A Different Corner

"A Different Corner"
"A Different Corner"
Single by George Michael
from the album Music from the Edge of Heaven and The Final
Released	24 March 1986
Recorded	Autumn 1985
Genre	Pop
Length	4:32 (LP version); 3:57 (single edit);
Label	Epic; Columbia;
Songwriter(s)	George Michael
Producer(s)	George Michael
George Michael singles chronology
Music video
	"A Different Corner" on YouTube

"A Different Corner" is a song written and performed by English singer and songwriter George Michael that was released on Epic Records (Columbia Records in the US) in 1986.

Background and writing

"A Different Corner" was written by Michael while Wham! were at their peak as a duo, and during a low point in his life.^[3]

Michael said that "A Different Corner" was the "most honest" and personal song he had ever written.^[4] He elaborated further on the song's meaning:

"That was about a very quick relationship, a here today gone tomorrow one. It's amazing how emotional you can get in a short period of time and how long it can last. Someone can really shake you up and it takes you a long time to get yourself back on your feet; that was what that was about."^[5]

According to Michael, the song took roughly 14 hours to write and record from beginning to end.^[6] The synthesizer textures were created with a Roland Juno-60 synthesizer.^[7]

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.^{[citation needed]}

Cover versions

1992: Pepsi & Shirlie
2017: Coldplay (in memory of George Michael at the Brit Awards)^[8]

Music video

The music video is set in a sparse white room with a window. 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

Chart (1986)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)^[9]	4
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)^[10]	6
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)^[11]	2
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[12]	1
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)^[13]	2
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)^[14]	1
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)^[15]	3
France (SNEP)^[16]	16
Germany (GfK)^[17]	7
Iceland (RÚV)^[18]	7
Ireland (IRMA)^[19]	2
Japan (Oricon)^[20]	78
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[21]	1
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[22]	2
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[23]	3
Norway (VG-lista)^[24]	1
Portugal (AFP)^[25]	1
Spain (PROMUSICAE Top 40 Radio)^[26]	28
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)^[27]	18
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[28]	3
UK Singles (OCC)^[29]	1
US Billboard Hot 100^[30]	7
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)^[31]	6
Zimbabwe (ZIMA)^[32]	1

Year-end charts

Chart (1986)	Position
Australia (Kent Music Report)^[33]	58
Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)^[34]	8
Canada (RPM)^[35]	27
Germany (Official German Charts)^[36]	72
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[37]	3
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[38]	5
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[39]	49
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[40]	20
UK Singles (OCC)^[41]	12
US Top Pop Singles (Billboard)^[42]	98

Certifications


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Netherlands (NVPI)^[43]	Platinum	100,000^{^}
United Kingdom (BPI)^[45]	Gold	547,047^[44]
^{^} Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

^ "New Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 22 March 1986. p. 8. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
^ "George Michael Interview on New Musical Express 1985: Idoling Away the Years". Gmforever.com. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
^ "George Michael: Artist or Airhead? (Musician, 1988)". Gmforever.com.
^ "George Michael: "Andrew Knew He Was There For A Purpose" (1986)". Gmforever.com. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
^ "1987 Smash Hits Magazine Interview with George Michael". Gmforever.com. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
^ "George Michael Interview on Countdown (1988)". Gmforever.com. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
^ "George Michael Wham/solo songs comments & research". 12 January 2021. Archived from the original on 25 January 2021.
^ Coldplay ~~A Different Corner----- Tribute to George Michael, 5 March 2017, retrieved 6 March 2024
^ 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.
^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
^ "Singlet 1986-04 huhtikuu" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Archived from the original on 6 April 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
^ "George Michael – A Different Corner" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
^ "George Michael – A Different Corner" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
^ "George Michael Chart History". RÚV. 22 March 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – A Different Corner". Irish Singles Chart. 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.
^ "Top 3 Portugal" (PDF). Music & Media. 2 August 1986. p. 8. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
^ 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.
^ Kimberley, Christopher. Zimbabwe Singles Chart Book: 1965–1996.
^ "National Top 100 Singles for 1986". Kent Music Report. No. 650. December 1986. Retrieved 24 January 2023 – via Imgur.
^ "Jaaroverzichten 1986". Ultratop. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
^ "Top 100 Singles of '86". RPM. 27 December 1986. Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. 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.
^ "Top Selling Singles of 1986". The Official NZ Music Charts. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1986". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
^ "Official Top 40 best-selling songs of 1986". Official Charts. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
^ "1986 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 98, no. 52. Nielsen Business Media Inc. 27 December 1986. p. Y-21.
^ "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".
^ "George Michael on the charts". Music Week. Intent Media. 11 January 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
^ "British single certifications – Wham! – A Different Corner". British Phonographic Industry.

External links

"A Different Corner" on YouTube (live on BBC's Parkinson)

[1] "New Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 22 March 1986. p. 8. Retrieved 16 August 2024.

[2] "George Michael Interview on New Musical Express 1985: Idoling Away the Years". Gmforever.com. Retrieved 24 April 2021.

[3] "George Michael: Artist or Airhead? (Musician, 1988)". Gmforever.com.

[4] "George Michael: "Andrew Knew He Was There For A Purpose" (1986)". Gmforever.com. Retrieved 24 April 2021.

[5] "1987 Smash Hits Magazine Interview with George Michael". Gmforever.com. Retrieved 24 April 2021.

[6] "George Michael Interview on Countdown (1988)". Gmforever.com. Retrieved 24 April 2021.

[7] "George Michael Wham/solo songs comments & research". 12 January 2021. Archived from the original on 25 January 2021.

[8] Coldplay ~~A Different Corner----- Tribute to George Michael, 5 March 2017, retrieved 6 March 2024

[9] David Kent (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (Illustrated ed.). Sydney: Australian Chart Book. p. 199. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.

[sc_Austria_George_Michael-10] "George Michael – A Different Corner" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 21 November 2017.

[sc_Flanders_George_Michael-11] "George Michael – A Different Corner" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 21 November 2017.

[sc_Canadatopsingles_-12] "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0685." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 21 November 2017.

[sc_Canadaadultcontemporary_-13] "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 8220." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 21 November 2017.

[14] "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 26 June 2021.

[15] "Singlet 1986-04 huhtikuu" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Archived from the original on 6 April 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)

[sc_France_George_Michael-16] "George Michael – A Different Corner" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 21 November 2017.

[sc_Germany_George_Michael-17] "George Michael – A Different Corner" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 21 November 2017.

[18] "George Michael Chart History". RÚV. 22 March 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2018.

[sc_Ireland2_-19] "The Irish Charts – Search Results – A Different Corner". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 21 November 2017.

[20] ジョージ・マイケルのランキング (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 21 November 2017.

[sc_Dutch40_-21] "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 20, 1986" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 21 November 2017.

[sc_Dutch100_George_Michael-22] "George Michael – A Different Corner" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 21 November 2017.

[sc_New_Zealand_George_Michael-23] "George Michael – A Different Corner". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 21 November 2017.

[sc_Norway_George_Michael-24] "George Michael – A Different Corner". VG-lista. Retrieved 21 November 2017.

[25] "Top 3 Portugal" (PDF). Music & Media. 2 August 1986. p. 8. Retrieved 28 February 2021.

[26] Fernando Salaverri (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.

[sc_Sweden_George_Michael-27] "George Michael – A Different Corner". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 21 November 2017.

[sc_Switzerland_George_Michael-28] "George Michael – A Different Corner". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 21 November 2017.

[sc_UK_-29] "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 November 2017.

[sc_Billboardhot100_George_Michael-30] "George Michael Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 21 November 2017.

[sc_Billboardadultcontemporary_George_Michael-31] "George Michael Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 21 November 2017.

[32] Kimberley, Christopher. Zimbabwe Singles Chart Book: 1965–1996.

[aus86-33] "National Top 100 Singles for 1986". Kent Music Report. No. 650. December 1986. Retrieved 24 January 2023 – via Imgur.

[34] "Jaaroverzichten 1986". Ultratop. Retrieved 30 May 2020.

[35] "Top 100 Singles of '86". RPM. 27 December 1986. Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 6 December 2010.

[36] "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 30 May 2020.

[37] "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1986". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 30 May 2020.

[38] "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1986". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 30 May 2020.

[39] "Top Selling Singles of 1986". The Official NZ Music Charts. Retrieved 25 December 2020.

[40] "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1986". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 30 May 2020.

[41] "Official Top 40 best-selling songs of 1986". Official Charts. Retrieved 16 April 2024.

[42] "1986 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 98, no. 52. Nielsen Business Media Inc. 27 December 1986. p. Y-21.

[NetherlandsWham!A_Different_CornersingleCertRef-43] "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".

[UK_sales-44] "George Michael on the charts". Music Week. Intent Media. 11 January 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2024.

[United_KingdomWham!A_Different_CornersingleCertRef-45] "British single certifications – Wham! – A Different Corner". British Phonographic Industry.

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A Different Corner

Background and writing

History

Cover versions

Music video

Track listing

7": Epic / A 7033 (UK)

12": Epic / GTA 7033 (UK)

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

References

External links

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