The upcoming English royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton will allow artists and musicians to mark the occasion for posterity.
British-born former Wham! member pop star George Michael has recently released his cover of Stevie Wonder’s song You and I, as a wedding gift and charitable fundraiser.
While Snoop Dogg wrote the song Wet for Prince William’s bachelor party, singer George Michael has chosen a more romantic melody to celebrate the royal union with a cover of the song You and I written by Stevie Wonder.
Unlike Snoop Dogg, George Michael’s cover has been endorsed by the royal family and is now available for free download on a special website. Listeners are encouraged to donate to a charitable foundation set up by Prince William and his future wife, Kate Middleton.
Presenting the soul star with the second annual Gershwin Prize for Popular Song in 2009, U.S. President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama disclosed that Wonder’s music had played a crucial part in their courtship – including adding that they had chosen You and I for their nuptials.
The First Lady added that Wonder’s Talking Book was the first album she bought, “Barack and I chose the song ‘You and I’ as our wedding song.”
Wonder has recorded more than 30 U.S. top ten hits and won 22 Grammy Awards (the most ever won by a solo artist) as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award. He has also won an Academy Award for Best Song, and been inducted into both the Rock and Roll and Songwriters halls of fame.