George Michael (born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, 25 June 1963 – 25 December 2016) was an English singer, songwriter, record producer, and philanthropist who rose to fame as a member of the music duo Wham! and later embarked on a solo career. He was widely known for his work in the 1980s and 1990s, including the hit singles “Careless Whisper” and “Faith” and albums such as Faith (1987) and Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 (1990). He sold over 115 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time. He was frequently cited as one of the most commercially successful artists of all time, and one of the best-selling music artists in the world. He won various music awards throughout his 30-year career, including three Brit Awards, four MTV Video Music Awards, six Ivor Novello Awards, three American Music Awards, and two Grammy Awards from eight nominations.
Michael’s personal life and legal troubles became tabloid fodder. In the late 1990s, he was arrested for public lewdness and drug possession; in 2010, he was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs. In 2008, he was arrested for possession of Class C drugs. In February 2016, Michael died of natural causes at his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, at the age of 53. His death was announced two days later.
| Name | George Michael |
| Genre | Pop, Soul, R&B, Dance |
| Occupation | Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer, Musician |
| Years active | 1982–2016 |
| Date of Birth | 25 June 1963 |
| Labels | Epic, Virgin, Aegean |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, synthesizer, percussion |
10 Best George Michael Quotes
“I’ve always said that I’m not particularly impressive; I’m just a person who happened to be in the right place at the right time.”
– George Michael, from Rolling Stone
“My mother said something to me when I was very young that I’ve never forgotten: ‘You have to be twice as good as them to get half of what they have.’”
– George Michael, from The Guardian
“I think the best way to show your respect for the dead is to go on living the best way you can.”
– George Michael, from The Guardian
“I’m a natural optimist. I always look on the bright side of things. And I think that’s the best way to be.”
– George Michael, from NME
“I’m not a celebrity. I’m just a person who makes music.”
– George Michael, from The Guardian
“I’m not a natural performer. I’m much more comfortable in the studio.”
– George Michael, from BBC
“I think music is a healer and I think it can make people feel better.”
– George Michael, from The Guardian
“I’ve never been a fan of the idea of fame. I think it’s overrated.”
– George Michael, from NME
“I don’t really believe in rules. I think any rules that stifle creativity are wrong.”
– George Michael, from Rolling Stone
“I think being honest is the most important thing.”
– George Michael, from BBC
6 Inspirational George Michael Quotes
“We all have to be brave enough to accept who we are and be proud of it.”
– George Michael, from MTV
“People should be allowed to express themselves without fear of persecution or judgement.”
– George Michael, from The Guardian
“My music is all about trying to find the perfect balance between pain and pleasure.”
– George Michael, from The Telegraph
“I think people should be allowed to express themselves without fear of persecution or judgement.”
– George Michael, from Rolling Stone
“I think it’s important to celebrate who you are and not to be ashamed or embarrassed by it.”
– George Michael, from The Telegraph
“I really think that we should be proud of our differences and not ashamed of them.”
– George Michael, from The Guardian
5 Famous George Michael Quotes
“I was born with a gift, and that gift was the gift of being able to write songs and to sing them.”
– George Michael, from The Guardian
“The thing I’m most proud of is that I’m still here. That I’m still sane and still functioning.”
– George Michael, from The Independent
“I think people like me because they think I’m honest and I think they like me because I’m not as a rule particularly happy in interviews.”
– George Michael, from Rolling Stone
“I’m not healthy, but I’m not dying either. I’m absolutely fine and I’m happy.”
– George Michael, from The Telegraph
“I’m probably the most faithful person I know, and I’m certainly the most faithful person I know who’s famous.”
– George Michael, from Rolling Stone
6 George Michael Quotes About Love
“I’m a romantic, and I think that love is a very important part of life.”
– George Michael, from Rolling Stone
“I think people who don’t believe in love have never really had it.”
– George Michael, from The Telegraph
“Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too.”
– George Michael, from The Guardian
“I believe in the power of love and the strength it can give you.”
– George Michael, from The Guardian
“Love has to be one of the strongest and most beautiful things in the world.”
– George Michael, from The Telegraph
“I think love is the most important thing in the world.”
– George Michael, from Rolling Stone
6 George Michael Quotes About Life
“I think the reason why we’re put on this earth is to make the best of the life that we’re given and to try and make the world a better place.”
– George Michael, from The Guardian
“I’m not religious, but I would say that one of the reasons I’m here is to make people feel good about themselves – and that’s a good enough reason.”
– George Michael, from The Telegraph
“Life is not a rehearsal. We don’t get to do it all over again, so we have to make the most of it now.”
– George Michael, from Interview Magazine
“Life is complicated, and I don’t think there’s much point in pretending it isn’t.”
– George Michael, from The Guardian
“Life is grand. People are great. It’s up to us to make the most of it.”
– George Michael, from Rolling Stone
“Life is a game and it’s up to us to make it as enjoyable as possible.”
– George Michael, from The Hollywood Reporter
6 Quotes About George Michael
“George Michael was a giant talent.”
– Elton John, from Rolling Stone
“He was a major artist, and he’s going to be missed.”
– Bono, from The Telegraph
“He was a wonderfully talented artist and a real gent.”
– Ed Sheeran, from BBC News
“He was the kind of artist that influenced so many people.”
– Mark Ronson, from BBC Radio 1
“He was a true original.”
– Elton John, from BBC News
“He was an absolute genius.”
– Lenny Kravitz, from People
Interview with George Michael
Frequently Asked Questions About George Michael
1. What was George Michael’s most famous quote?
George Michael was an English singer, songwriter, record producer and philanthropist who rose to fame as a member of the pop duo Wham! and later as a solo artist. His unique music style was an inspiration to many, and his quotes were known to be humorous, wise and inspiring. Here are some of his most famous quotes:
- “I think people who truly can live a life in music are telling the world, ‘You can have my love, you can have my smiles. Forget the bad parts, you don’t need them. Just take the music, the goodness, because it’s the very best.’”
- “I think if you can feel that you’re growing as an artist, then that’s success.”
- “Heaven is in your heart. Heaven is in the air that you breathe.”
- “Too much of anything is bad, but too much Champagne is just right.”
- “Careless Whisper has a special place in my heart because it’s the first song I wrote on my own.”
- “Faith is a wonderful thing, as long as you don’t confuse it with religion.”
However, perhaps George Michael’s most famous quote is “If you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change.” This quote is often cited as a call to action to make positive changes in the world and to make a difference in the lives of others.
2. How did George Michael’s music career begin?
George Michael’s music career began in 1981 when he formed the English pop duo Wham! alongside his school friend Andrew Ridgeley. The duo released their debut album Fantasia in 1982, which included hit singles such as “Young Guns” and “Wham Rap!” They achieved international success with the release of their second album Make It Big in 1984, which featured the hit singles “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” “Careless Whisper,” and “Freedom.”
In 1987, George Michael released his debut solo album Faith, which was a massive success and included hit singles such as “Faith,” “Father Figure,” and “One More Try.” He went on to release several more successful albums, including Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1, Older, and Patience. He also released numerous successful singles, such as “I Want Your Sex,” “Praying For Time,” and “Jesus To A Child.”
George Michael’s music career spanned over three decades and included numerous awards and recognitions, including three Brit Awards and two Grammy Awards. He was one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with over 100 million records sold worldwide.
3. How did George Michael’s faith shape his music?
George Michael was a deeply religious man, whose faith was a major influence on his music. He was raised in the Greek Orthodox Church and his faith was an important aspect of his life.
George Michael’s music often contained references to his faith. He incorporated religious themes into his lyrics and his music videos often referenced religious iconography. He often spoke of his faith in interviews and discussed how it shaped his approach to music.
Some of his most popular songs, such as “Careless Whisper” and “One More Try” dealt with spiritual themes. In “Careless Whisper”, he sang about the consequences of sin and in “One More Try”, he explored the idea of redemption.
George Michael was also a strong advocate for charitable causes, such as HIV and AIDS research, and he used his fame to raise awareness and money for these causes. He was a major contributor to Project Angel Food, an organization that provides meals to people with serious illnesses.
George Michael’s faith was a major influence on his music and his life. He used his platform to speak out on social issues and to fundraise for important causes. Through his music, he was able to share his faith and his values with the world.
4. What impact did George Michael have on pop culture?
George Michael was an iconic figure in the world of pop culture who had a massive impact on the music industry. He was one of the most successful singers and songwriters of the late 20th century, selling over 100 million albums worldwide. His influence has been felt in both the music industry and popular culture, with his music having a lasting impact on both.
- George Michael was one of the most successful singers and songwriters of the late 20th century, selling over 100 million albums worldwide.
- He was an influential figure in the music industry and his music was a major influence on other pop stars and genres.
- He was an early pioneer of music videos, creating iconic visual pieces that are still remembered today.
- He was a vocal supporter of LGBT rights, advocating for equality and acceptance of all identities.
- He was an advocate for charitable causes, raising awareness and money for organizations like the AIDS Foundation.
- His influence is still felt today, with his music having a lasting impact on the music industry and popular culture.
George Michael was a true icon of pop culture and his influence will be felt for many years to come.
5. What is the legacy of George Michael’s music?
George Michael’s music is widely remembered and still beloved today. He is remembered for a career spanning decades and for bringing joy to millions of people through his music. Michael’s music is remembered for its combination of pop, soul, and R&B. He was able to blend these genres to create unique and timeless music.
Michael’s body of work includes some of the most iconic hits of the 80s and 90s such as “Freedom! ‘90”, “Careless Whisper”, “Faith”, and “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go”. His music dealt with issues of faith, love, and social justice, which have all stood the test of time and still remain relevant today.
The legacy of George Michael’s music continues to live on in the hearts and minds of generations of fans. Here are some of the ways his music and legacy are remembered:
- Michael’s music was a driving force of the 1980s music scene and helped shape the sound of pop and R&B music in the following decades.
- His songs have become classics that are beloved by fans of all ages.
- Michael’s lyrics explored themes of faith, love and social justice, which still resonate with listeners today.
- His music is often sampled by today’s artists, showing his influence on modern music.
- Michael’s music has had a lasting impact on the music industry, inspiring generations of artists and fans alike.
Conclusion
In conclusion, George Michael was a beloved artist and songwriter whose music touched generations of people. His unique blend of soulful pop and R&B music will always be remembered and enjoyed. His quotes about life, love, and music have also inspired many people and his legacy will live on for generations to come.
