A Different Corner

November 5, 2017 9:55 AM

George Michael once said that he wanted to be remembered as a great songwriter more than anything else. Here's Coldplay's Chris Martin performing a posthumous duet with Michael: A Different Corner.
posted by hippybear (19 comments total)

(tears) Oh, George.

We teen/tween girls of the 80s knew he was a talent long before the rest of the world caught on.
posted by kimberussell at 10:14 AM on November 5, 2017 [11 favorites]

We teen/tween girls of the 80s

Hey now, I loved Wham! and then Faith happened and holy shit wow and then LWPV1 (I have a vinyl copy on its way to me RIGHT NOW) and then heartbreak during the hiatus from songwriting and then Older and HOLY SHIT

#NotAGirlOfThe80s
posted by hippybear at 12:11 PM on November 5, 2017 [3 favorites]

So shitty he died Xmas day, 2 days before Carrie Fisher. We have his songs that will live forever, and damn, they are fine songs.
posted by hippybear at 12:20 PM on November 5, 2017 [3 favorites]

Damn, I didn't know George was dead either. Or somehow I forgot in all the dead bards of last year.
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 12:26 PM on November 5, 2017

That's a MUCH better tribute performance than Adele turning "Fastlove," an upbeat ode to casual sex, into a funeral dirge.
posted by dnash at 1:36 PM on November 5, 2017 [2 favorites]

It almost feels like Martin is actively battling tears. There are some pitch problems there, it's not his best by any stretch; but to me it has all the hallmarks of the way you sound when it's all you can do to make it through the performance without crying. RIP George. I can't believe it's almost been a year.
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 2:09 PM on November 5, 2017 [3 favorites]

#NotAGirlOfThe80s

Ah, you're right, hippybear. I guess at the time he existed outside of Bop! and Tiger Beat too. I just remember being mercilessly teased by boys and grownups for my absolute devotion. Thank you for this. Going to add it to my 'drink and cry' playlist. :)
posted by kimberussell at 2:59 PM on November 5, 2017 [3 favorites]

Oh, I didn't forget. Not a week has gone by in 2017 that I haven't thought of his death. I miss him more than I thought I would. I've played him more this year than in the last 10. I've danced, I've cried, I've sang along. I hope he's in peace.
posted by greermahoney at 4:31 PM on November 5, 2017 [4 favorites]

I wanted to like this, but I didn't. Chris Martin's voice simply wasn't up to the job.
posted by orange swan at 4:43 PM on November 5, 2017 [10 favorites]

Same, orange swan.
posted by greermahoney at 5:00 PM on November 5, 2017

Sadly this underwhelming version really showcases just how amazing George's voice really was in comparison and what a talent we've lost.
posted by Jubey at 5:06 PM on November 5, 2017 [7 favorites]

I used to love Older. Such a great record. Been a long time since listening to it though.
posted by turbid dahlia at 5:07 PM on November 5, 2017

I loved George Michael as a young teen. And yes, I got made fun of for loving George Michael.

I just listened to a bunch of his songs off of Twentyfive: For Loving yesterday while running errands yesterday and has a bunch of thoughts specifically to this album:

1. "One More Try" is absolutely heartbreaking. There is a point in the song where he almost screams "Just let me go" and every time I hear it my heart cracks a little and I am stunned all over again at how much emotion he puts into the song.

2. Paul McCartney sings the the lead in "Heal the Pain" and sings it exactly like George Michael. It is weird and boring cover.

3. I absolutely love his cover of As.

And I still love "I Knew You Were Waiting". So much joy.

This video just made me sad. He cannot be replaced.
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 5:09 PM on November 5, 2017 [7 favorites]

I wanted to like this, but I didn't. Chris Martin's voice simply wasn't up to the job.

The song I liked. Agreed about Martin, however. Would like to hear it done by other people.
posted by BlueHorse at 5:54 PM on November 5, 2017 [3 favorites]

Michael's lyrics are soul-baringly honest, and I love that about him. Something To Say is just such a great song, both lyrically and with the simplicity of its recorded arrangement.

And I will continue to hold up Precious Box as one of the most brilliant songs I've ever heard.
posted by hippybear at 5:57 PM on November 5, 2017 [4 favorites]

He should have done it without adding Michael's vocal track. It just highlighted the fact that he doesn't have near the same instrument Michael did. And it would have been a better statement about his songwriting: that his work is strong enough to live on, to be interpreted by other artists.

(Yes, had to go listen to the original and bawl my eyes out again.)
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:42 PM on November 5, 2017 [1 favorite]

George Michael's voice, though...it is something else, not of this planet.

RIP, beautiful man. :(
posted by Salamander at 9:52 PM on November 5, 2017 [1 favorite]

Not of this planet indeed. Which brings me to my most favorite EVER tribute cover.
posted by DreamerFi at 6:01 AM on November 6, 2017 [4 favorites]

As long as we're doubling down on the tearjerking, here's the rehearsal for that performance, where you can see David Bowie listening in the wings.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 11:56 AM on November 6, 2017 [1 favorite]