Highlights
- George Michael faced controversy and censorship for the sexually particular lyrics in his song "I Want Your Sex".
- He defended the song, stating that it was not about informal sex but somewhat a reflection of the converting instances and the seriousness of HIV/AIDS.
- George Michael eventually came out as homosexual in the overdue 90s all through a live tv interview, ending years of speculation about his sexuality.
George Michael first became known as part of the musical duo Wham! within the early 80s. Michael went on to have a successful solo occupation with hit songs equivalent to "Faith" and "Freedom! '90." However, in spite of his professional good fortune, excessive focus was positioned on Michael's non-public life.
Rumors ran rampant for years about Michael's own sexuality. Michael denied the rumors for years until he used to be outed following an arrest within the past due 90s. Michael would let the arena know that he was once gay and no longer ashamed in any respect.
However, ahead of being open about his personal sexuality, Michael's exploration of intercourse in his track ended in controversy. Similar to scandals surrounding other artists, the single "I Want Your Sex" was banned from daylight radio in the UK as well and a disclaimer was positioned before its video on MTV. Michael was once even brazenly criticized by an interviewer who disapproved of the song's lyrics.
George Stood Up To An Interviewer Who Criticized The Lyrics To His Song 'I Want Your Sex'
After Wham! disbanded and Michael went solo, he released his album "Faith" in 1987. The album's first single, "I Want Your Sex," was a main source of controversy.
The controversy came from the song's intercourse positivity. At the time, the AIDS epidemic was once killing folks at an alarming price and oldsters worried about what sort of influence Michael's lyrics would have on youth. The tune video was even a supply of controversy, with Michael recording a disclaimer for MTV, which would air sooner than the video started.
"In the past there were arguments for and against casual sex," Michael began in the disclaimer. "Then it became a question of morality. These days, it can be a question of life or death. It's as simple as that. And this song is not about casual sex."
The song was even banned from daytime radio in the United Kingdom. At the time, Michael voiced his frustration with the ban throughout an interview with Jonathan Ross.
"I wasn't expecting the blanket ban," Michael said. "I think it's unfair because it's the first ban of its kind in a long time and I think that if I were not George Michael then I would have no problem being played on those stations. And it's incredibly irritating having a record out for a couple of weeks and knowing that people haven't heard it."
In a 1988 interview with 60 Minutes Australia, journalist Jeff McMullen even criticized some of the song's lyrics. While interviewing Michael, McMullen mentioned the strains "Sex is natural/Sex is good/Not everybody does it/But everybody should" have been "tasteless."
"That would rank as one of the most banal and trite three lines in rock and roll," McMullen advised Michael.
"I don't think it's trite," Michael responded. "It's definitely an outstanding pop lyric. It's definitely going to be there in five or ten years' time."
Michael went on to say that he was "very proud" of the song.
George Said He Wanted To Come Out While In Wham! But Stayed Closeted Because Of His Father
During his 1988 interview with McMullen, Michael was asked in regards to the rumors that he was once homosexual. In reaction, Michael said that he wasn't gay and that he did not suppose his sexuality was someone's trade.
In 2023, a documentary titled Wham! premiered on Netflix and shed new mild on Michael's coming out. In archival audio interviews, Michael described his own coming out process and why he remained closeted in the early years of his career.
The documentary described the instant Michael got here out to his bandmate Andrew Ridgeley when the 2 had been 19. Ridgeley was requested via Michael to forestall via his hotel room to talk. The band's backup singer and shut pal, Shirlie Holliman, was once there as smartly.
"He gave Shirlie a sort of quick glance. He said to me, 'Didn't know how to tell you this, but I'm gay. If not gay, you know, bisexual,'" Ridgeley said. "For me, his sexuality had absolutely no bearing on us. I wanted him to be happy."
Michael mentioned he did not pop out publicly, on the other hand, due to his father, who described himself as strict. Michael would even call his upbringing "oppressive."
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"I said I was gonna talk to my mom and dad, and was persuaded in no uncertain terms that it really wasn't the best idea," Michael will also be heard saying in a voiceover interview. "I don't think they were trying to protect my career or their careers, I think they were literally just thinking of my dad. 'Cause you know, when you're 19, that's as far as you think. You look at your parents: 'Don't tell your dad! My god, your dad'll hit the roof.'"
"At that point in time, I really did, I really wanted to come out," Michael said of his days in Wham! "And then I lost my nerve completely. And just, by necessity, I went with full gusto into — in the progression of Wham! — creating a new character."
George Came Out During A Live Television Interview After Being Arrested In The Late 90s
In 1998, Michael appeared on CNN to discuss his sexuality with journalist Jim Moret. At the time, Michael made headlines after he was arrested for propositioning an undercover police officer for sex in a Beverly Hills park.
Moret stated that Michael wanted to head on television to tell his story "in his own words and in his own way."
Michael began by means of talking about the rampant rumors and attention paid to his sexuality through the years.
"To some degree, with pop stars or film stars, we become the object of people’s self-definition, as well as the object of sexual definition," he said.
"So, in unambiguous terms, what is it that you want to say?" Moret requested.
"I want to say that I have no problem with people knowing that I’m in a relationship with a man right now," Michael stated. "I have not been in a relationship with a woman for almost ten years."
Michael went on to speak about the songs he wrote and assured enthusiasts that he wasn't being dishonest about his sexuality in his lyrics.
"I do want people to know that the songs that I wrote when I was with women were really about women, and the songs I have written since have been fairly obviously about men," Michael explained.
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