Essential Albums of the 80's: George Michael's "Faith"

Back in the early 1980's, George Michael, along with band mate Andrew Ridgeley, hit the big time with a string of bubble gum pop ditties performing as the popular duo Wham!. With such iconic 80's pop songs as "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go", "Everything She Wants" and "Freedom", Wham!'s music was all over the radio and in regular rotation on video music upstart channel MTV. By 1986, it became clear that it was the talented Michael who generated the true star power of the group, and Wham! disbanded after just three albums. A year later, Michael released his first solo effort, a gem of an album titled "Faith," which was remastered and re-released earlier this week to great fanfare.

"Faith" is one of those 80's albums that was great from start to finish. To date it has sold over 25 million copies, spawned six top five singles (four of them hit #1), and won a Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1989. The album represented a departure for the then 24 year old singer/songwriter, who created a set full of more mature sounding songs in a variety of genres and helped propel George into pop superstardom.

Here's a closer look at the songs of "Faith":

Faith

The opening guitar strum for the title track introduces rockabilly fun the whole way through. This was the second single off the album and the first to reach #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. Relive the merriment of "Faith" right here.

Father Figure

This slow moving, tender ballad also hit #1 in early 1988. Though the meaning of the song has been open to interpretation (see here), it's clearly a love song, with Michael offering up his total and unwavering love and devotion. The gospel infused chorus adds to the allure of this track. Check out the video for "Father Figure" here.

I Want Your Sex, Parts 1, 2 and 3

This was the first single off of the album and it garnered a lot of attention for its sexual undertones and equally racy video. The song is presented on the album in three parts, the first two sliced together in upbeat fashion and the third appearing as a soulful ending to the set. Watch the then controversial video for "I Want Your Sex" here.

One More Try

This slow moving six-minute ballad is a soulful and heartrending song about the end of a relationship. It hit #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart in 1988. Watch the video for "One More Try" here.

Hard Day

Rolling Stone's Rob Sheffield asks why "Hard Day" wasn't one of the biggest hits of 1988. He opines that that's because it seemed virtually every other song from "Faith" was already crowding the charts. Indeed, this hard driving dance song failed to hit the pop charts in 1988, but it fared well nevertheless on Billboard's Hot Dance/Club Play (#5) and R&B/Hip Hop (#21) charts. Check out the popular remix to this one right here.

Hand to Mouth

The first of only two 'filler' songs on "Faith", this storytelling song of the downtrodden was definitely an overlooked gem. Take a listen to "Hand to Mouth" here.

Look at Your Hands

This was the album's second 'filler' song and it sounds very 80's today. You can listen to it here.

Monkey

Why can't you do it?
Why can't you set your monkey free?
Always giving into it
Do you love your monkey or do you love me?

This catchy song with the nonsensical lyrics was one of "Faith's" biggest hits, hitting #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 and Hot Dance/Club charts, respectively. Watch the fun video for "Monkey" here.

Kissing a Fool

This jazzy ballad reached #5 in late 1988 and it isn't one of my favorites! Watch the video right here.

"Faith" finishes up with a Shep Pettibone remix of "Hard Day" and of course the "I Want Your Sex" ("A Last Request") finale. The newly remastered version of "Faith" is available now in multiple formats and sets, some of which include a CD of remastered 12" singles, a replica of the original on vinyl, a DVD, a hard bound book, prints, posters and more. Check out George's official website below for links on where to get your copy today.

For more "Essential Albums of the 80's", check these out:

Prince's Purple Reign of the Eighties

Cyndi Lauper's "She's So Unusual"

Culture Club's "Colour by Numbers"

"Madonna"

For more on 80's Music, check out:

Top Ten New Wave Songs of the 80's

The 80's: A Decade in Music

Top Ten One Hit Wonders of the 80's

Top Twenty New Wave Bands of the 80's, Part 1

Top Twenty New Wave Bands of the 80's, Part 2

Top Twenty Dance/Club Hits of the 80's

Web Resources:

George Michael's Official Website

http://www.georgemichael.com/

Sources:

http://www.billboard.com/#/song/george-michael/hard-day/368671

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/clicktrack/2011/02/album_reviews_george_michael_f.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Michael_discography

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1351178/Its-high-time-restore-Faith-George-Michael.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/faith-special-edition-20110201