George Michael, Freedom! ‘90 | Beaming with Pride

In the fourth edition of Beaming with Pride (2025), we highlight the song, “Freedom! ‘90” performed by George Michael.

Prepare to beam with P-R-I-D-E ️‍! Beaming with Pride celebrates, embraces, and spotlights songs by LGBTQ musicians or allies.  Here, we provide background and insight into musician(s) and analyze + go gaga over the decadent bops served up.  When the music dictates deeper, more transcendent discussion, we ensure the point is fully articulated.  All styles of music are welcome while the songs can be classics or brand-spanking new. So, without further ado, in the fourth edition of Beaming with Pride (2025), we highlight “Freedom! ‘90” performed by George Michael.

“But today, the way I play the game is not the same, no way / Think I’m gonna get me some happy.” The late, great George Michael informed the world he was starkly different from the person he presented himself as in the early phases of his career. “Freedom! ’90” the second track and third single from his double-platinum sophomore album, Listen Without Prejudice, Vol. 1, marked a new, more authentic GM. “There’s something deep inside of me / There’s someone else I’ve got to be,” he sings in the pre-chorus, concluding, “I just hope you understand / Sometimes the clothes do not make the man.” #Initiate fully mature, liberated George Michael. Michael penned and produced  “Freedom.” “Freedom! ‘90” was certified gold and reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 1990.

“Freedom!

I won’t let you down (Freedom!)

I will not give you up (Freedom!)

Gotta have some faith in the sound

(You got to give what you take).”

Ooh-wee, George! “Freedom! ’90” commences with an infectious groove from the onset.  This is the catalyst for head nodding and foot tapping.  Notably, the drums are sampled from “Funky Drummer” by James Brown.  Beyond the drums, the ear is blessed with marvelous piano riffs, rhythmic guitar, and a robust, funky bass. Michael is the star serving up playful, nuanced vocals.  Listening back, clearly, he possessed a once-in-a-lifetime instrument.  The melodies are tuneful, while the lyrics are catchy, honest, and memorable.  Reflecting on his Wham! days in the second verse, he is adamant about being ‘true to self.’ In the bridge, he memorably sings, “Posing for another picture / Everybody’s got to sell / But when you shake your ass / They notice fast / And some mistakes were meant to fast.” Oh, pitfalls of fame!

Examining this gay anthem, it is hard to believe that Michael didn’t publicly come out until 1998, following his infamous sex-soliciting arrest. The lyrics suggest a change that’s bigger than his artistic image and sound. Notably, Michael’s first same-sex relationship occurred when he was 27, in 1990, the same year Listen Without Prejudice, Vol. 1 was released. Regardless of the intended meaning, the lyrics of “Freedom! ’90”, a song that is nothing short of six-and-a-half minutes of musical greatness, lends itself to living life to the fullness, however, you choose to do so.

George Michael // Listen Without Prejudice, Vol. 1 // G.K. Panayioutou / Sony Music Entertainment UK Limited // 1990

George Michael, Freedom! ‘90: Beaming with Pride ️‍ No. 4 (2025) [: Brent Faulkner/ The Musical Hype; G.K. Panayioutou / Sony Music Entertainment UK Limited; Elias Souza, Mario Spencer, Mizuno K from Pexels;  All_CC0_Public_domain, CatsWithGlasses, David, ernestflowerss, Kelly, M. Harris, Marek Studzinski, OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]