Of course, I am sure that most people have heard of George Michael. And of his exploits- as well as the discussion of his sexuality, which, as I recall, is still up in the air since he doesn't discuss it very often. But if I judge correctly, not that I do that often anyway, I would think that he is bisexual. And a close look at his lyrics would also show some ambiguity...
This Faith CD has to be the best one of George's by far- if not for his hits album! It was the 1988 Grammy Award winner for Album of the Year, and it has on it, count 'em, SIX... yes, SIX #1 hits!
I like this album because it's sexy... well, okay, I like to sing some of these songs when I'm in the shower, imaginin' that I'm singin' to my baby... but don't let this information get out, or I'll have to come 'round and kidnap ya. But the truth is- George does have a decent voice, and the songs are just totally charged with sexual energy, which I like at times!
But I've spoken too much about the album and not about the songs... so onto the music!
1. Faith: The title track; opens up with a cathedral organ- before George jumps in with some great vocals... very catchy, the drums are skillfully done simple- no fancy stuff here..! but this song is a good dancin' tune; which is the same for most of the tracks on this CD. I just would like to point out however- all the lyrics that George writes does NOT say, "her" or "him". Check out this sample....
I know you're askin' me to stay
Say please, please, please, don't go away
You say I'm givin' you the blues
Maybe
You mean every word you say
Can't help but think of yesterday
And another who tied me down to loverboy blues
2. Father Figure: I would have to say, next to Hand To Mouth, this song is my favorite to sing. Very soft, very sensual... I can feel the sexiness throbbin' behind the music...! And George's voice is pretty damn good too... makes me wish I could sing like that! The softness of George's voice betrays a sensualness I couldn't ever touch with my vocal cords; and when the chorus hits all the tension, all charged up gets released in some real throaty singin'! I could imagine watchin' my baby doll strippin' off her lingerie in front of me to this song... and.... er, ok, no more details!
That's all you wanted
something special, someone sacred
in your life...
just for one moment
to be warm and naked
at my side....
3. I Want Your Sex(part I and II): One of the most controversial songs when it hit MTV, this song really brought out sexuality in music- and in videos as well! But it is a very good song to dance to; the music is just jammin'- but the lyrics caught me off-guard a little bit. You'll see what I mean in a moment. But, I could imagine couples playin' this song when they're ready for the big moment of consummatin' their relationship... heh. The second part of this song is a bit softer, a different rhythm, a bit more of the brass section I think..?.. and George's voice gets softer, more sensual... must turn on the ladies somethin' fierce, huh? Now for those lyrics I was talkin' 'bout... wouldn't they make you think 'bout what George likes? Of course, that's NOT a subject I like to think about.
There's things that you guess
and things that you know
Boys you can trust
and girls that you don't
There's little things that you hide
and little things that you show
Sometimes you think you're gonna get it
But you don't and that's the way it goes
See what I mean...? Girls that you don't? okay....
4. One More Try: Again, another great song! More of a breakheart song- not a break-up song, but one that has the pain, the hurt, of a relationship goin' badly... but still feelin' the love- wantin' to work it out... and George sings it beautifully, I think... and so do quite a few others, since this song is one of the number one hits!
The keyboards are just simply BEAUTIFUL on this track...
I'm lookin' out for angels
Just tryin' to find some peace
Now I think it's time
That you let me know
So if you love me
Say you love me
But if you don't
Just let me go....
5. Hard Day: As far as the songs go, on this CD, I would have to put this one among the mediocre- of course, there AREN'T very many on this CD! So, it will have to stand alone in the mediocre side. It is decent, but when songs like this is packed among the great ones like Faith, Father Figure, and the like, it just pales in comparision. In it's own right, however, it is a decent dance song. I usually skip over this one, to Hand To Mouth though.
How much do I have to say
What more do you have to see
What will it take to make you love me
Well you're not the first
You're not the last
You're not even the one who loves me the best
But all I think about is you...
6. Hand To Mouth: My favorite song on this CD; I couldn't explain it- the powerful lyrics bringin' a vision to me as I listen; or the excellent music behind the singin'? George's vocals are soft, yet electrically charged with emotion, which I enjoy very much. And lo and behold- the song's NOT about sex! Whoa... big surprise! This song could be a modern day "Star Spangled Banner"; if only it didn't sound so... harsh. Of course, it's also true. Oh well, maybe America will listen... ?
I believe in the Gods of America...
I believe in the land of the free...
But no one's told me...
(No one's told me)
That the gods believe in nothing...
So with empty hands I pray
And from day to hopeless day
They still don't see me....
7. Look At Your Hands: This song is emotionally charged, as well- George is singin' 'bout bein' with someone who he wants to be with- and here, whoa, he is singin' about a female for certain! Unless men can be wives? Anyway... not that it matters; I just find it slightly amusin' that he writes songs that doesn't say for sure who he is directin' it at.... for the most part. George is singin' 'bout someone who is married and bein' treated poorly- and wantin' to be the one to be with her, and treatin' her good! The music's solid, the guitars are decent, but it's the keyboards you would hear the most.
Say you're gonna leave him
Say you're gonna try
But you're only talking
Oh I know you think I'm a young boy
But I'm good and I think we can make it...
8. Monkey: A very fast-paced track, Monkey opens up with some excellent vocals in the chorus- and George hits some of those higher notes... (*ok, people, no jokes in the back!*) and the song can definitely make your feet move! And... I can hear some semblance of monkeys screechin' there near the end... and I'll admit, if one uses monkey as a sexual connotation... for certain male parts.... this song starts to sound hilarious...!
Well I'd write your heart a letter
But I think you know me better
If I keep on askin' baby, maybe
I'll get what I'm askin' for
Why can't you do it?
Why can't you set your monkey free?
Always givin' into it-
Do you love the monkey or do you love me?
9. Kissing A Fool: Another excellent track on this CD!! This is a very courageous song- about love lost; about never realizin' the love that had the highest potential. The piano is very strong; it's the horn section that gives this song its edge however! But I feel that it's George's soft, deeper voice, that gives this song it's deserved number 1 rating. And truth be told- I think that it deserves it too. For I have felt this way- a hopeless romantic- at times, when I felt like I've lost the love of my life- well, this song explains the way I feel then...
You are far
I'm never gonna be your star
I'll pick up the pieces
And mend my heart
Maybe I'll be strong enough
I don't know where to start
But I'll never find
Peace of mind
While I listen to my heart...
10. Hard Day (Pettibone Remix): Simply a remix of Hard Day, it has more of a dance floor flavor now; with some musical switches- kind of like how the vision changes while you look into a kaleidoscope. But look up above for the lyrics... I'll pass on that here.
11. A Last Request (I Want Your Sex Part III): The final song on the CD, it finishes up the sexuality, the sensualness, of I Want Your Sex. Imagine the first two parts as if you were out and dancin' at the clubs, hittin' on people, enjoyin' yourself... well, this part is after you come home with someone... and you invite 'em in for a nightcap. It's much softer... and a bit devious, to be sure, but George delivers the exoticism easily- and perhaps, could make quite a few women want to sleep with me tonight... maybe I should test it out... ? ~~chuckles~~
You know
That I remain a gentleman
But even so
There's only so much
A gentleman can stand
Sleep with me...
Oh, sleep with me tonight...
George Michael, of course, can be compared to WHAM!, considerin' he was PART of that group before headin' out on his own... and I could compare him to some other artists like Elton John, Billy Joel, Chris Isaak, to name a few. But if you like WHAM! or similar music, then you definitely owe it to yourself to check this CD out!
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