WATCH: George Michael’s Top 5 Songs

The music industry has lost another great artist and singer, George Michael. The British singer who is originally known as Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou because of his Cypriot roots, died of an apparent heart attack in his home on Christmas day, December 25.

From Pop To Serious Music

George Michael was originally part of the pop duo Wham!, which also featured Andrew Ridgeley. Michael’s role in the duo was not limited to singing, as he also wrote their songs and produced them. The duo sold over 25 million records worldwide, from their short time as a band from 1982 to 1986.

George Michael’s rise as a solo artist however started even while he was still with Wham!. His first hit song “Careless Whisper” was released in 1984, and according to a BBC report, it became the “most enduring song” of his career. It differentiated him as a “serious” artist because of its “mature sound,” compared to the pop and upbeat sound of his band.

“Careless Whisper” (1984)

The song was intended to be for George and it was released under the name Wham! Featuring George Michael. According to BBC, George Michael wrote the song when he was only 17, while he was on the bus to work. When he first played the song’s demo version at his place of work, he was surprised to see many people flocking to the dance floor and slow dance to it. It went on to sell over 1.3 million copies in the UK alone and quickly became the no. 1 single during its release.

Watch George Michael – “Careless Whisper” 

“A Different Corner” (1986)

His next hit song is “A Different Corner.” He once again wrote the song, which featured a slow and haunting sound and lyrics that showed the vulnerable side of being in love. According to him, this was his first time to use his “own experience and emotions” in a song. He found the exercise “therapeutic” and the single performed well in the charts, reaching number 7 in the US Billboard charts.

Watch George Michael – “A Different Corner”

“I Want Your Sex” (1987)

After the disbanding of Wham!, George Michael went to release his debut album as a solo artist. The album titled “Faith” went on to become one of the top-selling albums of the decade, selling over 10 million copies in the United States. With this album came another hit song, albeit a controversial one, “I Want Your Sex.”  The controversy in no way had an impact on album sales however.

Watch George Michael – “I Want Your Sex”

“Praying For Time” (1990)

After a successful debut album followed by a successful tour, George Michael already had the fame and fortune a singer longed for. However, his fame also took a toll on his personal life, prompting him to take a break from tours and appearance during the release of his second album “Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1,” according to another report in LA Times.  The song also reflected some form of political statement from the singer. The song’s video only featured the lyrics of the song.

Watch George Michael – “Praying For Time”

“Jesus To A Child” (1996)

According to BBC, this 1996 hit from his “Older” album is his “most personal composition.” It became number one in the UK charts once again. Later on, George Michael revealed that he wrote this song for his partner Anselmo Feleppa, who died due to AIDS-related complications three years earlier. The song reflected how much he cared for his partner and the loss he felt.

Watch George Michael – “Jesus To A Child”