Categories
Music Wham!

Fantastic and Make It Big Vinyl Release

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Fantastic (sponsored link) and Make It Big (sponsored link) will be released on vinyl on March 22, 2024. It’s the first time in more than 30 years that they have been released on vinyl.

According to Amazon, the track listing for Wham!’s Fantastic (sponsored link) is:

  1. Bad Boys
  2. A Ray of Sunshine
  3. Love Machine
  4. Wham Rap! (Enjoy What You Do?)
  5. Club Tropicana
  6. Nothing Looks the Same In the Light
  7. Come On!
  8. Young Guns (Go for It!)

Wham!’s first album, Fantastic debuted at #1 in the UK in 1983 and sold millions of copies worldwide. Fantastic is available on standard weight black vinyl.

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According to Amazon, the track listing for Wham!’s Make it Big (sponsored link) is:

  1. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go
  2. Everything She Wants
  3. Heartbeat
  4. Like a Baby
  5. Freedom
  6. If You Were There
  7. Credit Card Baby
  8. Careless Whisper

Wham!’s second album, Make It Big was released in 1984. It is available with the US cover on standard weight black vinyl.

Andrew Ridgeley said: “It’s a wonderful testament to the enduring nature of Wham!’s music that our legions of loyal fans and the younger cohorts of music fans desire to own the music in their original formats.”

George Michael Entertainment added: “We are delighted that these two classic albums are once again available on vinyl for a whole new generation to enjoy.”

Will you be buying Fantastic or Make It Big on vinyl? Let us know in the comments!

Yours Only George is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Categories
Death

George Michael Remembered One Year after His Death

“Melanie, did you hear? George Michael is dead!”

Shaking from head to toe in what must have been an adrenalin rush, I dashed to my computer. I don’t know why. The news came from Shannon who started this fan club back in 1986, so obviously it was true!

I have attempted, on various occasions, to write an article on what George Michael meant to me. What I’ve realized is that it would take my writing a book to be able to say everything I want to say.

The year that has followed George Michael’s death has been revealing to me on a very personal level.

Initially, I was struck by how few people understood what George Michael meant to me. Very few friends and family reached out to me.

George Michael was a part of my life for 33 years before his untimely death. My love of his music and writing is intrinsically linked to my friendship with Shannon.

Obviously, I take from this loss an understanding that life is short and you have to live your life in the moment. As a mother, I still struggle with this as there’s always a load of laundry or more homework to do.

Also, after George Michael’s death, it came to light how much money he gave to so many worthy causes. This did not surprise me in the least. I never met George Michael in real life, but I think this thoughtful, giving nature of his was why he had so many fans. It wasn’t just the beautiful music. It wasn’t just the heartfelt lyrics. It was that at his core George Michael was a warm, caring person, and that came across in his interviews.

So, yes, mourn the loss of George Michael today. Listen to his music, if you can. Remember concerts you attended. Read through the lyrics of your favorite songs. But, at the end of the day, see what you can give to someone less fortunate. Consider donating to George Michael’s favorite charities or donate to local charities.

George Michael lives on through his music, but he lives on through you as well.

Make a difference to those in need.

How did you celebrate George Michael’s life?

Categories
Music

George Michael Tops UK albums chart

George Michael has once again topped the UK albums chart with the reissue of Listen Without Prejudice.

In 1990, when Listen Without Prejudice was first released, it topped the UK album charts as well. According to the BBC, “CD sales have collapsed in the meantime. In 1990 the album sold 423,577 copies to top the chart. This week, it shifted just 56,000 copies.”

The AFP reports:

David Austin, Michael’s manager, long-term collaborator and close friend since childhood, said the team behind the efforts were “incredibly proud” to have immediately topped the charts.

“It’s no great secret that George was a perfectionist and it shows, he was over everything from its inception to its finish and it’s a blessing and rare gift to be guided by such genius,” he added in a statement.

Billboard also reports:

Sony reissued Michael’s second solo album, now adding his 1996 MTV Unplugged show and the Nile Rodgers collaboration “Fantasy,” in the wake of Channel 4’s Oct. 16 broadcast of the new Freedom documentary. Last week, that show helped his Ladies & Gentlemen — The Best of George Michael compilation (Epic/Sony) to re-enter at No. 9. Another collection, Twenty Five, now climbs 61-21 and Older re-enters at No. 35.

Did you buy Listen Without Prejudice this week? Which version? Tell us in the comments below!

Categories
Media Music

George Michael: Freedom Reactions

Now that the dust has settled from all of the promotion of George Michael: Freedom, here are some of the reactions to this emotional documentary.

What did you think of George Michael: Freedom? Tell us in the comments below!

Categories
Music

George Michael’s Final Interview

Mark your calendars! George Michael’s final interview will air on November 1 and November 8 on BBC Radio 2.

George Michael: The Red Line is a two-part interview of 60 minutes each.  It will be broadcast for the first time on BBC Radio 2 on Wednesday, November 1, and Wednesday, November 8 at 10 p.m.

Kirsty Young interviewed George Michael as a part of the George Michael: Freedom documentary, which aired earlier this week in the UK.

After George’s death, it was decided that this, his final interview, should be released to the public.

The BBC article states:

Although it had never been the intention to broadcast their conversation in its entirety, following George’s untimely death only a few weeks later, it began to feel like something that should happen. In fact, as they parted, George said to Kirsty: “You should turn this into a radio programme.”

George Michael: The Red Line is his final interview, told in almost all it’s [sic] entirety with many of the personal asides left as they were.

Lewis Carnie, Head of Radio 2 says: “The Radio 2 listeners continue to love and remember George Michael and his music, and I’m glad that they will be able to hear his final, very special interview on the station.”

You can read more about it at George Michael’s final interview to be broadcast on BBC Radio 2.