WOAH!| FIRST TIME Aretha Franklin & George Michael - I Knew You Were Waiting REACTION

[@shayla-lee]

Fun fact! You would think that George Michael's people pursued Aretha's people to do this duet. WRONG! it was Aretha's crew (more specifically Clive Davis) who reached out to George's people to do a duet with Aretha. Everyone was blown away by George Michael's performance during 1985's Apollo Theatre performance in Harlem NY. Which George was also invited to - not the other way around! Smokey Robinson and George Michael did a duet together of GM's Careless Whisper. And George Michael did a duet with Stevie Wonder during the evening as well! From then on, George was respected as a true soul singer! And this song won the 1988 Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group and gave Aretha her first number one hit in over 20 years - at that time. :)

[@ronniearnold9165]

George Michael & Aretha Franklin....R.I.P.

[@stephaniejones4749]

Aretha Franklin and George Michael two two amazing voices on one song. It doesn't get any better than that. May they both Rest in Peace🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@juliewhite7469]

💖💖💖💖💖

[@cilla268]

I don't know about 'Rest in Peace', can you imagine the party

[@mateomelendez3733]

I vividly remember 1987, when this song came out. Many people were shocked by the pairing. But their voices blended well. In my opinion, they did a superb job!

[@stephaniejones4749]

@@mateomelendez3733 I agree 👍🏾

[@ohfour-seven6228]

So glad you liked this! The other killer George Michael duet is with Elton John, Don't Let the Sun Go Down. It's very special. The other Aretha Franklin duet I love is with Annie Lennox, from Eurythmics, Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves. Both duets are must hears!

[@cog4life]

PLEEZE, PERTY PLEEZE!!!! ❤ George and Elton John video. EPIC!!!

[@debrameyer1125]

Thank you so much for the suggestions. Check out the Spinners and Dionne Warwick, Then came you.

[@juliewhite7469]

💖💖💖💖💖

[@Shrykespeare]

Definitely second the duet with Annie! That one is a powerhouse!!

[@meggiles6848]

I was going to say tge Elton John duet. George Aldo did a great Queen song at the concert after Freddie Died& it is live at Wembley Stadium in London. He had everyone participating. Did Freddie proud.

[@nicoleb1581]

I immediately clicked on this. I love this duet. Such an honor for George Michael to collaborate with the Queen of Soul. Very big hit in the day

[@gordonthorburn5501]

Also an honour for Aretha to sing with George,remember it was her that sought him out for this duet.

[@jenniferdesalle8458]

@@gordonthorburn5501 I’m sure she hand picked him for this duet

[@mateomelendez3733]

We had great music in the eighties with surprising pairings! This song was among the best of the decade.

[@loritajohnson5664]

Love this song! Aretha and Annie Lennox duet "Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves" and Aretha with Lauryn Hill "A Rose is Still a Rose" are also great duets.

[@chakroc]

Whoa....I'd forgotten all about Aretha and Annie on 'Sisters....'. Even though I'm a guy, I can appreciate how amazing that song is. If they haven't heard it yet, that's one they definitely need to do at some point!

[@sarahpagett9191]

Yes definitely I love that song

[@suemcglone2151]

I second Aretha and Annie with 'Sisters Are Doin' It...' Can't get a better combo of those two voices for a Female Friday pick, Amber!

[@chanellegale914]

Yessss! I just come to say Aretha and Annie Lennox song "Sisters are doing it for themselves" 100% recommend 😊

[@taneshah.1260]

"A Rose is Still a Rose" doesn't get the love it deserves. I can still vividly picture the video in my head.

[@michaelfrazia4569]

george was a great songwriter as well as producer.....in addition to the alltime great voice

[@EVGriffinJr]

Ah, yes! One of the more legendary duets in all of music! Rest in peace to both people.

[@Jcrash71]

You're too young for Aretha Franklin, go back to your wrestling shows

[@EVGriffinJr]

@@Jcrash71 actually, I’m not. I’m around 48 and I have other interest besides wrestling.

[@Jcrash71]

@@EVGriffinJr You're 48 then that proves my point lol, you weren't alive during her prime in the 60s and early 70s. Tell me what it was like listening to Respect back in 67?

[@EVGriffinJr]

@@Jcrash71 have a nice day😀

[@LittleAriel]

@@EVGriffinJr You're acting classy and smart in response to this weird rude troll. Good on you. 👍🏻🙂

[@wittynamehere_]

I also suggest Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me, duet by George Michael and Elton John. Also, George Michael's cover of Somebody to Love (Queen) is fantastic.

[@davidhuggan6315]

Agreed!

[@jonnno243]

No matter what decade Aretha sang in, 50s. 60s . 70s, 80s,90s 00s , she was/is always Queen of Soul to me.

[@mikekuhn214]

May these 2 talented musicians RIP!

[@malkamusik]

What a classic 80's song! It was a more perfect pairing than anyone could've imagined.

[@saturnnet1627]

Great commercial team up with the signature 80s pop sound.

[@jessicaboisvert3138]

Awesome song and RIP to George Michael and Aretha Franklin...

[@anononnl]

I just got goosebumps all over at their high notes!

[@mariebishop7357]

This duet is Heaven for the ears. The way their voices sound together makes my heart smile 😊!

[@juliewhite7469]

Same here 🤗💕🤗💕

[@conniedean1977]

This was a stellar duet. So glad you’re checking it out. R.I.P. George and Aretha…💔

[@MasterJohnMoss]

'Everything She Wants' by Wham! is an absolute BANGER!!!

[@SharonC225]

This is such a great song! I was pregnant with my oldest son when it first came out and, after he was born, I would dance around the house while holding him. He would smile so big and flail his little arms to the music. I love how music can take you back to precious memories. ❤

[@LiberalsArePoop]

That is awesome.

[@karmicscope5259]

It’s not screaming. It’s belting.

[@Mary-cz8pf]

You put 2 of the best voices together you get perfection 🥰 ❤

[@jeffreyflint6286]

Now we're cooking. The voice of the queen and George. Cant lose!👍👍🤟🤟⚘⚘⚘⚘

[@ronnix23]

I've always loved this song by these two icons. Another amazing duet that came out shortly after this one is Put A Little Love In Your Heart by Al Green and Annie Lennox.

[@ShannonR1969]

I LOVE that duet!

[@niallmcentee9400]

Two amazingly talented individuals

[@allanfrazier4009]

Great song. As a matter of fact that was the number one this week on the Billboard chart in 1987!

[@carajay1851]

Wow 🎉😮❤ love this ❤😮🎉

[@andrewkelley434]

Hell yes!!! Clicked on this one right away, this is such an amazing duet and song!

[@revmarkwillems9312]

I love how, the minute the track started, Amber recognized that it was an 80s tune. You have both grown so much in your knowledge.

[@bryanCJC2105]

This is one of my favorite songs from 1987. On the screen behind Aretha and George Michael were Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, Sony & Cher, and Ike & Tina Turner; other famous duos. I think you should check out of those famous duets, like Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "I Could Build My Whole World Arounds You", "You're All I Need to Get By", "Ain't Nothin' Like the Real Thing". Tammi Terrell's career was about to take off when she died and Marvin Gaye was in deep depression for a long time before coming out on the other side as a changed man and a changed artist.

[@juliewhite7469]

Love all these suggestions 💕💕💕

[@johnthegreek5836]

This song is a masterpiece and sung by two legends

[@surlechapeau]

Jay & Amber, you'll love his "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" when he was in Wham! !! Jay & Amber, you'll love her "You Make Me Feel Like (A Natural Woman)" ; "Spanish Harlem" and "Until You Come Back To Me!!!!

[@juliewhite7469]

💖💖💖💖💖

[@Curraghmore]

One of the best ever duets. Probably the best of the 80s.

[@dawnwessel8459]

They were magical. I loved this song when it first came out, and I still love it today! The one thing I'll always regret is not seeing George Michael live.

[@telliesmith9825]

George Michael has sang with all the power voices. Whitney, Mary J , yall need to get into it

[@Lovejazz01]

Another reason why the 80’s was such an awesome decade! So many great legendary artists on so many great songs, we got awesome duets like this! Aretha didn’t just perform with anybody, you had to to be great, and George Michael had the chops! Instant classic! 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Bipbop66]

The BEST!

[@teethang1]

Another one that I've been waiting for you two to react to! This is one of my "crank up the volume and clean my house" songs. I am always singing the chorus at the top of my lungs when it comes on. Sometimes I'm Aretha, sometimes I'm George.

[@susantang287]

😂😂😂😂😂me too.

[@juliewhite7469]

💖💖💖💖💖

[@otisroseboro5613]

Rip To Both Great Singer's,We Still Miss You Both

[@juliewhite7469]

💖💖💖💖💖

[@otisroseboro5613]

​@@juliewhite7469Still Miss Them Both

[@alanchwalek3070]

I love Aretha 's song Freeway of Love.

[@Teletran35]

This song still gets constant play even now

[@joycemiller7908]

Aretha. She's so special.

[@MP-wv2hn]

One of my all time favorites! So glad you got to experience this vocal pairing.

[@alexhidalgo7110]

They were fantastic duo

[@Eric4471066]

This song was the one and only time that both George Michael and Aretha Franklin singing together. Not only that this song went all the way to hit the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in America, but the song also went to hit the #1 spot on the British Pop chart as well during the spring of 1987. One more thing about this song. This song was Aretha Franklin's only #1 hit on the British Pop chart ever!!! RIP both to George and Aretha

[@canonfodder2068]

🥰I love it. George did so many great duets--everybody wanted to sing with him, it seems. My favorite is Mary J Blige and George Michael, "As" . A danceable track he did with Whiney Houston on her Greatest Hits 2000 album--"If I Told You" is fun. He was so active in charity concerts that a bunch of duets exist that are live only. More duets--check out crooner, Tony Bennet. He released several recent duet albums. George has a duet with him, but I would do Tony and Lady Gaga duet or early Tony in his prime like "Fly me to the Moon."

[@JJMcClure397]

The 1980's were some of the best years of all time to be young ambitious with a sunny road of opportunities ahead of you. it showed in the life people lived, the music they listened to, the night life they enjoyed and the people they surrounded themselves with.

[@sf0tacticalguy]

Yes!!!! I knew that you would LOVE this! I bought the Love of my Life a personalized coffee mug that had that line, "when the river was deep, I didn't falter. When the mountain was high, I still believed. When the valley was low..." She only had the mug for 5 months before passing away from complications following a cardiac arrest. I still love the song. Thank you for reacting to this.

[@rwschumm]

What Do You Know... Apparently I'm 1st with a Thumbs Up. Wow... Aretha's Voice is SO Powerful! Love This Song! Great Choice & Great Reaction, You Guys!

[@kathenavarro6850]

Isn't it fun when that happens?!! I got it once also!!

[@florenciaalvarez3213]

Aretha and George RIP and thank you for this beautiful duet. If you haven’t reacted to George Michael with Lisa Stansfield singing Queen’s song “The Days of Our Lives” I would highly recommend it. One year after Freddy Mercury’s death they held a tribute concert. And this duet is beautiful. I loved Aretha Franklin at the Kennedy Center Honors Carole King! It is an incredible performance! Thank you for the reaction!

[@mamatay7]

Aretha singing Natural Woman at thw Kennedy Center for Carole is one of THE all-time amazing performances!!!

[@deborahdennehy9937]

What a song!! With the beautiful Aretha Franklin & the awesome George Michael - just SUPERB!!!! xx

[@kimberlyfairbanks8330]

George brought his A-game for this duet...still had his swag and just dis his thing and did not try to over do it...complimented Aretha's powerhouse vocals well. You should react to George's song, "I Want Your Sex". Title sounds "dirty" but it isn't actually dirty. It was a popular bop back in the day!

[@aresee2003]

I really hope they react to it also........& you're right, the song is safe for the office

[@helindove2237]

I'd like to reply with a line from that song "What's your definition of dirty baby." 😁 Some scenes in the music video were certainly enough 🔥

[@rowanmayfair9249]

​@@helindove2237 💯 😂

[@michaelaustin9705]

Wonderful reaction Jay and Amber - I've been waitng on this one. :) Their voices complement each other well - Aretha's sheer power with Michael's smoothness and swagger.

[@juliewhite7469]

💖💖💖💖💖

[@hiawathasmalls3397]

Great song---May they both R.I.P.

[@mikeortiz6008]

2 icons that will be forever be a great duo of musical genius! Both are missed today with music. RIP to both George and Aretha!

[@diannamarie164]

YES! This is my absolute favorite collaboration of two AMAZING artists!

[@laurabuer4714]

Oh, this brings joy to my heart! Thank you for reminding me. 🎉

[@charlenecross28]

George and Elton version of Dont let the sun go down on me is A must. His range is insane

[@davidhuggan6315]

It's one of the great duet performances, and imagine being in that crowd!

[@kellifranklin9872]

I love this duet. George Michael is finally nominated for The Rock Hall of Fame this year. We’ll know in 2 weeks whether he made it or not. Fingers crossed! This is an excellent song to end on on a Saturday night. Great song choice y’all!

[@fayesouthall6604]

He deserves it

[@todddepue681]

I clicked so fast when I saw this! One of my all-time favorites on every level. GM was reportedly very nervous about working with one of his idols, feeling unworthy of the task. But Aretha had been wanting to work with him for several years, since she'd first heard him with Wham! She also collabed in the 80s with Eurythmics on "Sisters Are Doin It for Themselves" which y'all would totally love. As a teenager in the 80s, I really appreciated Aretha's work with my favorite artists because it got me to investigate her entire back catalog.

[@juliewhite7469]

💖💖💖💖💖

[@lesliehagemann5755]

So happy you got to this one!!❤❤❤

[@weekendviral]

A well deserved Grammy Award in 1988 for both of them ❤🎉

[@jeannieswaite2569]

George Michael One More Try is SO GOOD, you can really see how much of a GREAT singer he is in this one. Not that we don't already know, but you can see just how high and angelic his voice is here. I get chills everytime I hear One more try!!!! Amber u will love it, both of u will honestly, but it's so good!!!!

[@ToeTag1968]

I love that y'all added this to your list! You wouldn't think this duet would work, but man does it! George also did a duet with another R&B queen, Mary J Blige, called "As," which is good too. They're backed by a gospel choir. He used to always bring the magic. :)

[@SC-gp7kt]

"As" is phenomenal with Mary!!

[@diorrboyyyy]

AND HIS DUET WITH WHITNEYYY

[@chadenglish4169]

Love this song. Reminds me of my mom R.I.P. She used to turn the stereo up really loud and we would dance to it. Great memories.

[@annephillips8494]

A Choker Those voices.The personas.Thank you both 🙏💛🌼

[@carolmartin4413]

Oh yeah...doesn't get better than this...2 of the greatest singers together? Heaven ❤❤❤

[@lydmarl.475]

What a privilege for GM to have done a duet with the powerhouse Aretha Franklin, such great duet, both of them RIP!!

[@terigomric9926]

I haven't heard this one in a long time. Such a wonderful song by 2 great artists. Nice choice u 2. 😊

[@cathyortiz1280]

Pop & soul - beautiful!!

[@karanu6802]

I'm glad you reacted to this, George Michael loved Aretha's music but he was nervous about performing with her because he considered himself unworthy, but they ended up making a terrific song together

[@adc2327]

Well...I used to run into Narada Michael Walden from time to time. He produced this song. I asked him about this song and the recording session. We had a good laugh and some fun talking about it. I don't know about the unworthy part, but yes George was nervous.

[@isaackovitz4791]

One of the greatest duets of all time.

[@sherlockhemlock5655]

Can I just say you two just made my night with your reaction?! So glad you got to this one and you really enjoyed their voices together!! Just hours before my birthday … an early present! 😊💜 Next should be George’s tribute to Freddie Mercury ‘Someone to Love’. One of his best live vocal performances.

[@bobbyc.4415]

Happy birthday, J. You'd love the duet George Michael did with Elton John singing "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me". An awesome performance from both of them.

[@DanalynTuthill-yl4hd]

Didn't they do that at Live Aid?

[@Liligal1]

One of the greatest duets to come out of the 80’s with 2 of the biggest powerhouse voices in that decade!

[@jennifermcmillen9018]

This totally made my day. I've posted on other George Michael posts, and this is one of my top faves because I absolutely love Aretha. George is definitely beyond pop. The reason why he was able to do a duets with Aretha, Whitney, Mary J, Smokey, etc. Is because he was that great. I really recommend digging way deeper with him. He has more songs that definitely show his talent that would blow your mind, and he could take anyone's song, and I swear sing it better than they did. Not to mention, he sounded even better live. I'm excited for you to really explore his talent❤

[@andreabellocchi3840]

What a beautiful song Is this! Great reaction guys..

[@dickieburbank]

George did a duet with Whitney Houston, too. "If I Told You That."

[@jasonsprecher5118]

“One more try” by George Michael is a great song to react to

[@juliewhite7469]

💖💖💖💖💖

[@vaughnnewman8903]

Always loved this song- and the both of them. Legends of music that are both greatly missed.

[@lesrolon40]

When collabs were real and sincere. Love this song since it came out.

[@eviekelpie1]

Thank you for finally getting around to this gem. Their collab was magical. RIP to both 🌹

[@tinkler4]

Two legends. George also has another duet with another legend Whitney Houston. Also another classic is with Mary J Blige. Love them all. Awesome reaction.

[@arthurdavis9386]

These two are the best singers of all time. Their voices are strong & powerful together. Enjoyed George with Wham. Aretha loved all her music . One-of-a-kind singer, who's going down in history. And music is going to be on this earth for generations. George music as well. Queen Aretha enjoying seeing her perform in Michigan and miss her Dearing and her music. R.I.P. Aretha n George. 🙌🙏🙌🙏🙌🙏🙌🙏🙌🙏🙌

[@leslapins7617]

Finally you’ve gotten to this jewel. Now you are ready to other fantastic duos of George, such as “As” with Mary J Bligde, Dont’t let the sun go down on me with Elton, “If i told you that” wit Whitney or yet the many covers he made his own like “Somebody to love”, “Killer”, “Roxanne”, “Miss Sarajevo”, “I can’t make you love me”… well, I could spend to whole night writting down great song by him that simply can’t go wrong!😉

[@whitetiger8327]

Also with whitney houston: If I told you that

[@debbieburton7886]

❤ so glad you did this one ,I miss hear anything new from them..R.I.P to the both of them..🙏🙏🙏

[@gypsyrocker]

I had to watch this twice, these two great singers together was pure heaven! This song has been part of my workout routine for YEARS! George and Elton made a GREAT pair also with Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me. I'm so happy you finally did this one.

[@patcurrie9888]

I knew you'd like this one. Iconic and Aretha knew it. She wanted George to to a duet when he was in WHAM! Her first number one in a very long time.

[@FLmickey90]

Can't go wrong with either George or Aretha and with this song, it's just awesome in many ways!! Many great songs of the 80s and this is certainly one of them and is near the top of my favorites!!

[@harpergras]

A truly awesome song bye two legends.

[@juliewhite7469]

💖💖💖💖💖

[@Paladin70]

Even though it’s a duet, this has been my very favorite Aretha song ever since the first time I heard. She shows every single color of her voice in this arrangement and the tune itself is infectious. Great pick guys!!!

[@col227t8]

on paper - random pairing for real -- sheer genius

[@SimonSays5]

This great duet is always so uplifting. Thanks to George for persuading Aretha to sing with him. He was a deep fan of Soul /R&B and often in live concerts performed tracks from Stevie Wonders ‘Songs in the key of life’ and recorded ‘As’ for a duet with Mary J Blige. Other comments are spot on , you must checkout Eurythmics with Aretha Franklin on ‘Sisters are doing it for themselves’. R.I.P Aretha & George ❤️. Heartfelt Thanks to you both for the tremendous legacy of music you’ve both left for us to keep enjoying 🙏🙏🙏

[@scottallen3698]

Keep doing more Arthea and George Michael songs. Two of the very best singers of all time. Another great reaction ARETHA "BABY I LOVE YOU" CHAIN IF FOOLS AND YOU MAKE ME FEEL LIKE A NATURAL WOMAN George Michael Praying for Time ----AMUST PLEASE HEAL THE PAIN COWBOYS AND ANGELS MOTHERS PRIDE

[@janiceduke1205]

Michael admitted to being nervous, but he knew there was no point in trying to copy Franklin's style. "Nobody can emulate Aretha Franklin," he said. "It's stupid to try. I just tried to stay in character, keep it simple - it was very understated in comparison to what she did."

[@susannehouse3857]

My favourite duet of all time…….

[@speed2437]

Peter Cetera from the band Chicago did a great number of Duets. He did one with Cher, another one with Amy Grant and one more with Agnetha Faltskog from ABBA. You guys should check them out

[@juliewhite7469]

💖💖💖💖💖

[@rowanmayfair9249]

Yes!!!!!!!

[@thesalmondean]

I LOVE THIS SONG. George Michael has a perfect voice, and with Aretha, they are incredible. I just really love this one. I listen to it, a lot, all the time, still to this day. One of my fav's! Cheers! one of my favorite George Michael tunes is Spinning the Wheel. It really showcases his incredible vocal range, and his pristine tone. Also - anything from his Listen without Prejudice Vol.1 (Waiting for That Day, Something to Save (my personal favorite)).

[@gwencampbell4345]

Duets to put on your list: Phil Collins & Philip Bailey - Easy Lover. Aretha & Annie Lennox - Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves.

[@Joshualuv13]

How Amazing are those two...omg ❤Aretha collaborated with quite a few of the other greats,Annie Lennox ,Whitney to name few.

[@ronchoptovy9627]

George Michael and Elton John singing Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me is an absolute must!!

[@anniem4026]

RIP To the queen, George also did duets with Whitney & Mary J.

[@v.j.3029]

Guys, you need to check out Tina Turner and Bryan Adams with It’s Only Love. Amazing duo and song.

[@agustinantoniosoriagarcia1630]

Oh yeah! I suggested this one! It's awesome!