George Michael’s classic hit Careless Whisper has been voted the musician’s best single by BBC Radio 2 listeners. 

The station’s ‘Your Ultimate George Michael Song’ show with Scott Mills counted down the Top 40 songs written by the Wham! star, as voted for by listeners.

It aired as part of the ‘Radio 2 Celebrates Songwriting’ season, marking 40 years since the late singer-songwriter first found success.

Careless Whisper was co-written by Michael and Ridgeley and originally appeared on Wham!’s second album, ‘Make It Big’. 

However, the song was released as Michael’s debut solo single and topped the charts in the UK, US, Australia, Canada, France, Holland, Italy, Ireland, South Africa and Switzerland.

It won the Ivor Novello award for Most Performed Work in 1984.

The George Michael Estate said: “George would be delighted, just as we are, that Radio 2 listeners have voted Careless Whisper as their favourite George Michael song. 

“George had a long standing and treasured relationship with his audience and we are all moved to see that the bond is as strong as ever. 

“We would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts and wish you all a happy New Year for 2022.”

Andrew Ridgeley added: “I am delighted that Radio 2 listeners have voted Careless Whisper paramount of a stellar constellation of songwriting gems. 

“It is testament to the timeless and fundamental essence of the song the teenage George and I considered the jewel in our, very slender, songwriting repertoire that it’s youthful, but beautifully expressed lament of lost love endures to touch the hearts of listeners still.”

The complete Top 40 is as follows (Title – UK Chart Position, Year of Release):

1. Careless Whisper – No. 1, 1984
2. A Different Corner – No. 1, 1986
3. Praying For Time – No.6, 1990
4. Faith – No. 2, 1987
5. Last Christmas – No. 2, 1984 & No.1 2020 (Wham!)
6. Cowboys And Angels – No. 45, 1991
7. Jesus To A Child – No. 1, 1996
8. Freedom 90 – No. 28, 1990
9. Father Figure – No. 11, 1988
10. Fast Love – No. 1, 1996
11. Everything She Wants – No.1, 1984 (Wham!)
12. Club Tropicana – No. 4, 1983 (Wham!)
13. You Have Been Loved – No.2, 1997
14. One More Try – No. 8, 1988
15. Kissing A Fool – No. 18, 1988
16. Wake Me Up Before You Go Go – No. 1, 1984 (Wham!)
17. Waiting For That Day – No. 23, 1990
18. Freedom – No. 1, 1984 (Wham!)
19. Outside – No. 2, 1997
20. Amazing – No.4, 2004
21. I’m Your Man – No. 1, 1985 (Wham!)
22. Heal The Pain – No. 31, 1991
23. The Edge Of Heaven – No. 1, 1986 (Wham!)
24. Spinning The Wheel – No. 2, 1996
25. Older – No.3, 1997
26. Young Guns (Go For It) – No. 3, 1982 (Wham!)
27. December Song (I Dreamed Of Christmas) – No. 14, 2009
28. Too Funky – No. 4, 1992
29. Wham Rap! (Enjoy What You Do) – No. 8, 1983 (Wham!)
30. Flawless (Go To The City) – No.8, 2004
31. I Want Your Sex – No. 3, 1987
32. This Is Not Real Love (With Mutya Buena) – No. 15, 2006
33. Star People 97 – No. 2, 1997
34. Bad Boys – No. 2, 1983 (Wham!)
35. The Strangest Thing 97 – No.2, 1997
36. An Easier Affair – No.13, 2006
37. Round Here – No. 32, 2004
38. Freeek! – No. 7, 2002
39. White Light – No. 15, 2012
40. Waltz Away Dreaming (With Toby Burke) – No. 10, 1997 (Toby Bourke/George Michael)