“I’m Never Gonna Dance Again”. Sure George Michael…sure. Or should I say Harold Lippman

You heard right. Mr. Harold Lippman was the songwriter on the ever talented George Michael’s 1984 hit “Careless Whispers”. And for those who lost their virginity, or just made out in your parent’s station wagon to this hit, you’ll be glad Mr. Lippman’s face wasn’t flashing through your head. Yes, this  5’4″, 57-year old German from Nebraska, with a lazy eye (true), wrote it while bathing himself (in a bubble bath I might add). Try getting that image out of your skull. As much as I don’t care for George Michael’s frosted tips, feathered hair and manicured goatee, I’d rather imagine him singing it than Harold.

I think we’d all be surprised if we knew the ghostwriters behind other smash hits. For me, imagining Geoff Gill and Clint Wade dancing in the middle of a street wearing torn leotards and headbands, instead of Pat Benetar, is a sad wake up call. Yep, Mr. Gill and Mr. Wade were the brains behind Ms. Benetar’s smash hit, “Heartbreaker”.  But it’s been happening for decades, maybe even centuries. Irving Berlin, a Jewish songwriter from New York City, penned the hit, “WHITE CHRISTMAS”. Think about that the next time you’re hanging the stockings with care and adding the angel to the top of the tree. In the 1950’s,  I think millions of screaming teenage girls would have been crying in fright, and cringing in pain if they saw 61-year old Carl Perkins, swaying his hips as he sang his hit song “Blue Suede Shoes” instead of Mr. Elvis Presley. By the way, Carl was wearing “orthopedic shoes” when composing those magical lyrics and based it on said orthopedics.

It’s the truth. And while it may be hard for some to accept, I feel the truth should be known. So the next time “Wind Beneath My Wings” comes on the radio, continue to turn it up and stare into the eyes of your loved one because, after all, this is “your song”. But this time try to imagine the slightly overweight duo Jeff Silbar and Larry Henle (pictured) belting it out from their basement studio on Long Island, instead of the lovely Bette Midler.

And, for those who did lose that special something back in 1984 to “Careless Whispers”, I deeply apologize. Makes you wish your special moment soundtrack featured “JUMP” by Van Halen, the real songwriters.