This past weekend I was grabbing a drink with friends when my now current song obsession began playing in the bar. I only heard it lightly and my first thought was "oh man I need to download this song." I woke up the next morning and promptly downloaded. I started to play it and OH MY GOSH HOW MUCH HAVE I MISSED THIS SONG????? I can't begin to describe the happy feeling I got as I heard the first few chords. The first verse kind of made me giddy, the chorus literally had me dancing around my apartment at 7:45 on a Sunday morning. Six minutes later I'm happier than I've been forever (the dancing around the apartment helped).
I'm not trying to be coy about what song made me this happy. I haven't mentioned it for a few reasons. 1). It's by a guy whose had some slip ups in the past and I'm sure I've made a joke or two about. 2). This song may have been entirely forgettable for most people I know. 3). The video is both awesome and a little ridiculous. and soooooo 90s. 4). It's a song by George Michael. (Stop cringing)
Yeah, I'm talking about Freedom '90 by George Michael. If you haven't taken a listen to this song in awhile, watch the video or download the song, I really don't think you will be sorry. I've been listening to this a few times every day and I have to say, I'm super glad I put this song on my ipod and the new mix cd in my car 'cause I want to hear it all the time. I love how it starts kinda low key with the piano and builds into this almost wall of sound chorus, dies down a bit, then comes back for more. This song makes me want to choreograph some sort of amazing dance for the stage. I love how I can listen to the lyrics and I totally get what George Michael is talking about (not that I'm a former teen pop idol dealing with being in the closet and trying a solo career while apparently liking public sex, but I see how it frustrates him).
Someone (and definitely not me) should do an acoustic version of this, it's just ripe for being reworked. But not copied. There's rumor of a Robbie Williams remake and as much as I love Robbie Williams (who doesn't love brit pop on a rainy evening?) I don't want to hear his take on George Michael. I want this song to stay pure, 'cause I'm pretty convinced it's pure pop genius.
I honestly don't know how I stopped listening to this song. How did I not buy the album? Why don't I hear it on the radio ever? I know that we aren't quite old enough for an oldies station composed of songs from our childhood, but when that day comes, I hope that amongst the Nirvana and Madonna and, yes, Bon Jovi that is played, the DJ finds some space for this gem. I know I have.
