George Michael took this track to the top of the UK singles chart for three weeks in 1984.
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Careless whisper by George Michael replaced Two tribes by Frankie Goes To Hollywood at the top of the UK singles chart thirty years ago this week. It had entered the top 40 two weeks previously at number 12 and broke into the top 10 a week later.
The song stayed at number 1 for three weeks and then made way for I just called to say I love you by Stevie Wonder. It spent the next four weeks in the top 10, all of them in the top 5, and then dropped into the lower top 40 for the final six weeks of its chart life.
Careless whisper was released on the Epic record label and was the first UK number 1 hit for George Michael. Although the single was credited to George Michael, it was included on Wham!’s quadruple-platinum-selling album Make it big, which spent two weeks at the top of the UK albums chart later in 1984 and was a US number 1. The single also topped the US chart and was certified platinum in the UK.
The song returned to the top 40 in 2004 when a cover version was recorded by 2Play featuring Thomas Jules and Jucxi D. The single reached number 29.
More music from George Michael
UK singles chart for the week ending 18 August 1984
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Careless whisper – George Michael
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Agadoo – Black Lace
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Two tribes – Frankie Goes To Hollywood
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Whatever I do (wherever I go) – Hazell Dean
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Self control – Laura Branigan
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When doves cry – Prince
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White lines (don’t don’t do it) – Grandmaster Flash and Melle Mel
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Like to get to know you well – Howard Jones
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