First Time Hearing George Michael - Freedom! '90 (Reaction!)

[@anthonyv1719]

The top supermodels of the time - Turlington, Evangelista, Crawford, Pattiz and a few others. Never to be duplicated again.

[@sasapetroski981]

Yea.. Beautiful girls

[@lisazaccardimeunier8378]

Naomi Campbell.

[@ktrsBklyn]

NAOMI!

[@jojeffrie962]

So stunning 😊

[@ninawest8]

Exactly,they started the supermodel status....And, they were natural beauties,before botox and fillers. The models nowadays are manufactured.

[@Ray1969.]

This song was about him shedding the industry persona and becoming himself. Freedom!

[@cleiophane2287]

I love

[@diananuttman8291]

Yeah, Shon nailed it.

[@sammic7492]

George refused to appear in the video as he didn't want to promote the album or any of the singles on it as he had fallen out with the record label, as they wanted to hold him to a contract and wanted him to make music he didn't want to and this was his reply to the label. Just as a side note the director of this video was David Fincher who later went on to make the films Seven, Fight Club and Social Network.

[@dcg4mn]

Yeah it’s ironic the label was demanding basically copies of his earlier music because this was better than them all.

[@danajohnston7988]

Thanx love a good back story!

[@sammic7492]

@@danajohnston7988 You're welcome

[@shaneencalade4988]

Almost 35 yrs ago and it looks like it was filmed yesterday. It’s held up….. timeless!!!

[@agentsculder2451]

That's because it was shot by David Fincher. He did music videos before features. Almost all his videos are great.

[@jai07070]

Two things I believe George is referring to in this song . I think he was having issues with his recording company. Burning his jacket and exploding the instruments to promote his freedom. Secondly, opening up on his true sexuality being Gay.

[@David-s6e4q]

I agree. Most people miss the point of this song

[@butterbeantv]

Agreed. These two events were happening at this time. And this beautiful song represented those things with style, class and impact.

[@annagonzales8178]

Also getting out from under all the people I’m sure felt like trying to hold his sexuality over his head.

[@revolutionday1]

He really didn't "come-out" until he was "outed" some years later, with the whole bathroom incident.

[@John-q5p9m]

When he was in Wham, people used to clown him, but looking back at his career and abilities, my god, how does one person get so much talent?

[@christopherone1]

'clown him' ah, no. he was a huge huge star one of the best and tops in his era.

[@tsblonde510]

The entire “Listen Without Prejudice” is phenomenal. When you think of no skip albums, this is on that list.

[@aircap]

George Michael was the real thing. He started out in bubblegum and worked his way to universal respect as a serious artist. RIP

[@amymulcahey9502]

He was the best singer ever

[@mpd370]

George wrote, produced, and played most of the instruments on this album. I don’t care how you felt about the man, he was a musical genius. ✌🏻

[@christopherone1]

oh we loved him. he was beloved and missed

[@A.Kanters]

This was "the Bomb" back in the day....

[@emanuelsanders2030]

YAZZZZZZZ, the good old days when lyrics were encouraging and awe inspiring, moreover music was a gift to your souls palette. They DON'T write'm or sing'em like this anymore! I MISS those days so much!

[@TheNotedHero]

This was the era of supermodels - and he got all the top ones to be in this single music video. Teenage boy me was IMPRESSED when this dropped!

[@sherriebrunell2151]

This was my divorce song. The words, "there's someone I forgot to be," really spoke to me as I left a loveless marriage. So glad you enjoyed and appreciated it! RIP George Michael. 😢

[@mickiea369]

Aw, hugs. ❤

[@melissatuel862]

Hey Shon! You're correct about his wanting to change his music style. However, the record label didn't want him to because up until that time he was doing mostly pop style songs that were making lots of $$$$. He decided to use super models to convey that he felt like that was all the label wanted him to be. However he felt as though he had grown beyond that. Ultimately they fired him and he started making much better music.

[@Bri_g3]

Yeah all of that

[@heckrules1]

George Michael, Elton John - Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me (HD Remastered)

[@robertgieseler1220]

A couple of seconds into it and, again, you got the right intuition and inspiration. He's actually leaving his record company -- but he won't let his fans down. Freedom. Free at last! (And I'm not referring to Martin Luther King here). Your perceptive faculty is just out of this world! I love this song. And its message (just as you do). All the very best from Germany

[@user-or1ye3iz6d]

Back in the days of "Supermodels" ❤

[@scottNNJ]

Titled “Freedom ‘90”, because George Michael and Andrew Ridgely (the duo that was the group Wham! in the 80s) had a song called “Freedom” in 1984. This song was released six years later, in 1990.

[@rmacdougallaliasdogviticus]

Freedom! '90 is my favorite George tune, just love it. 'Father Figure' next maybe..... Cheers.

[@eve7093]

George Michael: Fastlove - is a real funky song Praying for time - Is a very real song, still to this day 👌🏼❤️

[@Zlatkohmmm]

fast love is amazing

[@rosemiller2990]

Is one of the most iconic songs and videos of all time. George was so fed up with Sony music and the image they wanted him to portray. He rebelled in a major way, which open the door for other artists to stand up against their music companies, such as Prince. George was fearless and he even refused Elton John’s request to play the piano on this song. I love George he is one of my favorite artist of all time. Keep diving, because he has some amazing music and duets, with the best of the best in the business.

[@nathanclarke2777]

George Michael is amazing!

[@nathanclarke2777]

If you haven't yet you should check out Seethers cover of Careless Whisper! It is amazing!

[@alistairlemar675]

Good reaction bro. Also you sounded like you understood what the song was about . George is a legend

[@harrypothead42024]

This is my favorite George Michael song without a doubt. I was born in 78 so this man's music was all throughout my childhood and teenage years

[@reanimated]

Cheers to a great year! ;p I have such memories of my mom driving us back and forth to Girl Scouts with the "Faith" cassette on permanent rotation in the car. Nah, friends' moms, nothing weird about us listening to "I Want Your Sex" with our troop leader!

[@alvamarsh4290]

Love seeing you younger folks enjoying the music from our time. Keep rockin'

[@jeanniedebartolo5965]

❤love George Michael ❤RIP

[@newtonduck1]

This is definitely one of his very best. The video is ICONIC.

[@ryanr5319]

This has been on my playlist for 34 years. Ty for reaction! Can't not move what ya got to this. 😊

[@sonofmargit]

Dang.. 34 years. Makes me feel old as fuck, but I guess at 58 I am indeed getting 'Older', lol. Also, this could have been released yesterday, that's how fresh it sounds.

[@wentibbetts7833]

He was in dispute with his label and he rebelled in the utmost way, hiring supermodels to appear in the video, he wouldn't appear in. Clever, creative and successful! This vid blew up on MTV/VH1. I agree Shon, this is among his finest work. ✌🏽

[@loadedorygun]

It was a cool move but I don’t think the label minded too much in the end, lol

[@djm0111]

Shon, you fucking nailed this one.

[@TrevorHarden]

This song is such a banger

[@user-fh395hn3s4]

the percussion , the jazz piano , the composing of music background ,these supermodels, the so encouraging and inspiring lyrics, with George's energy , your soul just feel like burning!!!

[@tonywrangler]

By far his best song. One of the best songs of the decade.

[@tallpall1976]

I love how you get the lyrics and references so quick some reactors just miss all that stuff love your reactions

[@CC-Wulf]

My favorite George Michael song.

[@StefLuvsFoo]

Do his “Father Figure.” Absolutely amazing. Another hot model in that one, too. lol

[@GaryCain-qf5vi]

George was distancing away from Wham so he could start a new, some also say he was making a statement on his Sexuality, this song has become an anthem in the LGBTQ community 🌈 Peace 😊✌️ your 70 year old forever Young Hippie Gary🕺🕺 💃💃 Great Reaction 👍

[@christianslater2736]

Thanks had a feeling that was what it was about, ,but I was pretty young when this came out, and hadn't even come to terms with my own sexuality lol

[@tejida815]

Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington

[@orologioimpazzito]

& Tatjana Patitz

[@TheBeezusjones]

I mean , you just cannot deny his voice.. just gorgeous

[@richardc8795]

This video has been explained by many in the comments, so I will skip that. All I will say is that George Michael has some of the most beautiful ballads. My favourite being One More Try. Great review!

[@Bekka_Noyb]

my fave George Michael song! dbl ♥ Linda Evangelista (white blonde) is breathtaking in this! 😳

[@Debbie-m7f]

George… real Legend ❤

[@kymmunson3270]

They won’t go when go is one of the many other great songs on the same album. The whole album is outstanding.

[@basherman69]

The acoustic guitar, the leather jacket, and the jukebox that were destroyed in this video were symbolic of the similar items that were present in Michael's 1987 "Faith" video. Those and the line "when you shake your ass, they notice fast" also refers to Michael's Elvis-like gyrations in the "Faith" video. And, yes, this song is called "Freedom '90" to distinguish it from a similarly titled Wham! song "Freedom", written by Michael, released in 1985.

[@georgia1bulldogs]

So glad you are listening to all the music you missed!

[@joskokrstulovic1258]

Everything she wants is another great song of Wham,you should check.

[@tim10243]

As a photographer I got to confess that even more than 3 decades later this video still gets me. The photography is still amazing - and so is the song!

[@loadedorygun]

One other note-the shot from INSIDE the model’s sweater is goddam GENIUS. Still knocks me out after all this time. Sexy af.

[@ThePrincessfunk]

You just got a new subscriber. First time watching you and love how you’re jamming to this masterpiece. Thank you for taking me down memory line. I’ll jamming to this tune later on for sure. Can’t wait to watch more of your reactions.

[@reanimated]

Bringing the jams once again! This is one of my very favorite all-time songs from one of my very favorite singers. This was a big thing on MTV that I remember well. But damn this song is just so perfectly constructed and executed. We have to do it as a group when we bust it out at karaoke. Those layered vocals. The beat. The chord changes, weaving in and out between major and minor...just a perfect little nugget! :D (And of course you *immediately* caught the theme of the song in what, half a verse??) Nice one!

[@WendyDarling1974]

On multiple occasions, I’ve had this song on repeat for an hour. I love it that much. Everything that gets destroyed here - the leather jacket, the jukebox, the guitar - appeared in the “Faith” video.

[@juliell2139]

You missed when he blew up the juke box from Faith video. It was a hit when it came out. Video was a statement and revolutionary because first video that didn't feature artist singing. He was not in video. Just supermodels. A statement all its own

[@the-traveling-lens]

While the song is a rebuke against his label and a declaration of freedom, it’s also confessional. My favorite line in the whole song: “It looks like the road to heaven but it feels like the road to hell, I knew which side my bread was buttered and I took the knife as well.” Essentially he is saying that all the fame, and adoration looks great but it’s not. But in the pursuit of all of that, he was as much to blame as anyone. Ego and ambition became the twin pillars of the whole problem on his end.

[@ThomasStarnes-d5p]

This song is legit. I definitely enjoyed the video with super models

[@doplinger1]

I think you’re right, Shon - his best, IMO.

[@michaelfletcher9640]

If you actually pay attention to the video, you should notice that George never appears in it. Just his voice!❤

[@ssvr3dl1n38]

Still a banger imo!

[@slimlouis6441]

Poor George was trapped, he wanted to be himself and make different music. Which he eventually did. Loved him.

[@annephillips8494]

That voice! 🤫😘💖

[@David-s6e4q]

Great song ! 🎵 It’s a statement song The 4 supermodels in this are 🔥🔥🔥

[@jasonremy1627]

Amazing song. One of my top ten all time songs.

[@EvanWeber1234]

Man, you bout to go crazy on this one

[@bk4062]

Shon, I'd be willing to bet that George is going to rock your world! You have only 30+ years to catch up on. I haven't heard any new reactions lately & you've let a fire with me. George is the most wonderful man outside & inside. There's very little that makes me happy these days other than Goerge & new reacters getting turned on to George & his music! Always Remember George & Keep The Music Playing, my friend LOL, BK 🕯😇🎵🎶🔥🔥🔥💖

[@wilpri]

I only ever went to one concert at Madison Square Garden. It was George Michael. So fine.

[@kathleenkarsten5739]

Love, love, love George Micheal! 😍

[@kcjstanley9608]

His coming "out" song ! Loved GM RIP So many great songs from a GREAT artist

[@JosieStev]

I miss George. The videos were so meaningful in the 80s and 90s. I am sos glad you like it

[@hmtqnikitashakur3399]

the video was aesthetic excellence

[@normandavidtidiman9918]

I ambitiously done this at karaoke in the mid 90s. Luckily,it was midweek & not many in 😂

[@crowleybo]

His live performances are better than his studio tracks. "George Michael - Freedom '90" MTV Unplugged 1996

[@CatherinePearl100]

This has been my favorite George Michael song by far since the first time I heard it, and I still love it.

[@nicolegoehr5618]

😊shon♥️70’80,90’s Freedom Don’t Give Me Up! Now🤐

[@loadedorygun]

I love the honesty and self awareness of this song. It turned me into a real GM fan after dismissing him as a pop lightweight. This is meaningful music and a HELL of a jam. It’s one of the best pop records ever. 😊

[@brosciencegutfeelings7058]

Next up has gotta be George Michael - “Father Figure” Hard to pick a fav of his but it’s up there!!

[@LordPeter33]

Peep "Father Figure" next. That and "One More Try" might be his best work. 🤔

[@italysfavoriteson5339]

Shon, glad you liked the song & video, my friend. I would really like if you reacted to Mr Michael's video, Older. It's so darn good. :)

[@robinwalker6941]

This was his best song. He wanted to shed the bubblegum pop image and be what he was at his core, a soul singer. This was also around the time he indirectly came out. Look up the MTV Unplugged performance of this. It’s incredible.

[@goodbyedemocracy5678]

His coming out song. Very moving.

[@marieaug9322]

Wow you are the first reactor that got what I got in the 90s. I thought omg he came out in this song!

[@adamdodgshon638]

Iconic video. Seemed to go with the song perfectly. Another great song/video combination from the same era is Being Boring by Pet Shop Boys.

[@MetalphysicalMel]

"Faith" is another great one.

[@Steve-hq4fm]

This was released after he won a long legal battle with his label.

[@madeleineglo7696]

Spinning the wheel and if you were my woman are good too Freedom 90 is my fav he performed it live at Wembly his backing singers were perfection too. And the sax on his other tunes.

[@ktrsBklyn]

One of the ALL TIME GREAT videos.

[@MichaelDugan-b5v]

Just a great, great Pop song and an iconic video.

[@dcg4mn]

I may be forgetting a track or two but I do think this is his best.

[@rouguy1972]

GM❤ The unplugged of this is incredible

[@zivo24]

This and Madonna’s ‘Hunan Nature’ are the greatest “fuck you - I’m gonna do me” songs EVER.

[@adonisfoto8709]

For me, the two best music videos ever, Freedom 90 and Vogue

[@michelled5060]

Too Funky is another great video!

[@Bob-p4x]

Father figure should be your next George Michael song

[@alistairlemar675]

Dude I love you

[@justinestes6400]

Killed this in his MTV Unplugged!!

[@jonperans]

This dude is an absolute legend. One of a kind

[@SuburbanSavage]

George Michael didn't want to be another "pretty boy" pop star, especially after the video sensations that were "Faith" and "I Want Your Sex;" you could NOT escape those songs in the early 90's! I mean, the opening of the "Faith" video is an extended shot of his ass in tight jeans, wearing that leather jacket. Imagine seeing that video 5+ times a day, not to me tonight radio plays. It was a lot. So George Michael made a string of videos, using the biggest models of the era, or if he was in the video, he was in shadow, further annoying record execs. He wanted to make music and not be a performing monkey, which he earned the right to be seen as a singer/songwriter. Later he had some fun with videos, especially after he came out, check out the video for "Outside" as proof of his sense of humor. George came out after he was busted in a public restroom and he made fun of himself in the video. It's fantastic!

[@GaryCain-qf5vi]

George came out of the closet in 1998 and regretted he hadn't done it sooner, all his videos were great but the cover models were a cover up to keep the public and executives happy, and to save his career. He deserves respect for all he went through. "Outside" a great video and very funny 😁 Peace 😊✌️ Gary , George 🙏 RIP

[@reanimated]

Also, have you heard "Kiasing a Fool" yet? Last song on "Faith," and that's another perfect concoction.

[@jenniferbabros1985]

Now this is a great song and video

[@htbald1]

GEORGE WAS ON HIS PATH TO JUST BEING HIMSELF, BEING IN THE CLOSET ABOUT YOUR SEXUALITY WHEN YOU'VE BECOME A MAJOR STAR, IS A PRESSURE AS AN OUT AND PROUD BLK GAY MAN THAT I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE!!!

[@johnc1593]

Best song

[@miriammegova8384]

Can't wait for you to discover East 17.songs like Someone to love, Slow it down, Hey child. They will blow your mind 😊