masterpiece! GEORGE MICHAEL - FREEDOM 90 (First time reaction (probably))

My reaction to Freedom '90 by George Michael. Definitely my first time hearing this all the way through, though I've probably heard it on the radio at some point in my life. Amazing!

[@ptpat99]

Goerge used this song an encore for his concerts. The song energetically closed the show sending his fans home on a high note. The song exemplifies his quest for career choices that was his to make. A magnificent song of freedom. He was an amazing artist and storyteller. ❤

[@genagrilo1452]

Continuo a amar George Michael,nas recordações tão ricas que nos deixou ,artista único com um enorme talento,voz maravilhosa inteligente, charmoso foi único no mundo até 2024 ainda não apareceu outro igual ,os seus concertos eram maravilhosos 😢😢😢😢 descansa em paz meu querido 🙏🙏🙏🙏💐💐💐💐

[@jaccilowe3842]

I'm a sucker for a rebel and this was done so well. Everyone knew what it was about.

[@dahcbhmg]

George Michael was the writer and producer of this song, on his Listen Without Prejudice Vol 1 album released in 1990. The original song version was Freedom! which was on the Wham! Make It Big album released in 1984

[@patriciaroberts308]

George Michael was exquisite in EVERY sense of the word!!! He was a genius, gifted with incomparable talent from birth!!! I LOVE everything about this precious soul and miss him dearly... He crossed all genres of music effortlessly and held his own with superstars the likes of Aretha Franklin, complimenting such powerful voices eloquently!!! George Michael has earned EVERY accolade he ever received or ever will!!!! He is one of a kind, there will NEVER be anyone close to his atmosphere, past, present, future!!! 🇺🇸 ✨💖✨

[@todddepue681]

This was a period of image rebellion for our George, refusing to appear in his own videos. I love that this takes on the cynical notion that "any pretty face" can sell a song. There's also the symbolic destruction of the "Faith" iconography...the jacket, jukebox and guitar. "I Knew You Were Waiting" is his duet with Aretha Franklin, and, imo, one of the best songs ever. These ladies were the first wave of "supermodels"....100s of magazine covers, every runway and ad campaign. Rather ephemeral stuff in the context of the "real world" but this gorgeous, statement making video is their lasting legacy.

[@bridgethegapreactions]

Great stuff, thank you. I noticed the jacket when I was editing this video

[@lucilladear]

The Listen Without Prejudice album is a masterpiece from track 1 to 10...

[@bradwatson1048]

Cowboys and Angels is sublime. Add "Jazz" to your GM genre list.

[@rosemiller2990]

This was a message to Sony. He had enough of being just a pretty face, and he didn’t want to play their game anymore. They wanted him to shake his ass on video and be seen as a rock idol. In this song he proclaimed he was more than that, primarily a songwriter, singer composer, and he wanted to be taken seriously. It was really a middle finger to Sony. He really did it his way and that takes a lot of guts. I have all of George’s music and it’s absolutely the best of anyone else’s . You are barley at the tip of the iceberg . He was a Genius, song writer.

[@colinmackillop]

You’ll get sucked in. George was a genius who could really sing. So many amazing tracks

[@jlim74]

George Michael is RnB/Pop! In fact at the 1989 American Music Awards George won Favourite Pop/Rock Male Artist, Favourite Soul/R&B Male Artist and Favourite Soul/R&B Album for Faith. It was a massive controversy as he was the first white male to win a Soul/RnB award that traditionally gone to a black man. Faith also won Album of the Year at the Grammys and was also the first album by a white solo artist to hit number one on the Billboard Top Black Albums chart. After his hugely successful first album, George decided that he did not want everything that came with the massive success of Faith. He went to court to try and terminate his record deal with Sony, which went on for years. He refused to appear in any music videos (hence the supermodels) or on the album cover or to promote the album. He was not out at this point in his career. It had nothing to do with his time in Wham, it's specifically about the Faith period of his career. You can see direct reference to this as he blows up the jukebox and the guitar that was in Faith and set alight the iconic leather jacket that defined his Faith image over that period. During this time, George Michael was the biggest pop star in the world. He outsold Madonna, Michael Jackson and Prince. The Faith album had 4 No 1 singles and 2 other Top 5 singles alone. Freedom 90 was him rebelling against Sony and taking control of the narrative moving forward for the rest of his career! There is a documentary called George Michael: Freedom Uncut that you can watch and there is also a new Wham documentary being released on Netflix on July 5!

[@bridgethegapreactions]

Great stuff, thank you! So interesting about being a white guy and winning soul awards. I get why that was controversial but I'm guessing he was pretty respectful to black musicians / artists?

[@jlim74]

@@bridgethegapreactions Yes, he was but at that time there were a lot of black artists complaining about it. In a 1988 interview with Jet magazine, he was quoted as saying: "I was much happier with [Faith] being the No. 1 Black [chart] album than I was when it became the No. 1 Pop album. There was much more of a sense of achievement. I knew this album would be a shock or a surprise to people in this country. The uptempo side of the new music is more overtly sexual, more black." Faith is one of the biggest selling albums of all time selling more than 25 million and Freedom 90' is off Listen Without Prejudice his follow-up to Faith. Over time no-one would question his soul/RnB credentials. When you duet with Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston, I think that's a very big endorsement!

[@foran0004]

For a "short period" he outsold Prince, Madonna and Michael

[@GF-pk4uj]

@@bridgethegapreactions George worked with black backup singers throughout his career. Some were with him for many years.

[@taintedlife2618]

So excited and love wham!

[@rosemiller2990]

George wrote produced and arranged and sang this song. George was one of Robbie‘s idols, and he decided to cover freedom when he first left his band. This video is iconic because George decided to use the top super models of the day in this video. This went to number one. The entire listen without prejudice album is legendary. It went to number one when it was originally released and then 30 years later on its anniversary. It went to number one again I Believe it’s the first time in history for that to have happened

[@rosamiller8687]

I'm from the US and I have been, since the time I saw George on American Bandstand a MASSIVE fan. In my opinion, George's voice is untouchable. Yes, he was pitch perfect, and he had a beautiful velvety tone, but what elevated it was the delivery. You could hear the passion in his voice when he sang. The vulnerability and honesty were never hidden. He was a master songwriter and could write in any genre. R&B, soul, pop, jazz, standards. There are tons of duets out there and many beautiful solo songs. Since you are British, you will know George was the most played artist on British radio for 20 years straight. No small feat! I understand this song was about Sony. He was basically giving Sony the middle finger. He was trying to tell them that he was not just a sex symbol and that he had something to say in the way of his music and songwriting. He didn't feel the support by his record label and, therefore, was angry about it. As you can see from the video, he burned his leather jacket and blew up the jukebox because he wanted to distance himself from that image. He had a lot to say through his music. Keep listening because there is so much to discover and fall in love with. Please try and react to Kissing a Fool and Brother Can You Spare a Dime live from Pavarotti and Friends, Cowboys and Angels, and Praying for Time. There are so many it's hard to choose a favorite.

[@fawaka5006]

As iconic as the videoclip and the recording are, the live version with the choir smashes it. Nearly all the unplugged Recordings of his songs are brilliant.

[@oceanlover3530]

His vocals really shine in his live performances. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@FindingMadonna]

I recommend the MTV 10th Anniversary performance from 1991, which is basically the same arrangement but even stronger.

[@anthonypallen7919]

That Mtv show and the BBc are epic .

[@brady5548]

@@FindingMadonna AGREE!

[@Dannyboy.]

Praying for time next please !! Masterpiece !

[@michellemcgregor358]

love this song and the video, I remember the models in this vid from the 90's , I don't know the history but feel this was a solid middle finger to someone or even the industry? Which is friggin awesome, if thats the case .....sang GM!! I hope others follow through with this message. thanks for the reaction and your honest comments mate.

[@purpledragonfly313]

I remember when Listen without prejudice came out. He refused to do any promo or appear in videos. The record company answered by doing next to no promotion and it became a whole thing.

[@rosemiller2990]

You are in for a massive treat if you’re just discovering what George really did in his career. There is a live version of this on the 10th anniversary MTV special. Just him, and his back up singers, singing in the round. Freaking fantastic performance. This will give you an idea of the beauty of George’s voice. It’s also an amazing concert that he head-lined, called the Princess Trust Concert for Hope. There aren’t enough words to even describe how amazing his live voice is on stage. Check this concert out and you’ll be blown away.

[@jonperans]

I think you would like Waiting (Reprise). It's kind of a continuation of what he is singing about here, but more heartfelt. He sings "the roads that I have walked upon, well it filled my pockets, but emptied out my soul". It's so beautiful

[@foran0004]

Listen Without Prejudice is one of my top albums of all time. And for those who love Harry Styles huge hit "same as it was" ...its the same tune as Mother's Pride...take a listen

[@waldo12886]

Super Models In Video Are: 1. Naomi, 2. Linda Evangelista, 3. Christy Turlington, 4. Cindy Crawford, 5. Tatiana - who was 6'0'' Tall; The first three I listed were known as "The Trinity" within their time modeling.

[@Greystoke1986]

Even my mom loves George Michael! The fullness and depth of his voice is so rare. I love this album and Listen Without Prejudice. He was overwhelmingly talented. Writing, producing, voice, singing his own backup vocals and so much more. He bested Freddy Mercury and Elton John on covers of Somebody to Love and Don't Let the Sun Go Down. I'm not sure about the names of the songs. Too Funky is a great video and song! The lady that was Bat-Girl is in this runway model video. The lady from the 1960's tv show. I have forgotten her name. Julie Newmar??? Anyway you have a ton of tracks to listen to and videos. He didn't want his image to overshadow his music. That's what this song is about. He's throwing off the Faith-era image. That's why we stopped seeing him in his own videos for a bit. He had to get him some happy!

[@impopquiz]

His live cover on Queen’s songs were amazing. Also Adamski/Seal’s Killer x Papa Was a rolling stone.

[@purpledragonfly313]

Absolutely love that song! Still a fave on my playlist.

[@oceanlover3530]

Killer/Papa was a Rolling Stone!! 👍🏻🔥👍🏻

[@dtaylor939]

George was incredibly proud of his live performance of "Brother Can You Spare A Dime" at the Pavarotti & Friends concert.

[@daisyboy]

There is a TON to react to…definitely his MTV Unplugged, “A Different Corner” on Parkinson’s, “As” with Mary J. Blige, “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down on Me” with Elton… just loads!!!

[@marcdany1]

He did a couple of videos with the biggest stars of the 90s: the top models! They appear also in Too Funky...apart the standards everyone knows or were playing on the radio, he has so many beautiful songs: angels and cowboys, older, an easier affair...

[@PaladinesAngel]

One of his most amazing songs. There’s tons though. Fast Love, Outside, Jesus to A Child. His ‘Older’ album was his best for sure

[@-HRH]

"Well I knew which side my bread was buttered...I took the knife as well". Nobody wrote em like Yog. Deeply personal and unashamedly honest. That album is one of the best of all time. Waiting For That Day and its Reprise are heartbreaking.

[@AnthonyL0401]

Great comment here. I totally agree, what a lyric, what an honest song. It makes me tear up every time because someone who can come back and say "yeah I messed some stuff up and was caught up, but can I now have a chance to be myself?"

[@-HRH]

@@AnthonyL0401 I couldn't agree more. I tear up listening to him every time too. Even though he was celebrated and loved I still think his genius was underrated.

[@AnthonyL0401]

@@-HRH He was absolutely underrated. It may be part of the unfortunate legacy of his early opportunities and choices. He was a class act singer and writer.

[@-HRH]

@@AnthonyL0401 That's absolutely right. The thing is, he did make some ill-advised choices but even then he funneled that pain and regret into his music. Not many would do that - and that's a mark of an actual artist as opposed to just a singer or popstar.

[@grahamturner288]

Like Madonna George puts his life into his lyrics so it can be helpful to understand the context for his songs. At this point George was not out yet but had transitioned from Wham! to conquer the world with his first solo album ‘Faith’. He’d become somewhat disillusioned with the demands that level of fame required and wanted to do things on his own terms (e.g. not make a music video for this song & let the music speak for itself). This was the beginning of his battles with SONY that would ultimately lead him to take his label to court and sadly deny us much in the way of new material for several years. Two of my favourites are ‘Praying For Time’ - the first, incredibly uncommercial, single from the same album as ‘Freedom ’90’ - and ‘Jesus To A Child’ - his ‘comeback’ song after the court case and one of his most deeply personal. 1996’s ‘Older’ album (featuring ‘Jesus…’ along with ‘Fastlove’) was his de facto coming out album - for those paying attention. His 1998 arrest & subsequent video for ‘Outside’ did the job for those who required less subtlety!

[@user-yy5ql5mh3z]

This Was George Michael's Best Song HIS Whole Life & Career Is On This Track. Taken From The Album Listen Without Prejudice It's a Great Album

[@Mimi-pu8bx]

He was a gifted singer songwriter. He also covered quite a few, Stevie Wonder, Freddie Mercury and many more....fantastic live too

[@pawsltd]

George was a big influence of Mariah. She loved his Faith album so much that she kind of modelled Music Box album on it, in terms of crossing genres. She asked Walter to find the organ sound he used in "One More Try" (a worldwide #1 smash and also covered by Mariah). Using that organ, they wound up writing Music Box (the track on the album of the same name).

[@bridgethegapreactions]

Wow that is genuinely amazing - great facts! I bet he appealed to so many different groups of people and transcended a lot of boundaries. I don't know that for a fact, but I bet most of the Madonna, Whitney and Mariah fans on here would also be fans of his, or at least appreciate him?

[@brynneholt1990]

I often mix up the opening note of Can’t Let Go with One More Try. I’m never disappointed with hearing either one.

[@strangerthings88]

She liked his music, but he was definitely not a big influence on her music. She’s always been open with who those people were and he was not it.

[@pawsltd]

@@strangerthings88 See online: "Mariah has always discussed her love for George Michael and his influence on her musically as recently as a 2017 interview in which she stated, “I remember before my first album, even in high school, the Faith album, I looked at that and said, “I want to make an album that crosses all these genres.” This influence would be further demonstrated with the development of the Music Box track, as Afanasieff recollects. “Mariah was very influenced by George Michael and his album Faith. She asked me if I had a sound that she really loved, which was a special organ sound. I remember being at Right Track Studios and we scoured the city to find the keyboard that was used to create the sound on that one George Michael song that she really loved. So we came back to the studio with a bunch of keyboards and I tried to come up with the sound and it didn’t work out. I finally got a Roland Juno 106 synthesizer delivered and in that bank of organ keyboard sounds she said, ‘Yeah, that’s the sound I really love.” Sonically, the track recalls the prominent synthesized organ featured on George Michael’s classic ballad One More Try, a song Carey would record a cover for and release on her 2014 album, Me. I Am Mariah…The Elusive Chanteuse. Afanasieff described the development of the song further, “We started playing around with me hitting these chords on this organ sound and I started to play a chord progression and she immediately started to go into this beautiful musical trance. She started singing lovely melodies of my chord changes on the keyboard. The melody that is now the song called ‘Music Box.’ It was so beautiful that we added this little music box sound to it. It was all based on this keyboard that George Michael started using years before that influenced Mariah when she was a younger girl.”

[@abnrproperties2331]

@@strangerthings88 Mariah herself has said many times that she was a huge fan of George and the influence he had on her.

[@maryt2290]

So much good stuff here. This is still one of my favorites on my workout playlist, 30 years later. Another fun model infused song/video is Too Funky which I think only shows up on compilation albums. He definitely was not out at the time of this recording. I think you would definitely enjoy a George Michael journey. His ballads, oh my. One More Try, Jesus to a Child bring me to tears.

[@dvus1977]

George was completely done with Sony but they held their grip on his contract so hard even when he asked to be released from them. So in order to fulfill his contractual obligations he made the music but decided to not appear in the video. His bio is heartbreaking, as well as his song , Jesus to a Child. Another fun video loaded with Supermodels is , Too Funky.

[@oceanlover3530]

I’m loving these George Michael reactions! So much you can cover here. My favorite George Michael solo album is, Older. Not a bad track on the entire album. As I mentioned in your previous George Michael post, Kissing a Fool is a beautiful song and has a smooth and intimate smoky jazz bar vibe to it. You’ll be impressed. Another great song is, Cowboys and Angels! Great instrumentation and of course, vocals. Also, most any of his live performances will blow you away. His live performance of Killer & Papa Was a Rolling Stone is outstanding. You can easily find it here on KZbin. I’ll definitely be here for all your GM reactions! Thanks for posting, ✌🏻😉✌🏻

[@leslapins7617]

Tomorrow George would turn 60… in my heart, he lives forever!

[@imeraankeshav9527]

George Michael is my favourite male artist ever!!!

[@krydub897]

Finally! A substantial reaction from someone, without a bunch of fluff! Great job!

[@bridgethegapreactions]

Thank you so much! I try to edit out all the fluff!

[@angelawhite1347]

Great Reaction; I'd love to hear "One More Try" and "Careless Whisper" by George Michael.🔥🔥🔥

[@1964mtm]

It is all George. 5 models, 1 of which has now passed, Tatjana Patitz 56, this is from Listen Without Prejudice, he refused to appear on that album, he thought it had to be them 5 supermodels was a great substitute for not promoting the album. They dont get better than that. Im big fan of George. Try, Dont let the Sun go down on Me, with Elton John. Hes dueted with Aretha Franklin, I knew you were waiting for me and also with Whitney Houston, If i told You That. His Duets with Stevie Wonder and very young George, Loves in Need of Love today and Living in the City

[@RachelKaplanMini]

Robbie actually picked the song for his first single because George was his idol. How most recent tour he talks about it and he does a tribute with all the graphics in the background are George when he performs it

[@paulamoya7956]

Greatest song of the 90’s .. I’ve been obsessed with this song since go. 🌠

[@TimpossibleOne]

One of his last his was So Amazing and it is so amazing. George also does a duet with Mary J. Blige on As (a cover of a Stevie Wonder song). Kissing a Fool is my favorite George Michael song.

[@farkenstein7995]

Listen Without Prejudice... masterpiece. Heard him sing at Freddies concert doing "Somebody to love", what a voice , . Patience, older, more.

[@toriboy25]

My absolute favorite GM song. And one of my favorite videos with some of my fav 90's supermodels!

[@samuele.marcora]

Not many people know George directed his videos. This one is a timeless classic

[@louiseanderson1505]

Please please please would you do a George Michael reaction to "Praying For Time" Live. Thank you.

[@marianoprato7971]

I'm a fan of Madonna and George Michael. His voice is just incredible. YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY REACT TO A SONG NOT SO MANY PEOPLE KNOW : TONIGHT This song belongs to Elton Jhon but George took it to a different level

[@maryt2290]

Yes, his cover of Elton John’s “Tonight” is haunting, spectacular. It’s on an obscure tribute to Bernie Taupin/Elton John CD that came out around 1988. I’m not sure if it appears on any of his own albums.

[@marianoprato7971]

@@maryt2290 I guess not. Only performed live on youtube

[@everettknight9488]

My favorite " Father Figure" he also did an amazing duet with Aretha Franklin😊😊😊

[@midwestartist1]

Too Funky! One of may all time favorites that most people forget.

[@Georgiegirl625]

MAGNIFICENT REVIEW❣️Watch the live performance of it. CONCERT OF HOPE!

[@mrchelsea7171]

His best album in my view and still one of my favourites… I get lost in this album. Even today.

[@tiffanyspencer2782]

Hell yeah! Wham/George Michael is STILL 1 of my favorite songs. I love it! You made me react like the 1st time.

[@Hugo-fs9sf]

Last note: there is an amazing live version (he is wearing sunglasses and a backwards baseball hat and accompanied by background singers) that is a must see.

[@teensymom1420]

This is not widely known by most but George wrote, produced, arranged and played some of the instruments on his songs. He is amazing and you must react to his live performances. If you need a list, I will happily supply you with one. Start with the Concert for Hope from 93. Princess Diana asked him to perform at a concert for her AIDS charity. Killer/Papa Was A Rolling Stone and this song Freedom 90 are both outstanding from this concert.. His performance of A Different Corner on the Parkinson Show. Absolutely perfection both. That will get you started. Oh since you mentioned her he does have a duet with Aretha Franklin. Funny story. Aretha's manager asked George to write some songs for her. He was on doing his last shows with WHAM, working on Faith and more importantly he didn't feel worthy to write songs for her. She was one of his idols. Next he gets a call from her manager again and says we have a song and she wants you to do it with her. The song was I Knew You Were Waiting For Me. It was Aretha's first number one song in the UK ever, which is somewhat unbelievable but it also won a Grammy. He adored her and I think the feeling was mutual. He also did a song with Mary J. Blige "As", an old Stevie Wonder song. It is amazing too. Recently Mary J said that she misses George everyday. She said you know when you meet someone and just instantly know there is something real and special about this person. She said that was what George was to her. RIP George. Perfection in every way.

[@bridgethegapreactions]

Great post, thank you so much! I think I need to do that Aretha duet next

[@rayevarney]

He has a fantastic live duet with Elton John on Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me

[@lazerx1828]

George was contractually obligated to produce music videos for the record company that he was unhappy with ("All we have to see is that I don't belong to you and you don't belong to me"), but the contract did not state that he had to physically appear in them. FREEDOM '90 drives home the point with an ironic twist, having supermodels sing the song, whose career is all about image.

[@OO7eleven]

Praying for Time is haunting, Kissing a Fool is a fantastic throwback, and Cowboys and Angels is beautiful.

[@jamescorr9383]

Hope you explore more such a smooth voice MTV unplugged is exceptional. Great reaction

[@rickymarden8342]

Live performances you can watch his princes trust performance and his mtv unplugged concert. Listen to praying for time and cowboys and angels. From his older album, spinning the wheel, Fastlove and older etc.

[@mikecarter8670]

Johnny...Mike from Virginia, USA. Glad you're finally playing George Michael! Last year after I requested All the Whitney Live and Lisa FISCHER stuff...you mentioned but never played her"One Moment in Time "Live". Did you not like it? I one week later Requested George Michael featuring ELTON JOHN "LIVE" singing Elton's song.. Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me". And you never played it. You're gonna love this performance!!! Thanks for playing all I have requested except those two. Please check them out. Oh I also turned you on to Chant'e "Live"! I kinda know what you'd Love.😆😆😆thanks for trusting me. I love your reactions! Mike Carter. Take Care

[@scotties.3414]

Although this was his emancipation statement song breaking away from his contract with Sony, I think it was secretly his coming-out Manifesto too

[@Yensid98]

"Freedom '90" and the album from which it comes LISTEN WITHOUT PREJUDICE was a reaction to the superstardom he achieved with his previous solo album FAITH. This song is about him tossing aside the trappings of superstardom and being more authentically himself. You'll notice the big icons from the "Faith" music video are set aflame or blown up in this clip (the leather jacket, jukebox, and guitar).

[@Hugo-fs9sf]

Sorry for the 500 comments but this song and video was him renouncing his fame and trying to reclaim his artistry as his record label wanted "Faith 2" which he desperately did not want nor the scrutiny and fame. He refused to appear in his videos. He wrote and produced all his shit and I believe he was still closeted and going through other personal struggles. Tomorrow (sunday) would have been his 60th birthday.

[@strangerthings88]

I actually kinda thought of him as like the white Prince lol. Incredible artist who I probably never appreciated as much as I should. I do remember this video when I was 10 and it blew my mind. Father Figure is one of my favorites

[@janewatkins9801]

Great review 😊 ♥. Check out 'AMAZING', 'SPINNING THE WHEEL' and 'FAST LOVE' by George Michael.

[@1964mtm]

MTV Unplugged is a must and Tatjiana has passed

[@tinkler4]

Love George Michael. Faith was his breakthrough solo album and a first for a white solo artist to top the black albums charts in US. Amazing achievement. We got the first taste of his legendary solo writing with ‘A Different Corner’ when he was on the verge of leaving Wham. His second solo number 1 in the UK (after Careless Whisper) and the first to top the charts that was written, produced and performed by the same artist. His more personal approach writing was after the Faith era. ‘Praying For Time’ ‘Freedom 90’ ‘Too Funky’ ‘Jesus to a Child’ ‘Fastlove’ etc… He has a great catalog of music to explore. Also to think he recorded duets with great female soul artist too? eg: Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston & Mary J Blige.

[@SylviaAdamsEP]

You should listen to "Spinning the Wheel" and "Praying for Time" and "Jesus to a Child" - very serious but beautiful songs.

[@michaelbenti5383]

Looking forward to seeing you react to more of George!

[@taintedlife2618]

Catching up on your postings! I was lucky that my sister took me to the Cover to Cover tour around this time when I was 12 or 13. One of my favorite artists and we miss him so much.

[@johngalvin9927]

Omg. I love ur reactions . Please go on a george journey especially live. I have seen George live and was blown away. Love ur channel

[@joelscottarnold3262]

The women get most of the attention here, but the men in the video were huge models in their own right. John Pearson ( the blonde in the chair ) was the face of many brands, most notably Perry Ellis, Scott Benoit modeled for Versace, Todo Segall, Peter Formby and Mario Sorrenti ( who later became a renowned photographer) round out the list. According to Pearson, there was a day of reshoots that the men had to fight to be paid for- while the women ( who made at least 4 times what the men were paid ) were paid for any additional days of filming. It was no small feat to get the ladies together in this video. While some did work for the same agency, they all had different representation/ agents who had to be convinced to book them for a music video. While it was based on the famous Peter Lindbergh Vogue cover- Claudia Schiffer was also asked to be in the video, and her agent responded with a flat “NO”. She was not happy with the decision when the video became a sensation on MTV and in the fashion world.

[@lazerx1828]

Great comment! I shot commercial fashion in the 80's, so nice to hear about the industry again!

[@Hugo-fs9sf]

Here's some favorites: Fastlove Older Jesus to a child An easier affair Spinning the wheel As I knew you were waiting Somebody to love Heal the pain Something to save Don't let the sun go down on me Amazing Round here (He did an MTV unplugged which is great)

[@Camilaguero]

GM is worth giving a listen to his many albums. He was everything

Bass - Deon Estus. IMO it is about the record companies pressure to keep that badboy image from the album Faith and produce more of that style of stuff, also the agreement conditions which were signed at the beggining of wham, etc. So the battle in court started with the company which lasted for 6 years...

[@donkeygospel6]

SO glad you did this! GREAT REACTION! 👏Please please do *"One More Try"* by George Michael next! (the original version and music video) It's one of his best written/emotionally resonant songs, it has a real soul/R&B feel, his best vocals are on it, and it was one of his #1 singles in the US (from the blockbuster album Faith). 🙏

[@bridgethegapreactions]

Alright, thanks for the tip! Definitely haven't heard that one

[@beingmoi]

@@bridgethegapreactions You should do a combo and also react to Mariah Carey's cover of "One More Try" off of her "Me. I Am Mariah.. The Elusive Chanteuse" album!

[@donkeygospel6]

@@bridgethegapreactions Thanks for replying! Love your channel and reactions. And just from becoming more familiar with your tastes, I think you'll really appreciate "One More Try."

[@1964mtm]

George refused to to sing on that video, he told Sony he want his name fn the LWP album cover. He said having 5 replacement of upermodels was a good replacement . 1 of those models has passed not so long ago

[@Sergeparadiesvogel]

This has always been an anthem! Christine and the Queens recorded a gorgeous cover that I know you would like.

[@stevenmarker8327]

I also love the video for Too Funky. Lots of drag, gender bending and high fashion. It’s tons of fun. Song’s great too.

[@theKarstenR]

This video makes even more sense once you've seen the MV for "Faith", the lead single to his first solo album. And no, George Michael didn't come out until some years later. At this point he only wanted to be taken seriously as an artist and get rid of his sexy teen idol image. Which is also why he named the album that this song was taken from "Listen Without Prejudice" and why he didn't appear in the video.

[@FindingMadonna]

You can tell he's also talking about his sexuality though. Even I picked up on the subtext as a kid. "All we have to do it take these lies and make them true somehow" and "There's someone else I've got to be."

[@leslapins7617]

Absolutely. It’s a pity that some reactors watch them in the “inverse” order, but the can always catch up and get the reference for much more sense, meaning and joy! Oh, and the Wham documentary that might be realeased in July will probsbly add much understanding on Freedom 90!

[@jackie_jrml]

THE Supermodels. Gorgeous women right here. Such a great iconic video. 😍😍😍👌🏼

[@martindouglass3248]

Great review.

[@stevenmarker8327]

Thanks for reacting to this! It is one of my faves.

[@TrevorPalmatiershow]

Mark Ronson, who knows a thing or two about music, called this album "the Mona Lisa" of albums. I agree. The lyrics are so autobiographical and in the video you see him burn the Faith jacket and blow up the jukebox and guitar from the Faith video. Live version is even better. He didn't want to be in the video, so he used supermodels instead. Naomi called up the other girls and convinced them to do it.

[@davidgreer4615]

Linda Evangelista, Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington Burns and Naomi Campbell... THE supermodels.

[@oliverdjandara2418]

And the late Tatjana Patitz

[@missbigkim]

⁠@@oliverdjandara2418Omg I forgot Tatjiana passed away. Damn 😔 I was just enjoying how insanely beautiful she and the other girls were. They don’t make ‘em like this anymore. Absolutely earned and deserved the title SUPERMODELS.

[@pontredreal01]

And Claudia Schiffer

[@missbigkim]

@@pontredreal01 Yes of course but she wasn’t in the video, those are the girls I was referring to.

[@Salieri21]

Also highly recommend GM’s live gospel version of One More Try.

[@SavageAirlines1230]

There’s a duet with Elton John you gotta hear. Don’t let the sun go down on me…. Another one is Mothers Pride… about the world wars.

[@daniellaplume3840]

Don't let the sun go down on me, I Can't make you love me unplugged, Live, One More Try-

[@atoliver77]

This was a BOMB when it came out. And still is. 💥

[@daisyboy]

I’m so happy you’re doing George!!!

[@mbbiz21]

David Fincher absolutely cooking with the video direction

[@deantailor357]

This video was a pain to shoot. Cindy was freezing the whole time (glycerin, dry ice, and fans) and Linda kept "miming" to the song, as opposed to "lip syncing" it (there's a difference). Young people today have no idea of George's defiance during this era or the significance of these 5 women. They appeared on the Jan 1990 VOGUE cover and George said "I want those 5 and only those 5 girls, and ALL of them have to do it". Fortunately, they all did. If you listen to the lyrics, George is telling you his life story, which nobody understood at the time either. It wasn't a secret, but there was a tacit pact between George and the press which suited them both and he was complicit, until he didn't want to be, and we're seeing the first stages of that. Of course at ten years old, you wouldn't understand it for what it is. Yes, as to "One More Try". I've asked, but have never been able to get a definitive answer as to who that was about and I guess now we'll never know. Sort of like with "Take A Bow" (but I think I know that one).

[@faithwithoutprejudice2380]

I don’t know if someone has already suggested an alternative mix of Freedom for you to listen to but I urge you to source ‘Freedom Back To Reality Mix’. A stroke of genius from George, as per usual, mixing Soul 2 Soul’s ‘Back To Life’ with ‘Freedom 90’ - enjoy! Believe me you will! ❤

[@Hugo-fs9sf]

Yas yas yaaaaas.....thank you Jonny. 🎉

[@Salieri21]

Please react to his live performance of this song in an MTV studio lot in 1992😊.

[@MrJason488]

Johnny you should check out "f you were my women" by George and also a George and Steve Wonder duet of "Love s in need of love today" Enjoy, great channel

[@purpledragonfly313]

Yay 🎉🎉🎉 Have anybody summer up all the supermodels yet? 🤗🤗🤗 Great reaction ❤🎉

[@purpledragonfly313]

The iconic Ladies in the iconic video: Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Tatiana (can’t remember her last name, but I think she died last year), Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford (towel). Believe that was all of them 🤔 They were THE models at the time. I can’t remember the names of the men, but they were models too.

[@marykay-yb6rh]

Written and sung FIRST by George!

[@levihayden66]

For another male vocalist to add to your list, Usher, has many great hits and great voice! The Tamia and Deborah Cox duet is still a song you should check out!