Father Figure (song)
"Father Figure" | ||||
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Single by George Michael | ||||
from the album Faith | ||||
B-side | "Love's In Need of Love Today" (live) | |||
Released | 2 January 1988 | |||
Format | ||||
Recorded | 1987 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 5:40 | |||
Label | Columbia | |||
Writer(s) | George Michael | |||
Producer(s) | George Michael | |||
George Michael singles chronology | ||||
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"Father Figure" is a U.S. number-one hit song written and performed by George Michael and released on Columbia Records in 1988 as the third single from his debut album Faith.
Music video
The music video depicts a relationship between a cab driver (George Michael) and a high fashion model (Tania Coleridge). Various intercut flashbacks tell a backstory. George Michael and Andy Morahan[1] won "Best Direction of a Video" at the 1988 MTV Video Music Awards for the video.
Chart performance
Released in the United Kingdom in January 1988, "Father Figure" reached number eleven on the UK Singles Chart - the first time Michael had failed to reach the top ten in his home country. The song remained a live favourite at Michael's concerts for many years and is also one of his most frequently aired songs on the radio in the UK.
In the US, "Father Figure" became George Michael's sixth number one single (including three #1 singles garnered as half of Wham!). "Father Figure" debuted at #49 on January 16, 1988, while "Faith" was still prominent (at #9) in the top ten of the chart. In the subsequent weeks, "Father Figure" was a surefire hit, reaching #1 by its seventh week, February 27, 1988, staying at the top for two weeks. Altogether, the single spent 6 weeks in the Top 10, 9 weeks in the Top 20, and 14 weeks in the Top 40.
Track listings
- U.S. single (CD/cassette)
- "Father Figure" – 5:40
- "Look at Your Hands" – 4:37
- International single (CD/cassette maxi single)
- "Father Figure" – 5:28
- "Love's in Need of Love Today (Live)" – 4:42
- "Father Figure" (Instrumental version) – 5:28
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts |
Certifications and sales
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Preceded by "Seasons Change" by Exposé |
Billboard Hot 100 number one single February 27, 1988 – March 5, 1988 |
Succeeded by "Never Gonna Give You Up" by Rick Astley |
Cover versions
The song was covered by Noah Guthrie (as his character Roderick Meeks) in the fifth episode of the sixth and final season of Glee.
References
- ↑ Profile of Andy Morahan; www.andymorahan.com. Retrieved 2014-08-23.
- 1 2 3 4 5 George Michael - Father Figure (song). Retrieved May 6, 2011.
- ↑ Top Singles - Volume 47, No. 22, March 19 1988. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
- ↑ Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
- ↑ Single-Chartverfolgung. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
- ↑ The Irish Charts. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
- ↑ Hit Parade Italia. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
- ↑ Listas de Afyve. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
- ↑ Top 75 Releases. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
- 1 2 3 4 Father Figure - George Michael. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
- ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2016 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 15 August 2016.