Careless Whisper
"Careless Whisper"
"I feel so unsure
As I take your hand and lead you to the dance floor
As the music dies, something in your eyes
Calls to mind the silver screen
And all its sad good-byes"
"I feel so unsure
As I take your hand and lead you to the dance floor
As the music dies, something in your eyes
Calls to mind the silver screen
And all its sad good-byes"
Recently, while watching ABC's Dancing With The Stars, this blog writer thought to herself how well suited pop music icon George Michael's debut solo single "Careless Whisper" would lend itself to the rumba. The rumba is a slow, sensual dance which is uncharacteristic of other Latin ballroom dances. There's also no rise and fall in the choreography aka footwork. The dance steps are small, the flirtatious hip action is achieved by bending and straightening the knees rather than swiveling the hips.
Music's purpose isn't just to entertain as one of its primary functions is to move its listener in some manner whether it be their: minds, hearts or bodies. Have you ever wondered how a song is selected to be included in a television show or movie? That's the important roll that music supervisors play in television programming and movies which feature scenes set to music or like Dancing With The Stars where a particular song serves as the backstory for a particular dance routine.
Every song that is sourced for the purpose of being included on the soundtrack of a television show or movie must be 'cleared', which in layman terms means obtaining permission from the music publishers and copyright holders to license the music so that it can be used legally. How can this blog writer's guilty pleasure come to fruition, in the foreseeable future, when the future of George Michael's legacy seems to be hanging in the balance?
Music's purpose isn't just to entertain as one of its primary functions is to move its listener in some manner whether it be their: minds, hearts or bodies. Have you ever wondered how a song is selected to be included in a television show or movie? That's the important roll that music supervisors play in television programming and movies which feature scenes set to music or like Dancing With The Stars where a particular song serves as the backstory for a particular dance routine.
Every song that is sourced for the purpose of being included on the soundtrack of a television show or movie must be 'cleared', which in layman terms means obtaining permission from the music publishers and copyright holders to license the music so that it can be used legally. How can this blog writer's guilty pleasure come to fruition, in the foreseeable future, when the future of George Michael's legacy seems to be hanging in the balance?
"The Long and Winding Road"
Royal Albert Hall - 10 April 1999
American Lovelies share a different relationship with George Michael from those of Lovelies from countries where he maintained a more consistent presence both physically as well as on the music charts. It wasn't until a few days ago, that it dawned on this blog writer why she likened the polarization between Michael's fans whose support teetered between his former partners to the infamous East Coast - West Coast hip hop feud of the 1990's, in her article "Rivalry & Unity."
George Michael's music served as the soundtrack of my teenage years but post Listen Without Prejudice, Volume. I's release, in 1990 there was a six year period where he was absent from the commercial music scene. Music consumers, like most other consumers, are fickle in that if they don't get what they want they move on to the next great thing. During the 90's hip hop music was that 'thing' and its popularity was soaring to record heights while Michael's popularity dipped.
Throughout George Michael's career there were periods of activity followed by long breaks between albums and yet his popularity never faded Internationally. In his documentary film titled Freedom his fans learned about the impact that his legal battle with his record label, Sony, had on his career particularly here in the United States. After his untimely passing we not only mourned the loss of our beloved icon but we also mourned the fact that there would be no more tours ... no more comebacks.
Throughout George Michael's career there were periods of activity followed by long breaks between albums and yet his popularity never faded Internationally. In his documentary film titled Freedom his fans learned about the impact that his legal battle with his record label, Sony, had on his career particularly here in the United States. After his untimely passing we not only mourned the loss of our beloved icon but we also mourned the fact that there would be no more tours ... no more comebacks.
Smurfs: The Lost Village (2017)
Box Office Gross: 197.2 million USD
In the Spring of 2017, this blog writer was sitting in a movie theater watching Smurfs: The Lost Village when the iconic saxophone riff from "Careless Whisper" began flowing from the surround sound. It was a brilliant business decision on behalf of George Michael's management and creative team to allow the use of the riff as animated films have become the foremost vehicle for introducing young children to: new, retro and alternative artists through their music.
Last fall, fans were introduced to the forward thinking "Project Freedom" campaign which was said to be a compilation of personal stories of fifteen individuals who are living their 'truth'. Sadly, this project was put on hold, with no further information being made available regarding its status. Since then George Michael's official website georgemichael.com has been nearly dismantled with the exception of a personal communications from Michael's family the last post was on 25 June 2018.
In recent days, my mind has been preoccupied with the flaring tensions between George Michael's fans stretching across all social media platforms, with respect to the air of uncertainty that continues to loom over the direction of the late icon's legacy, nearly two years after his passing. As the author of this blog it's my responsibility to weigh the arguments in a manor that brings about a better understanding while remaining authentic and true to myself ... even if my opinion(s) upset others.
Without a vibrant, innovative and content packed website, the designation of a transition team or a transition plan set in motion the future of George Michael's legacy is at risk. These words are difficult for me to write because as fans we're out of place making demands on grieving family members. This blog writer understands their grief and has often asked the Lovelies to be more patient, to keep the faith and be more understanding of their feelings ... so I've felt very torn.
The stark reality is that there is no expiration date for how long one grieves but if one chooses to turn that grief into a celebration of their departed loved one's life it makes things easier ... a little at a time. There are many Lovelies who do their best to uphold George Michael's legacy whether it be by sharing: his music, their memories, photos, his passion for charitable causes but most importantly they value what he taught them about freedom and living their truth.
This blog writer shared publicly how pumped she was to hear the music of Whitney Houston, Prince, Michael Jackson and Aretha Franklin, four icons in their own right, in recent television commercials. Being reminded of their amazing songs made me appreciate their artistry all over again and I want countless others to feel the same way about George Michael's music. If, we can engage their minds they may want to listen and discover "Careless Whisper" as well as other songs in his discography.
It is my fervent hope this article has given you all something to think about. Please keep in mind that this blog writer hasn't chosen sides. Simply put ... I've chosen George Michael and have worked diligently to uphold the principles that he lived by. Please be kind to one another and listen without prejudice.
"Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me" - Live
George Michael & Elton John
Without a vibrant, innovative and content packed website, the designation of a transition team or a transition plan set in motion the future of George Michael's legacy is at risk. These words are difficult for me to write because as fans we're out of place making demands on grieving family members. This blog writer understands their grief and has often asked the Lovelies to be more patient, to keep the faith and be more understanding of their feelings ... so I've felt very torn.
The stark reality is that there is no expiration date for how long one grieves but if one chooses to turn that grief into a celebration of their departed loved one's life it makes things easier ... a little at a time. There are many Lovelies who do their best to uphold George Michael's legacy whether it be by sharing: his music, their memories, photos, his passion for charitable causes but most importantly they value what he taught them about freedom and living their truth.
George Michael's legacy should represent everything that he was during
his lifetime, in the public eye. Preserving his legacy transcends beyond his
fans continuing to share his music, videos, and photos on social media; it's
about taking everything that he was and carrying that forward. - @GkpPositively
This blog writer shared publicly how pumped she was to hear the music of Whitney Houston, Prince, Michael Jackson and Aretha Franklin, four icons in their own right, in recent television commercials. Being reminded of their amazing songs made me appreciate their artistry all over again and I want countless others to feel the same way about George Michael's music. If, we can engage their minds they may want to listen and discover "Careless Whisper" as well as other songs in his discography.
It is my fervent hope this article has given you all something to think about. Please keep in mind that this blog writer hasn't chosen sides. Simply put ... I've chosen George Michael and have worked diligently to uphold the principles that he lived by. Please be kind to one another and listen without prejudice.
George Michael fan group Freedom For George Michael is currently
hosting this fundraising campaign benefiting MacMillan Cancer Centre, featuring
these stunning 2019 wall calendars and planners (diaries).
For pricing, additional information regarding this
fundraising campaign or to place your order:
Direct Message Tonia on Twitter:
@Toniakats17
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