Father Figure (George Michael song)
"Father Figure" is a song by English singer and songwriter George Michael from his debut studio album, Faith (1987). It was released on 28 December 1987 as the album's fourth single by Columbia Records. The song reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 11 on the UK Singles Chart. Additionally it was a top 5 hit in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands and Spain.
"Father Figure"
"Love's in Need of Love Today" (live at Wembley Arena)
28 December 1987
1987
5:40
George Michael
George Michael
Chart performance[edit]
Released in the United Kingdom in December 1987, "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.[4]
In the United States, "Father Figure" debuted on 16 January 1988 at number 49, while "Faith" was still prominent (at number nine) in the top ten of the chart. "Father Figure" reached number one on 27 February 1988, staying at the top for two weeks. Altogether, the single spent 17 weeks in the chart.[5]
Critical reception[edit]
Sue Dando from Smash Hits wrote, "Once again, George unveils a blinding talent for wonderful sentiment and swoony lovesome lyrics, all elegantly swathed in pristine "epic" production and the usual echoey voice-oice which trails-ails off almost every note-ote...It's in a similar "vein" (though not nearly as good) as "A Different Corner", it's perfect Radio Two fodder, and it will doubtless be a top ten hit."[6]
Music video[edit]
The accompanying music video for "Father Figure" depicts a relationship between a cab driver (Michael) and a high-fashion model (Tania Coleridge).[7] Various intercut flashbacks tell a backstory. Michael and Andy Morahan[8] won "Best Direction of a Video" at the 1988 MTV Video Music Awards for the video.[9]