Having disbanded Wham! the previous year, there was a keen expectation for Michael's solo career and "Faith" would go on to become one of his most popular and enduring songs, as well as being the most simplistic in its production. It was the second of six singles released from the well-received album.
"Faith" is just over three minutes long, the first 37 seconds of which is taken up by a straightforward, fade-up music on organ introduction based on the Wham song "Freedom". Eventually, a two chord progression takes up the song with Michael singing an extremely mature and meaningful lyric about having the "faith" to leave a relationship that he knows is not working, and not giving into to the temptation of going back to his partner no matter how much he desires her as someone better is out there and does not want to be trapped in a situation that is not working. This shows true faith and strength of character in Michael and his ability to deal with really deep emotional issues. Interestingly this song appears to resolve the 'dilemma' which Michael talks about in the original 'Freedom Song', while on the surface this appears to be a fizzy pop song, the lyrics are extremely deep and it appears that Michael is struggling here with the conflict involved in being in love with a person who is not returning the affection in a way that is desired and causing immense discomfort, so while in his heart he knows he wants his 'freedom' he also wants the person he loves, but being trapped in this dichotomy he knows causes immense suffering and pain and knows in his heart the only resolution is to have 'Faith' to meet someone new.
A famous video was made, which provided some definitive images of the 1980s music industry in the process - Michael in shades, a leather jacket and a particularly memorable pair of tight Levi's blue jeans and cowboy boots, playing a guitar near a classic-design jukebox.
The video for "Freedom! '90", released three years later, used some of the elements used in the "Faith" video, from the guitar, jeans, jacket all the way to the jukebox.
The song reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and number two on the UK Singles Chart.
On the Hot 100 chart, "Faith" rocketed from #54 to #37, the week of October 31, 1987, reaching #1 on December 12, 1987 and remaining there for four consecutive weeks, easily becoming the longest running chart topper of 1987. Altogether, "Faith" lingered in the top 10 for 9 weeks, the Top 20 for 11 weeks and the Top 40 for 15 weeks.
"Faith" was covered by the Nu metal/Rapcore band Limp Bizkit on their 1997 album Three Dollar Bill, Yall$. The video (released November 20, 1998) shows scenes of Limp Bizkit by their tour bus at the Family Values Tour 1998. It features Fred Durst and Wes Borland dressed up as their alter egos 'The Weapon' and 'The Liquidator' at the beginning, with Borland explaining that he "...hates Limp Bizkit.". Jonathan Davis Fieldy and Brian "Head" Welch from Korn also make an appearance.
The song is followed by a hidden track, "Blind", which is 1:25 long (not to be confused by Korn's song, also named "Blind").
This version of "Faith" is featured in the promo of the 2008 film Religulous.
* Alvin and the Chipmunks covered the song in their signature style. on their 1988 album Born to Rock. It is the opening track on this album.
* At the 2003 BRIT Awards, a re-worded version of the song was performed by Ms. Dynamite, in order to show opposition to the 2003 invasion of Iraq. George, himself a vocal campaigner against the war, did not appear at the ceremony, but duetted on the song via a pre-recorded video.
* Korean girl group, The Grace, made an a cappella cover of the song, which was included in their Korean single, "My Everything". The single was released on November 6, 2006.
* Turkish band, Dolapdere Big Gang, made an alaturca cover of "Faith" in their second album, Just Feel, in December 2007.
* The Boy Least Likely To recorded a light-hearted cover, as a homage to the song in 2006. The song is available on their album The Best B-Sides Ever, and it can be streamed directly from their Facebook profile page. The band occasionally plays their version live.
* Lloyd Daniels sung this song on the X Factor Week 7 of 2009. It was Wham! and George Michael week.
* The song was featured at the opening of the Scrubs episode, "My Own American Girl", being sung by the main character, J.D.
* Michael appeared performing the song in the pilot episode of ABC's Eli Stone. "Faith" was heavily used in TV commercials for the series, along with the episode footage of Michael singing. Future episodes of Eli Stone were all based on and feature George Michael's songs.
* The song was sung by Hugh Laurie as Dr. Gregory House on the House (TV series) episode "Wilson"
* The song is featured in the movie Rules of Attraction with two of the main characters dancing together while it plays.
Faith
George Michael Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know not everybody has got a body like you, oh
But I gotta think twice before I give my heart away
And I know all the games you play because I play them too
Oh, but I need some time off from that emotion
Time to pick my heart up off the floor
Oh, when that love comes down without devotion
But I'm showin' you the door
'Cause I gotta have faith
I gotta have faith
Because I got to have faith, faith, f-
I got to have faith, faith, faith
Baby, I know you're askin' me to stay
Say, "Please, please, please don't go away"
You say I'm givin' you the blues
Maybe, huh, you mean every word you say
Can't help but think of yesterday
And another who tied me down to loverboy rules
Before this river becomes an ocean
Before you throw my heart back on the floor
Oh, oh baby, I reconsider my foolish notion
Well, I need someone to hold me
But I'll wait for somethin' more
Yes, I gotta have faith
Ooh, I gotta have faith
Because I gotta have faith, faith, faith
I gotta have faith, faith, faith
I'll just have to wait
Because I've got to have faith
I gotta have faith
I've got to, got to, got to have faith
Before this river becomes an ocean
Before you throw my heart back on the floor (I just got to have faith)
Oh, oh baby, I reconsider my foolish notion
Well, I need someone to hold me
But I'll wait for somethin' more
'Cause I gotta have faith
Ooh, I gotta have faith
Because I gotta have faith, faith, faith
I gotta have faith, faith, faith
In the first verse of this song, George Michael sings about his attraction to someone and how he needs to be careful not to give his heart away too easily. He references the fact that people play games in relationships and that he is aware of them because he has played them himself. The chorus serves as a declaration of his need for faith in love, both for himself and for the person he is interested in. He repeats the phrase "I gotta have faith" multiple times in a catchy and memorable way.
The second verse continues the theme of caution in love, with the singer considering the possibility of heartbreak before diving in. He also acknowledges that the person he is interested in may be sincere in their desire for him to stay but that he needs to be sure that he is not getting tied down to someone who will hurt him. This verse ends with a reiteration of the need for faith in love.
Throughout the song, there is a tension between the desire for love and the fear of vulnerability and heartbreak. The repetition of the phrase "I gotta have faith" represents the singer's attempt to build up his own confidence and trust in love, even when he is unsure if it is safe to do so.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I guess it would be nice if I could touch your body
I find you physically attractive and wish to be intimate with you.
I know not everybody has got a body like you
I am aware that there are not many people with a physique like yours.
But I gotta think twice before I give my heart away
However, I need to be cautious before giving you my heart and committing to a relationship.
And I know all the games you play because I played them, too
I understand the manipulative tactics you use in relationships because I have used them myself.
Oh, but I need some time off from that emotion
I need a break from the emotional turmoil and drama of relationships.
Time to pick my heart up off the floor
To take time to recover from the emotional pain and hurt caused by past relationships.
Oh, when that love comes down without devotion
If love is not accompanied by loyalty and commitment, it is meaningless to me.
Well, it takes a strong man, baby
It takes a person with strength and courage to reject such love.
But I'm showin' you the door
I am leaving this relationship because it lacks devotion and commitment.
'Cause I gotta have faith
I need to have trust and belief in the other person to commit to a relationship.
I gotta' have faith
To commit to a relationship, I must have unwavering faith and trust in the other person.
Baby, I know you're askin' me to stay
I am aware that you want me to stay in this relationship.
Say "Please, please, please don't go away"
You are pleading with me to not end the relationship.
You say I'm givin' you the blues
You are saying that my decision to end the relationship is causing you emotional distress.
Maybe you mean every word you say
I am unsure if you are genuinely expressing your emotions, or if you are manipulating me.
Can't help but think of yesterday
I can't help but think of past relationships and the pain they caused me.
And another who tied me down to loverboy rules
I remember being in another relationship where I was forced to conform to someone else's expectations.
Before this river becomes an ocean
Before this relationship becomes something more substantial and permanent.
Before you throw my heart back on the floor
Before you break my heart and cause more emotional pain.
Oh, baby, I reconsider my foolish notion
Oh, I am rethinking my previous decision to commit to this relationship.
Well, I need someone to hold me but I'll wait for somethin' more
I desire emotional intimacy but will wait for someone who is willing to commit to a serious relationship.
Yes, I gotta have faith
I must have absolute trust in the other person to commit to a relationship.
Ooh, I gotta have faith
I must have complete faith and confidence in the other person to trust them with my heart.
I'll just have to wait
I am willing to be patient and wait for the right person to come along.
Because I've got to have faith
Because I need trust and belief in order to be vulnerable in a relationship.
I gotta have faith
I need to have unwavering faith in order to commit to and stay in a relationship.
I've got to, got to, got to have faith
It is integral for me to have complete confidence and trust in my partner to make a relationship work.
Lyrics © Sentric Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Michael
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MissJayLauren
I ‘m here because TikTok said this was the song of the year when I was born , and it defines your life . I am absolutely in a place in my life where I gotta have faith ❤
@Linelle-jq2ol
Good for you, bless you.❤😂😊❤
@MissJayLauren
@@Linelle-jq2ol Thank You 🙏🏾
@rosemarynjeri4721
Me too 😂😂😂
@kerneishacharles5705
Me too😂
@user-bp5kk6yj8l
Lol same😂
@fabiesque
This man was a genius. The moves, the voice, the energy, the face, the lyrics, the melodies. Everything was there
@AmberAmber
I loved him, Prince, & Bowie with Fervor!! 💗 Still do. Only artists I love left alive are Jarvis Cocker, Thom Yorke, Jello Biafra, & Salt'N'Pepa - Oh & Darren Hayman but noone ever knows him sadly.♥
@user-ub8er9pe2h
That is all true, and factual. I will just add, that George Michael had a voice like no other. Simply beautiful. Also, as an artist, person, he seemed to be such a sweet individual. He was classy, elegant, brilliant, and with a massive talent for his artistry. His music is, a d was amazing. I am sure many miss him. Rest in peace. ❤️☀️❤️🎶🎸🎵
@AmberAmber
@@user-ub8er9pe2h Agree & I'll add that George was known for having a great sense of humour too. Indeed - #RIPGeorgeMichael