George Michael doesn't "understand" why his new single had to be edited down.
The 50-year-old singer has digitally-removed the audience noises from his latest track 'Let Her Down Easy' - which was recorded during his 'Symphonica' world tour of 2011-12 - because of rules that would have prevented it from being played on radio, but he is unsure why the move was necessary.
He tweeted: "Good Morning campers! Just out of intrest, Let her down easy is indeed a live vocal, but radio these days wont any live or live sounding...
"sorry i meant radio wont PLAY any live or live sounding tracks on the radio on their playlists anyore, so we had to go in and ...
"get rid of all audience sounds off the track..I know i dont understand it either (sic)"
George previously went to number one with two live duets, in 1991 with Sir Elton John on 'Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me' and two years later with Queen on 'Somebody To Love', and he is grateful the rules didn't apply when he released those songs as they would never have been so successful.
He added: "all i can thank god for is that it's a recent development because id have lost on two number one's, with Elton and queen! Anyway, just thought you'd like to have that cleared up (sic)"
George's latest record, also named 'Symphonica', will be released on March 17.
Tagged in George Michael Sir Elton John