GLOBALRPH MUSICATLAS

George Michael: Artist Essentials

Start with the central solo songs, then follow the voice into quieter album tracks, dance records, jazz arrangements and duets.

TOP SONGS BY ARTIST

25 selected recordings

Twenty-five distinct recordings provide a solo-career introduction from the 1984 debut single through 2006, balancing studio originals, one specifically identified live duet and later album material. Remixes and repeat performances do not pad the list.

Selections and recommended order are MusicAtlas editorial choices.

25 date-supported selections11 beyond the yearly lists2 annual version matches under review
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Save one reference to this artist collection. Your existing 75-song shortlist keeps its own entries.

ARTIST BACKGROUND

About George Michael

George Michael moved from the British pop duo Wham! into a solo catalog that combined melodic pop, soul and dance music. Careless Whisper appeared as a solo single in 1984, before Faith established a broader album statement in 1987. Listen Without Prejudice and Older made more room for acoustic textures, jazz colors and restrained vocals. His repertoire also includes the live Elton John duet, studio covers on Songs from the Last Century, and the later dance settings of Patience.

Artist background sources

George Michael - official original album overview
The estate overview dates Faith to 1987, Listen Without Prejudice to 1990, Older to 1996, Songs from the Last Century to 1999 and Patience to 2004. It distinguishes solo albums from Wham! and later live work; promotional superlatives are not adopted. | Retrieved 2026-10-17

Careless Whisper - official 40th anniversary release history
The official Sony/artist anniversary page identifies the original solo single's 1984 release. The subsequent Make It Big album association does not turn the selected solo recording into a newly dated Wham! performance. | Retrieved 2026-10-17

Faith - original album program and separate bonus versions
The Sony catalog gives the original 1987 album and its ten-track program, including Father Figure, One More Try, Kissing a Fool and the original Monkey. Later deluxe bonus tracks have separate version labels; their default album dates do not establish their first release. | Retrieved 2026-10-17

Listen Without Prejudice, Vol. 1 - original album metadata
The original ten-track studio program is dated 1990, separately from the 2017 remaster. Heal the Pain is the original solo performance, not the later Paul McCartney duet. Praying for Time's pre-album single was also in 1990. | Retrieved 2026-10-17

Older - original album and recording metadata
The original 1996 program identifies Jesus to a Child, Fastlove Part 1, Spinning the Wheel and You Have Been Loved. Jesus to a Child and Fastlove retain earlier single dates within that year; later remixes and Star People '97 are not substituted. | Retrieved 2026-10-17

Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me - official 1991 live duet history
Elton John's official history identifies the March 1991 Wembley Arena duet with George Michael and its November 1991 US/UK single release. It distinguishes the 1974 solo studio recording and the 1985 Live Aid performance. | Retrieved 2026-10-17

Songs from the Last Century - original studio cover album
The original 1999 album and track list identify George Michael's studio performance of Roxanne, distinct from the Police recording and later George Michael live performances. | Retrieved 2026-10-17

Patience - original album and track dates
The original 2004 album identifies Amazing and Flawless (Go to the City); Amazing's single preceded the album within 2004. Other tracks first issued earlier, such as Shoot the Dog, are not assigned an assumed new 2004 first release. | Retrieved 2026-10-17

Profile reviewed: 2026-10-17. Artist background does not establish a song's creative origin or release date.

Selections with an annual version match under review are omitted from Beyond the yearly lists until the match is resolved.

Showing 10 of 10 selected recordings.

This depth selects the first 10 recordings in the recommended sequence. Changing the order rearranges those same selections.

When only a year is established, chronological order within that year is approximate.

01list
order

Faith

George Michael

First released: 1987 (year verified)

Original album: Faith

Original 1987 studio recording

MusicAtlas editorial note: The clipped guitar rhythm and economical vocal make a direct opening.

Annual appearances: 1987 | 1988

Release evidence and recording details

First released: 1987 (year verified)

The original recording is documented in the 1987 release history of Faith. Only year precision is assigned; later singles, charts, remasters and live versions do not establish its first release.

Recording: Original 1987 studio recording
Credit: George Michael
Role in this collection: Primary artist

Original album: Faith

Faith - original album program and separate bonus versions
The Sony catalog gives the original 1987 album and its ten-track program, including Father Figure, One More Try, Kissing a Fool and the original Monkey. Later deluxe bonus tracks have separate version labels; their default album dates do not establish their first release. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

George Michael - official original album overview
The estate overview dates Faith to 1987, Listen Without Prejudice to 1990, Older to 1996, Songs from the Last Century to 1999 and Patience to 2004. It distinguishes solo albums from Wham! and later live work; promotional superlatives are not adopted. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

02list
order

Careless Whisper

George Michael

First released: 1984 (year verified)

Original single: Careless Whisper

Original 1984 solo studio recording

MusicAtlas editorial note: A sustained melody and a closely phrased lead give the familiar refrain its weight.

Annual appearances: 1984 | 1985

Release evidence and recording details

First released: 1984 (year verified)

The official anniversary history dates George Michael's original solo single to 1984. Its later Wham! album appearance and the live recording first issued in 2024 are separate release events.

Recording: Original 1984 solo studio recording
Credit: George Michael
Role in this collection: Primary artist

Original single: Careless Whisper

Careless Whisper - official 40th anniversary release history
The official Sony/artist anniversary page identifies the original solo single's 1984 release. The subsequent Make It Big album association does not turn the selected solo recording into a newly dated Wham! performance. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

Careless Whisper - official original and later version distinction
The artist store distinguishes the original 1984 recording and extended/instrumental mixes from the previously unreleased Madison Square Garden live performance issued in 2024. The new package is not used as the original recording date. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

03list
order

Freedom! '90

George Michael

First released: 1990 (year verified)

Original album: Listen Without Prejudice, Vol. 1

Original 1990 studio recording

MusicAtlas editorial note: The piano-led pulse supports a vocal that moves from restraint to open release.

Annual appearances: 1991

Release evidence and recording details

First released: 1990 (year verified)

The original recording is documented in the 1990 release history of Listen Without Prejudice, Vol. 1. Only year precision is assigned; later singles, charts, remasters and live versions do not establish its first release.

Recording: Original 1990 studio recording
Credit: George Michael
Role in this collection: Primary artist

Original album: Listen Without Prejudice, Vol. 1

Listen Without Prejudice, Vol. 1 - original album metadata
The original ten-track studio program is dated 1990, separately from the 2017 remaster. Heal the Pain is the original solo performance, not the later Paul McCartney duet. Praying for Time's pre-album single was also in 1990. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

George Michael - official original album overview
The estate overview dates Faith to 1987, Listen Without Prejudice to 1990, Older to 1996, Songs from the Last Century to 1999 and Patience to 2004. It distinguishes solo albums from Wham! and later live work; promotional superlatives are not adopted. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

04list
order

Father Figure

George Michael

First released: 1987 (year verified)

Original album: Faith

Original 1987 studio recording

MusicAtlas editorial note: The low rhythmic pulse leaves room for the long, controlled vocal line.

Annual appearances: 1988

Release evidence and recording details

First released: 1987 (year verified)

The original recording is documented in the 1987 release history of Faith. Only year precision is assigned; later singles, charts, remasters and live versions do not establish its first release.

Recording: Original 1987 studio recording
Credit: George Michael
Role in this collection: Primary artist

Original album: Faith

Faith - original album program and separate bonus versions
The Sony catalog gives the original 1987 album and its ten-track program, including Father Figure, One More Try, Kissing a Fool and the original Monkey. Later deluxe bonus tracks have separate version labels; their default album dates do not establish their first release. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

05list
order

One More Try

George Michael

First released: 1987 (year verified)

Original album: Faith

Original 1987 studio recording

MusicAtlas editorial note: A spare keyboard setting makes each rise in the melody feel deliberate.

Annual appearances: 1988

Release evidence and recording details

First released: 1987 (year verified)

The original recording is documented in the 1987 release history of Faith. Only year precision is assigned; later singles, charts, remasters and live versions do not establish its first release.

Recording: Original 1987 studio recording
Credit: George Michael
Role in this collection: Primary artist

Original album: Faith

Faith - original album program and separate bonus versions
The Sony catalog gives the original 1987 album and its ten-track program, including Father Figure, One More Try, Kissing a Fool and the original Monkey. Later deluxe bonus tracks have separate version labels; their default album dates do not establish their first release. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

06list
order

Praying for Time

George Michael

First released: 1990 (year verified)

Original album: Listen Without Prejudice, Vol. 1

Original 1990 studio recording

MusicAtlas editorial note: Listen to the widening arrangement around the patient opening phrases.

Annual appearances: 1990

Release evidence and recording details

First released: 1990 (year verified)

The original recording is documented in the 1990 release history of Listen Without Prejudice, Vol. 1. Only year precision is assigned; later singles, charts, remasters and live versions do not establish its first release.

Recording: Original 1990 studio recording
Credit: George Michael
Role in this collection: Primary artist

Original album: Listen Without Prejudice, Vol. 1

Listen Without Prejudice, Vol. 1 - original album metadata
The original ten-track studio program is dated 1990, separately from the 2017 remaster. Heal the Pain is the original solo performance, not the later Paul McCartney duet. Praying for Time's pre-album single was also in 1990. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

George Michael - official original album overview
The estate overview dates Faith to 1987, Listen Without Prejudice to 1990, Older to 1996, Songs from the Last Century to 1999 and Patience to 2004. It distinguishes solo albums from Wham! and later live work; promotional superlatives are not adopted. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

07list
order

Fastlove

George Michael

First released: 1996 (year verified)

Original album: Older

Original 1996 Fastlove Part 1 studio recording

MusicAtlas editorial note: The bass movement and tightly fitted vocal phrases bring the dance side forward.

Annual appearances: 1996

Release evidence and recording details

First released: 1996 (year verified)

The original recording is documented in the 1996 release history of Older. Only year precision is assigned; later singles, charts, remasters and live versions do not establish its first release.

Recording: Original 1996 Fastlove Part 1 studio recording
Credit: George Michael
Role in this collection: Primary artist

Original album: Older

Older - original album and recording metadata
The original 1996 program identifies Jesus to a Child, Fastlove Part 1, Spinning the Wheel and You Have Been Loved. Jesus to a Child and Fastlove retain earlier single dates within that year; later remixes and Star People '97 are not substituted. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

George Michael - official original album overview
The estate overview dates Faith to 1987, Listen Without Prejudice to 1990, Older to 1996, Songs from the Last Century to 1999 and Patience to 2004. It distinguishes solo albums from Wham! and later live work; promotional superlatives are not adopted. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

08list
order

Jesus to a Child

George Michael

First released: 1996 (year verified)

Original album: Older

Original 1996 studio recording

MusicAtlas editorial note: An unhurried rhythm and soft instrumental colors frame the sustained melody.

Annual appearances: 1996

Release evidence and recording details

First released: 1996 (year verified)

The original recording is documented in the 1996 release history of Older. Only year precision is assigned; later singles, charts, remasters and live versions do not establish its first release.

Recording: Original 1996 studio recording
Credit: George Michael
Role in this collection: Primary artist

Original album: Older

Older - original album and recording metadata
The original 1996 program identifies Jesus to a Child, Fastlove Part 1, Spinning the Wheel and You Have Been Loved. Jesus to a Child and Fastlove retain earlier single dates within that year; later remixes and Star People '97 are not substituted. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

George Michael - official original album overview
The estate overview dates Faith to 1987, Listen Without Prejudice to 1990, Older to 1996, Songs from the Last Century to 1999 and Patience to 2004. It distinguishes solo albums from Wham! and later live work; promotional superlatives are not adopted. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

09list
order

A Different Corner

George Michael

First released: 1986 (year verified)

Original single: A Different Corner

Original 1986 studio recording

MusicAtlas editorial note: The open space around the voice gives this compact ballad a distinct shape.

Annual appearances: 1986

Release evidence and recording details

First released: 1986 (year verified)

The original recording is documented in the 1986 release history of A Different Corner. Only year precision is assigned; later singles, charts, remasters and live versions do not establish its first release.

Recording: Original 1986 studio recording
Credit: George Michael
Role in this collection: Primary artist

Original single: A Different Corner

A Different Corner - original Sony recording date and solo credit
The original song retains its 1986 date and George Michael solo credit inside later compilation metadata. The compilation date and Wham! album association are not its first release. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

10list
order

Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me

George Michael and Elton John

First released: 1991 (year verified)

Original single: Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me

Original 1991 Wembley Arena live duet recording

MusicAtlas editorial note: The handoff between the two singers turns the live performance into a dialogue.

Annual appearances: 1991 | 1992

Release evidence and recording details

First released: 1991 (year verified)

The official history identifies the Wembley Arena duet recorded in March 1991 and released as a single in November 1991. Elton John's 1974 solo record and the 1985 Live Aid performance are different recordings.

Recording: Original 1991 Wembley Arena live duet recording
Credit: George Michael and Elton John
Role in this collection: Co-lead vocalist with Elton John

Original single: Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me

Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me - official 1991 live duet history
Elton John's official history identifies the March 1991 Wembley Arena duet with George Michael and its November 1991 US/UK single release. It distinguishes the 1974 solo studio recording and the 1985 Live Aid performance. | Reviewed 2026-10-17

About this artist collection

The existing George Michael solo ID is retained. Careless Whisper and A Different Corner retain their documented solo credits despite Wham! album associations. Wham! group recordings are outside this collection. Elton John and Mary J. Blige remain fully credited on their separate duets.

First released means the earliest documented official public release of the selected recording. A year-only date does not assert a month or day. Later singles, chart years, compilations, remasters and reissues do not replace that date.

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