I don’t think I have any shared music loves with my parents. There are things I love because of my parents, but I think that is something different so I’m a little envious.
I am old enough to have appreciated Wham! in their heyday and although I was never a fan of George Michael’s solo work at the time, I have reappraised it in recent years and agree there is much to admire. It frustrates me that the public image portrayed of him since his death is so much more favourable than that when he was alive. It seems grossly unfair.
Definitely agree on the post-death revisionism. I know there were plenty of charitable endeavours that weren’t widely known while he was alive, but he was obviously going through some stuff in his latter years, and the press characterised him as a washed-up stoner. I think Last Christmas getting to Number 1 on an annual basis now shows how loved he is, though.
Enjoyed this immensely. As someone ever so slightly older, I have brief snippets of Wham! memories. I remember “Last Christmas” playing in my first home, which makes that 1984-6, and I recall trying to play “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” on my sister’s keyboard (that must have been 1988). By 1996 I definitely thought George was bland middle of the road rubbish — until “Outside” of course, which was hard to ignore. I enjoyed the documentary about his life from a few years ago and re-evaluated some prejudices I had held on to (about his music). I had no idea he was such a talented producer, for example.
Really interesting to hear how his music and death impacted your parents. I can’t think of a single common artist that unites my parents and I. There wasn’t a lot of music playing in my house when I was younger.
I think Outside was the last great song he wrote. He made two albums after that (one of which was covers) and disappeared into the production (which is, admittedly, impeccable).
Interesting you say you came round to him fairly late. I think that’s really common for people who weren’t a fan during his teen idol phase. There was a lot of reappraisal after his death, both of his music and him as a person.
I look forward to your kids writing an equivalent piece to this in a few years and talking about MF DOOM.
“Dad used to make us listen to some absolute shite, didn’t he? All that power pop? Yeah, he never stopped talking about bloody Big Star. And do you remember the twee pop? The Field Mice? Total cringe. Well, at least he introduced us to MF DOOM…”
Fastlove is in his top two songs with Freedom 90, which is saying something because he wrote some belters. He was always underrated as a musician because he made it all look too easy. But he also connected on a human level and this is why I’d classify him as a soul artist. His voice was his instrument and it just got right under your skin. It’s also why covers of his songs invariably fall short. Nobody can match his voice. Notice the dark themes of Fastlove yet it’s set in quite an uptempo setting. And then he throws in the Forget Me Nots. George Michael did this sort of stuff very well. At his best nobody was better.
I think this is one of the best things you've ever written.
That’s very kind, thank you. That means a lot.
I don’t think I have any shared music loves with my parents. There are things I love because of my parents, but I think that is something different so I’m a little envious.
I am old enough to have appreciated Wham! in their heyday and although I was never a fan of George Michael’s solo work at the time, I have reappraised it in recent years and agree there is much to admire. It frustrates me that the public image portrayed of him since his death is so much more favourable than that when he was alive. It seems grossly unfair.
Definitely agree on the post-death revisionism. I know there were plenty of charitable endeavours that weren’t widely known while he was alive, but he was obviously going through some stuff in his latter years, and the press characterised him as a washed-up stoner. I think Last Christmas getting to Number 1 on an annual basis now shows how loved he is, though.
Enjoyed this immensely. As someone ever so slightly older, I have brief snippets of Wham! memories. I remember “Last Christmas” playing in my first home, which makes that 1984-6, and I recall trying to play “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” on my sister’s keyboard (that must have been 1988). By 1996 I definitely thought George was bland middle of the road rubbish — until “Outside” of course, which was hard to ignore. I enjoyed the documentary about his life from a few years ago and re-evaluated some prejudices I had held on to (about his music). I had no idea he was such a talented producer, for example.
Really interesting to hear how his music and death impacted your parents. I can’t think of a single common artist that unites my parents and I. There wasn’t a lot of music playing in my house when I was younger.
I think Outside was the last great song he wrote. He made two albums after that (one of which was covers) and disappeared into the production (which is, admittedly, impeccable).
Interesting you say you came round to him fairly late. I think that’s really common for people who weren’t a fan during his teen idol phase. There was a lot of reappraisal after his death, both of his music and him as a person.
I look forward to your kids writing an equivalent piece to this in a few years and talking about MF DOOM.
“Dad used to make us listen to some absolute shite, didn’t he? All that power pop? Yeah, he never stopped talking about bloody Big Star. And do you remember the twee pop? The Field Mice? Total cringe. Well, at least he introduced us to MF DOOM…”
Plot twist: They’ll get to their 20s and become Sarah Records obsessives
Fastlove is in his top two songs with Freedom 90, which is saying something because he wrote some belters. He was always underrated as a musician because he made it all look too easy. But he also connected on a human level and this is why I’d classify him as a soul artist. His voice was his instrument and it just got right under your skin. It’s also why covers of his songs invariably fall short. Nobody can match his voice. Notice the dark themes of Fastlove yet it’s set in quite an uptempo setting. And then he throws in the Forget Me Nots. George Michael did this sort of stuff very well. At his best nobody was better.