LONDON, July 1: British singer George Michael admitted on Monday that his latest song — depicting British Prime Minister Tony Blair as a poodle to US President George W. Bush — was his most controversial career move to date.

“Shoot the Dog”, released on Monday, is a political satire in which the singer presents his views on the state of world affairs, taking a critical pop at the “special” relationship between Bush and Blair.

“I’m fully aware that people don’t really like their pop music and politics mixed these days,” Michael said, describing himself as “truly a patriotic man”.

“Nevertheless, I have strong opinions about Britain’s current situation and I feel that in a time when public debate is being suppressed, even something as trivial as a pop song can be a good thing,” the singer said in a statement.

The cartoon video sees Bush on the White House lawn petting a smiling poodle-shaped Blair and also depicts the two leaders dancing the tango, Blair in a flowing dress.

The song, which was originally written before the September 11 attacks on the United States but shelved until now, is an attempt by Michael to get people thinking about what is happening in the world.

“(It’s) intended as a piece of political satire, no more no less, and I hope that it will make people laugh and dance, and then think a little, that’s all,” Michael said.—Reuters