TOP   APC   PEAK   title   YEAR  
  1   13   13   LAST CHRISTMAS   1984  
  2   325   68   CARELESS WHISPER   1984  
  3   454   101   SOMEBODY TO LOVE   1976  
  4   978   161   WAKE ME UP BEFORE YOU GO GO   1984  
  5   1071   288   DON'T LET THE SUN GO DOWN ON ME   1974  
  6   1319   397   A DIFFERENT CORNER   1985  
  7   1902   416   FAITH   1987  
  8   2481   1242   JESUS TO A CHILD   1996  
  9   2521   456   I KNEW YOU WERE WAITING FOR ME   1987  
  10   2985   1588   AN EASIER AFFAIR   2006  
  11   3595   1270   CLUB TROPICANA   1983  
  12   3837   602   FREEDOM   1984  
  13   4061   329   THE EDGE OF HEAVEN   1986  
  14   4431   807   I WANT YOUR SEX   1987  
  15   5697   1100   FATHER FIGURE   1988  
  16   5967   1986   I'M YOUR MAN   1985  
  17   6164   3048   FREEDOM   1990  
  18   6268   837   ONE MORE TRY   1988  
  19   6566   1355   EVERYTHING SHE WANTS   1984  
  20   7092   3760   COWBOYS AND ANGELS   1991  
  21   7529   2014   YOUNG GUNS (GO FOR IT)   1982  
  22   8048   2605   TOO FUNKY   1992  
  23   9145   4914   THIS IS NOT REAL LOVE   2006  
  24   9572   2256   PRAYING FOR TIME   1990  
  25   9613   3545   FAST LOVE   1996  
  26   9710   4401   AS   1999  
  27   10610   2506   MONKEY   1988  
  28   10626   4232   OUTSIDE   1998  
  29   10666   4746   PAPA WAS A ROLLING STONE   1993  
  30   12260   3695   WHAM RAP!   1982  
  31   12701   6027   KILLER   1993  
  32   12877   4203   KISSING A FOOL   1988  
  33   15008   11466   LET HER DOWN EASY   2014  
  34   15618   5042   BAD BOYS   1983  
  35   16684   5416   HEAL THE PAIN   1991  
  36   17293   12477   WHITE LIGHT   2012  
  37   18831   9379   FREEEK!   2002  
  38       10493   AMAZING   2004  
  39       12273  
STAR PEOPLE
  1997  
  40       12467   YOU HAVE BEEN LOVED   1997  
                     
                     
  George Michael was born on June 25, 1963, as Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou in East Finchley, London. His father, a Greek immigrant who ran a successful restaurant business, and his English mother, a teacher, gave him a warm but hardworking upbringing. Within the family he was affectionately called “Yog,” a nickname that stayed with him throughout his life. He grew up with two older sisters, Yioda and Melanie, and although he would later become one of the biggest pop icons in the world, his fascination with music began in a very modest way: in his parents’ garage, where he found a record player and a few singles by The Supremes and Tom Jones. That was the moment he decided he wanted to make music.

At school he met Andrew Ridgeley, with whom he developed a close friendship. They shared the same humor, the same energy, and above all the same musical dreams. Together they formed Wham!, a duo that grew into a global phenomenon in the early 1980s. Their cheerful, colorful pop music fit the spirit of the times perfectly. Hits like “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” and “Careless Whisper” — the latter officially a George Michael solo track but released during the Wham! era — catapulted them to international fame. The combination of George’s warm voice, his songwriting talent, and the youthful bravado of the duo made Wham! one of the most recognizable acts of the decade.

Although Wham! was a massive success, George soon felt he wanted to grow artistically. He had more to say than just cheerful pop. In 1986, the duo decided to split up at the height of their fame, with a grand farewell concert at Wembley. George began a solo career that would not only make him even more famous but also show that he was one of the most versatile and influential artists of his generation.

His first solo album, “Faith,” was released in 1987 and became a cultural phenomenon. The album sold more than 25 million copies worldwide and earned him multiple awards, including a Grammy. The title track “Faith” became one of the most iconic songs of the 1980s, with a music video that cemented George Michael’s image as a stylish, confident pop star. But the album also contained deeper, more introspective songs that showed he was much more than a hit machine. His voice, his songwriting, and his charisma made him an artist who operated at the highest level both commercially and artistically.

In the years that followed, George Michael continued to experiment and evolve. He released albums that became increasingly personal, such as “Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1,” on which he deliberately distanced himself from his sexy pop-star image and focused more on substance and emotion. The single “Freedom! ’90” became a statement: a break with the expectations of the industry and a celebration of his own artistic autonomy. It was a period in which he became increasingly aware of who he was, both as an artist and as a person.

His personal life played a major role in that evolution. In the early 1990s he met Anselmo Feleppa, a Brazilian man who became the great love of his life. The relationship brought him happiness but also deep sorrow: Anselmo died in 1993 from complications related to AIDS. George later spoke openly about how deeply this loss affected him and how it shaped his music and his life. The song “Jesus to a Child” became a moving tribute to Anselmo, one of the most vulnerable and honest songs of his career.

Despite his personal struggles, George Michael remained one of the most respected artists of his time. He collaborated with legends such as Aretha Franklin, with whom he recorded the duet “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me),” a song that became a worldwide number-one hit. His voice — warm, powerful, soulful — was considered by many to be one of the finest in pop music. He had the ability to fill every song, whether a ballad or an uptempo track, with emotion and authenticity.

Beyond his musical achievements, George Michael was known for his generosity. He donated large sums to charities, often anonymously, and supported organizations dedicated to HIV research, child welfare, and human rights. His philanthropy was an essential but often hidden part of his personality. Only after his death did many stories emerge about the quiet but enormous impact he had on the lives of others.

In the 2000s and 2010s he continued to perform and make music, although he also faced health issues and personal challenges. Still, his talent remained undeniable. His performances were intense, his voice remained impressive, and his audience stayed loyal. He was an artist who was always honest, sometimes painfully so, but that honesty made him beloved.

On December 25, 2016, George Michael died at the age of 53 in his home in Goring-on-Thames. His death was unexpected and shocked the world. Fans, fellow artists, and people touched by his music mourned a man who was not only a pop icon but also a sensitive, complex, and extraordinarily talented human being. His funeral took place at Highgate Cemetery in London, where he was laid to rest in the family vault.

After his death, appreciation for his work only grew. His legacy lives on in his music, which continues to touch millions of people. Songs like “Careless Whisper,” “Faith,” “Freedom! ’90,” “Last Christmas,” and “Jesus to a Child” remain timeless — tracks that connect generations and evoke emotions as powerful as when they were first released. His official website emphasizes that his career redefined pop music and that his influence is still felt in today’s musical landscape.

George Michael was an artist who followed his own path, regardless of the expectations of the industry or the public. He was a man who fought for his privacy but poured his deepest emotions into his music. He was a pop star, a soul singer, a songwriter, a performer, an activist, and a human being with a big heart. His life had highs and lows, but above all it contained an enormous amount of beauty — the beauty of music that brings comfort, joy, and meaning.

His story is that of a boy who dreamed of music in a London garage and grew into one of the greatest artists of his time. A man who conquered the world with his voice but is remembered most for his humanity. George Michael lives on in every note, every melody, and every memory his music has left behind. And that may be the most beautiful tribute an artist could wish for.