GEORGE MICHAEL: A Different Corner

This was the first British #1 hit that featured an artist writing, singing, arranging, producing, and playing all the instruments on the song.

Michael said during the BBC One special for his concert at The Palais Garnier in 2014 about this tune, "I think you can tell that 'A Different Corner' is genuinely the sound of a man who's heart's been broken. I was 19 and the best critique I ever heard of that song was from a friend of mine who said, 'It's beautiful, pathetic, but beautiful.'"

This strong, reflective, mature ballad, awash with slowly pulsating keyboards, is totally different from the poppy sounds of Wham! At the time of its release in April 1986, George Michael was still part of the duo, but a few months later he and Andrew Ridgeley decided to split. This announcement was followed by an emotional farewell concert at Wembley Stadium in London, in front of 72,000 fans.

This was George Michael's first solo release in the US and his second solo release in the UK. (In the UK, "Careless Whisper" was credited to George Michael, whilst in America it was credited to Wham!). George Michael was the first solo act in the history of the UK chart to reach #1 with his first two releases

LYRICS 

I'd say love was a magical flame
I'd say love would keep us from pain
Had I been there
Had I been there

I would promise you all of my life
But to lose you would cut like a knife
So I don't dare
No, I don't dare

'Cause I've never come close in all of these years
You are the only one to stop my tears
And I'm so scared
I'm so scared

Take me back in time maybe I can forget
Turn a different corner and we never would have met
Would you care

I don't understand it, for you it's a breeze
Little by little you've brought me to my knees
Don't you care

No, I've never come close in all of these years
You are the only one to stop my tears
I'm so scared of this love

And if all that there is, is this fear of being used
I should go back to being lonely and confused
If I could, I would, I swear

Oh, I swear