Careless Whisper was released by George Michael in 1984 as his debut solo single, and its opening saxophone riff quickly became one of the most recognisable melodies in pop music. Decades later, the riff found a second life online, where creators began using it to score dramatic entrances, romantic tension and deliberately overblown moments in short videos. Its staying power comes from instant recognition: listeners know the mood within two notes, even without hearing the lyrics.