@adamcarrington2818

9 months ago

Probably my favourite George Michael song and without question one of his most brilliant songs ever. The fact that this, scandalously, never made it onto 'Older' and was a B-side to the almost as sublime 'Spinning the Wheel' just demonstrates the incredible, endless talent of someone who was truly at the top of their game. But even more importantly, for me this is a song that devastatingly captures the bittersweet aching that summed up the best of George's solo work and, maybe, even his personal life too. "Lover don't love too much" are five words that perfectly encapsulate George's entire emotional philosophy as presented through his music, that of happiness being on the horizon but never quite within reach. Even more poignantly, he commonly presents the reason for his semi-despair as his own failings or inadequacy, as if HE'S the self-destructive virus that keeps his loneliness alive."I'm a bad boy, I'm a sad boy and I'll never give you much." And "...can't you see, I'm using you baby." And again, "...all that I know is love don't belong here". And yet, the paradox is he, like we all do, still needs the love he spurns, as the hook constantly reminds us, "I just can't stop till I get all of your loving". Despite all its demands, love is still "heaven to the touch". And again in the chorus, "I can't stop don't you know that I want to, I want you baby, more than ever". Who can't be floored by such incessant, piercing honesty? Almost uniquely in pop George doesn't present love as a saccharine joyride but in his world it's a sickly addiction or some grinding, peverse emotional combat that is as much ordeal as it is pleasure. "But it's never going to be that easy, child." And haven't we all sometimes privately thought that WE'RE the reason love can be hard? That our flaws mean that we're not worthy of the love we recieve? George was such a brilliant artist not just because of his incredible lyricism or that fact that he had a voice that at one moment could caress you like velvet & in the next, slice through your soul like a fork tapping against a crystal glass. He was a brilliant artist because he hauntingly crystallises our own sense of imperfection and brutally exposes how the things and people we love (including ourselves) are the ones always just a step away from inflicting the greatest pain. George had such a powerful effect on my formative years and his music not only helped me through my teenage years but helped make me into the man I am today. I miss him so, so much and wish he was still here. But I'm grateful that at least while he was here, his artistry and genius showed me just how beautiful music and life can be. I'll never forget that and I'll never forget him. Rest in peace my forever friend, George Michael.

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