Fastlove

"Fastlove"
Single by George Michael
from the album Older
B-side "I'm Your Man '96"
Released 22 April 1996
Format
Recorded 1993–96
Genre
Length 5:24
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • George Michael
  • Jon Douglas
George Michael singles chronology
"Jesus to a Child"
(1996)		 "Fastlove"
(1996)		 "Spinning the Wheel"
(1996)
Music video
"Fastlove" on YouTube

"Fastlove" is a song by George Michael, released as a single in 1996 by Virgin Records in the United Kingdom and DreamWorks Records in the United States. The song was written by Michael, Patrice Rushen, Freddie Washington and Terri McFaddin with production by Michael and Jon Douglas.

The song received positive reviews from music critics. It was nominated for Best Single at the 1997 Brit Awards. Commercially, the song topped the charts in the United Kingdom, Australia, Hungary and Spain. It was his seventh and final number one single in the UK during his lifetime and is his seventh most downloaded track there, earning him a Gold certification by the British Phonographic Industry. It has sold 465,504 copies in the UK.

Its music video which directed by Vaughan Arnell and Anthea Benton, was nominated for the video category at the Brit Awards and three MTV Video Music Awards in 1996, eventually won the International Viewer's Choice Award—MTV Europe.

Release

"Fastlove" is an energetic tune about the need for gratification and fulfillment without concern for commitment. The song was the second single taken from Michael's third studio album Older, which was his first studio album in six years and only the third of his solo career. For the single's B-side, a remake of the Wham! classic "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.

A re-sung but otherwise identical chorus of the Patrice Rushen hit "Forget Me Nots" (written by Rushen, Freddie Washington and Terri McFaddin) was used toward the end of the song, although no co-writing credit was initially given. This problem was rectified in the liner notes of Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael.[2]

Jon Kutner from 1000 UK Number One Hits said the line "Stupid Cupid keeps on calling me and I see lovin' in his eyes" was a dual interpretation.[3]

Critical reception

Music & Media wrote about the song: "Michael previews his new album Older, released May 13, with an uncomplicated, good-time funky dance track in which the repetition of the title has a lasting effect. With a production and atmosphere owing much to late-'70s disco grooves, the track features some catchy snippets of Patrice Rushen's Forget Me Nots, whereas the extended version is a clever rewrite of Wham!'s I'm Your Man. Radio will love it."[4]

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". Ferber concluded his review by calling the track "best slow-groove dance record since Lisa Stansfield's 'All Around the World.'"[5]

Cash Box wrote: "The new "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. "Fastlove" features the sort of ultra-lush, opulent soul vibe that's been Michael's hallmark throughout his career."[6]

While reviewing Older, Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic said although "Fastlove" is the album's only dance track, but it still "lacks the carefree spark of his earlier work." He later still chose the song as his one of his "track picks."[7] Writing about the album for Rolling Stones, Al Weisel called the track a "bouncy disco concoction" and "flavored with Dr. Dre-style whistling synths."[8]

In 2014, Brendon Veevers from British webzine Renowned for Sound ranked the song at number 4 on his "Top 10 George Michael Hits" list, stating: "[The song] is a slick, ultra-modern dance-pop track that sits quite contrasting to the rest of the Older tracks but has held up exceptionally well over the past almost-20 years since it was offered to us."[9]

In 2017, Dave Fawbert of ShortList Magazine called Fastlove "one of the greatest songs ever made", noting that, at a time when Britpop was 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".[10] Fawbert later produced a half-hour version of Fastlove as a homage.[11]

Chart performance

The song reached the number one spot in United Kingdom, where it stayed for three weeks. It also reached number one in Australia and Italy.

In the US, "Fastlove" peaked at number 8, and has since become a classic in George Michael's catalogue, and finished at number 62 on the year-end chart. To date, this is the final George Michael single to enter the American Billboard Hot 100, as well as peaking at number 44 in the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart.

"Fastlove" later became Michael's seventh most downloaded track in the United Kingdom, according to Official Charts Company in 2014.[12]

Music video

Directed by Vaughan Arnell and Anthea Benton, the music video 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-tech remote control device 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 the Sony corporate logo, a reference to the contractual dispute Michael was having at the time with Sony Music Entertainment (formerly CBS Records). Throughout the video, there is a variety of men and women, who display a spectrum of characteristics, including one who is shy, another who is lustful, and another who is a complete emotional wreck (played by Rachel Williams) sitting in the chair and using 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.[13][14]

The music video was nominated for three 1996 MTV Video Music Awards, including: Best Dance Video, Best Choreography in a Video and International Viewer's Choice Award—MTV Europe — which it won.[15][16]

Live performances

Michael performing the song at 25 Live in 2006, with the backdrop contains scenes from the music video.

Michael performed the song on his MTV Unplugged segment on 11 October 1996 in London, the taping later premiered on the network on 11 December.[17][18] Barry Walters in a review for The 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."[18] The live audio of the song was then uploaded onto Michael's official SoundCloud.[19]

"Fastlove" was the opening song for his first leg for 25 Live with graphics flowed behind and beneath him on a curved, cascading screen.[20]

British singer Adele performed the song during the 59th 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.[21][22]

Track listing

UK CD single

  1. "Fastlove Part 1" – 5:23
  2. "I'm Your Man" – 4:04
  3. "Fastlove Part 2" (Fully Extended Mix) – 9:28

US CD single

  1. "Fastlove" (Full Version) – 5:24
  2. "I'm Your Man '96" – 4:13
  3. "Fastlove" (Summer Mix) – 4:42

US maxi single

  1. "Fastlove" (Radio Edit) – 4:45
  2. "Fastlove" (A/C Summer Mix) – 4:42
  3. "Fastlove" (Full Version) – 5:24

"Fastlove Part II"

  1. "Fastlove Part II" (Fully Extended Mix Edit) – 9:27
  2. "I'm Your Man" (ILR Version Star People '97 Radio Edit) – 4:04

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/Sales
Australia (ARIA)[56] Platinum 70,000^
France (SNEP)[57] Gold 250,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[58] Gold 400,000^
United States (RIAA)[59] Gold 500,000[60]

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone

References

  1. ↑ Veevers, Brendon (11 March 2014). "Top 10 George Michael Hits". Renowned for Sound. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
  2. ↑ George Michael - Fastlove -Patrice Rushen - Forget Me Nots Whosampled.com. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
  3. ↑ Jon Kutner (26 May 2010). 1000 UK Number One Hits. Omnibus Press. pp. 961–. ISBN 978-0-85712-360-2.
  4. ↑ "Music & Media: New Releases" (PDF). Music & Media (1996-04-06, page 12). Retrieved 2018-02-05.
  5. ↑ EW review - Fastlove Ew.com. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
  6. ↑ "Pop Singles: Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box (1996-04-20, page 7). Retrieved 2018-02-19.
  7. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Older - George Michael". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
  8. ↑ Weisel, Al (2 February 1998). "Older". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
  9. ↑ Top 10 George Michael Hits Renownedforsound.com. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
  10. ↑ "A nine-and-a-half-minute long version of George Michael's 'Fastlove' exists and it will change your life", Shortlist, Accessed 12 April 2017
  11. ↑ "George Michael's 'Fastlove' is not long enough, so I made a half-hour long version", Shortlist, Accessed 12 April 2017
  12. ↑ George Michael’s Official Top 20 Most Downloaded Tracks revealed! Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
  13. ↑ Robert Steele (4 November 2011). Careless Whispers: The Life & Career of George Michael. Omnibus Press. pp. 273–. ISBN 978-0-85712-726-6.
  14. ↑ 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.
  15. ↑ "George Michael". Rock on the Net. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
  16. ↑ "Winners By Category". MTV. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
  17. ↑ Youngs, Ian (10 January 1996). "George Michael Unplugged - Needs to get career back on track". MTV. Archived from the original on 9 August 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  18. 1 2 Here Publishing (24 December 1996). The Advocate. Here Publishing. pp. 61–. ISSN 0001-8996.
  19. ↑ George Michael - Fastlove Soundcloud.com. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  20. ↑ Youngs, Ian (25 August 2008). "George Michael plays 'last' shows". BBC News. Archived from the original on 25 August 2008. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  21. ↑ "George Michael Grammys Tribute Video: Watch Adele "Fastlove" Grammy Awards Performance". Gossip Cop. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
  22. ↑ Ehrbar, Ned (2017-02-12). "Grammys 2017: Adele asks for a do-over during George Michael tribute". CBS News. Retrieved 2017-02-19.
  23. ↑ "Australian-charts.com – George Michael – Fastlove". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  24. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – George Michael – Fastlove" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  25. ↑ "Ultratop.be – George Michael – Fastlove" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  26. ↑ "Ultratop.be – George Michael – Fastlove" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  27. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 3027." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  28. ↑ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 3005." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  29. ↑ "Top 10 Czech Republic" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  30. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  31. ↑ "George Michael: Fastlove" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  32. ↑ "Lescharts.com – George Michael – Fastlove" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  33. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – George Michael – Fastlove". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  34. ↑ "Top 10 Hungary" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  35. ↑ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (25.05.1996 - 30.05.1996)" (PDF). Dagblaðið Vísir - Tónlist. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  36. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Fastlove". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  37. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – George Michael" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  38. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – George Michael – Fastlove" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  39. ↑ "Charts.nz – George Michael – Fastlove". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  40. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – George Michael – Fastlove". VG-lista. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  41. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  42. ↑ Fernando Salaverri (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  43. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – George Michael – Fastlove". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  44. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – George Michael – Fastlove". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  45. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  46. ↑ "Official UK Dance Singles Chart (28 April 1996-04 May 1996)". officialcharts.com. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  47. ↑ "George Michael Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  48. ↑ "George Michael Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  49. ↑ "George Michael Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  50. ↑ Billboard Singles. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
  51. ↑ "George Michael Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  52. ↑ "George Michael Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  53. ↑ "George Michael Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  54. ↑ "RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1996". RPM. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
  55. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 - 1996". Archived from the original on 1 March 2009. Retrieved 2010-08-27.
  56. ↑ Kent, David (2006). Australian Chart Book 1993-2005. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-45889-2.
  57. ↑ "French single certifications – George Michael – Fast Love" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.
  58. ↑ "British single certifications – George Michael – Fastlove". British Phonographic Industry. Select singles in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Type Fastlove in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  59. ↑ "American single certifications – Michael, George – Fast Love". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
  60. ↑ "Best-Selling Records of 1996". Billboard. BPI Communications Inc. 109 (3): 61. 18 January 1997. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
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