George Michael brings his mix to Dallas
12:25 PM CDT on Thursday, July 10, 2008
It's true. George Michael lives in Dallas part-time with partner Kenny Goss, and together they own a world-class art gallery.
But even if the British superstar had never stepped foot in the Big D before, his concert at American Airlines Center this weekend would still be a huge deal. His wildly diverse recordings – for the feet and for the heart – have secured him a place in pop music's pantheon.
Here's a look at the different styles the artist has mastered since starting with Wham! in 1981 Hunter Hauk
"WAKE ME UP BEFORE YOU GO-GO (with Wham!)" (1984) The slap-happiest pop song ever written, but it's still undeniable. Jitterbug!
"FAITH" (1987) A tune with words and music so unbreakable that even Limp Bizkit could turn it into a hit.
"MONKEY" (1987) No one should have to share his baby with a monkey. It's just not right.
"FREEDOM! '90" (1990) George's pièce de résistance as a songwriter – intensely personal lyrics mixed with a soulful, universal groove.
"FATHER FIGURE" (1987) The slinky intro, the whispered vocals, the way he says "naked." A sensual seduction.
"I WANT YOUR SEX" (1987) "Sex is natural, sex is good/Not everybody does it, but everybody should." 'Nuff said.
"TOO FUNKY" (1992) The lyrics are anything but subtle: "I gotta get inside of you."
"OUTSIDE" (1998) This disco-fab song and video poked fun at George's infamous rest room encounter in '98 with an L.A. undercover cop. "And yes, I've been bad!" Tee-hee ...
"FREEEK!" (2002) The pulsing bassline and dial-up-modem sounds let you know what the song's about before the first verse starts.
"CARELESS WHISPER" (1984) The world swooned over George's earliest solo ballad, and perhaps gave his Wham! partner a bitter taste of the future. Eek.
"ONE MORE TRY" (1987) One of his saddest, most soulful songs. He tore this one up.
"KISSING A FOOL" (1987) This smoky torch song was an early indication of George's versatility as a writer and a singer.
"PRAYING FOR TIME" (1990) A brilliant social-consciousness song that doesn't resort to melodrama in conveying its message.
"JESUS TO A CHILD" (1995) George sings beautifully about watching a loved one slip away. Listen closely enough and it'll stun ya.
"THEY WON'T GO WHEN I GO" (1990) He perfectly captured the longing and sorrow of the Stevie Wonder original, and he did it in one live take.
"DON'T LET THE SUN GO DOWN ON ME (with Elton John)" (1991) Two titans of pop met on stage and made each other better. It should be considered the definitive version of Elton's song.
"SOMEBODY TO LOVE (with Queen)" (1993) This live performance at a Freddie Mercury tribute show was one of George's shining moments. He owned.
"I CAN'T MAKE YOU LOVE ME" (1998) Bonnie Raitt wrote a heartbreaker of a ballad, and George proved that he felt every word.
"THE FIRST TIME EVER I SAW YOUR FACE" (1999) This tune's been covered by everyone, but his rendition stayed faithful to Roberta Flack's arrangement and to the song itself.George Michael
Sunday at 8 p.m. at American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Ave. $45 to $145. Ticketmaster, 214-373-8000.