"You Have Been Loved" is a song by English singer and songwriter George Michael, recorded for his third studio album, Older (1996). It was written by Michael and David Austin and produced by Michael. On 8 September 1997, "You Have Been Loved" was released as a double A-side single with "The Strangest Thing '97" and reached number two in the United Kingdom, behind Elton John's "Candle in the Wind 1997" charity record.
"You Have Been Loved" | ||||
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Single by George Michael | ||||
from the album Older | ||||
A-side | "The Strangest Thing '97" | |||
Released | 8 September 1997[1] | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 5:30 | |||
Label | Virgin | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | George Michael | |||
George Michael singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"You Have Been Loved" on YouTube |
Background
editMichael wrote "You Have Been Loved" about his lover, Anselmo Feleppa, who died of an AIDS-related illness in 1993.[2] It was released as the sixth single from Older. "The Strangest Thing", also from the album, was remixed and re-recorded for this release as a more up-tempo track, the original version more a Middle Eastern and bossa-nova song.[3]
Critical reception
editMatthew Hocter from Albumism said "You Have Been Loved" is "one of the album’s most heartbreaking and painfully personal love songs".[4] A reviewer from Music Week rated it four out of five, describing it as "a gorgeous but painfully sad ballad about the loss of a loved one. May be too downbeat to get his usual feverish radio support, but should go Top 10."[5] The magazine's Alan Jones felt it is "George at his most laidback." He added, "Beautifully sung mood music, it meanders mellifluously for more than five minutes and is like a breath of fresh air, though the fact that Older has sold so many copies already, and the track's lack of a commercial hook, will limit its chart potential."[6] An editor from Sunday Mirror wrote, "A beautiful ballad. Considering recent events, it strikes the perfect chord. Enough said."[7] Alan Jackson from The Times declared it as a "lush, achingly tasteful ballad on bereavement" from "pop's King of Sorrows."[8]
Track listings
edit- Asian, Australian, European, and UK CD EP
- "You Have Been Loved" – 5:29
- "The Strangest Thing '97" (radio mix) – 4:40
- "Father Figure" (live from MTV Unplugged) – 6:13
- "Praying for Time" (live from MTV Unplugged) – 5:22
- European and UK CD II
- "The Strangest Thing '97" (Loop Ratz mix) – 8:46
- "The Strangest Thing '97" (radio mix) – 4:40
- "You Have Been Loved" – 5:29
- European CD single
- "You Have Been Loved" – 5:29
- "The Strangest Thing '97" (radio mix) – 4:40
Charts
edit
Weekly chartsedit
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Year-end chartsedit
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Certifications
editRegion | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United Kingdom (BPI)[22] | Silver | 200,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
References
edit- ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 6 September 1997. p. 53. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
- ^ Lucy Ellis; Bryony Sutherland (1998). The Complete Guide to the Music of George Michael & Wham!. Omnibus Press. p. 77. ISBN 978-0711968226.
- ^ "George Michael Comes Back, With A Whimper Б─⌠ Sun Sentinel". Sun-sentinel.com. 14 May 1996. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
- ^ Hocter, Matthew (12 May 2021). "George Michael's 'Older' Turns 25 — Anniversary Retrospective". Albumism. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 23 August 1997. p. 12. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
- ^ Jones, Alan (30 August 1997). "Talking Music" (PDF). Music Week. p. 10. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
- ^ Sunday Mirror. 7 September 1997. p. 37.
- ^ Jackson, Alan (6 September 1997). "The week's top pop releases; Records". The Times.
- ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 187.
- ^ "George Michael – You Have Been Loved" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
- ^ "Top National Sellers: Denmark" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 41. 27 September 1997. p. 15. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
- ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 27 September 1997. p. 13. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – You Have Been Loved". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 40, 1997" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
- ^ "George Michael – You Have Been Loved" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
- ^ "Major Market Airplay: Poland" (PDF). Music & Media. 4 October 1997. p. 23. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
- ^ "George Michael – You Have Been Loved". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
- ^ "Top 100 Singles 1997". Music Week. 17 January 1998. p. 27.
- ^ "Najlepsze single na UK Top 40–1997 wg sprzedaży" (in Polish). Archived from the original on 4 June 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
- ^ "British single certifications – George Michael – You Have Been Loved". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 3 May 2011.