George Michael songs span a remarkable career that began with Wham! in the early 1980s and continued through five solo studio albums. His catalog includes some of pop music’s most enduring hits, from the saxophone-driven heartbreak of “Careless Whisper” to the gospel-tinged soul of “Faith” and the dancefloor confession of “Fastlove.” This guide covers his most notable recordings across every era of his career.
The Wham! Era and Early Solo Work
George Michael first gained fame as the frontman of Wham!, the duo he formed with Andrew Ridgeley. Their upbeat pop hits defined the mid-1980s, including “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” in 1984, which reached number one in multiple countries including Canada and the United States . “Last Christmas,” released in 1984, became a perennial holiday standard and was later covered by artists ranging from Ariana Grande to Hilary Duff .
While still a member of Wham!, Michael released “Careless Whisper” in July 1984 as his first solo single. The song reached number one in the United Kingdom and also topped charts in the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Holland, Italy, Ireland, South Africa, and Switzerland . It won the Ivor Novello Award for Most Performed Work in 1984 and sold six million copies worldwide . Michael later admitted he remained puzzled by its enduring popularity. In a 2009 interview with The Big Issue, he said, “Is it because so many people have cheated on their partners? Is that why they connect with it? I have no idea, but it’s ironic that this song – which has come to define me in some way – should have been written right at the beginning of my career when I was still so young” .
The Faith Album and Global Superstardom
Michael’s debut solo album Faith, released in 1987, became a defining pop record of the decade. The album sold 20 million copies worldwide, and six of its ten tracks were released as singles . Four of those singles reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100: “Faith,” “Father Figure,” “One More Try,” and “Monkey” . “I Want Your Sex” peaked at number two, while “Kissing a Fool” reached number five .
The album’s success extended beyond pop charts. Faith made Michael the first white solo artist to top Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, where it spent six weeks at number one in 1988 . In a September 1988 interview with JET magazine, Michael said, “I was much happier with [Faith] being the No. 1 Black [chart] album than I was when it became the No. 1 pop album. There was much more of a sense of achievement” .
Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 and Creative Reinvention
Released in 1990, Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 marked a deliberate shift away from the polished pop image of Faith. The album’s lead single, “Praying for Time,” offered a somber reflection on social issues, while “Freedom! ’90” became an anthem of artistic liberation. The music video for “Freedom! ’90” notably did not feature Michael himself, instead showcasing supermodels including Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, and Linda Evangelista . The song reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped charts in Canada and Zimbabwe .
Older and a More Introspective Sound
After a period of legal battles with his record label, Michael returned in 1996 with Older, an album he later called his “greatest moment” . The album spent three weeks at number one in the UK and spawned six singles, including “Jesus to a Child” and “Fastlove” . The album went 6x platinum in the UK and achieved platinum status in 22 other countries .
“Jesus to a Child” served as a tribute to Michael’s late partner Anselmo Feleppa, who had died from an AIDS-related condition . The song reached number one in the UK and number 22 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart . “Fastlove” also topped the UK charts, continuing Michael’s streak of number one singles .Quick Bio: George Michael
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou |
| Age at Death | 53 (1963–2016) |
| Birthplace | East Finchley, London, England |
| Nationality | British (English) |
| Profession | Singer-songwriter, record producer |
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) |
| Education | Bushey Meads High School |
| Years Active | 1981–2016 |
| Notable Works | “Careless Whisper,” “Faith,” “Freedom! ’90,” Faith (1987), Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 (1990) |
| Awards | 2 Grammy Awards, 5 Brit Awards, Video Vanguard Award |
| Net Worth | Approximately £97–98 million at time of death |
| Confirmed Partners | Kenny Goss (1996–2009); Fadi Fawaz (partner at death) |
| Social Media | Official site: georgemichael.com; active on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube |
Note: George Michael died on 25 December 2016 at his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. His publicist confirmed he had not been ill prior to his death.
Songs from the Last Century and Patience
In 1999, Michael released Songs from the Last Century, his only album of cover versions. The record focused primarily on jazz standards and reinterpretations of popular songs, including a version of “Roxanne” . The album showcased Michael’s vocal range in a more orchestral and intimate setting.
His fifth studio album, Patience, arrived in 2004 and included the singles “Amazing” and “Flawless (Go to the City)” . “Flawless” earned Michael a Grammy nomination for Best Short Form Music Video . The album also featured “Shoot the Dog,” a politically charged track criticizing the Iraq War and the relationship between George W. Bush and Tony Blair .
Key Collaborations and Compilations
Michael’s duets became some of his most celebrated recordings. In 1987, he teamed with Aretha Franklin for “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me),” which reached number one in both the UK and US and won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal . A live version of “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” with Elton John, recorded at Wembley Arena, topped charts worldwide in 1991 .
His 1998 compilation Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael included the new track “As,” a duet with Mary J. Blige covering the Stevie Wonder song . In 2006, the compilation Twenty Five celebrated his career with new tracks including “An Easier Affair” and “This Is Not Real Love,” a duet with Mutya Buena . A duet version of “Heal the Pain” with Paul McCartney also appeared on the collection .
Later Live Work and Legacy
Michael’s only live album released during his lifetime was Symphonica in 2014, recorded during his orchestral tours at venues including the Palais Garnier opera house in Paris . The setlist drew heavily from Songs from the Last Century alongside reworked versions of his own catalog, such as “A Different Corner” and “Praying for Time” .
Across his career, Michael achieved seven UK number one singles as a solo artist and 23 UK Top 10 hits, with his songs spending 309 weeks in the UK Top 75 . He earned two Grammy Awards from nine nominations . His ability to move between pop, soul, jazz, and dance music set him apart from many of his contemporaries. For new listeners, Ladies & Gentlemen and Twenty Five offer the most comprehensive entry points, while Faith and Older remain the essential studio albums for understanding his artistic evolution.Frequently Asked Questions About George Michael Songs
What was George Michael’s first solo single?
“Careless Whisper” was released in 1984 while Michael was still a member of Wham! It is widely regarded as his first solo single . The song sold six million copies worldwide and topped charts in the UK, US, and numerous other countries .
Which George Michael song was the biggest Billboard hit?
“Faith” ranks as his biggest Billboard Hot 100 hit based on chart performance. It spent four weeks at No. 1 in late 1987 and became the Hot 100’s top song of 1988 . The song was the title track from his debut solo album, which sold 10 million copies in the US alone .
How many UK number one singles did George Michael have as a solo artist?
He scored seven UK Number 1 singles as a solo artist . These include “Careless Whisper,” “A Different Corner,” “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” with Aretha Franklin, “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” with Elton John, “Jesus to a Child,” and “Fastlove” .
Which George Michael song featured supermodels in its music video?
The video for “Freedom! ’90” notably did not feature Michael himself. Instead, it starred supermodels including Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, and Linda Evangelista . The song appeared on his 1990 album Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 .
What Grammy Awards did George Michael win?
Michael won two Grammy Awards. His first came in 1988 for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” with Aretha Franklin . He won Album of the Year in 1989 for Faith .
