i can believe it if it was recorded in a large park in London many years ago at a hare Krishna festival i attended . all the girls were screaming oh look its boy George . i just thought so what . we had all come down from the manor that one of the Beatles bought . my memory is failing me know which one it was that bought that place .
I just youtubed it and couldn't discern any tempo change at the fade-out.
I've never intentionally listened to the song and always blew it off as kind of schlocky but it's really no worse than any other catchy pop from that era. I like the intro hook with the reverby harmonica.
I remember the original vinyl record did the same thing and at the time (I'm showing my age), I thought my TT had speed fluctuation issues. Then I tried another TT and it was in the pressing. The original CD had it too. My guess was an analogue open reel master.
I have the original Colour By Numbers album someplace in my storeroom.