Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Careless Whisper (1985)

1) In this week's song, George Michael sings that, when it comes to relationships, "there's no comfort in the truth." Have you ever learned something about a friend, lover or relative that you wish you didn't know? Yes. Let's just leave it at that.

2) Though this was the top song of 1985, George wrote it years before, when he was still working as a dj at a restaurant outside London. He recalled the moment the sax solo popped into his head. It was while he was on the bus on his way to work. If you go to work, how do you get there (car, bus, train, etc.)? If you don't work outside the home, tell us about a trip you make regularly. I walk to work. I stride to the end of my block, turn right and walk until I hit the yoga studio. Then I turn left until I reach the card shop where I work. If there's no ice, I can make it in 8 minutes. (Not enough time to compose a sax solo.) I'm very lucky in that just about everywhere I go regularly is walkable.

 

3) The video for this song was very expensive. It was filmed on location all around Miami, including the luxury Grove Towers Condominiums, but then much of it had to be reshot because George didn't like his hair. Are you having a good hair day today? Ha! I'm answering these questions on Friday and I'm badly in need of the haircut I'm getting Saturday. I mean, right now, I have a mullet.

4) 1985 was a big year for George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley. As Wham! they had three songs on the charts and became the first Western pop music act to tour China. Have you ever visited China? Would you like to go? No, and no.

 
5) When he wasn't working, George was a creature of habit. For example, he never tired of Cocoa Puffs for breakfast and roast chicken for Sunday dinner. Is there a menu item you find yourself eating again and again? I like the breaded chicken strips (with honey mustard dipping sauce) from a nearby pizza joint and most weeks I get an order to go.

Rainbow Cone!

6) George enjoyed living quietly in Highgate, North London. It wasn't until after his death that his neighbors learned he was the "anonymous resident" who had been funding Highgate's Fair in the Square for years. Held in June each year, The Fair is known for its dog show, arts and crafts booths, music and food. Tell us about one of your community's annual events. The Taste of Chicago is one of the largest food festivals in North America. Typically there are 40 booths and a dozen food trucks, so you can find everything from ribs to rellenos to fried plantain to Rainbow Cones. (With all that variety,  it amuses me that my nephew takes this opportunity to compare/contrast different pizzas. Oh, well.) There's also live music. James Taylor, Phil Collins, Keith Urban, and CeeLo Green have all played there. It's a great place for people watching.

 

7) According to Car and Driver, when "Careless Whisper" was popular, so was the Chevy Cavalier, a compact car. Nearly 40 years later, the vehicle landscape is very different. There are fewer compacts sold and last year, the most popular Chevy was the Silverado, a light duty truck. Do you drive a car, a truck, or an SUV? I don't drive.

8) Also in 1985, Bill Shoemaker's earnings reached $100 million, making him the world's most successful jockey. Do you follow horse racing? Nope.

9) Random question -- In which race would you do better: the Iditarod, with sled dogs in Nome, or speeding in a race car at the Indy 500? Send me to Nome! I like dogs. I thrive in cold weather. Iditarod is fun to say.