A twenty-year-old George Michael tries talking his best friend out of marriage. Doth he protest too much? The passing of time provided the obvious answer.
As for the song, the synths almost completely bury an absurdly infectious bass line. Horns (or "horns") punctuate throughout like the exclamation points (which they were fond of, given there was one officially at the end of their name and in the title of the album). The verses are proto-whiteboy-rap that flow a tad awkwardly but ain't all that bad considering the source and era.
It's when the chorus kicks that the song really takes off though. George ultimately proved himself to be a masterful arranger, but here he rolls off one of his best. I love how it drops in the middle at "There's danger in emotional ties" then one! two! punches right up to top of their vocal range ("See me!"). And the last line ("Death. By. Mat-ri-mo-ny!) rules.
― my name is john. i reside in chicago. (frankE), Thursday, 8 September 2005 15:21 (twenty years ago)