We have come to the penultimate day of Pride month celebrations, and there are so many more than two queer voices left to listen to — don’t worry, I will certainly not be letting them fall to the wayside until next year. But there are two specific essentials that I think will round out this month quite nicely. Today, it’s George Michael. (I wonder if you can guess tomorrow’s grand finale!)
George Michael, beyond the sort of social legend he has become for various reasons, was an incredible musician. Both as half of WHAM! and as a solo artist, he was always pushing himself and his musical instincts toward sounds that took the pop sensibilities of the day and made them something singular. “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” may or may not be your cup of tea, but it has remained so enduring because there’s truly nothing else like it. Same with both of today’s two (surprise!) songs.
On their second album, Make It Big, WHAM! had a song called “Freedom.” It’s a banger, and it’s also among a pretty large catalog of songs that are all about the singer willfully remaining in an emotionally abusive relationship. “You could drag me to hell and back, just as long as we’re together, and you do.” It’s a common trope. This album came about before Michael could really be vocally out as a gay man, so it’s sung to a girl.
Then, in 1990, he released his second solo album Listen Without Prejudice, an intensely political record with heart fully bared. Looking back at the previous hit song, George Michael saw his own evolution, and he found a very creative way to call out that old song and course-correct a little. “Freedom ‘90” is an anthem of self-possession and claiming one’s truth to be powerfully undeniable.
The first time he wrote a song called “Freedom,” it was actually about being chained up. That wasn’t right. A song called “Freedom“ should be about freedom! So he took another stab, and you know, I think he nailed it the second time. It’s cool to listen to them back-to-back, so that’s what we’re doing today. Enjoy the contrast and the evolution, and I hope it offers you some freedom of your own today.
Breathe in and out a few times. Release the tensions in your neck, your shoulders, your arms, your chest, your trunk, your hips, your legs, your feet. Agree with your body that it feels good to do this intentionally. Tell it to enjoy the next few minutes.
Now press play.
Thank you, Spirit of Music, for voices of self-awareness, self-possession, and true freedom.