Following the multi-platinum Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 (1990), Michael found himself in a very public, very ugly legal battle with Sony Music. He felt the label had imprisoned him artistically, refusing to promote Listen Without Prejudice properly and holding him to a restrictive contract. The result was a long, bitter lawsuit that he ultimately lost. He felt creatively suffocated, yet he released the politically charged Older (1996) upon his move to DreamWorks Records.
This section also includes the lead single for the collection. Released shortly after his arrest in a Los Angeles public restroom, the song was a masterclass in reclaiming a narrative. By turning a moment of tabloid scandal into a funky, celebratory anthem for sexual freedom, Michael proved his wit and his refusal to be shamed. Why This Collection Remains Essential George Michael- Ladies And Gentlemen- The Best Of George
The stern woman’s gavel trembled.
The final track began. No music. Just a voice memo, badly recorded on a portable tape deck. Following the multi-platinum Listen Without Prejudice Vol