The Best & Worst Of 2014

2014 has seen some amazing music, film and television. It has also been home to some usually great things, plumet.

It was a great year for music with the return of many worldwide superstars in the charts. However it was a chance download of Damien Rice's first album in 8 years that has taken my top spot this year. Its entire 8 tracks are all works of art. Sam Smith's debut album, 'In The Lonley Hour', just narrowly missed the top 5, but only because the competition was so strong.

1. My Favourite Faded Fantasy - Damien Rice
2. Partners - Barbra Streisand
3. Ghost Stories - Coldplay
4. Art Official Age - Prince
5. Symphonica - George Michael

This year had some amazing singles amidst a sea of crap like 'Anaconda' and 'All About That Bass'.

1. Stay With Me - Sam Smith
2. Midnight - Coldplay
3. All Of Me - John Legend
4. Love Never Felt So Good - Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake
5. Love Runs Out - OneRepublic

I haven't seen many movies this year but what I did see was amazing. 'Interstellar' was definately my film of the year. Runners up include 'Amazing Spiderman 2' and 'The Maze Runner'. 

The best TV show this year has to be Game Of Thrones Season 4. It was amazing and gripped everyone from beginning to end. Also amazing was the Family Guy/Simpsons cross over.

However this year saw 'The Walking Dead' and 'Grey's Anatomy' grow boring and predictable. The same for Michael Jackson's posthumous release 'Xscape'.

George Michael - Feeling Good - Music Video

Music video for George Michael's version of 'Feeling Good'.

George Michael - Going To A Town - Live Music Video

My favourite song from George Michael's new 'Symphonica' album.

Well Written Songs: Cowboys & Angels

'Cowboys and Angels' is a song written and performed by George Michael and released on Epic Records in 1991. Among other things, the song is notable for being written in waltz time.

Cowboys & Angels

Written by G. Michael

When your heart's in someone else's hands
Monkey see and monkey do
Their wish is your command
You're not to blame
Everyone's the same

All you do is love and love is all you do
I should know by now the way I fought for you
You're not to blame
Everyone's the same, oh

I know, you think that you're safe
Mister
Harmless deception
That keeps love at bay
It's the ones who resist that we most want to kiss
Wouldn't you say?

Cowboys and angels
They all have the time for you
Why should I imagine
That I'd be a find for you?
Why should I imagine
That I have something to say?

That scar on your face
That beautiful face of yours
In your heart there's a trace
Of someone before

When your heart's in someone else's plans
Things you say and things you do
They don't understand
It's such a shame
Always ends the same

You can call it love but I don't think it's true
You should know by now
I'm not the boy for you
You're not to blame
Always ends the same

I know you think that you're safe
Sister
Harmless affection
That keeps things this way
It's the ones who persist for the sake of a kiss
Who will pay?

Cowboys and angels
They all take a shine to you
Why should I imagine
That I was designed for you?
Why should I believe
That you would stay?

That scar on your face
That beautiful face of yours
Don't you think that I know
They've hurt you before?

Take this man to your bed
Maybe his hands will help you forget
Please be stronger than your past
The future may still give you a chance

George Michael - You Have Been Loved - Symphonica Special Version

George Michael sings his classic on his Symphonica Tour.

George Michael 'My Life Didn't Get Any Easier After I Came Out'

George Michael has said that his “gay life didn’t get easier” after coming out.

The singer was famously outed in 1998 when he was arrested for “engaging in a lewd act” at a public restroom in Los Angeles. He then confirmed his sexuality in an interview with CNN.

Discussing what happened next in a new interview with the BBC, the 50-year-old star says: “For some strange reason, my gay life didn’t get easier when I came out. Quite the opposite happened, really.”

He goes on to explain: “The press seemed to take some delight that I previously had a ‘straight audience’, and set about trying to destroy that. And I think some men were frustrated that their girlfriends wouldn’t let go of the idea that George Michael just hadn’t found the ‘right girl’ [yet]. Which is still what a lot of my extended family still think!”

Continuing, Michael insists he has no regrets about waiting until the age of 35 to be open about his sexuality, saying: “In the years when HIV was a killer, any parent of an openly gay person was terrified. I knew my mother well enough that she would spend every day praying that I didn’t come across that virus. She’d have worried like that.”

During the interview, Michael also expresses a desire to reach out to his gay fans with his music in the future, saying he would “like to do something for the gay community. Possibly a dance album”.

Michael discusses his sexuality candidly in a two-part BBC Radio 2 documentary, titled Up Close with George Michael, whose first part airs tonight (March 18) at 10pm. The concluding part follows a week later on March 25.

The singer released his new album Symphonica, which mainly contains live versions of songs from his 2011-12 concert tour of the same name, on Monday (March 17).

George Michael - A Different Corner - Symphonica Album Version

Beautiful version from George Michael's upcoming Symphonica album.

George Michael - Wild Is The Wind - Symphonica Album Version

Another track from George Michael's upcoming 'Symphonica' album.

George Michael - Let Her Down Easy - Live Music Video

This is the George Michael single and music video I have been waiting for, for years now. This shows off his classy side. He looks and sounds amazing in the beautiful video for his new single 'Let Her Down Easy'.

George Michael - Praying For Time - Symphonica Album - Live

Lovely version.

George Michael - Jesus To A Child - Music Video

To celebrate the release of the 'Let Her Down Easy' music video, here is one of my favourite George Michael music videos, 'Jesus To A Child'.

George Michael - Let Her Down Easy - Music Video

Finally a new music video from George Michael. Unfortunately he isn't in the video but its just nice to have some new music at last!

George Michael - Symphonica 2 Tour - Set List

If George Michael continued his Symphonica Tour to promote his new 'Symphonica' album, this show is what I would like to see. Using a fewer songs from the first Symphonica Tour as possible, this show would feature heavily on the fan favorites. Performing songs that haven't been performed for many years, if ever, such as 'They Won't Go When I Go', 'Something To Save', 'Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me' and 'I Can't Make You Love Me'. This show would feel like a return to the golden days of George Michael, using songs primarily from 'Listen Without Prejudice, Vol. 1' and 'Older'. While at the same time featuring only one song from 'Patience' ('Amazing') and only few songs from 'Songs From The Last Century' ('Wild Is The Wind', 'Secret Love' and 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face') to make the show feel as different from the first Symphonica Tour as possible. The show would also feature many covers, such as 'Song To The Siren', 'Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me', 'Idol', 'They Won't Go When I Go' and the Queen classic, 'These Are The Days Of Our Lives'. 

1. Waiting (Reprise)
2. Waiting For That Day
3. Spinning The Wheel
4. They Won’t Go When I Go
5. Let Her Down Easy
6. Star People 97’
7. I Can’t Make You Love Me
8. Idol
9. Older
10. Too Funky
11. Jesus To A Child
12. Song To The Siren
13. The Strangest Thing 97’
14. Where I Hope You Are
15. Wild Is The Wind
16. Secret Love
17. Feeling Good
18. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
19. Something To Save
20. Faith/Amazing/Freedom 90
21. These Are The Days Of Our Lives
22. Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me
23. ENCORE
24. White Light

George Michael - Let Her Down Easy - Symphonica Tour, Budapest - Audio

Audio of George Michael's new single performed live on the Symphonica Tour.

George Michael - Let Her Down Easy - Music Video Teaser

It seems like this is going to be George Michael's new or promotional single from his 'Symphonica' album. I love this song and his version is amazing. The video looks set to be beautiful also.

George Michael - The Ultimate Playlist

This is a series of posts where I am putting together the best 10 songs of the chosen artist or band. Whether the songs come from the same album, are a remix, live version or a cover version, this is just what I consider the best 10 works of that person/band.This time its George Michael. 

• Every Other Lover In The World [Kinky Roland Remix]
• This is officially an unreleased song by George Michael, however he has made no secret the song exists. Until now only remixes of the song exist but this one in particular is brilliant.
• The Strangest Thing '97
• This is a reworked version of the 1996 song from the album 'Older'. This version was included on his 'Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best Of George Michael' collection. 
• Waiting For That Day
• I have always loved this song from his 1990 album, 'Listen Without Prejudice'. The song incorporates The Rolling Stones classic, 'You Can't Always Get What You Want'. 
• White Light
• This song has a very dark undertone, but with most of George Michael's works that is when he is at his best. Written about him almost dying, this song has a brilliant club beat and has the ability to be listened to over and over. 
• This Is Not Real Love
• This duet with Mutya was a breath of fresh air when we started getting new music after a a year break and this dark love ballad has always been a favorite of mine.
• I Can't Make You Love Me
• George Michael's cover of the Shamblin/Reid classic is my favorite version of the song. Originally a B-Side to 'Older' in 1996, but later included in his 'Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best Of George Michael' collection.
• Secret Love
• George Michael often gets overlooked for his ability to play Jazz standards. This should change with the release of his 'Symphonica' album later this year. However there are some brilliant standards on his 'Songs From The Last Century' album, from 1999. George Michael has always classed this album as his period where he was finding it hard to write music, however this album of covers masks that completely, and 'Secret Love' shows that he has the ability to sing them very well.
• Outside
• This will always be one of the ultimate George Michael songs purely because of the courage behind the meaning. From 'Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best Of George Michael'. 
• Flawless (Go To The City)
• This is the ultimate 'gay' song. Sampling the brilliant track by The Ones, this song is from George Michael's 'Patience album (2004).
•  You Have Been Loved
• This song from his 1996 album, 'Older'. This song tells an amazing story and deserves to be listened to and concentrated on. 

George Michael - Wild Is The Wind - David Bowie Inspired Version - Live, Symphonica Tour 2011

Brilliant performance.

George Michael - Idol - Live, Symphonica Tour, 2011

To celebrate the announcement of George Michael's 'Symphonica' album, here is a performance of a song from the album, 'Idol'.

George Michael - Symphonica - Album Tracklist

Here is the complete album tracklisting for the deluxe edition of George Michael's new 'Symphonica' album. The standard edition is the same, minus the addition of 'Roxanne', 'Going To A Town' and 'You Have Been Loved'.

1. Through
2. My Baby Just Cares For Me
3. A Different Corner
4. Praying For Time
5. Let Her Down Easy
6. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
7. Feeling Good
8. John And Elvis Are Dead
9. Roxanne
10. One More Try
11. Going To A Town
12. Cowboys And Angels
13. Idol
14. Brother Can You Spare A Dime?
15. You Have Been Loved
16. Wild Is The Wind
17. You've Changed

George Michael - Waiting For That Day - Live, Symphonica Tour 2012

Love this song and love the ending of this version!