George Micheal

I still believe that music is one of the greatest gifts that God gave to man. - George Michael

The Long & Winding Road

What was it that triggered emotions in me when George Michael sang his version of the Beatles' "The Long and Winding Road"? I like to listen to music when I write, just noise to fill space, long-playing YouTube videos... e.g. The Sound of Rain Outside the Window, 11.54.59... and others like it. Sometimes I listen to music I grew up with, not too often while writing, as it will interrupt me, stopping to listen and remember. So, George Michael triggering me came as a surprise.

Faith

I first heard of George Michael when he was with Andrew Ridgeley in Wham. I don’t have their music included in a playlist. "Faith," a solo by George, is there somewhere, "Last Christmas" is in my Christmas favorites playlist. Those two songs are what I remember George for. In my mind’s eye, I can see cool George in his blue jeans and leather jacket, strumming his guitar singing "Faith." A very handsome man.

Gay

I don’t know if George came out, maybe I just heard of it someplace. The only thought I had was, “Ladies will be disappointed.” I had a P.E. teacher in high school who taught me a lesson I have never forgotten. I was thirteen at the time and used the slang “homo” while in P.E., my teacher, a man of faith, I remember very well, questioned me. I was in a co-ed school that taught religion. I also used the slang when in primary school, directed at my friends when we were joking with each other, just little boys’ fun. Up until that P.E. class, I had no idea what it meant. Mr... my P.E. teacher asked, “Do you know what that term means?” “No, Sir.” He explained what it meant and went further. I can’t remember the exact words, but it was along the lines of, people choose how they live their lives, their choices are choices of agency, their lives, their choices are to be respected. That term, since then, I have never used. My mum told me a story, years earlier that I was too young to understand, a story of two of her women friends. She tried to teach me, but in one ear out the next. I love my mum, I miss her.

Last Years

To me, the last years of George Michael’s life were filled with sadness and loneliness. When I watched the video of George singing “The Long & Winding Road,” in it he is more mature, his voice filled with experience, as handsome as ever. Could it have been the richness of his beautiful voice that triggered me, to fill me with emotion, to help me remember people, whatever the reason, these are personal moments to treasure.