George Michael will be releasing a new single in March, “True Faith,” which was a hit for New Order in 1987.  He will be donating all money to Comic Relief.

The single will be available for download on March 13 and in stores on March 14. The single is available for pre-order on Amazon U.S. and Amazon U.K.

Comic Relief spends all the money raised by the public to give extremely poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged people in the UK and Africa a helping hand to turn their lives around.

GeorgeMichael.com is giving away 10 copies of the Limited Edition Numbered Collectors Box Set of Faith.  Simply become a follower of http://twitter.com/georgemofficial and retweet “I GOTTA HAVE FAITH” starting at noon GMT on January 31, 2011. Winners will be randomly selected by the GeorgeMichael.com team every hour, on the hour, for 10 hours.

I’m publishing a series of articles on Faith Remastered based on some information I recently received. Obviously, the die-hard fans have already placed their orders. This information is for those who haven’t even heard about Faith remastered.

There are three options:

Faith: Deluxe Edition

The deluxe edition is a limited edition, numbered box set presented in black-and-gold-foiled slipcase, with:

• CD of remastered 10-song album. (See below for song list.)
• CD of remastered 7-inch and 12-inch singles and B-sides. (See below for song list.)
• 180-gram vinyl replica LP.
• DVD with BBC interview, original EPK, and 7 promo videos (approx. 100 mins.)
• 60-page hardbound book with interview, rare photos and memorabilia.
• Memorabilia envelope with 5 art prints, poster, tickets, and Faith tour pass.
• First 2,000 orders receive a specially-designed, numbered art print.

The deluxe edition is available only at GeorgeMichael.com. You can pre-order the deluxe edition now, and it will be shipped January 31, 2011. The cost is $141.57, plus shipping and handling.

Faith: Special Edition

The Faith special edition includes two CDs and a DVD.  The first CD is the remastered Faith, while the second CD has all the remastered 7-inch and 12-inch versions. This edition will be released February 1, 2011. The cost is currently $27.99, plus shipping.

CD One (Remastered Album):

1. Faith
2. Father Figure
3. I Want Your Sex (Parts 1 & 2)
4. One More Try
5. Hard Day
6. Hand To Mouth
7. Look At Your Hands
8. Monkey
9. Kissing A Fool
10. A Last Request (I Want Your Sex Part 3)

CD Two (remastered 7-inch and 12-inch versions / B-sides):

1. Faith (Instrumental) – B-side of 12-inch “Faith” single
2. Fantasy – B-side of “Waiting For That Day” single (all formats)
3. Hard Day (Shep Pettibone Mix) – From original CD album (also track 3 of “Faith” CD single)
4. I Believe When I Fall In Love – B-side of the 7-inch and cassette singles of “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me”
5. Kissing A Fool (Instrumental) – B-side of 7-inch and 12-inch singles of “Kissing A Fool”
6. Love’s In Need Of Love Today (live recording) – B-side of 7-inch “Father Figure” single
7. Monkey – 7-inch edit
8. Monkey (A Capella & Beats) – A and B sides respectively of 7-inch “Monkey” single
9. Monkey (Jam & Lewis Remix) – 12-inch single

DVD (running time 110 minutes):

1. “George Michael & Jonathan Ross Have Words” (1987)
2. “Music Money Love Faith” (February 1988)
3. Seven promotional videos (re-synched with remastered audio):
   1. I Want Your Sex
   2. I Want Your Sex (Uncensored)
   3. Faith
   4. Father Figure
   5. One More Try
   6. Monkey
   7. Kissing A Fool.

Faith: 2-CD Remastered Edition

The Faith remastered edition includes two CDs. The first CD is the remastered Faith, while the second CD has all the remastered 7-inch and 12-inch versions. This edition will be released February 1, 2011. The cost is currently $13.85, plus shipping. The only difference with this version and the “special” version is that you don’t get the DVD.

From George Michael’s tell-all canned for being ‘too shocking’:

Jonathan Ross tipped the fallen star to return to the top of the charts after George played him and Cowell his post-prison tracks. ‘One of them, both me and Cowell, our ears went ‘‘boing’’ and Cowell said, ‘‘That’s a No.1.’’ It was very dancy and very electronic.

On the 27^th September 2010, Sony Music will be reissuing George Michael’s iconic album, Faith, now remastered. It will be available in multiple special formats including Limited Edition Numbered Collectors box set.

When George Michael released his debut solo album Faith in 1987 it instantly caught the imagination of the entire pop world, becoming a milestone in both George Michael’s career and in popular culture. It remains a high point in pop music, as well as a measure for any artist wanting to cross musical genres and gather both popular and critical appeal. 

The album confirmed George’s status as a songwriter of outstanding ability and emotional depth and it propelled him to superstar status equal to that of Elton John, Paul McCartney, Michael Jackson and Madonna. After hitting the Number One spot in the UK, the USA and many other countries across the globe, Faith went on to sell over 20 million albums worldwide. It became the best selling US album of 1988 and was awarded the prestigious Diamond Award for sales of 10 million copies.

Faith rapidly became a record-breaking phenomenon, not only producing six Number One singles but also putting George Michael on the map as the first white male artist to hit Number One on the US R&B chart. Faith features some of George’s greatest songs including Father Figure, One More Try, Faith, Kissing A Fool and I Want Your Sex.

The album was written, produced and arranged entirely by George Michael. His artistry has resulted in countless accolades, including a Grammy for “Album of the Year” and three American Music Awards, namely: Favourite Album (Soul/R&B); Favourite Male Vocalist (Soul/R&B) and Favourite Male Vocalist (Pop/Rock). Additional tributes included an MTV Award for Father Figure” (Best Direction) and two Ivor Novello Awards for “Songwriter of the Year” and “International Hit of the Year”.

To date, George Michael has sold over 100 million records throughout the world; his music sounds as fresh as it did when Faith was first released in 1987. So much so, in fact, that George Michael’s songs – including tracks from Faith – recently featured in the hit US TV show Eli Stone. As well as appearing on the show himself, George’s songs were used as a theme for each episode. 

Today, George Michael continues to inspire young talent and his influence can be heard amongst many of today’s pop and R&B artists. The remastered, reissued Faith will not only delight George’s legions of fans across the world, but it will continue to influence a whole new generation of musicians. 

George Michael’s Faith will be reissued globally by Sony Music. The UK release date is the 27^th September.

For more information on George Michael please contact Connie Filippello Publicity on 0207 229 5400 or email Cfpublicity@aol.com

Track listing:

1. Faith
2. Father Figure
3. I Want Your Sex (Parts 1 & 2)
4. One More Try
5. Hard Day
6. Hand To Mouth
7. Look At Your Hands
8. Monkey
9. Kissing A Fool
10. A Last Request (I Want Your Sex Part 3)

All songs written, produced and arranged by George Michael with the exception of Look At Your Hands by George Michael and David Austin.

Here’s an interesting article on how Billboard considers George Michael’s solo #1 as different than his Wham! #1.

Billboard’s response:

“We decided to include all No. 1s for Paul McCartney under Wings since he charted titles under his name as both a solo act and under the Paul McCartney & Wings banner. How this is different than George Michael, in our opinion, is that McCartney was a known entity before forming Wings, and he was credited by name on the band’s earlier singles.

“George Michael was born out of Wham! To us, that was no different than merging Phil Collins’ history with Genesis or Rob Thomas’ history with Matchbox Twenty, which are classifications we do not make.”

Here is a fascinating article on “Last Christmas” and its longevity: Could “Last Christmas” Become the New “White Christmas”?

According to Stewart, after the post-WWII boom of classic Christmas songs died down, a new standard emerged every seven or eight years. He cited “Blue Christmas” and “Jingle Bell Rock” as early examples. The Donny Hathaway song “This Christmas” emerged from the ’70s (Mary J. Blige cites it as a favorite), as did John Lennon’s “Happy Xmas (War is Over)”– which Alicia Keys and Tim McGraw performed today on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”

Stewart said “Last Christmas” is the latest example of the trend — and, despite being 25 years old, perhaps the most recent, as the rock historian had trouble naming a song recorded after 1984 that’s developed the same traction on radio and with other recording artists.

Wayne sends us the live performance of George Michael singing “December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas)” on X Factor.

Here are the recent articles on “December Song”:

• New George Michael Xmas Music EP: December Song
• MICHAEL’S CHRISTMAS SINGLE SELLS OUT

I love the weeks before Christmas because I usually have the daily chance of hearing “Last Christmas” on the radio.  This is the only time of the year that I hear a George Michael song on the radio. 

Here is an article on George Michael overwhelmed by enduring success of Last Christmas

“I wrote it in the February of 1984 when I was 20. Apparently it’s the most played Christmas song of the last five years and that is just amazing,” he told a British radio programme.

“It’s crazy that something I wrote when I was 20 could still be being played. Especially now, at 46 – you think of yourself as a kid at 20. The idea it’s the song which reminds people of their Christmas as a child is great. Such a wonderful thing to achieve and you can experience it every Christmas.”

“December Song” will be released on December 14.

According to the official site:

“December Song (I Dreamed Of Christmas),” will be available in two great-value digital bundles and a unique Christmas Card edition CD.

As well as “December Song (I Dreamed Of Christmas),”, there are some very special additional tracks to own. “Jingle” is a brand new recording from George created during the recording sessions for his upcoming new album – this is a must-have for all George Michael fans!

“Edith & The King Pi” and “Praying For Time” were recorded live at the world-famous Abbey Road Studios and have been remixed and remastered for this very special release.

Digital 2-track bundle

1. December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas)
2. Jingle (A Musical Interlewd)

Digital 4-track maxi bundle

1. December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas)
2. Jingle (A Musical Interlewd)
3. Edith & The King Pin (live at Abbey Road)
4. Praying For Time (live at Abbey Road)

The featurette for “Christmas Song” follows the heartwarming tale of a down-on-his-luck little boy as he imagines his ultimate fantasy Christmas. Look here for a sneak peak:

(Update: The video is now available here.)

According to MusicWeek:

George Michael is joining Island for a one-off single Christmas, after fulfilling his contract with Sony.

The single, release as a download on December 13 and physically the day after, is a new version of the singer’s December Song., which he offered as a free download last year.

This will be the first Christmas single Michael has made available for commercial release since Wham’s Last Christmas.

Sony is to release a live George Michael DVD in December and this fulfils his obligations for the major, according to a spokesperson for the singer.

 George Michael’s success is noted in MTV’s George Michael’s ‘Monkey’ Love: Wake-Up Video.

And here’s something else:

And don’t forget that George Michael may finally get the VMA respect he deserves, as his clip for “Freedom” is nominated for Best Video (That Should Have Won A Moonman) at this year’s Video Music Awards, which air live on Sunday, September 13.

George Michael is just one of a few male artists to string together at least three straight No. 1s, according to Billboard.  The others include, Andy Gibb, Michael Jackson, Richard Marx, Phil Collins, Usher, and Justin Timberlake.

The Guardian Music Blog has an article, “It’s time we applauded the genius of George Michael,” which says in part:

Faith (the album) was classic pop. It found Michael moving into Brian Wilson Pet Sounds territory. Seriously – Michael co-produced, wrote all the songs, played most of the instruments and sang backing vocals and harmonies. Faith could have been “pop star ego gone wild” but it wasn’t. Instead it became an instant classic, standing alongside other albums released in 1987, namely: Sonic Youth’s Sister, the Cure’s Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me and Prince’s Sign o’ the Times.

“December Song (I Dreamed Of Christmas)” will be a free download on Christmas day on the official George Michael web site, according to Music Week.  It was co-written with long-time friend David Austin.

According to Billboard:

Michael may also have a hit on his hands in the form of his retrospective album “Twenty Five,” released earlier this week via Epic. The set is on course for a top 25 debut on The Billboard 200 chart next week, based on its first day sales on Nielsen SoundScan’s Building Chart.

If you read this site, you’re probably a dedicated George Michael fan who bought TwentyFive ages ago when it was released in the U.K. and practically everywhere … except the United States.  Yes, we deprived U.S. fans finally will be able to buy TwentyFive in the U.S. on April 1. (Is that a joke?)

Here’s the description from the official site:

George’s European chart-topping retrospective, TwentyFive, is set for release in the United States on April 1st. This will be his first U.S. release since his 2004 studio album, Patience. TwentyFive, which includes his biggest smash hits, is the comprehensive George Michael collection, spanning his entire music career — from George’s early hits with Wham!, through his brilliant solo career that showcases his singing and songwriting genius. The album features six new songs, including a duet with Mary J. Blige, a duet with Paul McCartney, and a newly recorded single from his hit tv series, Eli Stone.