The next member of the 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class, George Michael, has been eligible for inclusion since 2012 but went un-nominated until this year.
Michael will be inducted as a solo performer, meaning his contributions with Wham! will go unrecognized. Wham! could theoretically be inducted separately, and have been eligible since 2008, but that seems highly unlikely now that Michael is entering the Hall. After all, the pop duo released only three albums during their short run.
I’m a fan of Michael, and consider 1987’s Faith and 1990’s Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 two of the greatest albums of their era, but I’m on the fence about whether he belongs in the Hall of Fame. I’d see a better argument for it if his work with Wham! was also being recognized.
There is certainly no denying the man’s talent as a singer and songwriter. He had a knack for penning both heartsick ballads and infectious dance hits, and the voice to pull both off brilliantly. But he released only five solo albums between 1987 and 2004 before spending his final decade dealing with drug addiction and legal troubles. He died in 2016 at just 53 years old, having gone from superstar to cautionary tale.
In defense of his induction, that brief period of success resulted in sales of more than 100 million and featured 10 #1 hits in the U.S. and 13 in his native UK. Those are stats most artists can only dream of across multiple decades.
I think if I had more familiarity with his later albums, 1996’s Older and 2004’s Patience, I might be more on board. In my mind, he sort of faded away after the one-two punch of his first two albums.
That said, I’m happy to see recognition for a great artist who achieved so much despite his potential never being fully realized.
That’s all I wanted
Something special, someone sacred in your eyes
For just one moment
To be bold and naked at your side
[Pre-Chorus]
Sometimes I think that you’ll never understand me
Maybe this time is forever, say it can be, whoa
[Verse 2]
That’s all you wanted
Somethin’ special, someone sacred in your life
Just for one moment, to be warm and naked at my side
[Pre-Chorus]
Sometimes I think that you’ll never understand me
(Understand me)
But somethin’ tells me together, we’d be happy, whoa baby
[Chorus]
I will be your father figure
Put your tiny hand in mine
I will be your preacher teacher
Anything you have in mind
I will be your father figure
I have had enough of crime
I will be the one who loves you
‘Til the end of time
[Verse 3]
That’s all I wanted
But sometimes love can be mistaken for a crime
That’s all I wanted
Just to see my baby’s blue eyes shine
[Pree-Chorus]
This time I think that my lover understands me
(Understands me)
If we have faith in each other then we can be strong
[Chorus]
I will be your father figure
Put your tiny hand in mine
I will be your preacher teacher
Anything you have in mind
I will be your father figure
I have had enough of crime
I will be the one who loves you
‘Til the end of time
[Bridge]
If you are the desert, I’ll be the sea
If you ever hunger, hunger for me
Whatever you ask for, that’s what I’ll be
So when you remember the ones who have lied
Who said that they cared but then
Laughed as you cried
Beautiful darling, don’t think of me
Because all I ever wanted
It’s in your eyes baby (baby)
And love can’t lie, no
[Bridge 2]
Greet me with the eyes of a child
My love is always tellin’ me so
Heaven is a kiss and a smile
Just hold on, hold on
I won’t let you go, my baby
[Chorus]
I will be your father figure
Put your tiny hand in mine
I will be your preacher teacher
Anything you have in mind
I will be your father figure
I have had enough of crime
I will be the one who loves you
‘Til the end of time
[Outro Chorus]
I will be your father (I will be your)
I will be your (father) preacher teacher
I will be your (I’ll be your daddy, oh)
I will be the one who loves you
‘Til the end of time
Meet Me In Montauk 
I’m less bothered by the shortened career and output than I am by the lack of influence, as I think one has to trade off with the other for induction. This is why Carol King was a no brainer for the Hall even though her commercial success was largely limited to Tapestry, but that album was hugely influential.
That said, George Michael was a very big deal in the 80s and 90s, and is certainly a part of the musical tapestry of popular music history, so I’m okay letting him into the Hall.
I just recently read that there is a documentary about Wham currently streaming I believe. I noticed this because we have tenants in our building who own a boat named Wham because their names are George and Michael. In case anyone is interested in seeing it I thought I would share 😊