Few artists have left a mark on pop music quite like George Michael. With a voice that could melt hearts and lyrics that cut to the soul, he redefined what it meant to be a pop star—effortlessly blending showmanship with substance. From his infectious beginnings with Wham! to his introspective solo masterpieces, George Michael’s music crossed genres, generations, and boundaries. His songs weren’t just chart-toppers; they were emotional landmarks that soundtracked first loves, heartbreaks, dancefloor memories, and quiet moments of reflection. Whether he was whispering words of regret over a sultry saxophone or commanding stadiums with electrifying anthems, Michael’s artistry was always unmistakably sincere. In this countdown, we’re diving into the Top 10 Most Popular George Michael Songs of All Time—tracks that not only dominated the charts but etched themselves into the cultural fabric. Each song is a testament to his talent, his charisma, and his fearless authenticity. So turn up the volume, grab your metaphorical leather jacket, and take a journey through the iconic hits that made George Michael one of the most unforgettable voices in music history. These songs aren’t just popular—they’re timeless. Let’s celebrate the soundtrack of a legend.
1. Careless Whisper (1984)
When “Careless Whisper” graced the airwaves in 1984, it was clear George Michael had tapped into something timeless. Though technically a Wham! release in the UK and a solo debut elsewhere, this song marked a major shift in Michael’s career, elevating him from pop heartthrob to serious global artist. From the opening saxophone riff—one of the most iconic in pop history—to its gut-wrenching chorus, the song oozes emotional vulnerability. “I’m never gonna dance again, guilty feet have got no rhythm,” isn’t just a lyric—it’s an open wound. Michael’s vocal delivery is hauntingly mature, laced with regret and longing far beyond his 21 years. The melancholy melody, paired with sleek production, created a breakup anthem that resonated across generations and continents. Topping charts in over 20 countries, it became a defining track of the 1980s and an enduring symbol of lost love. More than four decades later, “Careless Whisper” still hits with the same emotional force, a slow-dance classic that never loses its sting. It’s not just a song—it’s a confession etched into music history, a reminder of how heartbreak sounds when it’s wrapped in silk and soaked in sorrow.
2. Faith (1987)
“Faith” wasn’t just a song—it was a declaration. When George Michael dropped the track in 1987 as the lead single from his debut solo album, he boldly stepped out of Wham!’s pop shadow and into the limelight on his own terms. The song opens with a stately church organ, quickly giving way to a hip-swinging, rockabilly beat driven by percussive acoustic guitar, handclaps, and a cheeky swagger. It’s the sound of reinvention—playful, confident, and utterly magnetic. Lyrically, “Faith” walks the line between flirtation and frustration, as Michael croons about desire and restraint with tongue planted firmly in cheek. The accompanying video, with George in leather jacket, jeans, and Wayfarers, became an instant image of cool. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks and helped propel the Faith album to multi-platinum status, establishing him as a solo powerhouse. The song’s blend of retro influences and modern pop sensibilities was groundbreaking at the time. More than a hit, “Faith” became a cultural moment—a reinvention anthem that proved George Michael could dominate the charts without compromise. It was the sound of freedom, style, and pop perfection, and it still holds up as one of the catchiest singles of the ’80s.
3. Freedom! ’90 (1990)
With “Freedom! ’90,” George Michael dismantled his pop-star persona and built something far more powerful in its place. Released in 1990 on Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1, the song is a funky, soul-infused rebellion against the fame machine that had once defined him. The track thumps with infectious energy, but beneath its groove lies a message of artistic emancipation. Michael had grown weary of the flashy image crafted during his Wham! days and early solo success, and this song is his manifesto. The lyrics reject the superficial trappings of stardom—“I won’t let you down, so please don’t give me up”—a plea to fans to follow him into deeper territory. In a bold move, he refused to appear in the music video, opting instead for supermodels lip-syncing the lyrics in a now-iconic visual. The track became a hit, especially in the U.S., and cemented his credibility as an artist unafraid to challenge the pop establishment. “Freedom! ’90” is more than a great song—it’s a statement of independence, both personal and professional. Decades later, it remains an anthem of liberation, the sound of a man reclaiming his voice and daring the world to listen differently.
4. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go (1984)
Few songs radiate joy quite like “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.” Released in 1984, this neon-bright slice of pop was Wham!’s breakout hit and a defining track of the decade. Inspired by a playful note left by Andrew Ridgeley, the quirky title morphed into one of the most infectious hooks in pop history. With its doo-wop harmonies, bouncy rhythm, and cheerful handclaps, the song channels the spirit of early rock ‘n’ roll through an ’80s lens. George Michael’s vocals are pure exuberance—light, playful, and bursting with youthful energy. The iconic music video, featuring “CHOOSE LIFE” T-shirts and vibrant dance moves, helped catapult the duo into global stardom. But beyond the bubblegum surface lies a masterclass in pop craftsmanship: catchy, tight, and perfectly produced. It topped the charts in both the UK and U.S., cementing Wham!’s place in pop culture. Decades later, it still sparks joy, instantly recognizable from the first beat. “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” isn’t just a nostalgic blast—it’s a perennial party starter and proof that sometimes, pure fun can be the most powerful musical force of all.
5. One More Try (1988)
“One More Try” is George Michael at his most stripped-down and emotionally bare. Released in 1988 from the Faith album, the song departs from pop polish and dives deep into the pain and hesitancy that come with heartbreak. Clocking in at over five minutes, it’s a slow-burning gospel-tinged ballad with sparse instrumentation, allowing Michael’s powerful, aching vocals to take center stage. The lyrics are disarmingly honest, portraying the fear of opening up to love again after past wounds: “I don’t want to learn to hold you, touch you, think that you are mine.” It’s a quiet, vulnerable plea that resonates with anyone who’s been afraid to fall again. The emotional rawness made it a standout on an album full of chart-toppers. Despite its nontraditional length and tempo for radio, it soared to number one on the Billboard Hot 100, a testament to its deep emotional pull. There are no flashy tricks here—just heartfelt expression wrapped in a minimalist soundscape. “One More Try” remains one of George Michael’s most poignant and soulful tracks, a reminder that sometimes the quietest songs can speak the loudest truths.
6. Last Christmas (1984)
“Last Christmas” is the rare holiday song that captures both the cheer of the season and the ache of lost love. Released by Wham! in 1984, it became an instant classic, written and produced entirely by George Michael. The song’s bittersweet lyrics tell the story of giving your heart away, only to be betrayed—a heartbreak wrapped in tinsel. What makes it special is the contrast between its upbeat synth-pop production and the emotional weight of the words. From the opening chimes to the catchy chorus, “Last Christmas” blends nostalgia with melancholy in a way few holiday songs ever attempt. Though it was famously held off the UK No. 1 spot by Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”, the song found enduring success and has re-entered charts every December since. It’s a seasonal staple with surprising depth, sung with tender sorrow by Michael, whose voice conveys both pain and hope. “Last Christmas” is more than just background music for shopping malls—it’s a heartfelt soundtrack for anyone who’s ever tried to celebrate the holidays with a broken heart. Warm, wistful, and endlessly singable, it’s a modern Christmas essential.
7. Father Figure (1988)
With “Father Figure,” George Michael stepped into shadowy territory and delivered one of his most haunting and mysterious songs. Released in 1988 from the Faith album, it’s a genre-blurring track that mixes R&B, soul, and gospel into a slow, sultry groove. The atmosphere is thick with longing, and the lyrics are both intimate and ambiguous—part love song, part spiritual yearning. Lines like “I will be your preacher teacher” speak to a relationship that defies easy labels, exploring dynamics of power, protection, and desire. Michael’s vocal performance is mesmerizing: breathy, vulnerable, and at times almost whispered, drawing the listener into a deeply personal confession. The production is subtle but lush, with gentle synths and a hypnotic rhythm that build slowly into a powerful crescendo. “Father Figure” reached number one in the U.S. and remains one of his most critically acclaimed works. It’s a song that lingers in the air long after it ends, rich with emotional complexity and sensual tension. George Michael proved here that pop could be provocative, poetic, and profound—all at once. This isn’t just a love song—it’s a psychological portrait painted in sound.
8. Everything She Wants (1984)
“Everything She Wants” is Wham!’s most mature and emotionally charged single, revealing George Michael’s early knack for storytelling far deeper than most pop stars dared. Released in 1984 on Make It Big, the song disguises a tale of disillusionment under a glossy synth-pop veneer. It tells the story of a man grappling with a relationship that feels more transactional than tender—he gives everything, and yet it’s never enough. The lyrics cut with quiet bitterness: “Why do I do the things I do?” Michael’s production is sleek and moody, built on a pulsating beat and minimalistic keyboard lines that evoke tension beneath the surface. Released as a double A-side with “Last Christmas,” the song climbed to No. 1 in the U.S., showcasing Michael’s ability to blend commercial appeal with serious emotional weight. While Wham! was often associated with upbeat, sunny pop, “Everything She Wants” proved that George Michael could write with complexity and bite. It remains a standout not just in Wham!’s catalog, but in ’80s pop as a whole—a sharp critique of romantic imbalance wrapped in one of the catchiest hooks of the era.
9. I Want Your Sex (1987)
When “I Want Your Sex” arrived in 1987, it hit like a shockwave. As the first single from Faith, the song was both scandalous and liberating. At a time when mainstream radio rarely touched explicit topics, George Michael blew the door wide open with a track that openly celebrated physical intimacy. The funky groove, synth-heavy production, and layered vocals gave it an irresistible pulse, while the lyrics defiantly pushed back against sexual repression. Broken into three distinct “Rhythms,” the song was more than just provocative—it was musically ambitious, blending pop, R&B, and dance elements into a genre-defying statement. Though many radio stations hesitated—or outright refused—to play it, fans embraced it, sending the song to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. For Michael, it was more than a hit; it was an act of rebellion, a declaration of personal freedom in an era still weighed down by conservative norms and AIDS-era panic. “I Want Your Sex” may have stirred controversy, but it also sparked conversation and broke boundaries. It’s George Michael at his boldest, using pop not just to entertain, but to challenge and provoke.
10. Jesus to a Child (1996)
“Jesus to a Child” is perhaps George Michael’s most heartbreaking and personal song. Released in 1996, it was a tribute to his late partner Anselmo Feleppa, who passed away from an AIDS-related illness in 1993. The song’s tone is solemn yet achingly beautiful, blending bossa nova rhythms with soul-infused melodies to create a quiet, reverent space for grief. Michael wrote and produced the track himself, and the result is raw, poetic, and deeply moving. With lines like “Kindness in your eyes, I guess you heard me cry,” he lays bare his sorrow, transforming personal loss into universal mourning. It marked his first UK solo single to debut at No. 1, showing that emotional authenticity still resonated in a world increasingly dominated by trend-chasing pop. The song stands as a milestone in Michael’s evolution—not just as an artist, but as a man choosing vulnerability and truth over spectacle. “Jesus to a Child” is more than a love letter—it’s a eulogy set to music, a moment of profound emotional clarity. It remains one of the most stirring ballads of his career, a beautiful expression of love, loss, and memory.
Samuel Moore is a frequent contributor to Singers Room. Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.
