A Different Corner
"A Different Corner" | ||||
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Single by George Michael | ||||
from the album Music from the Edge of Heaven and The Final | ||||
Released | March 24, 1986 | |||
Recorded | 1984–1985 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length |
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Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | George Michael | |||
Producer(s) | George Michael | |||
George Michael singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"A Different Corner" (Official) on YouTube |
"A Different Corner" is a song written and performed by George Michael which was released on Epic Records (Columbia Records in the US) in 1986.
History
At the time of its release in March 1986, Michael was still a member of pop duo Wham! (the song is included on Wham!'s album Music from the Edge of Heaven only released in Japan and North America, as well as their compilation album The Final, released worldwide), though he and partner Andrew Ridgeley had announced that they would split in the summer after a farewell single, album and concert. Michael had already enjoyed a solo number one on the UK Singles Chart in 1984 with "Careless Whisper", which was credited as Wham! featuring George Michael in the US.
After radio DJ Simon Bates first aired "A Different Corner" on Radio 1, he rated the song so highly that he immediately played it again from the beginning. Michael went back to the top of the UK chart with "A Different Corner", becoming the first solo act in the history of the UK chart to reach number one with his first two releases, although he was hardly an unknown or new act on either occasion due to his previous hits with Wham!. The song reached number 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100, thus becoming the first single credited solely to Michael to become an American top-ten hit which was enough to make American executives at Epic Records confident that Michael would be viable as a solo artist and helped get the gears in motion for his solo album debut Faith. It was the first song to reach number one in the UK charts to be written, performed and produced by the same person.
The song was also remixed for his compilation Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael. This version omitted the guitar and Michael's background vocals during the instrumental break.
The song was featured in a 1986 episode of the US daytime soap opera Days of Our Lives.
The song was performed by Chris Martin as part of a tribute to Michael during the 2017 BRIT Awards.
A note on the back of the sleeve proclaims, "This record is dedicated to a memory."
Music video
The music video is set in a sparse white room with a window. George Michael is also dressed in white, and is shown sitting and walking around the room whilst singing the song.
Track listing
7": Epic / A 7033 (UK)
- "A Different Corner" – 3:57
- "A Different Corner" (instrumental) – 4:13
12": Epic / GTA 7033 (UK)
- "A Different Corner" – 3:57
- "A Different Corner" (instrumental) – 4:13
- released in gatefold sleeve
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Netherlands (NVPI)[30] | Platinum | 100,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[31] | Gold | 500,000^ |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
References
- ^ David Kent (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (Illustrated ed.). Sydney: Australian Chart Book. p. 199. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "George Michael – A Different Corner" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
- ^ "George Michael – A Different Corner" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0685." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
- ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 8220." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
- ^ "Singlet 1986-04 huhtikuu" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
- ^ "George Michael – A Different Corner" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
- ^ "George Michael Chart History". RÚV. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – A Different Corner". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
- ^ "Indice per Interprete: M: Michael, George" (in Italian). Hit Parade Italia. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
- ^ ジョージ・マイケルのランキング (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 20, 1986" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
- ^ "George Michael – A Different Corner" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
- ^ "George Michael – A Different Corner". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
- ^ "George Michael – A Different Corner". VG-lista. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
- ^ Fernando Salaverri (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
- ^ "George Michael – A Different Corner". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
- ^ "George Michael – A Different Corner". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
- ^ "George Michael Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
- ^ "George Michael Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – George Michael – A Different Corner" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
- ^ Kimberley, Christopher. Zimbabwe Singles Chart Book: 1965-1996.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1986". Ultratop. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
- ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1986". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1986". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
- ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1986". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
- ^ Nielsen Business Media, Inc (27 December 1986). "1986 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. 98 (52): Y-21.
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has generic name (help) - ^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
- ^ "Dutch single certifications – Wham! – A Different Corner" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Enter A Different Corner in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1986 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
- ^ "British single certifications – Wham! – A Different Corner". British Phonographic Industry. Select singles in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Type A Different Corner in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
External links
- Use dmy dates from July 2013
- 1986 singles
- 1986 songs
- George Michael songs
- European Hot 100 Singles number-one singles
- Dutch Top 40 number-one singles
- Number-one singles in Norway
- RPM Top Singles number-one singles
- UK Singles Chart number-one singles
- Songs written by George Michael
- 1980s ballads
- Pop ballads
- Contemporary R&B ballads
- Soul ballads
- Columbia Records singles
- Epic Records singles