection & timeless. It's like in the case of Billie Jean and how MJ, Bruce & Quincy mixed that song 92 times before getting to it's final form, a hit has to have structure and base. There's a reason why so many hit songs are timeless because of their sonic value.
This is not bad at all....it still would have been a Hit!......but big up’s to George M. ....he knew as the performer it could better,and it def. was...Forever A Classic.....🎧🔥
He was 17 when he wrote this.....🔥
nice, never heard this version before...it sounds like a demo, but still nice
the ending is really not bad, and George came back to pay the taxi fee 👍🏼
It's crazy how much difference a year makes to George's vocals! This 1983 version, he sounds juvenile and young...but the 1984 version sounds he sounds like a mature real man who had been around the block a few times!❤😢
Find a job bro
@@GilesHartop go back to Washington State
Admire GM for taking "Careless Whisper" and arranging and producing it himself , rather than taking this Jerry Wexler arrangement to market. This version of the song never would have been the world classic (no.1 in 25 countries) that it went on to become - as everyone points out, the instrumentals are cheesy, and the vocal effects are flat - George has added a fair bit of reverb/echo onto his voice in his own arrangement, which makes his voice sound so much richer. GM was only around 20 years old at the time - its amazing that 1) he had the balls to stand up to one of the legends of the music industry at such a young age, and 2) that he had incredible talent to do a better production job on the track than one of the industry's best respected producers at the time. What a talent!!
And 3) Recognize a weak result from an intimidating, respected producer.
You just saved me having to write what I was about to. I agree 100%.
This would have fit right in on the Fantastic album. George's vocal performance is more in line with that debut album than it is with anything later. He even performed Careless Whisper on Wham!'s first tour, Club Fantastic, in 1983.
Oh I hope Andrew makes the recordings available
The only thing about this that stayed the same is that awesome 80s snare sound.
Muchimas Gracias Daniel por no dejarme sola
this is a version i would play in the background but the official version steals all of my attention. every ad lib, note change and sound of desperation and regret. and the strong sax, where i can’t help but move my head along like it‘s singing to me. in this version the sax line is pretty but in the official it is pretty AND at the same time hits you deeply
The song builds up. Starting weaker that the final version, but in my opinion the end is stronger and had more drama feel in it.
Shows the masterpiece of GM
Muchas gracias saludos por parte de mi mamá y mi familia que son de bendición
we got to see more of Madeline Andrews Hodge in this version
Do you know the woman in black???i cant find her name
@@racheldan815 Madeline Andrews there's hardly any info on her on the web
@@ronyaugust4034 oh really? Thank you so much❤️ do you know any film or movie she played in???
OMG she passed away in 2012??? 😢😢😢
@@racheldan815 besides careless whisper there's also extra large black and white the first episode she plays the role of Mrs pillinger. if you find any other info on her let me know. on her obituary it doesn't have much info on the commercials and movies she appeared on
Being from Muscle Shoals, I would have to say for that time period George made the right decision but as some are posting, the original is beginning to sound better now that George's version seems trapped in that time period. I also guarantee you if you were listening to this as a completely finished product on an expensive sound system (as you've no doubt heard George's version on) instead of your crappy computer speakers, this would sound incredible as well, just different.
Ken Perk Well, I heard both on my crappy computer speakers
And NEITHER sounded good, right?
+Chad H. Nelson wow
Thanks for sharing this. I've included it in my 35th anniversary article on CW stevepafford.com/carelessw/
Originally I listened this version on my crappy handphone speaker it sounded meh..! After reading your comment, I bluetooh the sound to a better speaker with bass, and whoa... the difference it made.. and yes, some part of it is better. Can someone combine the best of both versions?
Love George ❤️
Who says you can't improve perfect?
It starts weak....but keeps getting better and better to the extend that I actually like the ending better than George Michaels version.
Overall I do like it.....
I agree with you 11 years later.
Yeah it’s very cool although it’s very overcompressed. No dynamics left here. But the idea very good
Aside from the audio, it’s also interesting to see the original video. I had always wondered why his hair was a different colour in the “story” sequences when he’d gone lighter for Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.
George knew this wasn’t the best it could be . That’s called having better ears then Wexler
This version sounds like a generic intro to a TV-show. George's final version was divinely inspired.
The synth in the released version makes the song
2:44 can hear the tinge of Smokey Robinson in his voice and to think they covered this together live.
The best song of all time
Feliz Cumpleaños Mi Unica Verdaderamente Nina Hermosa
First time that I have heard this 36 years after it was recorded. I read about it in Andrews book. George was right, this is inferior to the version that was released as a single.
I like this. I think it's pretty nice
The strings at the end were a nice surprise. I don't hate this version. It's impossible to like it better than the familiar version, but it's very good in it's own ways.
The quality of the song is awesome!! Thanks for posting it!!
Never have heard or seen this version before...Thanks for posting it....Maybe it will be re-released in the future in one of those "deluxe" editions.
This version sounds like a rough demo. A simple drum pattern and the saxophone riff is also being played all over the ending lyrics so you can't hear them properly. I've heard part of the original demo for Careless Whisper without the saxophone, and part of the demos for the Wham songs Young Guns and Wham Rap.
This truly goes to show the brilliance of George. He had been sitting on the song since he was 15 years old and knew exactly what he wanted from the recording.
This version was too fast by about 10 to 15% and it is surprising that Jerry Wexler had anything to do with this. Because the instrumentation and the mix is very juvenile. There is no subtlety about any of the instruments. It’s all blasting in your face. Almost as if it was recorded in the 2000s. It also sounds as if it is a mono recording. Like he did this as fast and cheap as he possibly could. There is very little panning and it just doesn’t have a studio quality feel to it. Almost as if it was recorded in a home studio.
The fact that George refused to use it for mass release and decided to re-record it and mix and master it himself… Incredible. Because the final mix on the Make It Big album is one of the best recordings ever. Not to mention, the instrumentation and background vocals totally made the song. God bless that man. He had such an impact on my life and my writing and recording style. I hope he has found peace beyond this life. To live happy and free, away from prying eyes and ears. Where he can just be the kid inside of him again.
George and Andrew left for the United States with the Careless Whisper demo. Jerry Wexler and George produced this original version of the song. Back in England, George, unconvinced by the final result, decided to record his own version, including that famous saxophone riff. An excellent decision, as George's version is a masterpiece.
The more I hear it the more I like it
And the Miami building
George Michael was right, this version is okay, but I love the version that was finally released. I'm glad George fixed it. I am also glad that Jerry's version was released as well and not just forgotten. I have absolutley loved this sing since I was a small kid. Thanks for posting
awesum
Goes to show you how much that last 15% of polish goes into creating the perfection production.
It's honestly amazing to think about...a twenty year old British kid gave his song to one of the most legendary producers of all time, a guy who helped guide the careers of Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin, but then redid the song and handily outperformed the legend. George amped up the drums and the guitar riff, gave the bassline a little more pop and sizzle, and laid down a stronger vocal. The results are night and day, though...it's a testament to just how talented George was.
And he still gave a writing credit to Andrew, which has helped the guy live comfortably ever since. And that is a testament to how kind George was.
I recognise Andrea Rirdgly as the cab driver!
Prefer this version, maybe because its sounds fresh compared to the version I've heard a million times.
We are very lucky that G M followed his instincts and didn´t fall for this..!
Love that Hammond!!
The fact that he believed that he could do better than Wexler was a turning point. The emergence, and the brilliance of 'George Michael' was assured..
The middle finger at the end. 🤣😂🤣😂
Love the ending though
Georges version has a timeless, elegant, haunting quality. This feels very early 80's , US TV show. And Georges voice sounds pretty flat in the mix - esp in contrast to the sexy, reverby sax. Nice strings though towards the end - very dramatic.
George Michaels actually hated this particular version, yet again... either one works for me.
people are just so quick to judge in a tough way that version of Careless Whisper. Just because GM didn't like the way that it sounds doesn't mean it's awful ! come on its sounds different indeed but it's not that awful I like it though
This song is basically a sad song and this one sounds more saddened than official one which in my opinion they have converted into a romantic song by their mistake.
LOVE IT !!!!!!!!!
As I listened to this, I thought, "cheesy, elevator Muzak version." Then I read the comments of others and read the same things. Really this version sounds like a background song from a Miami Vice episode. George was right not to release this version except as a B side on a foreign release.
Until now I never appreciated -- or even noticed -- the subtle Latin percussion in the regular version, which gives it a richness that this version lacks. This version sounds rather thin and empty by comparison. I do like the outro to this version, though.
VERY NICE and the middle and ending are great. The vocals are alittle weak compared to the original and George's voice is better than its portrayed in this song.
Muchas gracias saludos por parte de mi mamá que me ha ayudado
This video clip is better than the official but I prefer the official song
True I perefer George's version too and this version is good not as good as George's but in my opinion the endings are both good
A great song is always a great song; like this one for exmple
Muchas gracias saludos por parte de mi mamá y todos ustedes y los quiero mucho y que dios los bendiga y los cuide mucho y porque no les falta nada
I love it
Muchas gracias saludos por parte de mi mamá
the backup vocals werent developed either. some words are different if you listen close 'stay away" instead of "please stay" there was another stanza that was dropped from the beginning about "falling to the dancefloor" you can hear in his original demo in the biography on netflix. rip george.its sad he never liked this song...
Both are good and meant for different occasions or moods. You are wrong.
Love It.