Star People
Counting your money rill your soul turns green
Star people
Counting the cost of your desire to be seen
I do not count myself among you
I may be living in a dream
It’s just there seem so many of you
Can’t help but hope
There’s a difference between….you and me
The first few lines from the song ‘Star People’ by George Michael from the album critically acclaimed ‘Older’.
George Michael began his career as a part of the popular 80s duo called Wham, and then moved on to a solo career. He made ‘Faith’ and became an overnight sensation.
I, first, saw George Michael in the guise of a poster in the bedroom of a fawning fan. [By the way, Jon Bon Jovi’s poster only rivals this one, in my opinion.]
I think pop music is all about catchy tunes along with accompanying lyrics with an easy flow. But George Michael wanted more. He wasn’t satisfied with being one of the ‘greats’ in pop.
And then tragedy struck, when his deal with Sony music went downhill… as he struggled for creative freedom and decided to break free from his contract. He lost the case against and went into a long withdrawn silence from performing, the public and his first love, music.
As the saying goes, the higher you rise, the harder the fall. But as always men with stolidity always rise to conquer again which is reflective of the second part of George Michael’s career.
He first released ‘Older’, after a long imposed sabbatical, and in my opinion is miles away from the pop sounds that he so gladly made famous in his younger years towards a more subtle, sober and tasteful art form, Jazz.
And ever since, his music from there on has always remained on my Ipod as natural favorites.
So what if he isn’t straight, macho and all those things that make male musicians appealing…well, George Michael lets his music speak for itself… and I think that’s really the way to go!
