While some know him for being part of the unforgettable pop group Wham! or for his mega hit, "Faith," for many people, famed singer George Michael is best known for his attitude about sex. The performer, who died on Sunday, was often very frank about his sexual habits, though of course this only happened after he was arrested for a "lewd act" and outed in 1998. After that, his public statements on his sexuality have been nothing short of extremely honest. And since Michael passed away on Dec. 25, now's the time to remember just how sex positive and empowering his words had a tendency to be.
Though not everyone who's followed even a little bit of Michael's career in the public eye may be into all the same things, one thing is for sure, Michael's discourse made openness about sexual habits a little more common in celebrity culture. From lyrics of his songs, to his tell-all interviews with major magazines and newspapers, to his overtly sexual persona even before his private life was made public, Michael walked the walk and talked the talk of a very sexual individual in a very public way.
To deny this eventual openness didn't have an effect on more open discourse surrounding sexual thoughts would be completely wrong. But in case you're unfamiliar with the sorts of bold comments Michael made, these lyrics and interview snippets will shed a little light on the matter.
His 2012 Interview With Gay Times
Michael was extremely frank and open with the reporter, explaining the inner workings of his sexual desires in his younger years, when he decided to stop sleeping with women, to the first time he had a satisfying sexual relationship with his first love.
I had an absolute rubbish level of sex through that whole terror, between 1985 and 1994 - with the exception of the sex I had when I was faithful to my first real partner, Anselmo.
Being willing to be so open about such a formative part of his sexual past is brave, no matter how you slice it.
What He Said About Madonna In 2004
When he spoke to GQ in 2004, he referenced another famed singer known for her sexuality and in doing so, proved that he understood what it means to be a sexual person:
Madonna's sexuality is hers. It's not for men.
Amen.
His Openness About His Past Relations With Women In That Same Interview
Prior to being forced to come out, Michael had sexual relations with women often. He told GQ this:
When I walk into a restaurant I check out the women before the men, because they're more glamorous. If I wasn't with Kenny, I would have sex with women, no question ... But I would never be able to have a relationship with a woman because I'd feel like a fake. I regard sexuality as being about who you pair off with, and I wouldn't pair off with a woman and stay with her. Emotionally, I'm definitely a gay man.
The Lyrics To "I Want Your Sex"
All of them. And the concept in general. But especially these lyrics:
It's natural
It's chemical (let's do it)
It's logical
Habitual (can we do it?)
It's sensual
But most of all...
Sex is something we should do
Sex is something for me and you
The song was of course censored for radio play, but the real version of the song is unapologetically sexual, just like the person who sang it.
