Meaningful songs #27 - GEORGE MICHAEL

This  is the twenty-seventh in an occasional series of songs from my collection, with the intent of introducing music to younger readers that they may gain appreciation of music from the classic years, 1957-1990. 

I have lived long enough to hear the "popular" music industry become ever-more formulaic, lazy, uninspiring and cynical; delivering "units" and "artistes" as interesting and memorable as polished mud.

Meaningful songs that eloquently convey a story, sentiment, or social comment and make it to national consciousness are rare these days. If you agree this song is meaningful, please introduce it to someone young; they might enjoy becoming "musical archaeologists".

Todays song, titled "A Different Corner", released in 1986, is by a singer called George Michael.

Hear George Michael's song here

A Different Corner speaks of a deep crush or an undeclared love that eventually fails, because of fear of its consequences. Though the deepest of loves it comes to nought because it could not be declared*

* George was an undeclared homosexual at this time and was portrayed publicly as every girl's dream; he took the public humiliation on the chin at the time, but brilliantly gave the "media" the finger with a huge hit called Outside in 1996.

In 1986 George Michael was just about to disband the group (WHAM!) to go solo, which he achieved following the global success of this song.

To gather an insight as to how, when and why this song came to be recorded, read here George Michael's own words on the matter.

A DIFFERENT CORNER
    
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 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

Return to the first article in this series or hear the first song in this series.

Read the next article in this series or hear the next song in the series.

For the index of all songs in this blog click here.