Older (George Michael song)

"Older"
Single by George Michael
from the album Older
A-side"I Can't Make You Love Me"
B-side"Desafinado"
Released13 January 1997 (1997-01-13)[1]
GenreJazz
Length5:33
Label
Songwriter(s)George Michael
Producer(s)George Michael
George Michael singles chronology
"Spinning the Wheel"
(1996) 		"Older" / "I Can't Make You Love Me"
(1997) 		"Star People '97"
(1997)
Music video
"Older" on YouTube

"Older" is a song by English singer-songwriter George Michael, released as the fourth single from his third album, Older (1996). It was also released as an EP under the name The Older EP. The single's other A-side is a cover of Bonnie Raitt's song "I Can't Make You Love Me". The single peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart while becoming a top-ten hit in Denmark, Hungary, Ireland, and Spain.

Critical reception

Scottish newspaper Aberdeen Press and Journal stated that Michael follows up a triumphant 1996 with "one of his strongest ballads to date". They also said it is a track "he obviously hopes will cement his maturing image."[2] Sarah Davis from Dotmusic noted the "jazzy mood", "as Michael brusquely casts off a former lover—'I'm not the man you want... these are wasted days without affection, I'm not that foolish anymore'—to the quavering accompaniment of Steve Sidwell's trumpet."[3] Elysa Gardner from Los Angeles Times called it "moody", noting that the singer is "addressing a lover" in the song.[4][page needed]

A reviewer from Music Week rated it five out of five, writing, "As smooth, soulful and jazzy a ballad as Michael has ever made, this silky song is coupled with the Bonnie Raitt track 'I Can't Make You Love Me'. A certain hit."[5] Steve Morse from The Spokesman-Review described it as a "anguished love song".[6] Ed Morales for Vibe wrote in his album review, that on the "affecting" title track, "Michael delivers his message of aging gracefully through a narrative detailing a breakup—one lover is crowding another. 'Change is a stranger you have to know', he says."[7]

Music video

The official music video for the song was directed by British director Andy Morahan.[8]

Track listings

  1. "Older" – 5:35
  2. "I Can't Make You Love Me" – 5:21
  3. "Desafinado" (with Astrud Gilberto) – 3:22
  4. "The Strangest Thing" (live) – 6:01
  1. "Older" (radio edit) – 5:00
  2. "I Can't Make You Love Me" – 5:21
  3. "Desafinado" (with Astrud Gilberto) – 3:22
  4. "The Strangest Thing" (live) – 5:01
  • European CD single[12]
  1. "Older" – 5:35
  2. "I Can't Make You Love Me" – 5:21

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[26] Silver 200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 11 January 1997. p. 25. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  2. ^ Aberdeen Press and Journal. 17 January 1997. p. 12. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  3. ^ Davis, Sarah (15 April 1996). "GEORGE MICHAEL – OLDER". Dotmusic. Archived from the original on 1 September 2000. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  4. ^ Gardner, Elysa (25 May 1996). "MUSIC REVIEWS: "Older"". Lakeland Ledger. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  5. ^ "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 28 December 1996. p. 17. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  6. ^ Morse, Steve (14 May 1996). "George Michael's new album first in six years". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  7. ^ Morales, Ed (1 August 1996). "George Michael – Older". Vibe. Retrieved 2 March 2020.[permanent dead link‍]
  8. ^ "George Michael - "Older"". MVDBase.com (video). ASG. 1998–2017. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  9. ^ Older (UK, European & Australian CD EP disc notes). George Michael. Virgin Records, Aegean Records. 1997. VSCDT 1626, 7243 8 94040 2 9.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ^ Older (Japanese CD EP liner notes). George Michael. Virgin Records, Aegean Records. 1997. VJCP-12053.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ^ Older (UK cassette EP sleeve). George Michael. Virgin Records, Aegean Records. 1997. VSC 1626, 7243 8 94029 4 0.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ^ Older (European CD single liner notes). George Michael. Virgin Records, Aegean Records. 1997. VSCDE 1626, 7243 8 94038 2 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 187.
  14. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 12. 22 March 1997. p. 19. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  15. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 6. 8 February 1997. p. 21. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  16. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 8. 22 February 1997. p. 15. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  17. ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (NR. 209 Vikuna 20.2. '97 – 26.2. '97)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 21 February 1997. p. 16. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  18. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Older". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  19. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 7, 1997" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
  20. ^ "George Michael – Older" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  21. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  22. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  23. ^ "George Michael – Older". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
  24. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  25. ^ "Top 100 Singles 1997". Music Week. 17 January 1998. p. 27.
  26. ^ "British single certifications – George Michael – Older/I Can't Make You Love Me". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 19 August 2022.