George Michael

[Sideboard Bob]

Thank you for starting this thread @Marcinabolan !

Here are a couple of more rare George songs that I love.

Freedom mixed with Soul II Soul’s Back to Life. It’s a chilled out mix of Freedom, and George also sings the Back to Life parts. It was a b-side.

He also throws in a few lines and riffs from other songs, like What’s Going On and Buffalo Stance and Anthem, by N Joi.
(edited to add, he also throws in parts of Ain’t No Sunshine! See if you notice any more songs! )
It‘s got such a lovely summer vibes the way he sings “cool fresh AIR!”, makes me want to blast it out during a late summer barbecue).

I can just picture him in the studio, vibing away and singing the different lines from popular songs at the time or what was on the radio.





And this cover of Ian Brown’s FEAR. I don’t know if there’s a better version, sorry. But he smashes it! I love the way he sings “fantastic expectations, amazing revelations”.

 

[TheStrawberryThief]

Someone was playing Careless Whisper on the piano at the train station yesterday. Unexpected George is always nice.

 

[Ravenstown]

His voice is beautiful. So rich and melodic and soulful. Love you so much George.

 

[Flowergirl14]

Over Christmas, I got Pepsi and Shirley book from the library as I wanted a nice easy read.

Both loved George so much.

Reading it, I realised I worked down the road from the pub, where the group Wham was founded...been there for work leaving drinks, etc..I missed out by 10 years!!

Also, the school he went to in North London...this would have been my local school if my parents had not decided to move away 6 months before I was due to start!

I always knew we were meant for each other!!

 

[Missmopps]

The symphonica album is wonderful and even better to see it live. I remember BBC showed the live orchestra concert (filmed in Paris) a few days after George’s passing. Just flawless and so sad to watch knowing he was gone. Cowboys and Angels is my favourite ever George song. I like to listen to it lying back on the sofa, sound up quite loud and with the lights dimmed. It’s such a sexy song

 

[Prince fan 1999]

I found him

 

[LadyWeatherwax]

My mum denied me from seeing Wham! when they came to Bournemouth as she was absolutely disgusted with George shoving shuttlecocks down his shorts and not something a young teenager should be seeing!

I was very young when the shuttlecocks down the shorts thing happened, but I can very vividly remember watching TOTP and my Mum abruptly changing channel, looking at my Dad and saying "He's not wearing any pants, that's absolutely disgusting". Me being me (and about five years old and obviously very innocent!), I spent the next half hour going "But how do you KNOW he's not wearing pants, Mum?" and being solidly brushed off.

A few years later, I read about the shuttlecocks in Smash Hits and asked her why on earth anyone would put shuttlecocks down their shorts because I just didn't get it. I was not given an answer.

If W.A.P had come out when I was a kid, my Mum would have locked me in a cupboard. I'd probably still be in the cupboard now, come to think of it.

 

[Delia Smith]

George was just a wonderful person. I'm not surprised there are so many lovely stories about him.

 

[Carefree]

A little Christmas pressie for you all:

My mum was visiting the BBC when this was being filmed and said it was even funnier than what they put out.

I miss Yog

 

[Chocolategoggler]

It was my child’s School Christmas Disco this evening and the final song of the night was Last Christmas and every child in the room sung it word for word.

The oldest children there were born a little over a year before he sadly left us far too soon so it was a beautiful reminder his music is still so loved
---

I was kind of watching an interview with Pepsi and Shirlie on the telly this week. Think they were talking about the programme being broadcast mentioned upthread, where they go back to the village where Last Christmas was filmed. Talked about their relationship with the villagers and the filming and how George acted.
Shirlie mentioned she'd consulted a medium who'd told her George would be at the filming, and she said he was and played some pranks on them. You could tell they really loved George.
Here it is:

 

[Hevs75]

My child, I am so proud

My daughter is 19 and loves George she often plays his music and sometimes when out with her friends, if one is driving they will sometimes play George and she will let me know, knowing how much he was my idol, it's great that younger generations are listening to his songs maybe not all the time but they have a few favourites, hopefully this will help his music live on.

 

[Missmopps]

I’m pleased to share with you all fellow George lovers. It was a really emotional few hours inside the exhibition. I’m so glad I went. I’m going to try to get to the Sotheby’s Freddie exhibit next week.

 

[PeteM]

Poor George was never the same after having pneumonia - seems that he really descended into depression after it, with the rumours of his vocal ability being greatly impaired, which really would have affected him mentally.

 

[Mycatismad]

Absolute gold!! George was hilarious

 

[Twinkle6]

My kids are 11 & 14 and dont get a choice in the car, it’s always george.

or i get ragey

 

[Tryger88]

A man who gave many a closeted burly truck driver a good time on Hampstead Heath.

Jealous much

 

[troutpout69]

I feel his death could have been avoided if he hadn’t hung around some of the scumbag boyfriends who tried to bleed him dry!

 

[HasBeen]

Wonder what his Dad & Yioda think about these coins. Still seems surreal that he's gone.

Yioda must have signed off on it, It’s her and David Austin who run everything, Jack as well but I’m sure he’s doing less lately ( hopefully )
They were so on top of everything, The plan for a memorial outside the Hampstead house was Stopped by them, they Turfed Fadi (Cunt) out and have silenced him many times, Dealt with Kenny’s Money grab court case ( I liked Kenny but that was so Crass and poor on his part) Don’t understand it, and Neither does his cousin Andros
May he rest in peace and not be turned into a commodity like Bob Marley

 

[HasBeen]

Thanks for the reply.

I did like Kenny and much more so than Fadi (who I never liked).
I remember hearing/reading that Jack was never too fond of Andrew (found him to be quite obnoxious) but that was just what I read. Hard to know if there was any truth to it.


It rubbed me the wrong way how Andrew came out & did so many interviews after George's death. I suppose he can't win either way. Along with the books that he & Shirley/Pepsi wrote & promoted. Seemed a bit much and the wrong time to do so. Maybe I'm totally wrong in my assumptions. My heart hurts for George with all the pain & suffering he endured whilst alive, then losing his life, as well as Melanie's death.

I think your spot on, people have behaved and boosted their profile since his death that wouldn’t have tried too had he not died
Again I liked Shirley but she had a massive payout from his Will as did her Son, but after her and Martin kemp moved and have their “Maison” She’s milked instagram for Gifted Kitchens and building work on the new house
Andrew that book ( guilty I bought it) wasn’t ever going to happen without George’s early departure and he by all accounts is still being the playboy ( if you believe the media)
Pepsi (Helen) has kept a lower profile but there is yet another Book out there with Shirley
I personally don’t Buy the official reasons for George or Melanie’s death but that’s only my personal opinion and it’s not my business and nothing said or done can bring either of them back
I was a Wham fan from age 11 but I also admired Melanie’s Hairdressing Career ( she worked for a Salon in London called Michael-Michael strangely and she had a Amazing Hairdressing Talent)
Melanie is such a Sad sad tale, I can’t imagine how Jack and Yioda cope at Christmas George and Melanie the same Day and Their Mum Lesley’s Birthday was Christmas Eve, and out of 3 Children Jack has no Grandchildren
George Left Behind his Music and he will always be remembered by his Talent and pieces that will be played forever

 

[PrincessCharming]

Thanks for posting. I was wondering earlier today if the proceeds from sales of Last Christmas were still going to charity.

Our Patron, Saint George Of Michael would be happy