Careless Whisper

Co-written by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley when they were just 17, this sultry ballad marked a significant shift away from Wham!'s upbeat bubblegum pop toward mature adult-contemporary. The song's defining feature is Steve Gregory's deeply sensual, longing saxophone riff, which took multiple studio sessions and players to perfect. It became a colossal international hit and established George Michael's viability as a serious solo artist.