George Michael has given an interview with Kurier.at. Here is the Google translation of the interview, which will give you the gist of what George said.
What inspired you to their new single “White Light”?
The text is a celebration of my recovery from pneumonia last year. Pretty much everything I do is autobiographical. And in this case, after I had come very close to death, I knew that because something good would come out musically. Many people have expected of me that I think about writing a ballad, but I wanted something emergent, positive – hence the dance beat.
Why did you decide to perform at the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games?
As I thought about it, the text seemed to me especially for this occasion very appropriate. Of course he plays on my fight with pneumonia, but the message can also accompany one of the overarching themes of the Olympic Games, namely the overcoming of adversity and physical stamina.
In the video for the song plays with Kate Moss. How do you co liked her?
Great. She is now even my neighbor who recently moved a few doors down. Anyway, I called them and asked if they might be in the video. And she has said `Yes. And of course, she was brilliant. It turned out that she was a bit disappointed that they did not like all the other supermodels were in the clips for “Freedom ’90″ and “Too Funky” here. I hope that I have made up for it. And I would add that we both have a fantastic director, namely Ryan Hope worked. It has all been a pleasant, relaxed feeling.
The title refers to the bright light that can be seen before the alleged death?
Exactly. But in the beginning I said, ‘There’s no white light and I did not go through `Fortunately, I have not seen this light.. And for that I am grateful.
Over time in the General Hospital
What are your memories of time in the hospital?
I remember even at some things, but I do not want to go into too much detail. What I remember best but remember, is that I have been so terrible, felt horribly guilty and sorry for my family, my friends and my new partner Fadi had to witness that they had, what I go through there. Two or three weeks, they did not know if I’ll survive this. And if that had happened to me with the opposite sign – I one of my sisters fighting for their lives had seen – it had blown away. I myself but the danger in which I was not, mitgekriegt. I’ve only realized when it was all over.
They have donated 1000 tickets for the concert in Vienna at the General Hospital of the workforce.
Yes, that’s the least I can do. The team that saved my life is, on the first evening sitting in the front row, which is great.
Why did you give this impromptu press conference after they had been discharged from the hospital? Since they had stirred honest, to be back in London.
Oh God, I was just so glad to be back home. By this time I was ten days awake and wanted nothing more than to get out of this hospital room full of things that I had been staring for weeks in this surreal, almost dreamlike state, while I was fighting for my life. But the doctors were not sure if I’d feel good enough that I can be home for Christmas. And when she saw me then left before the big day out. . . well, you can imagine how moved I was there. I was so grateful to be alive, to be at home so grateful that I decided to spontaneously go out and talk to the press. I had no plan, no security, no PR agents. Only my best friend, who shouted and told the people what they should do.
What they have done, which was quite amusing. What progress does your new album? It is said that it has a classic George Michael Feeling.
Very good, thank you. I’m back in the studio working very hard and love it. I would say this album is in terms of content somewhere between “Faith” and “Older”. And it is perhaps the most valid radio music for a very long time. It is pretty fast and I’m sure my fans will like it. It will be released early next year, but I did not have a title for it.
They had an incredibly long and successful career in a business that acts come within moments and go sees. What is your secret to success?
I do not know how that happened. I honestly do not know. But I’m still here and my new single suggests somehow that I’m not ready to surrender. In my business success is something that slips away easily after a while. And not only the success but also the healthy self-doubt, it takes that one keeps trying to make it even better.
So there is no room for complacency?
Absolutely not. I always think of the possibility that I lost and did not notice. And that’s exciting. For in the day that I’m not worry about that anymore, I should stop. When you live with your talent into complacency, then it can only drift that is definitely more. But it is far less likely to happen, if we realize what a privilege it is, in this business to be talented and successful.
Look forward to going to continue with the “Symphonica” tour to?
Oh, yeah. I look forward to very much. I loved this tour, and it was a shame that the show had to be canceled. And my fans are now also so wonderful. I can feel the love and gratitude of the people when I’m on stage. And I think that’s because they have all these years so connected many of their life experiences through my music. One way in which they have shown to me on this tour, their esteem, is that they were so patient with the songs that I sing. I’m sure there were numbers that they had not heard of before, but she seemed so absolutely ready, go with me on this musical journey. I think that shows the level of my really good fans.
It brings you closer to their fans, to be on Twitter?
I think so. It is so nice to read all these messages, because they are so positive on Twitter. Thank God it’s not like on YouTube, where so many comments are negative. My Twitter fans are much nicer. And it’s a fantastic way to talk to them, they require without having to press a mediator.
How often do you tweet?
I do not have specific times. But already I’m twittering regularly – except I’m in the studio or working very hard on something else. Then it may be that I did for a week or two so stop, because I was, what I was doing so claimed.
You have dreamed about since childhood of becoming a musician to be. But you could imagine at that time to be so successful?
Strangely, I had as a child a sense that I will be a successful musician. But I never thought it was going to be a career. I was convinced of my talent and my ability, but I just wanted to be on Top Of The Pops (note the editors: for 42 years the most important charts in the British TV show). That was my only idea of success and fame. When I started, I had no idea that there would be in the 80′s MTV, and that British artists will be for as decisive. I was lucky that my music has suited the times, and then swam to the shaft.
Who inspired you as a boy?
I’ve always been a big Elton John Fan. And I also loved Queen and Stevie Wonder. Who were my mentors. And when I was old enough to go to concerts, I made a pilgrimage to all their awesome shows. I’ve looked at Freddie Mercury on stage and thought, my God, how that must surely be able to do that. Years later I was able to occur even with both Freddie and with Elton. To sing with Queen, is still the most memorable moment of my career.
Are they proud of her life’s work? What is your favorite album?
Definitely! I am very proud of my work and very happy that I’m still here and can do what I love. With respect to my favorite album, I’d say: “Older”. Most people probably expect me “Faith” say, because that was my first solo album and has brought my solo career in motion. But “Older” I had written for someone I’ve loved and lost. So it is actually born out of the pain, and it was like a catharsis for me. But when I think about it now, what I went through when I wrote it – so I never want to be inspired again.
If the rumors that Wham! will reform, some truth in it?
It’s strange, because this story appears once a year in the press. And this time, no truth to it. When Wham! it was a matter of being young and exuberant. This feeling can be over a certain age no longer recreate. These white shorts will definitely stay in the drawer and we have Wham! be a very happy, wonderful memory.
What the next twelve months bring for George Michael?
I’m after the kick-off shows in Vienna again with “Symphonica” eco-tour and will make up for the lack can Europe data before it goes to Australia. I’m really looking forward to it. And because my new album coming out early next year, I think I’ll be busy then with video shoots and other promotional work.
And after that?
I do not know. What I have learned to be come so close to death, is that it makes no sense to plan for the future in detail. Because you never know what lurks around the next corner a. I’ll give myself more now sure the flow of life. But of course I will continue to make sure music. And I will travel a bit with Fadi. That is why perhaps a longer holiday on the plan.
George Michael resumed the Symphonica tour yesterday by paying tribute to the medical staff who kept him alive when he had pneumonia.
George Michael has been getting some criticism about performing his new single, “White Light,” at the closing ceremonies for the Olympics. The media is having a field day with this.