More about: George Michael

George Michael had such an incredible voice, and songs like 'Careless Whisper' and 'Fast Love' are among the finest of the past three decades. The news of his death on Christmas Day is a complete shock and not the way anyone anticipated Christmas would end.

With so many celebrity deaths this year, most thought surely there would be some respite as the world's patience has been tested enough this year and the talent pool is significantly depleted. But no, tragic news continues. Our thoughts go out to his friends, family, and anyone who felt kindship to him through his music on this day of grievance.

In order to come to terms with the grief, looking back at what a remarkable talent he was by hearing his songs, is the best remedy. We see him as someone who’s lived his life to the full, taking on the happy moments with gracious appreciation, and burly energy and fully deserves to have been the pop star whose achievements everyone with a desire to be a pop star wants to emulate.

However, while watching the below material it’s important to understand the rocky road he went down, too. This gives a more holistic appreciation for the times he continued to keep his career going for the pleasure of his fans at a time when he was feeling anything but up to it. There were events that would test the resolve of even the most determined, level-headed, and balanced individuals.

In an interview with The Guardian we learned that on the early 90s he nursed his boyfriend Anselmo Feleppa, who was suffering from Aids, right up until his death. After the passing of Feleppa, his mother passed away. Michael was understandably depressed at this time we're told a series of incidents continued to spiral out of his favour. Being told that he was within months of being paralysed unless he had a major back operation, which left him with rods in his back and permanent pain, added to the trend of devastating events in his life. He later discovered the operation was unnecessary.

Then there was the way he was treated by the media. According to the Guardian after he (rightfully) condemned Bush and Blair's foreign policy in the satirical political song 'Shoot the Dog', the Murdoch press become more earnest in their homophobia towards him and said stick to what he knows best - public toilets (referring to the incident where he was arrested for a sex act in a public toilet)

In spite of the above difficulties - which are just a few of the challenges he faced - Michael fought through and showed his determined character. The Wham! star had planned to release new material in 2017. However, we have to accept he has left this earth prematurely and also take solace in the fact his songs will always remain apart of the fabric of our culture and mean so much to people across generations. He’s a true legend.

Check out some of the amazing covers he’s done, and the amazing bands from a range of genre's that have taken time to learn his songs.

Queen and George Michael - 'Somebody to Love' (1992)

Surely one of the greatest moments of his career? The fact he was invited up to stand in Freddie Mercury's position and come out and sing and perform that well shows what an honour it must have been to George Michael. Below is a clip of the singer rehrsaing before the famous Wembley performance with David Bowie one of the approving onlookers.

Limp Bizkit - 'Faith' (1998)

Nu-metal stars covering Michael's 1987 single 'Faith', taken from his debut solo album, and giving it an injection of distortion propulsive drumming and screaming shows what a versatile song it is. The thing about George Michael's songs is whatever disguise they're in the lyrics and structure are so great that they always work.

George Michael - 'Roxanne' (1999)

This is taken from his first album of cover version, Songs From The Last Century, released in 1999. ‘Roxanne'. It’s given an ambitious jazz transformation and the drastic departure in sound from Wham! and George Michael’s most recognisable solo work. It received mixed reviews upon its release but it’s well worth a listen as it shows what accomplished and imaginative musicians the George Michael band were. The video features footage of Amsterdam's Red Light district and suits the star of the song which is the jazz-y double bass playing.

Willy Mason - 'Careless Whisper' (2008)

If you're feeling vulnerable today, this is the most likely to jerk a tear. This stripped back acoustic version recorded for BBC Radio 2 shows Masons' stunning vocals and brittle, moving delivery; it could fit beautifully in the Into The Wild soundtrack. The lyrics in the song are exposed more than ever as there's no layers of instrumentation to distract you from anything but the words Michael wrote. ‘Careless Whisper’ remains one of the most successful songs of Martin’s career, reaching number on in 25 countries and selling about 6 million copies.

George Michael - 'Feeling Good' (2014)

Michael starts this cover of the Nina Simone classic accapella and it exposes the character and excellence of his voice. The full band come in and fans existing ecstacy heard in the mix as it's recorded live at Earl's Court seems to hit a peak. The size of the stage and his band show just how much of a star he was live as well as on record.

The xx - 'Last Christmas' (2012)

This cover of Wham!'s 'Last Christmas’ for Live Lounge shows The xx putting on their own stamp with moody synth patterns, buckets of reverb and delay on the guitars, and spacious vocals. Together they create quite a devastaing impact honing on in on the bleak nature of the heart-on-sleeve lyrics.

George Michael - 'The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face' (1999)

A devastating love song that was first made popular by Roberta Flack. Michael’s band give grandiose strings, grand piano, and woodwind backing in this slick polished production taken from Songs from The Last Century.

Iron and Wine - 'One More Try' (2012)

With cool alternative indie band Iron And Wine playing an equally hip office session, the journalist asks the singer Same Beam, "There's no irony in your love for this song?" His answer? "You can say it's a goofy song from the 80s so that makes it ironic but there's a lot of songs from the 80s that are great tunes that are masked by production."

Iron And Wine's version is certainly more lo-fi with a simple keyboard, woodwind, and violin, backing vocals and lead vocals recorded live under a modest set up. Brilliant feel to this version and Beam's vocals are an arresting force. The original ‘One More Try’ is taken from Michael's masterpiece of a debut album, Faith (1987).

George Michael - 'Let Her Down Easy' (2014)

Taken from covers album Symphonica, which turns out to be his sixth and final studio album. This cover of Terence Trent D’Arby is one of the highlights, Michael seems to truly gel with the strong narrative in this heart-breaking song.

The Shadows – ‘Careless Whisper (1987)

An interesting solely instrumental version taken from The Shadows’ Simply Shadows album. The guitar work based around the central motif is virtuoso enough to hold our attention and the character of the noodling is unmistakably classic Shadows.

George Michael - 'Tonight' (1991)

A cover of Elton John's 1976 hit 'Tonight'. As usual Michael's consistent voice is hugely impressive soaring out above the grand arrangements in the background. Elton John was a close friend of George Michael and paid tribute to his death saying he's 'deeply shocked'. Our thoughts rest with those who like John are going through a hard time.

Seether - 'Careless Whisper'

Complete contrast in style to the original, this is more fit for Scuzz or Kerrang! than VH1 but it's delightful to see the metal world embrace the quality of Michael's songs. As Sam Beam from Iron and Wine says: "Great tunes".

More about: George Michael