PM Dawn "Looking Through Patient Eyes"

PM Dawn's catchy tune "Looking Through Patient Eyes" incorporates the hook from George Michael's "Father Figure" and features Cathy Dennis on backup vocals.

George Michael "I Can't Make You Love Me"

While Bonnie Raitt make this somber ballad famous in 1991, many other artists quickly adopted the song and added it to their respective setlists. George Michael along with Bruce Hornsby, Boyz II Men and Adele are just some of the many artists who embraced the touching tune. Ironically, the song was written by two Nashville songwriters who envisioned Bette Midler, Linda Ronstadt or Bonnie Raitt performing it.

Wham! "Freedom"

As a solo artist, George Michael released "Freedom" in 1990. While still performing with Wham!, Michael released an entirely different song with the same title ("Freedom") in 1985. Got it? For those who didn't, Michael's later albums referred to the 1990 version as "Freedom '90".

George Michael "Fastlove"

Two years before his infamous arrest for engaging in a lewd act, George Michael's career was sizzling. Radio stations all across the globe spun his slinky tune "Fastlove". The song would be his final Top 10 hit. Adele later performed the song during a tribute at the 2017 Grammy Awards.

George Michael "Kissing A Fool"

According to George Michael, he only needed one take to record the vocals to "Kissing A Fool". The song was the fifth single from Michael's uber-successful Faith album. Released in 1987, Faith was  Michael's solo debut and was the first album from a Caucasian to top the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart.

Dave Koz & Montell Jordan "Careless Whisper"

The first week in October of 2000 was a big one for Dave Koz and Montell Jordan. The duo's remake of the Wham! classic "Careless Whisper" entered the Adult Contemporary Chart. The following week, their saxophone-heavy tune dropped off the AC Chart and never returned. For Koz, his music would continue to find a home on the Smooth Jazz radio stations while Jordan will always have "This Is How We Do It" on his resume.

Wham! "Everything She Wants"

"I don't know what the hell you want from me."

Wham! - "Careless Whisper"

Equally as important as George Michael providing lead vocals on "Careless Whisper", credit must go to Steve Gregory who plays the saxophone on the dreamy Wham! tune.

George Michael - "One More Try"

The death march known as 2016 continued its relentless attack on musicians by taking George Michael.   Michael died over the Christmas holiday.  He was 53.  During music class in fourth grade was when I first was introduced to Michael after overhearing a couple girls in my class talking about how hot he was.  I mistakenly thought these girls were speaking of George Michael --the host of "George Michel's Sports Machine".  The next time I remember learning about George Michael (the singer) was on Saturday Night Live when Dana Carvey parodied him during an episode of weekend update where he kept telling host Dennis Miller to "look at my butt!".  Michael got his start as a member of the British duo Wham! and later launched an era of dominance as a solo artist.  The ballad, "One More Try", hit #1 in 1988--the song was one of six singles released from Michael's debut solo album, Faith.  In fact, five of the album's six singles became hits while the album itself sold over 25 million copies.  Rest easy, George.

George Michael & Elton John - "Don't Let The Sun Go Down on Me"

• Originally recorded by Elton John and released in 1974
• Another live version was released in 1987 followed by a third live version sung by George Michael and Elton John went to #1 in 1991
• Elton and George originally sang this song together at 1985's Live Aid concert
• The one lyric of this song you likely know isn't exactly a lyric: "Ladies and gentlemen, Mister Elton John!"
• The 1991 duet came from Michael's concert at Wembley Arena in London, yet footage for the video to the George Michael/Elton John version came from a concert in Chicago 

George Michael - "Too Funky"

Sometimes people speak of failed relationships by placing blame on the other's eccentricity.  Perhaps this person was considered "too lazy", "too boring", "too loud", "too crazy", "too boring in bed".  But what about being "too funky"?  Has anyone ever told another person that they'd really like the other person to turn down their funkiness?  Imagine some friends talking about Susan and Jim: "Susan really liked Jim, but in the end he was just too funky for her."

Patrice Rushen - "Forget Me Nots"

Will Smith borrowed from Patrice Rushen when he sampled her 1982 hit "Forget My Nots" in his signature 1997 song "Men in Black". A year earlier, George Michael also sampled the tune in "Fastlove".

Deon Estus - "Heaven Help Me"

With his trademark five o'clock shadow, pierced ears, and leather outfits, George Michael became a worldwide sensation during his post-Wham! years.  Former Wham! bassist Deon Estus did his best to keep pace with George and even enlisted George's help.  The two collaborated with Michael handling some back-up vocals on Estus' "Heaven Help Me"--a Top 10 ballad that marked the pinnacle of Deon's solo career.

George Michael - "Praying for Time"

Long before being known for playing with Mr. Wanky in a public restroom, George Michael used to be quite the political figure.  His dark 1990 tune "Praying for Time" touched on all sorts of societal ills while spending a week in the #1 spot.

George Michael - "Father Figure"

"Father Figure" is another example of a song that clocked in at just under six minutes, yet proved to be a huge international hit.

Elton John - "Nikita"

Another lost track from the Elton John files is "Nikita".  This 1986 Cold War-themed ballad features George Michael performing backup vocals and Elton John sporting a fantastic mullet in the video.

George Michael & Aretha Franklin - "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)"

Before Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, there was George Michael and Aretha Franklin: one emrging pop artist coupled with an established musical legend performing a duet together.  It likely led to years of fans at George Michael concerts wondering aloud if Aretha would show up to perform the duet to "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)".

Elvin Bishop - "Fooled Around And Fell in Love"

How many songs can you name with the word "fool" in the title?

• Everybody Plays The Fool
• Fool's Gold
• Don't Want to Be A Fool
• Foolish Beat
• Kissing A Fool
• What A Fool Believes
• Chain of Fools
• Foolish Games
• Fooled Around And Fell in Love

George Michael - "Jesus To A Child"

A couple years before being arrested pleasuring myself in a park bathroom, George Michael scored a huge international hit with "Jesus To A Child".  The 1996 ballad clocked in just under seven minutes, and the video somehow featured neither Michael's butt nor leather pants.