Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael

Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael
Greatest hits album by George Michael
Released 1 December 1998
Recorded 1984–1998
Genre
Length 147:25
Label Epic
Producer George Michael
George Michael chronology
Older
(1996)		 Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael
(1998)		 Songs from the Last Century
(1999)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Jam! Showbiz[2]
MSN Music[3]
The Daily VaultA−[4]

Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael is a greatest hits collection released by George Michael in 1998.

The collection of 28 songs (29 songs are included on the European and Australian release) are separated into two halves, with each CD of the double set containing music of a particular theme and mood. The first CD, titled "For the Heart", predominantly contains Michael's hit ballads, while the second CD, "For the Feet", comprises mostly his popular dance tunes.

Ladies & Gentlemen is notable for containing a large number of compilation tracks and duets that have not previously appeared on a George Michael album, including his US number-one duet with Aretha Franklin, "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)", previously available on Aretha Franklin's 1986 album Aretha; "Desafinado", the duet in Portuguese with Brazilian singer Astrud Gilberto; and the Elton John duet "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me", from John's 1993 album Duets.

Ladies & Gentlemen was released by Michael through Sony Music Entertainment as a condition of severing contractual ties with the label (Michael departed Sony with a great deal of acrimony and publicity prior to the release of Older in 1996). He would later return to Sony to release his 2004 album Patience, however singles from Older do appear on the album as well.

"Outside" was the first single from the album. The song was a humorous look at his arrest shortly before the release of the album for soliciting a policeman in a public restroom.

"As", Michael's duet with Mary J. Blige, was released as the second single in many territories around the world. It reached number four on the UK Singles Chart. The track was left off the North American release of the album. There were rumours that Blige's label was uncomfortable with Michael being gay, but this is contradicted by Blige's embracing of her large gay fan base.

"A Different Corner" was remixed for this compilation.

To date, the album has reached worldwide sales of more than 9 million copies.[5]

"Waltz Away Dreaming", Michael's duet with Toby Bourke, was only available on the cassette and MiniDisc versions of the album.

Track listing

Disc one: For the Heart
No. TitleWriter(s)Producer(s) Length
1. "Jesus to a Child"  George MichaelMichael 6:49
2. "Father Figure"  MichaelMichael 5:41
3. "Careless Whisper"  
Michael 5:00
4. "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" (with Elton John)
Michael 5:47
5. "You Have Been Loved"  
Michael 5:28
6. "Kissing a Fool"  MichaelMichael 4:36
7. "I Can't Make You Love Me"  
Michael 5:20
8. "Heal the Pain"  MichaelMichael 4:46
9. "A Moment with You"  MichaelMichael 5:43
10. "Desafinado" (with Astrud Gilberto)
Michael 3:19
11. "Cowboys and Angels"  MichaelMichael 7:14
12. "Praying for Time"  MichaelMichael 4:41
13. "One More Try"  MichaelMichael 5:53
14. "A Different Corner"  MichaelMichael 4:03
15. "Waltz Away Dreaming" (with Toby Bourke) (cassettes only)
  • Bourke
  • Michael
  • Bourke
  • Michael
 4:44
Disc two: For the Feet
No. TitleWriter(s)Producer(s) Length
1. "Outside"  Michael
  • Michael
  • Jon Douglas
 4:44
2. "As" (with Mary J. Blige)Stevie WonderBabyface 4:47
3. "Fastlove"  Michael
  • Michael
  • Douglas
 5:31
4. "Too Funky"  MichaelMichael 3:45
5. "Freedom 90"  MichaelMichael 6:28
6. "Star People 97"  MichaelMichael 5:39
7. "Killer/Papa Was a Rollin' Stone"  
Michael 4:16
8. "I Want Your Sex" (Part II)MichaelMichael 4:38
9. "The Strangest Thing 97"  MichaelMichael 4:41
10. "Fantasy"  MichaelMichael 5:02
11. "Spinning the Wheel"  
  • Michael
  • Douglas
  • Michael
  • Douglas
 6:09
12. "Waiting for That Day"  
Michael 4:50
13. "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" (with Aretha Franklin)
Narada Michael Walden 3:58
14. "Faith"  MichaelMichael 3:14
15. "Somebody to Love" (with Queen)Freddie Mercury
  • Michael
  • Queen
 5:23

DVD release

A DVD release followed in 1999, featuring 23 music videos from Michael's career.

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1998–99) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[6] 2
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[7] 2
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[8] 2
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[9] 3
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[10] 10
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[11] 1
Dutch Albums (MegaCharts)[12] 2
European Albums (Top 100)[13] 1
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[14] 5
French Compilations (SNEP)[15] 1
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[16] 3
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)[17] 1
Irish Albums (IRMA)[18] 1
Italian Albums (Hit Parade Italia)[19] 3
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[20] 23
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[21] 3
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[22] 1
Portuguese Albums (AFP)[11] 8
Scottish Albums (OCC)[23] 1
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)[11] 4
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[24] 2
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[25] 5
UK Albums (OCC)[26] 1
US Billboard 200[27] 24

Year-end charts

Chart (1998) Position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[28] 16
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[29] 8
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[30] 14
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[31] 14
Dutch Albums (MegaCharts)[32] 33
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[33] 75
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[34] 40
Norwegian Christmas Period Albums (VG-lista)[35] 1
UK Albums (OCC)[36] 2
Chart (1999) Position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[37] 19
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[38] 28
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[39] 27
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[40] 18
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[41] 18
Dutch Albums (MegaCharts)[42] 5
European Albums (Top 100)[43] 8
French Compilations (SNEP)[44] 3
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[45] 12
Italian Albums (Hit Parade)[19] 13
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[46] 18
Norwegian Winter Period Albums (VG-lista)[47] 10
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[48] 45
UK Albums (OCC)[49] 22
US Billboard 200[50] 167
Chart (2000) Position
Finnish Foreign Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[51] 100

Certifications and sales

Region Certification Certified units/Sales
Argentina (CAPIF)[52] Gold 30,000*
Australia (ARIA)[53] 6× Platinum 420,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[54] Platinum 50,000*
Belgium (BEA)[55] 2× Platinum 100,000*
Brazil (ABPD)[56] Gold 100,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[57] 2× Platinum 200,000^
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[58] Gold 33,000[58]
France (SNEP)[59] 2× Platinum 903,100[60]
Germany (BVMI)[61] 3× Gold 750,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[62] 2× Platinum 200,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[63] 4× Platinum 60,000^
Norway (IFPI Norway)[64] Platinum 50,000*
Poland (ZPAV)[65] Platinum 100,000*
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[66] 2× Platinum 200,000^
Sweden (GLF)[67] Platinum 80,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[68] Platinum 50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[69] 8× Platinum 2,480,000[70]
United States (RIAA)[71] 2× Platinum 1,100,000[72]
Summaries
Europe (IFPI)[73] 6× Platinum 6,000,000*
Worldwide 9,000,000[5]

^shipments figures based on certification alone

See also

References

  1. ↑ Allmusic review
  2. ↑ Jam! Showbiz review
  3. ↑ MSN Music review
  4. ↑ The Daily Vault review
  5. 1 2 Paul Sexton. Strong interest precedes new Michael album. Billboard. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  6. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – George Michael – Ladies and Gentlemen - The Best of". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  7. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – George Michael – Ladies and Gentlemen - The Best of" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  8. ↑ "Ultratop.be – George Michael – Ladies and Gentlemen - The Best of" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  9. ↑ "Ultratop.be – George Michael – Ladies and Gentlemen - The Best of" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  10. ↑ "George Michael – Chart history" Billboard Canadian Albums Chart for George Michael. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  11. 1 2 3 "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  12. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – George Michael – Ladies and Gentlemen - The Best of" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  13. ↑ "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  14. ↑ "George Michael: Ladies & Gentlemen - The Best of George Michael" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  15. ↑ "Les "Charts Runs" de chaque Album Classé" (in French). InfoDisc. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  16. ↑ "George Michael - Offizielle Deutsche Charts" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  17. ↑ "Top 40 album DVD és válogatáslemez-lista – 1998. 53. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  18. ↑ "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  19. 1 2 "Gli album più venduti del 1999". Hit Parade Italia. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  20. ↑ ジョージ・マイケルのアルバム売り上げランキング (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  21. ↑ "Charts.org.nz – George Michael – Ladies and Gentlemen - The Best of". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  22. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – George Michael – Ladies and Gentlemen - The Best of". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  23. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  24. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – George Michael – Ladies and Gentlemen - The Best of". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  25. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – George Michael – Ladies and Gentlemen - The Best of". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  26. ↑ "George Michael | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  27. ↑ "George Michael – Chart history" Billboard 200 for George Michael. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  28. ↑ "ARIA Charts - End Of Year Charts - Top 100 Albums 1998". ARIA. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  29. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1998" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  30. ↑ "Rapports annueles 1998" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  31. ↑ "Chart of the Year 1998". Mogens Nielsen. Archived from the original on 16 December 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  32. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten - Album 1998" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  33. ↑ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  34. ↑ "Top Selling Albums of 1998". RIANZ. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  35. ↑ "Topp 40 Album Julen 1998" (in Norwegian). VG-lista. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  36. ↑ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 - 1998". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  37. ↑ "ARIA Charts - End Of Year Charts - Top 100 Albums 1999". ARIA. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  38. ↑ "Jahreshitparade Alben 1999" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  39. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1999" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  40. ↑ "Rapports annueles 1999" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  41. ↑ "Chart of the Year 1999". Mogens Nielsen. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  42. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten - Album 1999" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  43. ↑ "Europe's Top Albums of 1999" (PDF). Billboard. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  44. ↑ "Classement Albums - année 1999" (in French). SNEP. Archived from the original on 13 October 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  45. ↑ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  46. ↑ "Top Selling Albums of 1999". RIANZ. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  47. ↑ "Topp 40 Album Vinter 1999" (in Norwegian). VG-lista. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  48. ↑ "Swiss Year-end Charts 1999". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  49. ↑ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 - 1999". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  50. ↑ "1999: Billboard 200 Albums". Billboard. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  51. ↑ "Myydyimmät ulkomaiset albumit vuonna 2000" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  52. ↑ "Discos de Oro y Platino" (in Spanish). CAPIF. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  53. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2010 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association.
  54. ↑ "Austrian album certifications – George Michael – Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael" (in German). IFPI Austria. Enter George Michael in the field Interpret. Enter Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael in the field Titel. Select album in the field Format. Click Suchen
  55. ↑ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – 1998". Ultratop & Hung Medien / hitparade.ch.
  56. ↑ "Brazilian album certifications – George Michael – Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael" (in Portuguese). Associação Brasileira dos Produtores de Discos.
  57. ↑ "Canadian album certifications – George Michael – Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael". Music Canada.
  58. 1 2 "George Michael" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
  59. ↑ "Les Certifications depuis 1973" (in French). InfoDisc. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  60. ↑ "Les Meilleures Ventes de CD / Albums "Tout Temps"" (in French). InfoDisc. Archived from the original on November 14, 2008. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  61. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (George Michael; 'Ladies & Gentlemen...The Best of George Michael')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  62. ↑ "Dutch album certifications – George Michael – Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers.
  63. ↑ "New Zealand album certifications – George Michael – Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael". Recorded Music NZ.
  64. ↑ "IFPI Norsk platebransje" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Archived from the original on 25 July 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  65. ↑ "Polish album certifications – George Michael – Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry.
  66. ↑ Fernando Salaverri (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  67. ↑ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden.
  68. ↑ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (George Michael; 'Ladies & Gentlemen')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
  69. ↑ "British album certifications – George Michael – Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael". British Phonographic Industry. Enter Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select album in the field By Format. Select Platinum in the field By Award. Click Search
  70. ↑ "The greatest of the greatest: the UK's official Top 10 biggest hits collections revealed". Officialcharts.com. 12 July 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
  71. ↑ "American album certifications – George Michael – Ladies and Gentlemen, The Best of George Michael". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH
  72. ↑ Keith Caulfield. "Ask Billboard: George in the USA". Billboard. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  73. ↑ "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards – 2004". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.
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