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Fastlove

"Fastlove" is a song by English singer-songwriter George Michael, released on 22 April 1996 by Virgin Records in the United Kingdom and by DreamWorks Records in the United States as the second single from his third album, Older (1996). Written by Michael, Patrice Rushen, Freddie Washington and Terri McFaddin and produced by Michael and Jon Douglas, the song interpolates Rushen's 1982 single "Forget Me Nots".

"Fastlove"
Single by George Michael
from the album Older
B-side"I'm Your Man '96"
Released22 April 1996 (1996-04-22)
StudioSarm West (London)[1]
GenreDance-pop[2]
Length
  • 5:24 (full)
  • 4:45 (radio edit)
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

The song received positive reviews from music critics. Commercially, the song topped the charts in six countries: Australia, Hungary, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom, and it also reached number one on the Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary chart. It was Michael's seventh and final number-one single in the UK during his lifetime and is his seventh-most downloaded track there, earning a gold certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for selling and streaming over 600,000 units. It was nominated for Best Single at the 1997 Brit Awards. In the United States, the single peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100, giving Michael his 15th top-10 hit and final Hot 100 appearance.

The song's accompanying music video, 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. It eventually won the International Viewer's Choice Award—MTV Europe.

Recording edit

In a 2022 interview, engineer Dave Crews recalled how producer Jon Douglas came on board while the song was being created. While working on production of Lisa Moorish's album I've Gotta Have It All, Douglas asked Michael to contribute vocals to her cover of the Wham! song "I'm Your Man". Afterwards, Michael asked Douglas to work with him on the album.[1]

Michael's initial concept of the song was built on a laid-back latin/bossa nova rhythm. When Douglas was brought on as producer, the demo backing track was scrapped; Douglas created a new musical arrangement whilst retaining Michael's original vocal performance and the saxophone part played by Andy Hamilton. The "Forget Me Nots" sample was a change that Michael added at the last minute, as he wanted to change the end of the song. Douglas didn't like the idea at first, and before working to the transition, he listened to the song over and over for two weeks to work on the transition at the end of the song.[1]

Release edit

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

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

Critical reception edit

While reviewing Older, Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic said although "Fastlove" is the album's only dance track, it still "lacks the carefree spark of his earlier work." He still chose the song later as his one of his "track picks."[4] Larry Flick of Billboard described it as a "sleek groove that is a direct descendant of 'Good Times' by Chic." He noted that Michael "deftly cruises between breathy sensuality and full-bodied belting", adding that the "icing on the cake is a chorus and refrain that are immediate sing-along fodder."[5] Daina Darzin from Cash Box wrote that "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." She also said that it features "the sort of ultra-lush, opulent soul vibe that's been Michael's hallmark throughout his career."[6] The Daily Vault's Melanie Love called it a "plea for noncommittal, one-night stands as a way to avoid the pain of relationships". She noted further, "It's got a silky-smooth groove with touches of brass, and Michael's voice is as stellar as ever, slick and teasing yet somehow revelatory, giving this track a hookiness despite lacking an actual chorus."[7]

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". Farber concluded his review saying the track is the "best slow-groove dance record since Lisa Stansfield's 'All Around the World'."[8] Irish newspaper Evening Herald said it is "very like" his 1992 hit "Too Funky", adding that it "restores George to his rightful place as purveyor of whiteboy R&B to a middle-class audience."[9] Hans-Petter Kjøge from Norwegian newspaper Fredrikstad Blad described it as "quality pop of the best brand."[10] Swedish newspaper Göteborgs-Tidningen said it is "nicely funky".[11] A reviewer from Music & Media called it a "uncomplicated, good-time funky dance track in which the repetition of the title has a lasting effect." They also commented that the production and atmosphere is "owing much to late-'70s disco grooves".[12] Music Week rated it five out of five, adding that "it's got all the right ingredients for Top 10 success—Michael's crooning vocals over an uptempo dancey beat. Radio play is already substantial."[13] Victoria Segal from NME noted "the thrill-stalking emptiness" of the song.[14] Writing about the album for Rolling Stone, Al Weisel called it a "bouncy disco concoction" that is "flavored with Dr. Dre-style whistling synths."[15]

Michael E. Ross from Salon Magazine said that Michael "gets back to bold, bumptious funk, the singer clearly reveling in those buoyant rhythms of the not-too-distant past."[16] In 2014, Brendon Veevers from British webzine Renowned for Sound ranked the song at number 4 on his "Top 10 George Michael Hits" list, saying, "[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."[17] In 2017, Dave Fawbert of ShortList 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".[18] Fawbert later produced a half-hour version of Fastlove as a homage.[19]

This song was featured in and a part of the soundtrack for the 2019 film Last Christmas. The song was also featured in season 6 of the Netflix television series The Crown.[20]

Chart performance edit

The song reached the number one spot in United Kingdom, where it stayed for three weeks. It also reached number one in Australia, Hungary, Italy and Spain. "Fastlove" later became Michael's seventh-most downloaded track in the United Kingdom, according to Official Charts Company in 2014.[21] In the United States, "Fastlove" peaked at number eight and has since become a classic in George Michael's catalogue. It finished at number 62 on the US Billboard year-end chart. To date, this is the final George Michael single to enter the Billboard Hot 100. Additionally, it peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Rhythmic chart and number 14 on the Billboard Mainstream Top 40. In Canada, "Fastlove" peaked at number four on the RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart and number one on the RPM Adult Contemporary chart.

Music video edit

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, various men and women who display a wide spectrum of characteristics, including one who is shy, another who is lustful, and another who is a complete emotional wreck (played by Rachel Williams), sit in the chair and use 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.[22][23]

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.[24][25]

Live performances edit

 
Michael performing the song during the 25 Live tour in 2006, with the backdrop containing 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.[26][27] 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."[27] The live audio of the song was then uploaded onto Michael's official SoundCloud.[28]

"Fastlove" was the opening song for his first leg of the 25 Live tour with graphics flowed behind and beneath him on a curved, cascading screen.[29]

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.[30][31]

Track listings edit

Charts edit

Certifications edit

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[77] Platinum 70,000^
France (SNEP)[90] Gold 250,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[91] Platinum 600,000
United States (RIAA)[93] Gold 500,000[92]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history edit

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States 16 April 1996 Contemporary hit radio [94]
United Kingdom 22 April 1996
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
[95]
Japan 22 May 1996 CD [96]

References edit

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fastlove, song, english, singer, songwriter, george, michael, released, april, 1996, virgin, records, united, kingdom, dreamworks, records, united, states, second, single, from, third, album, older, 1996, written, michael, patrice, rushen, freddie, washington,. Fastlove is a song by English singer songwriter George Michael released on 22 April 1996 by Virgin Records in the United Kingdom and by DreamWorks Records in the United States as the second single from his third album Older 1996 Written by Michael Patrice Rushen Freddie Washington and Terri McFaddin and produced by Michael and Jon Douglas the song interpolates Rushen s 1982 single Forget Me Nots Fastlove Single by George Michaelfrom the album OlderB side I m Your Man 96 Released22 April 1996 1996 04 22 StudioSarm West London 1 GenreDance pop 2 Length5 24 full 4 45 radio edit LabelVirgin Aegean DreamWorksSongwriter s George Michael Patrice Rushen Freddie Washington Terri McFaddinProducer s George Michael Jon DouglasGeorge Michael singles chronology Jesus to a Child 1996 Fastlove 1996 Spinning the Wheel 1996 Music video Fastlove on YouTube The song received positive reviews from music critics Commercially the song topped the charts in six countries Australia Hungary Italy Spain and the United Kingdom and it also reached number one on the Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary chart It was Michael s seventh and final number one single in the UK during his lifetime and is his seventh most downloaded track there earning a gold certification from the British Phonographic Industry BPI for selling and streaming over 600 000 units It was nominated for Best Single at the 1997 Brit Awards In the United States the single peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 giving Michael his 15th top 10 hit and final Hot 100 appearance The song s accompanying music video 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 It eventually won the International Viewer s Choice Award MTV Europe Contents 1 Recording 2 Release 3 Critical reception 4 Chart performance 5 Music video 6 Live performances 7 Track listings 8 Charts 8 1 Weekly charts 8 2 Year end charts 9 Certifications 10 Release history 11 ReferencesRecording editIn a 2022 interview engineer Dave Crews recalled how producer Jon Douglas came on board while the song was being created While working on production of Lisa Moorish s album I ve Gotta Have It All Douglas asked Michael to contribute vocals to her cover of the Wham song I m Your Man Afterwards Michael asked Douglas to work with him on the album 1 Michael s initial concept of the song was built on a laid back latin bossa nova rhythm When Douglas was brought on as producer the demo backing track was scrapped Douglas created a new musical arrangement whilst retaining Michael s original vocal performance and the saxophone part played by Andy Hamilton The Forget Me Nots sample was a change that Michael added at the last minute as he wanted to change the end of the song Douglas didn t like the idea at first and before working to the transition he listened to the song over and over for two weeks to work on the transition at the end of the song 1 Release editAn energetic tune about needing gratification and fulfillment without concern for commitment Fastlove was the second single taken from Michael s third studio album Older which was his first studio album in six years For the single s B side a remake of the Wham song 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 Jon Kutner from 1000 UK Number One Hits said the line Stupid Cupid keeps on calling me and I see lovin in his eyes had a dual interpretation which could imply Michael s homosexuality 3 Critical reception editWhile reviewing Older Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic said although Fastlove is the album s only dance track it still lacks the carefree spark of his earlier work He still chose the song later as his one of his track picks 4 Larry Flick of Billboard described it as a sleek groove that is a direct descendant of Good Times by Chic He noted that Michael deftly cruises between breathy sensuality and full bodied belting adding that the icing on the cake is a chorus and refrain that are immediate sing along fodder 5 Daina Darzin from Cash Box wrote that 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 She also said that it features the sort of ultra lush opulent soul vibe that s been Michael s hallmark throughout his career 6 The Daily Vault s Melanie Love called it a plea for noncommittal one night stands as a way to avoid the pain of relationships She noted further It s got a silky smooth groove with touches of brass and Michael s voice is as stellar as ever slick and teasing yet somehow revelatory giving this track a hookiness despite lacking an actual chorus 7 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 Farber concluded his review saying the track is the best slow groove dance record since Lisa Stansfield s All Around the World 8 Irish newspaper Evening Herald said it is very like his 1992 hit Too Funky adding that it restores George to his rightful place as purveyor of whiteboy R amp B to a middle class audience 9 Hans Petter Kjoge from Norwegian newspaper Fredrikstad Blad described it as quality pop of the best brand 10 Swedish newspaper Goteborgs Tidningen said it is nicely funky 11 A reviewer from Music amp Media called it a uncomplicated good time funky dance track in which the repetition of the title has a lasting effect They also commented that the production and atmosphere is owing much to late 70s disco grooves 12 Music Week rated it five out of five adding that it s got all the right ingredients for Top 10 success Michael s crooning vocals over an uptempo dancey beat Radio play is already substantial 13 Victoria Segal from NME noted the thrill stalking emptiness of the song 14 Writing about the album for Rolling Stone Al Weisel called it a bouncy disco concoction that is flavored with Dr Dre style whistling synths 15 Michael E Ross from Salon Magazine said that Michael gets back to bold bumptious funk the singer clearly reveling in those buoyant rhythms of the not too distant past 16 In 2014 Brendon Veevers from British webzine Renowned for Sound ranked the song at number 4 on his Top 10 George Michael Hits list saying 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 17 In 2017 Dave Fawbert of ShortList 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 amp 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 18 Fawbert later produced a half hour version of Fastlove as a homage 19 This song was featured in and a part of the soundtrack for the 2019 film Last Christmas The song was also featured in season 6 of the Netflix television series The Crown 20 Chart performance editThe song reached the number one spot in United Kingdom where it stayed for three weeks It also reached number one in Australia Hungary Italy and Spain Fastlove later became Michael s seventh most downloaded track in the United Kingdom according to Official Charts Company in 2014 21 In the United States Fastlove peaked at number eight and has since become a classic in George Michael s catalogue It finished at number 62 on the US Billboard year end chart To date this is the final George Michael single to enter the Billboard Hot 100 Additionally it peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Rhythmic chart and number 14 on the Billboard Mainstream Top 40 In Canada Fastlove peaked at number four on the RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart and number one on the RPM Adult Contemporary chart Music video editDirected 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 various men and women who display a wide spectrum of characteristics including one who is shy another who is lustful and another who is a complete emotional wreck played by Rachel Williams sit in the chair and use 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 22 23 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 24 25 Live performances edit nbsp Michael performing the song during the 25 Live tour in 2006 with the backdrop containing 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 26 27 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 27 The live audio of the song was then uploaded onto Michael s official SoundCloud 28 Fastlove was the opening song for his first leg of the 25 Live tour with graphics flowed behind and beneath him on a curved cascading screen 29 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 30 31 Track listings editUK Australasian and Japanese CD single 32 33 34 Fastlove Part I 5 27 I m Your Man 4 06 Fastlove Part II fully extended mix 9 28 UK 12 inch single 35 A1 Fastlove Part II fully extended mix B1 I m Your Man B2 Fastlove Part I UK cassette single and European CD single 36 37 Fastlove Part I 5 27 I m Your Man 4 06 US CD single 38 Fastlove full version I m Your Man 96 Fastlove summer mix US 7 inch and cassette single 39 40 Fastlove full version 5 24 I m Your Man 96 4 10 US 12 inch single 41 A2 Fastlove extended version 9 29 A2 Fastlove full version 5 25 B1 I m Your Man 96 4 06 B2 Fastlove summer mix 4 42Charts editWeekly charts edit Chart 1996 1997 Peakposition Australia ARIA 42 1 Austria O3 Austria Top 40 43 13 Belgium Ultratop 50 Flanders 44 25 Belgium Ultratop 50 Wallonia 45 8 Canada Top Singles RPM 46 4 Canada Adult Contemporary RPM 47 1 Canada Dance Urban RPM 48 6 Czech Republic IFPI CR 49 4 Denmark IFPI 50 4 Europe Eurochart Hot 100 51 3 Finland Suomen virallinen lista 52 5 France SNEP 53 10 Germany Official German Charts 54 25 Hungary Mahasz 55 1 Iceland Islenski Listinn Topp 40 56 9 Ireland IRMA 57 5 Italy Musica e dischi 58 1 Netherlands Dutch Top 40 59 14 Netherlands Single Top 100 60 12 New Zealand Recorded Music NZ 61 5 Norway VG lista 62 11 Scotland OCC 63 2 Spain AFYVE 64 1 Sweden Sverigetopplistan 65 7 Sweden Swedish Dance Chart 66 4 Switzerland Schweizer Hitparade 67 13 UK Singles OCC 68 1 UK Dance OCC 69 7 US Billboard Hot 100 70 8 US Adult Contemporary Billboard 71 8 US Adult Top 40 Billboard 72 14 US Dance Singles Sales Billboard 73 43 US Hot R amp B Hip Hop Songs Billboard 74 44 US Mainstream Top 40 Billboard 75 14 US Rhythmic Billboard 76 10 Year end charts edit Chart 1996 Position Australia ARIA 77 20 Belgium Ultratop 50 Wallonia 78 40 Canada Top Singles RPM 79 39 Canada Adult Contemporary RPM 80 13 Europe Eurochart Hot 100 81 24 France SNEP 82 21 Iceland Islenski Listinn Topp 40 83 82 Sweden Sverigetopplistan 84 69 Sweden Swedish Dance Chart 66 34 Switzerland Schweizer Hitparade 85 46 UK Singles OCC 86 21 US Billboard Hot 100 87 62 US Top 40 Mainstream Billboard 88 71 US Top 40 Rhythm Crossover Billboard 89 70Certifications editRegion Certification Certified units sales Australia ARIA 77 Platinum 70 000 France SNEP 90 Gold 250 000 United Kingdom BPI 91 Platinum 600 000 United States RIAA 93 Gold 500 000 92 Sales figures based on certification alone Shipments figures based on certification alone Sales streaming figures based on certification alone Release history editRegion Date Format s Label s Ref United States 16 April 1996 Contemporary hit radio DreamWorksAegean 94 United Kingdom 22 April 1996 12 inch vinylCDcassette VirginAegean 95 Japan 22 May 1996 CD 96 References edit a b c Clews Dave 28 December 2022 How we made Fastlove with George Michael He was the only artist we ever worked with who absolutely refused to have his vocals pitch corrected MusicRadar Retrieved 25 December 2023 Veevers Brendon 11 March 2014 Top 10 George Michael Hits Renowned for Sound Retrieved 1 July 2015 Jon Kutner 26 May 2010 1000 UK Number One Hits Omnibus Press pp 961 ISBN 978 0 85712 360 2 Erlewine Stephen Thomas Older George Michael AllMusic Retrieved 1 June 2012 Flick Larry 4 May 1996 Single Reviews PDF Billboard p 43 Retrieved 5 February 2020 Pop Singles Reviews PDF Cash Box 20 April 1996 p 7 Retrieved 19 February 2018 Love Melanie 29 November 2008 Older George Michael The Daily Vault Retrieved 22 November 2020 Farber Jim 3 May 1996 Fastlove Entertainment Weekly Time Inc Retrieved 27 July 2015 Evening Herald 29 April 1996 p 18 Retrieved 28 November 2020 Kjoge Hans Petter 21 May 1996 Etterlengtet comeback Fredrikstad Blad in Norwegian p 34 Retrieved 10 May 2020 Goteborgs Tidningen 10 May 1996 Music amp Media New Releases PDF Music amp Media 6 April 1996 p 12 Retrieved 5 February 2018 Reviews PDF Music Week 13 April 1996 p 9 Retrieved 15 August 2021 Segal Victoria GEORGE MICHAEL Ladies And Gentlemen The Best Of George Michael NME Archived from the original on 17 August 2000 Retrieved 24 November 2020 Weisel Al 2 February 1998 Older Rolling Stone Wenner Media Retrieved 12 November 2012 Ross Michael E man in a minor key Salon Magazine Archived from the original on 5 June 2008 Retrieved 21 April 2020 Veevers Brendon 11 March 2014 Top 10 George Michael Hits Renowned for Sound Archived from the original on 15 March 2015 Retrieved 30 July 2015 Fawbert Dave 28 March 2017 A nine and a half minute long version of George Michael s Fastlove exists and it will change your life ShortList Retrieved 12 April 2017 Fawbert Dave 6 April 2017 George Michael s Fastlove is not long enough so I made a half hour long version ShortList Retrieved 12 April 2017 Mussen Maddy 16 November 2023 The Crown series six how Nineties bangers brings the Netflix show back to life The Standard Retrieved 25 December 2023 George Michael s Official Top 20 Most Downloaded Tracks revealed Officialcharts com Retrieved 24 October 2016 Robert Steele 4 November 2011 Careless Whispers The Life amp Career of George Michael Omnibus Press pp 273 ISBN 978 0 85712 726 6 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 George Michael Rock on the Net Retrieved 12 September 2008 Winners By Category MTV Retrieved 12 September 2008 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 a b Here Publishing 24 December 1996 The Advocate The Advocate the National Gay amp Lesbian Newsmagazine Here Publishing 61 ISSN 0001 8996 George Michael Fastlove Soundcloud com Retrieved 25 October 2016 Youngs Ian 25 August 2008 George Michael plays last shows BBC News Archived from the original on 25 August 2008 Retrieved 25 October 2016 George Michael Grammys Tribute Video Watch Adele Fastlove Grammy Awards Performance Gossip Cop Retrieved 12 February 2017 Ehrbar Ned 12 February 2017 Grammys 2017 Adele asks for a do over during George Michael tribute CBS News Retrieved 19 February 2017 Fastlove UK CD single liner notes George Michael Virgin Records Aegean Records 1996 VSCDG 1579 7243 8 93523 2 0 a href Template Cite AV media notes html title Template Cite AV media notes cite AV media notes a CS1 maint others in cite AV media notes link Fastlove Australasian CD single liner notes George Michael Virgin Records Aegean Records 1996 VSCDT 1579 a href Template Cite AV media notes html title Template Cite AV media notes cite AV media notes a CS1 maint others in cite AV media notes link Fastlove Japanese CD single liner notes George Michael Virgin Records Aegean Records 1996 VJCP 12034 a href Template Cite AV media notes html title Template Cite AV media notes cite AV media notes a CS1 maint others in cite AV media notes link Fastlove UK 12 inch single sleeve George Michael Virgin Records Aegean Records 1996 VST 1579 7243 8 93523 6 8 a href Template Cite AV media notes html title Template Cite AV media notes cite AV media notes a CS1 maint others in cite AV media notes link Fastlove UK cassette single sleeve George Michael Virgin Records Aegean Records 1996 VSC 1579 7243 8 93523 4 4 a href Template Cite AV media notes html title Template Cite AV media notes cite AV media notes a CS1 maint others in cite AV media notes link Fastlove European CD single liner notes George Michael Virgin Records Aegean Records 1996 VSCDE 1579 7243 8 93522 2 1 a href Template Cite AV media notes html title Template Cite AV media notes cite AV media notes a CS1 maint others in cite AV media notes link Fastlove US CD single liner notes George Michael DreamWorks SKG Records Aegean Records 1996 DRMDS 59001 a href Template Cite AV media notes html title Template Cite AV media notes cite AV media notes a CS1 maint others in cite AV media notes link Fastlove US 7 inch single vinyl disc George Michael DreamWorks SKG Records Aegean Records 1996 DRMS7 59001 a href Template Cite AV media notes html title Template Cite AV media notes cite AV media notes a CS1 maint others in cite AV media notes link Fastlove US cassette single cassette notes George Michael DreamWorks SKG Records Aegean Records 1996 DRMCS 59001 a href Template Cite AV media notes html title Template Cite AV media notes cite AV media notes a CS1 maint others in cite AV media notes link Fastlove US 12 inch single vinyl disc George Michael DreamWorks SKG Records Aegean Records 1996 DRM12 58001 a href Template Cite AV media notes html title Template Cite AV media notes cite AV media notes a CS1 maint others in cite AV media notes link George Michael Fastlove ARIA Top 50 Singles Retrieved 25 October 2016 George Michael Fastlove in German O3 Austria Top 40 Retrieved 25 October 2016 George Michael Fastlove in Dutch Ultratop 50 Retrieved 25 October 2016 George Michael Fastlove in French Ultratop 50 Retrieved 25 October 2016 Top RPM Singles Issue 3027 RPM Library and Archives Canada Retrieved 25 October 2016 Top RPM Adult Contemporary Issue 3005 RPM Library and Archives Canada Retrieved 25 October 2016 Top RPM Dance Urban Issue 3043 RPM Library and Archives Canada Retrieved 10 July 2019 Top National Sellers PDF Music amp Media Vol 13 no 25 22 June 1996 p 16 Retrieved 25 June 2018 Top National Sellers PDF Music amp Media Vol 13 no 21 25 May 1996 p 18 Retrieved 13 April 2020 Eurochart Hot 100 Singles PDF Music amp Media Vol 13 no 19 11 May 1996 p 22 Retrieved 25 June 2018 George Michael Fastlove in Finnish Musiikkituottajat Retrieved 25 October 2016 George Michael Fastlove in French Les classement single Retrieved 25 October 2016 George Michael Fastlove in German GfK Entertainment charts Retrieved 25 October 2016 Top National Sellers PDF Music amp Media Vol 13 no 28 13 July 1996 p 22 Retrieved 6 March 2018 Islenski Listinn Topp 40 25 05 1996 30 05 1996 Dagbladid Visir in Icelandic 25 May 1996 p 26 Retrieved 3 February 2018 The Irish Charts Search Results Fastlove Irish Singles Chart Retrieved 25 October 2016 Top National Sellers PDF Music amp Media Vol 13 no 20 18 May 1996 p 28 Retrieved 26 November 2019 Nederlandse Top 40 week 21 1996 in Dutch Dutch Top 40 Retrieved 10 July 2019 George Michael Fastlove in Dutch Single Top 100 Retrieved 25 October 2016 George Michael Fastlove Top 40 Singles Retrieved 25 October 2016 George Michael Fastlove VG lista Retrieved 25 October 2016 Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 Official Charts Company Retrieved 10 July 2019 Fernando Salaverri September 2005 Solo exitos ano a ano 1959 2002 1st ed Spain Fundacion Autor SGAE ISBN 84 8048 639 2 George Michael Fastlove Singles Top 100 Retrieved 25 October 2016 a b Arslistor gt Year End Charts gt Swedish Dance Chart 1996 PDF Music amp Media Vol 14 no 11 15 March 1997 p 30 see appendix to the magazine Retrieved 8 December 2020 George Michael Fastlove Swiss Singles Chart Retrieved 25 October 2016 Official Singles Chart Top 100 Official Charts Company Retrieved 2 October 2018 Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40 Official Charts Company Retrieved 10 July 2019 George Michael Chart History Hot 100 Billboard Retrieved 25 October 2016 George Michael Chart History Adult Contemporary Billboard Retrieved 25 October 2016 George Michael Chart History Adult Pop Songs Billboard Retrieved 25 October 2016 George Michael Chart History Dance Singles Sales Billboard Retrieved 31 July 2023 George Michael Chart History Hot R amp B Hip Hop Songs Billboard Retrieved 25 October 2016 George Michael Chart History Pop Songs Billboard Retrieved 1 December 2017 George Michael Chart History Rhythmic Billboard Retrieved 25 October 2016 a b 1996 ARIA Singles Chart ARIA Retrieved 10 July 2019 Rapports annuels 1996 in French Ultratop Retrieved 10 July 2019 RPM Year End Top 100 Hit Tracks RPM Retrieved 10 July 2019 via Library and Archives Canada RPM Year End Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks RPM Retrieved 10 July 2019 via Library and Archives Canada 1996 Year End Sales Charts Eurochart Hot 100 Singles PDF Music amp Media Vol 13 no 51 52 21 December 1996 p 12 Retrieved 18 December 2019 Tops de L annee Top Singles 1996 in French SNEP Retrieved 2 September 2020 Arslistinn 1996 Dagbladid Visir in Icelandic 2 January 1997 p 16 Retrieved 30 May 2020 Arslista Singlar 1996 in Swedish Sverigetopplistan Retrieved 30 May 2020 Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1996 in German Retrieved 10 July 2019 Top 100 Singles 1996 Music Week 18 January 1997 p 25 Billboard Top 100 1996 Archived from the original on 1 March 2009 Retrieved 27 August 2010 Airplay Monitor Best of 96 Top 40 Mainstream Titles Airplay Monitor Vol 4 no 53 27 December 1996 p 30 Airplay Monitor Best of 96 Top 40 Rhythm Crossover Titles Airplay Monitor Vol 4 no 53 27 December 1996 p 32 French single certifications George Michael Fast Love in French Syndicat National de l Edition Phonographique British single certifications George Michael Fastlove British Phonographic Industry Best Selling Records of 1996 Billboard Vol 109 no 3 BPI Communications Inc 18 January 1997 p 61 ISSN 0006 2510 Retrieved 8 May 2015 American single certifications George Michael Fast Love Recording Industry Association of America Selected New Releases PDF Radio amp Records No 1141 14 April 1996 p 44 Retrieved 13 August 2021 New Releases Singles PDF Music Week 20 April 1996 p 27 Retrieved 2 July 2021 ファストラブ ジョージ マイケル Fastlove George Michael in Japanese Oricon Retrieved 29 August 2023 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Fastlove amp oldid 1220882335, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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