Older (George Michael song)

Last updated

"Older"
GeorgeMichaelOlderICMYLM.jpg
Single by George Michael
from the album Older
A-side "I Can't Make You Love Me"
B-side "Desafinado"
Released20 January 1997
Genre Jazz
Length5:33
Label
Songwriter(s) George Michael
Producer(s) George Michael
George Michael singles chronology
"Spinning the Wheel"
(1996)		"Older" / "I Can't Make You Love Me"
(1997)		"Star People '97"
(1997)
Music video
"Older" on YouTube

"Older" is a song by English singer-songwriter George Michael, released as the fourth single from his third album, Older (1996). It was also released as an EP under the name The Older EP. The single's other A-side is a cover of Bonnie Raitt's song "I Can't Make You Love Me". The single peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart while becoming a top-ten hit in Denmark, Hungary, Ireland, and Spain.

Contents

Critical reception

Scottish newspaper Aberdeen Press and Journal stated that Michael follows up a triumphant 1996 with "one of his strongest ballads to date". They also said it is a track "he obviously hopes will cement his maturing image." [1] Sarah Davis from Dotmusic noted the "jazzy mood", "as Michael brusquely casts off a former lover—'I'm not the man you want... these are wasted days without affection, I'm not that foolish anymore'—to the quavering accompaniment of Steve Sidwell's trumpet." [2] Elysa Gardner from Los Angeles Times called it "moody", noting that the singer is "addressing a lover" in the song. [3] [ page needed ]

A reviewer from Music Week rated it five out of five, writing, "As smooth, soulful and jazzy a ballad as Michael has ever made, this silky song is coupled with the Bonnie Raitt track 'I Can't Make You Love Me'. A certain hit." [4] Steve Morse from The Spokesman-Review described it as a "anguished love song". [5] Ed Morales for Vibe wrote in his album review, that on the "affecting" title track, "Michael delivers his message of aging gracefully through a narrative detailing a breakup—one lover is crowding another. 'Change is a stranger you have to know', he says." [6]

Music video

The official music video for the song was directed by British director Andy Morahan. [7]

Track listings

  1. "Older" – 5:35
  2. "I Can't Make You Love Me" – 5:21
  3. "Desafinado" (with Astrud Gilberto) – 3:22
  4. "The Strangest Thing" (live) – 6:01
  1. "Older" (radio edit) – 5:00
  2. "I Can't Make You Love Me" – 5:21
  3. "Desafinado" (with Astrud Gilberto) – 3:22
  4. "The Strangest Thing" (live) – 5:01
  1. "Older" – 5:35
  2. "I Can't Make You Love Me" – 5:21

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [25] Silver200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

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References

  1. ↑ Aberdeen Press and Journal . 17 January 1997. p. 12. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  2. ↑ Davis, Sarah (15 April 1996). "GEORGE MICHAEL – OLDER". Dotmusic. Archived from the original on 1 September 2000. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  3. ↑ Gardner, Elysa (25 May 1996). "MUSIC REVIEWS: "Older"". Lakeland Ledger . Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  4. ↑ "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music Week . 28 December 1996. p. 17. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  5. ↑ Morse, Steve (14 May 1996). "George Michael's new album first in six years". The Spokesman-Review . Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  6. ↑ Morales, Ed (1 August 1996). "George Michael – Older". Vibe . Retrieved 2 March 2020.[ permanent dead link ]
  7. ↑ "George Michael - "Older"". MVDBase.com (video). ASG. 1998–2017. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  8. ↑ Older (UK, European & Australian CD EP disc notes). George Michael. Virgin Records, Aegean Records. 1997. VSCDT 1626, 7243 8 94040 2 9.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. ↑ Older (Japanese CD EP liner notes). George Michael. Virgin Records, Aegean Records. 1997. VJCP-12053.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ↑ Older (UK cassette EP sleeve). George Michael. Virgin Records, Aegean Records. 1997. VSC 1626, 7243 8 94029 4 0.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ↑ Older (European CD single liner notes). George Michael. Virgin Records, Aegean Records. 1997. VSCDE 1626, 7243 8 94038 2 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 187.
  13. ↑ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 14, no. 12. 22 March 1997. p. 19. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  14. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 14, no. 6. 8 February 1997. p. 21. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  15. ↑ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 14, no. 8. 22 February 1997. p. 15. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  16. ↑ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (NR. 209 Vikuna 20.2. '97 – 26.2. '97)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 21 February 1997. p. 16. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  17. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Older". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  18. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 7, 1997" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
  19. ↑ "George Michael – Older" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  20. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  21. ↑ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN   84-8048-639-2.
  22. ↑ "George Michael – Older". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
  23. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  24. ↑ "Top 100 Singles 1997". Music Week . 17 January 1998. p. 27.
  25. ↑ "British single certifications – George Michael – Older/I Can't Make You Love Me". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 19 August 2022.
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