Fastlove
"Fastlove" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
SinglebyGeorge Michael | ||||
from the albumOlder | ||||
B-side | "I'm Your Man '96" | |||
Released | 22 April 1996 | |||
Studio | Sarm West(London)[1] | |||
Genre | ||||
Length |
| |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) |
| |||
Producer(s) |
| |||
George Michaelsingles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"Fastlove"onYouTube |
"Fastlove"is a song by English singer-songwriterGeorge Michael,released on 22 April 1996 byVirgin Recordsin the United Kingdom and byDreamWorks Recordsin the United States as the second single from his third album,Older(1996). Written by Michael,Patrice Rushen,Freddie Washingtonand Terri McFaddin and produced by Michael and Jon Douglas, the song interpolates Rushen's 1982 single "Forget Me Nots".
The song received positive reviews frommusic critics.Commercially, the song topped the charts in six countries: Australia, Hungary, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom, and it also reached number one on the CanadianRPMAdult Contemporary chart. It was Michael's seventh and final number-one single in the UK during his lifetime and is his seventh-most downloaded track there, earning a goldcertificationfrom theBritish Phonographic Industry(BPI) for selling and streaming over 600,000 units. It was nominated for Best Single at the1997 Brit Awards.In the United States, the single peaked at number eight on theBillboardHot 100,giving Michael his 15th top-10 hit and final Hot 100 appearance.
The song's accompanying music video, directed byVaughan ArnellandAnthea Benton,was nominated for the video category at the Brit Awards and threeMTV Video Music Awards in 1996.It eventually won the International Viewer's Choice Award—MTV Europe.
Recording
[edit]In a 2022 interview, engineer Dave Crews recalled how producer Jon Douglas came on board while the song was being created. While working on production ofLisa Moorish's albumI've Gotta Have It All,Douglas asked Michael to contribute vocals to her cover of theWham!song "I'm Your Man".Afterwards, Michael asked Douglas to work with him on the album.[1]
Michael's initial concept of the song was built on a laid-back latin/bossa nova rhythm. When Douglas was brought on as producer, the demo backing track was scrapped; Douglas created a new musical arrangement whilst retaining Michael's original vocal performance and the saxophone part played byAndy Hamilton.The "Forget Me Nots"sample was a change that Michael added at the last minute, as he wanted to change the end of the song. Douglas didn't like the idea at first, and before working to the transition, he listened to the song over and over for two weeks to work on the transition at the end of the song.[1]
Release
[edit]An energetic tune about needing gratification and fulfillment without concern for commitment, "Fastlove" was the second single taken from Michael's third studio album,Older,which was his first studio album in six years. For the single's B-side, a remake of theWham!song "I'm Your Man"was used. Entitled" I'm Your Man '96 ", it was an update of one of their last singles, a decade earlier.
Jon Kutner from1000 UK Number One Hitssaid the line "Stupid Cupid keeps on calling me and I see lovin' in his eyes" had a dual interpretation which could imply Michael's homosexuality.[4]
Critical reception
[edit]While reviewingOlder,Stephen Thomas ErlewinefromAllMusicsaid although "Fastlove" is the album's onlydancetrack, it still "lacks the carefree spark of his earlier work." He still chose the song later as his one of his "track picks."[5]Larry FlickofBillboarddescribed it as a "sleek groove that is a direct descendant of 'Good Times' byChic."He noted that Michael" deftly cruises between breathy sensuality and full-bodied belting ", adding that the" icing on the cake is achorusand refrain that are immediate sing-along fodder. "[6]Daina Darzin fromCash Boxwrote that "Fastlove" "pumps up both the volume and the velocity for a terminally danceable, happy-feet track that's sure to become a staple in discos across the U.S." She also remarked that it features "the sort of ultra-lush, opulentsoulvibe that's been Michael's hallmark throughout his career. "[7]The Daily Vault's Melanie Love called it a "plea for noncommittal, one-night stands as a way to avoid the pain of relationships". She noted further, "It's got a silky-smooth groove with touches of brass, and Michael's voice is as stellar as ever, slick and teasing yet somehow revelatory, giving this track a hookiness despite lacking an actual chorus."[8]
Entertainment Weekly's Jim Farber gave the song an "A". He stated, "It took real guts to release a salute to a one-night stand in this, the era of abstinence," also praising its "devilishly seductive bass" and "sleekly probing horns". Farber concluded his review saying the track is the "best slow-groove dance record sinceLisa Stansfield's 'All Around the World'. "[9]IrishEvening Heraldsaid it is "very like" his 1992 hit "Too Funky",adding that it" restores George to his rightful place as purveyor of whiteboyR&Bto a middle-class audience. "[10]Hans-Petter Kjøge from NorwegianFredrikstad Bladnamed it "quality pop of the best brand."[11]SwedishGöteborgs-Tidningencomplimented it as "nicely funky".[12]Paul LesterfromMelody Makerpraised it as an "excellentswing/funknumber "and" a neat reminder that Michael's old groupWham!began life as members of the music press-credible radical dance faction ".[13]A reviewer fromMusic & Mediacalled it a "uncomplicated, good-time funky dance track in which the repetition of the title has a lasting effect", and noted that the production and atmosphere is "owing much to late-'70sdiscogrooves ".[14]Music Weekgave "Fastlove" a top score of five out of five, writing that "it's got all the right ingredients for Top 10 success—Michael's crooning vocals over an uptempo dancey beat. Radio play is already substantial."[15]Victoria Segal fromNMEnoted "the thrill-stalking emptiness" of the song.[16]Writing about the album forRolling Stone,Al Weiselcalled it a "bouncy disco concoction" that is "flavored withDr. Dre-style whistling synths. "[17]
Michael E. Ross fromSalon Magazinesaid that Michael "gets back to bold, bumptious funk, the singer clearly reveling in those buoyant rhythms of the not-too-distant past."[18]In 2014, Brendon Veevers from BritishwebzineRenowned for Soundranked the song at number four on his "Top 10 George Michael Hits" list, saying, "[The song] is a slick, ultra-modern dance-pop track that sits quite contrasting to the rest of theOldertracks but has held up exceptionally well over the past almost-20 years since it was offered to us. "[19]In 2017, Dave Fawbert ofShortListcalled Fastlove "one of the greatest songs ever made", noting that, at a time whenBritpopwas at its height "George Michael decided to completely ignore it and release a truly slinky R&B/soul number which announced, with the utmost style, that he would be just as relevant in the '90s as he had been in the '80s." He was also full of praise for Fastlove Part II, although criticized the "Summer Mix" of the song as lacking "the fruity bass of the original".[20]Fawbert later produced a half-hour version of "Fastlove" as a homage.[21]
Chart performance
[edit]The song reached the number one spot in United Kingdom, where it stayed for three weeks. It also reached number one in Australia, Hungary, Italy and Spain. "Fastlove" later became Michael's seventh-most downloaded track in the United Kingdom, according toOfficial Charts Companyin 2014.[22]In the United States, "Fastlove" peaked at number eight and has since become a classic in George Michael's catalogue. It finished at number 62 on the USBillboardyear-end chart. To date, this is the final George Michael single to enter theBillboardHot 100.Additionally, it peaked at number 10 on theBillboardRhythmicchart and number 14 on theBillboardMainstream Top 40.In Canada, "Fastlove" peaked at number four on theRPM100 Hit Tracks chart and number one on theRPMAdult Contemporary chart.
Music video
[edit]Directed by British directorsVaughan ArnellandAnthea Benton,the music video for "Fastlove" begins with a flickering virtual reality image of a woman on a bed followed by a man sitting in a black chair using a high-techremote controldevice to "flip" through a variety of sexual virtual reality characters. Michael appears in the black chair, which is equipped with speakers. At one point, one of the dancers is shown wearing headphones displaying the word 'FONY' in the style of theSonycorporate logo, a reference to thecontractual disputeMichael was having at the time withSony Music Entertainment(formerly CBS Records). Throughout the video, various men and women who display a wide spectrum of characteristics, including one who is shy, another who is lustful, and another who is a complete emotional wreck (played byRachel Williams), sit in the chair and use the remote control to summon more sexual characters. As the video ends, Michael is seen dancing while water rains down on him. The video ends with the same flickering virtual reality image that introduces to the video.[23][24]
The music video was nominated for three1996 MTV Video Music Awards,including:Best Dance Video,Best Choreography in a VideoandInternational Viewer's Choice Award—MTV Europe—which it won.[25][26]
Live performances
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/George_Michael_25_Live_Tour_A.jpg/200px-George_Michael_25_Live_Tour_A.jpg)
Michael performed the song on hisMTV Unpluggedsegment on 11 October 1996 inLondon,the taping later premiered on the network on 11 December.[27][28]Barry Walters in a review forThe Advocate,describing the performance: "During 'Fastlove' he changes the melody considerably, and a huge mass of background singers drops all sorts of gospel-influenced vocal doodads."[28]The live audio of the song was later uploaded onto Michael's officialSoundCloud.[29]
"Fastlove" was the opening song for his first leg of the25 Livetour with graphics flowed behind and beneath him on a curved, cascading screen.[30]
Adeleperformed the song during the59th Annual Grammy Awards,in tribute to Michael. She restarted her slow, mournful arrangement of it at one point because she was not satisfied with how it was going and saying that Michael was too important to her for her to not get it right.[31][32]
Usage in media
[edit]"Fastlove" was featured in and a part of the soundtrack for the 2019 filmLast Christmas.The song was also featured in season 6 of theNetflixtelevision seriesThe Crown.[33]
Track listings
[edit]
|
|
Charts
[edit]
Weekly charts[edit] |
Year-end charts[edit]
|
Certifications
[edit]Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[79] | Platinum | 70,000^ |
France (SNEP)[92] | Gold | 250,000* |
United Kingdom (BPI)[93] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[95] | Gold | 500,000[94] |
*Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
[edit]Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
United States | 16 April 1996 | Contemporary hit radio | [96] | |
United Kingdom | 22 April 1996 |
|
|
[97] |
Japan | 22 May 1996 | CD | [98] |
References
[edit]- ^abcClews, Dave (28 December 2022)."How we made Fastlove with George Michael:" He was the only artist we ever worked with who absolutely refused to have his vocals pitch-corrected "".MusicRadar.Retrieved25 December2023.
- ^Veevers, Brendon (11 March 2014)."Top 10 George Michael Hits".Renowned for Sound.Retrieved1 July2015.
- ^Eames, Tom (31 July 2024)."The 100 greatest songs of the 1990s, ranked".Smooth Radio.Retrieved15 August2024.
- ^Jon Kutner (26 May 2010).1000 UK Number One Hits.Omnibus Press. pp. 961–.ISBN978-0-85712-360-2.
- ^Erlewine, Stephen Thomas."Older - George Michael".AllMusic.Retrieved1 June2012.
- ^Flick, Larry(4 May 1996)."Single Reviews"(PDF).Billboard.p. 43.Retrieved5 February2020.
- ^Darzin, Daina (20 April 1996)."Pop Singles: Reviews"(PDF).Cash Box.p. 7.Retrieved19 February2018.
- ^Love, Melanie (29 November 2008)."Older– George Michael ".The Daily Vault.Retrieved22 November2020.
- ^Farber, Jim (3 May 1996)."Fastlove".Entertainment Weekly.Time Inc.Retrieved27 July2015.
- ^Evening Herald.29 April 1996. p. 18.
- ^Kjøge, Hans-Petter (21 May 1996)."Etterlengtet comeback".Fredrikstad Blad(in Norwegian). p. 34.Retrieved10 May2020.
- ^Göteborgs-Tidningen.10 May 1996.
- ^Lester, Paul(25 May 1996)."Albums".Melody Maker.p. 50.Retrieved14 May2024.
- ^"New Releases: Singles"(PDF).Music & Media.Vol. 13, no. 14. 6 April 1996. p. 12.Retrieved5 February2018.
- ^"Reviews"(PDF).Music Week.13 April 1996. p. 9.Retrieved15 August2021.
- ^Segal, Victoria."George Michael – Ladies And Gentlemen - The Best Of George Michael".NME.Archived fromthe originalon 17 August 2000.Retrieved24 November2020.
- ^Weisel, Al(2 February 1998)."Older".Rolling Stone.Wenner Media.Retrieved12 November2012.
- ^Ross, Michael E."man in a minor key".Salon Magazine.Archived fromthe originalon 5 June 2008.Retrieved21 April2020.
- ^Veevers, Brendon (11 March 2014)."Top 10 George Michael Hits".Renowned for Sound.Archived fromthe originalon 15 March 2015.Retrieved30 July2015.
- ^Fawbert, Dave (28 March 2017)."A nine-and-a-half-minute long version of George Michael's 'Fastlove' exists and it will change your life".ShortList.Retrieved12 April2017.
- ^Fawbert, Dave (6 April 2017)."George Michael's 'Fastlove' is not long enough, so I made a half-hour long version".ShortList.Retrieved12 April2017.
- ^George Michael’s Official Top 20 Most Downloaded Tracks revealed!Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
- ^Robert Steele (4 November 2011).Careless Whispers: The Life & Career of George Michael.Omnibus Press. pp. 273–.ISBN978-0-85712-726-6.
- ^Vernon L. Pedersen; Desislava Bezhanska; Velika Ivanova (2002).American University in Bulgaria: Bulgarian American Studies Association: America Imagined Conference: Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria October 18-21, 2001.American University in Bulgaria, Bulgarian-American Studies Association.
- ^"George Michael".Rock on the Net.Retrieved12 September2008.
- ^"Winners By Category".MTV. Archived fromthe originalon 28 August 2008.Retrieved12 September2008.
- ^Youngs, Ian (10 January 1996)."George Michael Unplugged - Needs to get career back on track".MTV.Archived fromthe originalon 9 August 2016.Retrieved25 October2016.
- ^abHere Publishing (24 December 1996)."The Advocate".The Advocate the National Gay & Lesbian Newsmagazine.Here Publishing: 61–.ISSN0001-8996.
- ^George Michael - FastloveSoundcloud.com. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ^Youngs, Ian (25 August 2008)."George Michael plays 'last' shows".BBC News.Archived fromthe originalon 25 August 2008.Retrieved25 October2016.
- ^"George Michael Grammys Tribute Video: Watch Adele" Fastlove "Grammy Awards Performance".Gossip Cop.Retrieved12 February2017.
- ^Ehrbar, Ned (12 February 2017)."Grammys 2017: Adele asks for a do-over during George Michael tribute".CBS News.Retrieved19 February2017.
- ^Mussen, Maddy (16 November 2023)."The Crown series six: how Nineties bangers brings the Netflix show back to life".The Standard.Retrieved25 December2023.
- ^Fastlove(UK CD single liner notes).George Michael.Virgin Records,Aegean Records.1996. VSCDG 1579, 7243 8 93523 2 0.
{{cite AV media notes}}
:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^Fastlove(Australasian CD single liner notes). George Michael. Virgin Records, Aegean Records. 1996. VSCDT 1579.
{{cite AV media notes}}
:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^Fastlove(Japanese CD single liner notes). George Michael. Virgin Records, Aegean Records. 1996. VJCP-12034.
{{cite AV media notes}}
:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^Fastlove(UK 12-inch single sleeve). George Michael. Virgin Records, Aegean Records. 1996. VST 1579, 7243 8 93523 6 8.
{{cite AV media notes}}
:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^Fastlove(UK cassette single sleeve). George Michael. Virgin Records, Aegean Records. 1996. VSC 1579, 7243 8 93523 4 4.
{{cite AV media notes}}
:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^Fastlove(European CD single liner notes). George Michael. Virgin Records, Aegean Records. 1996. VSCDE 1579, 7243 8 93522 2 1.
{{cite AV media notes}}
:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^Fastlove(US CD single liner notes). George Michael.DreamWorks SKG Records,Aegean Records. 1996. DRMDS-59001.
{{cite AV media notes}}
:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^Fastlove(US 7-inch single vinyl disc). George Michael. DreamWorks SKG Records, Aegean Records. 1996. DRMS7-59001.
{{cite AV media notes}}
:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^Fastlove(US cassette single cassette notes). George Michael. DreamWorks SKG Records, Aegean Records. 1996. DRMCS-59001.
{{cite AV media notes}}
:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^Fastlove(US 12-inch single vinyl disc). George Michael. DreamWorks SKG Records, Aegean Records. 1996. DRM12-58001.
{{cite AV media notes}}
:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^"George Michael – Fastlove ".ARIA Top 50 Singles.Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ^"George Michael – Fastlove "(in German).Ö3 Austria Top 40.Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ^"George Michael – Fastlove "(in Dutch).Ultratop 50.Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ^"George Michael – Fastlove "(in French).Ultratop 50.Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ^"Top RPM Singles: Issue 3027."RPM.Library and Archives Canada.Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ^"Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 3005."RPM.Library and Archives Canada.Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ^"Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 3043."RPM.Library and Archives Canada.Retrieved 10 July 2019.
- ^"Top National Sellers"(PDF).Music & Media.Vol. 13, no. 25. 22 June 1996. p. 16.Retrieved25 June2018.
- ^"Top National Sellers"(PDF).Music & Media.Vol. 13, no. 21. 25 May 1996. p. 18.Retrieved13 April2020.
- ^"Eurochart Hot 100 Singles"(PDF).Music & Media.Vol. 13, no. 19. 11 May 1996. p. 22.Retrieved25 June2018.
- ^"George Michael: Fastlove "(in Finnish).Musiikkituottajat.Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ^"George Michael – Fastlove "(in French).Les classement single.Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ^"George Michael – Fastlove "(in German).GfK Entertainment charts.Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ^"Top National Sellers"(PDF).Music & Media.Vol. 13, no. 28. 13 July 1996. p. 22.Retrieved6 March2018.
- ^"Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (25.05.1996 – 30.05.1996)".Dagblaðið Vísir(in Icelandic). 25 May 1996. p. 26.Retrieved3 February2018.
- ^"The Irish Charts – Search Results – Fastlove ".Irish Singles Chart.Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ^"Top National Sellers"(PDF).Music & Media.Vol. 13, no. 20. 18 May 1996. p. 28.Retrieved26 November2019.
- ^"Nederlandse Top 40 – week 21, 1996"(in Dutch).Dutch Top 40.Retrieved 10 July 2019.
- ^"George Michael – Fastlove "(in Dutch).Single Top 100.Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ^"George Michael – Fastlove ".Top 40 Singles.Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ^"George Michael – Fastlove ".VG-lista.Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ^"Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100".Official Charts Company.Retrieved 10 July 2019.
- ^Fernando Salaverri (September 2005).Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002(1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE.ISBN84-8048-639-2.
- ^"George Michael – Fastlove ".Singles Top 100.Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ^ab"Årslistor > Year End Charts > Swedish Dance Chart 1996"(PDF).Music & Media.Vol. 14, no. 11. 15 March 1997. p. 30 (see appendix to the magazine).Retrieved8 December2020.
- ^"George Michael – Fastlove ".Swiss Singles Chart.Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ^"Official Singles Chart Top 100".Official Charts Company.Retrieved 2 October 2018.
- ^"Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40".Official Charts Company.Retrieved 10 July 2019.
- ^"George Michael Chart History (Hot 100)".Billboard.Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ^"George Michael Chart History (Adult Contemporary)".Billboard.Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ^"George Michael Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)".Billboard.Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ^"George Michael Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)".Billboard.Retrieved 31 July 2023.
- ^"George Michael Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)".Billboard.Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ^"George Michael Chart History (Pop Songs)".Billboard.Retrieved 1 December 2017.
- ^"George Michael Chart History (Rhythmic)".Billboard.Retrieved 25 October 2016.
- ^ab"1996 ARIA Singles Chart".ARIA.Retrieved10 July2019.
- ^"Rapports annuels 1996"(in French).Ultratop.Retrieved10 July2019.
- ^"RPM Year End Top 100 Hit Tracks".RPM.Retrieved10 July2019– viaLibrary and Archives Canada.
- ^"RPM Year End Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks".RPM.Retrieved10 July2019– via Library and Archives Canada.
- ^"1996 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles"(PDF).Music & Media.Vol. 13, no. 51/52. 21 December 1996. p. 12.Retrieved18 December2019.
- ^"Tops de L'année | Top Singles 1996"(in French).SNEP.Retrieved2 September2020.
- ^"Árslistinn 1996".Dagblaðið Vísir(in Icelandic). 2 January 1997. p. 16.Retrieved30 May2020.
- ^"Årslista Singlar, 1996"(in Swedish).Sverigetopplistan.Retrieved30 May2020.
- ^"Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1996"(in German).Retrieved10 July2019.
- ^"Top 100 Singles 1996".Music Week.18 January 1997. p. 25.
- ^"Billboard Top 100 – 1996".Archived fromthe originalon 1 March 2009.Retrieved27 August2010.
- ^"Airplay Monitor Best of '96: Top 40/Mainstream Titles".Airplay Monitor.Vol. 4, no. 53. 27 December 1996. p. 30.
- ^"Airplay Monitor Best of '96: Top 40/Rhythm-Crossover Titles".Airplay Monitor.Vol. 4, no. 53. 27 December 1996. p. 32.
- ^"French single certifications – George Michael – Fast Love"(in French).Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.
- ^"British single certifications – George Michael – Fastlove".British Phonographic Industry.
- ^"Best-Selling Records of 1996".Billboard.Vol. 109, no. 3. BPI Communications Inc. 18 January 1997. p. 61.ISSN0006-2510.Retrieved8 May2015.
- ^"American single certifications – George Michael – Fast Love".Recording Industry Association of America.
- ^"Selected New Releases"(PDF).Radio & Records.No. 1141. 14 April 1996. p. 44.Retrieved13 August2021.
- ^"New Releases: Singles"(PDF).Music Week.20 April 1996. p. 27.Retrieved2 July2021.
- ^"ファストラブ | ジョージ・マイケル"[Fastlove | George Michael] (in Japanese).Oricon.Retrieved29 August2023.
- 1996 singles
- 1996 songs
- DreamWorks Records singles
- George Michael songs
- Music videos directed by Vaughan Arnell
- Number-one singles in Australia
- Number-one singles in Hungary
- Number-one singles in Italy
- Number-one singles in Spain
- Songs about casual sex
- Songs written by George Michael
- Songs written by Patrice Rushen
- Song recordings produced by George Michael
- UK Singles Chart number-one singles
- Virgin Records singles