Hot damn! Everybody let's play the GEORGE MICHAEL TRACKS POLL results thread

my mom used to sing Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go to me. fond memories

granted this was just a week ago

Great poll Ismael. Thanks a lot for running it. I didn't vote for Freedom 90 but it's still a worthy winner.

A marvelous poll. I discovered how much I've loved this man.

Inspired by it, I wrote this essay about growing up and ignoring and re-learning him.

this was so much fun. thank you ismael!! can we make a playlist of all the songs in order? (i guess i can when i get home)

also i honorable mentioned his covers of "what a fool believes" and "sign your name" because omg

i hope george is happy and resting and i hope he knows how much his music touched people

Great poll, thanks IK.

"Wake Me Up Before You Go Go" was my #1. A bit shocked it didn't make the top 10 even. And a bit surprised I seem to have been the only voter for "Spinning the Wheel".

There's a few songs here I clearly need to get to know better. Have followed the playlist.

excellent poll, great piece up there too Alfred. he's brought out the best in ILX has old George.

very good poll indeed, congratulations !
this makes me want to revisit GM's oeuvre.
I started by listening to "Freedom" earlier today.
I had forgotten how massive and unstoppable the melody is. The whole thing is like a storm (until the brilliant final with the "Penny Lane" trumpet).
a pure rush of joy !

my favourite part of the melody being the pre-chorus. this is what takes the song to another level, to me.

CAN WE TALK ABOUT "WAITING FOR THAT DAY," THOUGH????

My memory serves me far too well.

Thanks for a great poll IK. Lovely essay Alfred. It's been so refreshing to go back to old favourites and find new gems.

it's hard to love
there's so much to hate
hanging on to hope
when there is no hope to speak of

Just caught up with this. If I had voted, "Spinning The Wheel" and "Nothing Looks The Same In The Light" could well have charted.

thanks ismael. father figure was my number one. those woozy synths are an instant trip back to childhood.

I would have also voted for 'Spinning That Wheel'

One thing this poll has made me realise is just how many classics this man has written. That he has a superb voice goes without saying, but as a songwriter I feel he should be held in higher regard than he is. I'm disappointed, in a way, that he hasn't written more of them over such a long career.

"Father Figure" was my #1 too & if I could have given it all my points I would have. I mishear it systematically as "to be walking naked / in your sight" & even now that I know it's otherwise I continue to mishear it this way intentionally. I don't know what to make of my experience of a song by a gay man as the most sexually profound song I know, something of my own queerness within heterosexuality I suppose. and that I listened to it so much when age 13, coming into my sexuality. but I...identify with this song.

What do you think about George's political engagement? I was a little bit surprised, running through the catalogue, at how big-themey he is. Religion appears a lot, there's economic stuff, they did miners' benefits ... even Young Guns or Wham Rap do kids' politics in their way. It seems a bit unfair that they had the reputation as being the epitome of vacuity.

For some reason I think Andrew Ridgely wrote 'Wham Rap'. I can't remember why - presumably I read this in an interview 30 years ago.

So surprised to see Everything She Wants at #2, didn't realize it was such a hit! Think it's the only song in the countdown that didn't have my vote. Great song though.

I Can't Make You Love Me wuz robbed...

Thanks for running a great poll Ismael Klata!

Missed the poll but will have fun listening, thanks!

I honor my big brother.

Happy birthday, bro.

Happy 59th Birthday. In terms of his non-Faith tracks, "Jesus To A Child" is one of his best ballads, you can feel the loss and heartbreak in his voice, along with "Praying For Time" which is more relevant today. "Fastlove" is his best uptempo track, very addictive. "Outside" is great as well.

Damn we did this poll just before he died? Jeez i was sure it was after.