George Michael - Hard Day b/w I Want Your

I was just reminded of a mystery from years ago. While this isn't exactly a "top 40" question, I'll bet someone here has the answer.

As many of you will recall, George Michael's single "I Want Your Sex" was split into Part 1/Part 2 on 45.

Somewhat strangely, however, I've seen the 12" single in two different jackets and ostensibly with different A-sides. There's one jacket that matches the 7" PS ("I Want Your Sex," parts 1-3 b/w "Hard Day"). Then, there's a second version, selling "Hard Day" as the A-side, backed with "I Want Your Sex").

Does anyone know the story behind this flip? Was "Hard Day" a big club hit? Was it pushed to radio?

On a related note, I just heard "I Want Your Sex" on an old American Top 40 countdown, and Casey avoids saying the title of the song.





Edited by eric_a

As a side note, Jim once sent me a dub of "I Want Your Love," which was sent to his station on a reel to reel tape when the song was a hit. It's an interesting edit of the 12" mix that removes all instances of the word "sex."

Well, since the catalog number of the US 12-inch for "I Want Your Sex" was 44-06814 and this is 44-07466, presumably "I Want Your Sex" as the A-side came first.

According to Discogs.com, the US 12-inch of "I Want Your Sex" with "Hard Day" as the B-side used the LP version of "Hard Day." Presumably when that song was remixed, the 12-inch version was given the A-side in a separate release.

Hard Day

I Want Your Sex

BTW, I've mentioned this is other threads, but the original LP Version of "Hard Day" as released on the 12-inch in advance of the album ran slower than the final album version. I have that original running speed on the US CD3 maxi. Same mix, just runs noticeably slower.

Steve Sharp wrote: I remember reading about the "I Want Your Love" version, but have never heard it. I would love to get ahold of it.

Me three. :)

Casey Kasem named the full track name up to a certain point when it
was climpbing up to the top 20, from then on all instances on later
shows I have listened to, he ommitted it.