This is not a pretty cheerful topic, at least for a huge number of George Michael‘s fans, but on the other hand what might make you giggle are the songs that our favorite singer left behind. For those who do not know Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou (25 June 1963 – 25 December 2016) – aka George Michael, was an English songwriter, and producer who came to his glory as a member of the music duo Wham! We all know that he hit his peak sometime during 1980’s and 1990’s, with hit singles such as “Last Christmas” and “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” as well as albums such as Faith (1987) and Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 (1990).
What is even more impressive is the number of records Michael sold – over 100 million records worldwide, with a share of more than 20 million copies worldwide just with his debut album Faith. Geroge Michael achieved seven number one singles in the UK, and eight number one hits on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US, including “Careless Whisper” and “Freedom! ’90.” Thanks to that he ranks among the best-selling British acts of all time, ranked by Billboard magazine as the 40th-most successful artist ever. Impressive as all of that is, we want to remind you all on top 10 hits that made history:
1. Last Christmas
Nothing is more fitting now than this song, especially when you consider the day George Michael took his last breath. It was originally a Wham! song, but it has been covered by countless pop artists since then.
2. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go
There is a kind of funny story behind this one. Michael’s Wham! partner Andrew Ridgeley left a note to his parents intended to read, “Wake me up before you go.” But Ridgeley had written “up” twice by mistake, and he wrote “go” twice on purpose after that.
3. Careless Whisper
This was his first ever single, in it has this saxophone riff that’s been attempted by everyone with even passing knowledge of the instrument.
4. Freedom! 90
This song marked the end of Wham! and the entry of George Michael the solo artist. He performed the song during the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics.
5. A Different Corner
This is one of those videos that is practically unforgettable with everything done entirely in white. It was also his first solo debut in the U.S.
6. Faith
This song and the album of the same name defined his persona at the time, and that was something he began to shake off ever since.
7. One More Try
One More Try was made as a ballad about a man who is afraid to enter a new relationship because he has been hurt badly in the past. This one was the song almost everyone could relate to.
8. Monkey
Monkey marked the era of Michael’s dance pop tracks, and it fit the mold perfectly. It was his first dance song that hit the top of the charts.
9. I Want Your S*x
This one was so scandalous that even MTV would play it only late at night because the general opinion was that the song promoted promiscuity.
10. Praying For Time
Praying For Time released to critical acclaim, as it was a reflection on social injustices, and was an instant success despite the absence of a video.
