George pens 'Hyde Park' song - Showbiz - Evening Standard
       

George pens 'Hyde Park' song

Pop star George Michael has written a new song inspired by the night he was found slumped over the wheel of his car at Hyde Park Corner.

The singer was cautioned by police for possession of cannabis after the incident in February.

At the time he issued a statement claiming it was "my own stupid fault as usual", adding: "PS: I promise I won't make a record out of this one - even though it is tempting."

He was referring to his previous brush with the law when he propositioned an undercover police officer in a Los Angeles public toilet, an experience he sent up in the video for his hit song Outside.

But in an interview with DJ Emma B on Heart 106.2, he said of his new single An Easier Affair: "Literally this track came to me the day after I realised what a huge deal the whole business about Hyde Park Corner was.

"I was getting such a kicking, I suddenly woke up and was like, 'yes, I've got an idea'.

"I'm thinking of giving the police part of my publishing, actually."
Michael, 42, added: "My life is very extreme in certain ways so it's much easier to write about things that might have some kind of resonance."

Last month the former Wham! star was in the news again when he collided with three parked cars near his north London home.

But he shrugged off claims by the likes of Sir Elton John that he is a troubled figure.

"This is like the sixth or seventh time they've tried to indicate there's something terribly wrong and my career is over, but it's not and I'm totally used to that now," he said.

In the interview, to be broadcast on tomorrow's Drivetime Show, Michael denied he was attention-seeking.

"If all it takes to get on the front pages is to hit a parked car... if I wanted the publicity, my God, I could have the publicity," he said.

"Let's be honest, the only thing in the world that matters any more in terms of turning an audience off - in terms of Europe at least, if you forget about Right-wing America - unless you're a murderer, rapist or paedophile you'll probably get over it, whatever it is.

"And I'm none of those things so they can take potshots ... people want to read this rubbish," he said.

Michael recently announced his first tour in 15 years, beginning in September. An Easier Affair is available on download from June 19 and in shops from June 26.

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