A separate HD archival release featured Michael singing “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” at Live Aid in 1985. Elton John had invited him to perform the track during John’s set. As Michael delivers the song, John is visible watching him with a large smile. The appearance was the first time the pair had performed the number together; in 1991, they released a duet version that became a hit.
Wham! Released “Careless Whisper” on July 20, 1984. Worldwide sales reached six million copies, making it Michael’s second-biggest hit after “Last Christmas.” Michael had written the song when he was 18, and he devised its distinctive saxophone hook during a bus ride.
The lyrics drew on Michael’s guilt over being unfaithful to his girlfriend when he was a teenager. He later recalled that they frequently danced together. In his explanation, “Careless Whisper” returned them to that setting, with his girlfriend aware of what he had done.
