George Michael was an iconic British singer, songwriter, and producer whose contributions to pop music are vast and influential. He first gained fame in the 1980s as part of the duo Wham!, alongside Andrew Ridgeley. During his time with Wham!, Michael penned some of the era’s biggest hits, including “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” and “Last Christmas.”
Elton John is one of the longest-serving members of pop royalty. With the help of his partner-in-songwriting Bernie Taupin, the Rocket Man soared to the top of the charts, donning feathered shoulder pads and an ever-changing array of strange sunglasses as his very own spacesuit. Decades later, his biggest hits still find their way onto the radio waves, still just as singalong-worthy as they were on their first release.
Between his talents and his collaborations with Taupin, John has fronted a number of all-time anthems, from the dazzlingly defiant ‘I’m Still Standing’ to the gentle simplicity of ‘Your Song’. Finding success in the universality of their words, the infectious nature of their melodies, and the life in John’s singing voice, they stand out as masterful displays of pop songwriting on a level few others have reached.
Michael’s solo career, however, truly solidified his status as a musical legend. His debut solo album, Faith (1987), featured hits like “Faith,” “Father Figure,” and “One More Try,” blending pop, soul, and R&B. The album won him a Grammy Award for Album of the Year and sold over 25 million copies worldwide. His follow-up albums, such as Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 (1990), continued his evolution as an artist, featuring more introspective and socially conscious lyrics.
Beyond his chart success, George Michael’s smooth vocals, masterful songwriting, and innovative music videos made him a pop icon. Songs like “Careless Whisper,” “Freedom! ’90,” and “Jesus to a Child” remain classics, known for their emotional depth and timeless appeal.
Michael’s musical versatility, spanning pop, dance, R&B, and ballads, earned him a legacy as one of the greatest vocalists and songwriters in pop music history.
One artist who did find comparable success and status in that realm was George Michael, who also earned the admiration of John himself. As the co-frontman of Wham, Michael found success with fun-loving bops like ‘Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go’ and seasonal favourite ‘Last Christmas’, which has become a yuletide playlist staple. He also had a successful solo career and produced countless more hits.
Michael’s penchant for hit-making did not go unnoticed by his popstar contemporary. When Michael passed in 2016, John paid tribute to him during his show on Beats 1, praising his songwriting talents in particular. Remembering Michael as a “good friend”, John went on to deem him “one of the most brilliant songwriters this country’s ever produced, and certainly one of the best vocalists ever.”
His praise for Michael is certainly rooted in truth. With just one listen to ‘Careless Whisper’, Michael’s mastery of pop songwriting and singing is clear. The swirling opening saxophones have become iconic, while Michael’s dulcet vocal tones breathe life into every line of the song, from the sombre verses to the soaring chorus. It’s just one example of his genius approach to the medium.
The proof of Michael’s songwriting talent is also evident in the enduring nature of his music – in the continuing love for ‘Last Christmas’, ‘Careless Whisper’, ‘Faith’, and for so many more. Like John, Michael had a magnificent talent for melody and a gorgeously smooth voice that could bend to ballads or playful pop songs at will.
Even outside of music, Michael was an extraordinary figure, often using his platform and success to support charities and the causes he believed in. This included a connection with John’s own work in this area, as Michael was a patron of his AIDS Foundation. “I’ll miss him so much for his music but more than anything for his humanity,” John surmised. He wasn’t just brilliant in his songwriting. He was brilliant as a person, too.
Both John and Michael have secured their places amongst the greatest pop songwriters of all time, with an unparalleled number of pop bangers between them, but each of their legacies goes far beyond number-one hits and radio play. Both Brits used their platform to fight for LGBTQ+ rights and to fight against AIDS to make the world a better place for their listeners and for those around them. Humanity was always at the heart of their music and their endeavours outside of it.