Jesus to a Child
"Jesus to a Child" is a song by British singer and songwriter George Michael. Written as a melancholic tribute to his late lover Anselmo Feleppa, it was released in January 1996 as the first single from his third studio album, Older (1996). The song peaked at number one in Australia, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Norway, Spain and the United Kingdom; it was Michael's sixth UK number one and his third as a solo performer. It also reached the top three on several other European charts and peaked at number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100. The accompanying music video was directed by Howard Greenhalgh.
| "Jesus to a Child" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by George Michael | ||||
| from the album Older | ||||
| B-side | "One More Try" (live gospel version) | |||
| Released | 8 January 1996 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length |
| |||
| Label | Virgin | |||
| Songwriter(s) | George Michael | |||
| Producer(s) | George Michael | |||
| George Michael singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Jesus to a Child" on YouTube | ||||
After Michael's death in 2016, Dame Esther Rantzen, founder of the charity ChildLine, revealed that Michael had secretly donated all of the single's royalties to the charity. She said "George helped us to reach out to hundreds of thousands of children through his generosity. I met him a couple of times, he approached us, rather than us going cap in hand to him, but it was an intensely personal gift. He didn’t want it to be known or to be part of his image."[1] She told BBC News that "he really wanted to keep his help secret, it was an intensely personal gift. It meant we could answer more children."[2]
Background Edit
Although "Jesus to a Child" was not officially released until 8 January 1996,[3] Michael unveiled the song in November 1994 during the inaugural MTV Europe Music Awards, where he performed it live in front of Berlin's Brandenburg Gate.
The song was Michael's first self-penned hit in his homeland for almost four years, becoming his first solo single to enter the UK Singles Chart at number one.[4] On the US Billboard Hot 100, it became the highest new entry by a British artist for more than 25 years, entering at number seven. In Spain, the single held the top spot for seven non-consecutive weeks.
Content Edit
The song was a melancholy tribute to Michael's Brazilian lover Anselmo Feleppa, whom he met when performing in Rio de Janeiro in 1991. Feleppa died two years later from an AIDS-related brain haemorrhage. Michael had been unable to write for the next 18 months as a consequence of his grief, but then penned the words to "Jesus to a Child" in little more than an hour, indicating that the time was right to move on with his life. The song is written with a rhythm and harmony that is influenced by the Brazilian bossa nova style.
The exact identity of the song's subject—and the nature of their relationship—was cause for a certain amount of innuendo at the time, as Michael had not confirmed his homosexuality and did not do so until 1998. Until his death on Christmas Day 2016,[5] Michael would consistently dedicate the song to Feleppa before performing it live.
Critical reception Edit
Barry Walters from The Advocate wrote that on the song, "Michael compares the emotion of a now-deceased lover to that of the Lord, who was, after all, a man. The tone is intensely elegiac, and it doesn't take a stretch of the imagination to consider this a love song to a boyfriend who has died of AIDS."[6] Larry Flick from Billboard described it as a "gorgeous, quietly insinuating pop ballad." He noted that the words "are, by turns, melancholic and romantic and are delivered with delicate ease", adding that "musically, Michael layers light, shuffling percussion with mild acoustic guitar lines and sweetly understated strings."[7] Steve Baltin from Cash Box declared it as a "lush ballad", adding that "he's never sounded more Adult Contemporary than he does here. 'Jesus to a Child' is a hit as surely as some sport will strike this year."[8] A reviewer from Daily Mirror complimented it as "George's 'best-ever' song".[9] Sarah Davis from Dotmusic remarked that in the context of the album, "Jesus to a Child" "sets the scene for Michael's current direction—brooding, mature, reflective but not so downbeat as to disallow the good times."[10] Entertainment Weekly gave it an C-, calling it an "dispirited, tortoise-paced ballad, which drags on for nearly seven minutes". The writer added that "there's only one retort—bring back Andrew Ridgeley!"[11]
Caroline Sullivan for The Guardian felt it is "the best thing on the album". She said, "The tune itself is a Michael ballad in excelsis. The likes of 'Careless Whisper' (1984) and 'A Different Corner' (1986) can now be seen as trial runs for this one, which incorporates every GM hallmark from anguished upward vocal inflections to tasteful acoustic guitar."[12] Swedish Göteborgsposten concluded with that here, Michael "showed that he still mastered the craft."[13] Jan DeKnock from Knight Ridder viewed it a "mesmerizing ballad" and a "stunning effort".[14] Music Week rated it four out of five and named it Single of the Week, wroting, "A typically slushy ballad—with echoes of 'Careless Whisper'—it will, no doubt, do the business, whatever the critics think."[15] People Magazine described it as "a long-winded bossa nova synth-pop concoction".[16] Michael E. Ross from Salon Magazine complimented the song as one of the best on the Older album, adding it as "almost painfully thoughtful. In lush, silken musical settings, Michael speaks the world-weary language of scorned love."[17] David Sinclair from The Times opined that "the bittersweet lyric has a certain romantic appeal, but the message of hope comes swathed in layers of introspection and self-pity".[18] Ed Morales for Vibe felt that "the Sade-style synth chords that rule 'Jesus to a Child' bolster Michael's typically breathy but precise musings. 'There's a sadness in my eyes', he croons, and you can feel it."[19]
Retrospective response Edit
The Daily Vault's Melanie Love described the song as an "ode to his lost lover", adding that it is "haunting in its bareness and sentiment, while the restrained drums and winding synths are a perfect match for Michael's deep, pained voice as he promises, "So the words that you could not say, I'll sing them for you"."[20] Tom Ewing of Freaky Trigger stated that "this is his monument, a work Michael needs his public to hear. Even though few at the time knew the story behind it, the sincerity, and the will to somehow pass on something extraordinary and vanished, is palpable. It's a heartfelt celebration of the effect love can have on a life, and it's a songwriter consciously setting himself his hardest possible task, and achieving it."[21] Victoria Segal from NME viewed it as "irresistibly maudlin."[22] Dave Fawbert from ShortList said that it is "one of the most beautiful songs ever written".[23] Eric Henderson from Slant Magazine wrote, "Jesus to a Child" is among the most haunting of Michael's ballads, and one whose meaning could only fully emerge after his coming out. A slow-motion flamenco cry, written following the death of his lover, Anselmo Feleppa, "Jesus to a Child" still remains supernaturally clear-eyed about what it means to love and to lose. "I've been loved so I know just what love is/And the lover that I kissed is always by my side/The lover I still miss was Jesus to a child".[24]
Music video Edit
The accompanying music video for "Jesus to a Child" was directed by British director Howard Greenhalgh.[25] The atmospheric and delicately surreal video features the lithe bodies of male and female ballet dancers, for whom collapsing piles of dust and a swooping pendulum ball signify the passing of time and the loss of love, as well as their own mortality.[26] It also feature images of flames, waves, and shadow in languid slow motion.[6] The scenes of Michael shows him standing alone in a dark room, with a small light on his face as he performs. In the beginning of the video, two shirtless boys appears holding hands through the frames of separate wooden boxes. This image reappears near the end. While Michael sings, "You will always be my love", the boys vanish from their boxes as if they were ghosts.[6]
The BBC insisted on pixillating the nipples of the dancers for broadcast, while MTV restricted it to late-night play.[26]
Track listings Edit
- UK CD1 and cassette single (VSCDG 1571; VSC 1571)[27][28]
- US CD single (SKGDS-58000)[29]
- Australian CD and cassette single (8932702; 8932724)[30][31]
- "Jesus to a Child" – 6:50
- "One More Try" (live gospel version at Concert of Hope '93) – 5:21
- "Older" (instrumental version) – 5:18
- UK CD2 (VSCDX 1571)[32]
- "Jesus to a Child" – 6:50
- "Freedom '94" (live version at MTV Europe Music Awards) – 6:04
- "One More Try" (live gospel version at Concert of Hope '93) – 5:21
- "Older" (instrumental version) – 5:18
- European CD single (VSCDE 1571)[33]
- US 7-inch and cassette single (SKGS7-59000; SKGCS-59000)[34][35]
- "Jesus to a Child" – 6:50
- "One More Try" (live gospel version at Concert of Hope '93) – 5:21
Charts Edit
Weekly charts Edit | Year-end charts Edit
|
Certifications Edit
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium (BEA)[82] | Gold | 25,000* |
| France (SNEP)[83] | Gold | 250,000* |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[84] | Gold | 5,000* |
| Norway (IFPI Norway)[85] | Gold | |
| Spain (PROMUSICAE)[58] | Gold | 25,000^ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[86] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[87] | Gold | 500,000^ |
| * Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||
References Edit
- ^ Jefferies, Mark (27 December 2016). "Star-studded George Michael tribute concert to be held to thank him for £2million Childline donation". Mirror. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
- ^ "George Michael's philanthropy comes to light after his death". BBC News. 27 December 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
- ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 6 January 1996. p. 21. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 589. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ "George Michael Dead at 53". TMZ. 25 December 2016. Retrieved 26 December 2016.
- ^ a b c Walters, Barry (20 February 1996). "He's back". The Advocate.
- ^ Flick, Larry (13 January 1996). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 62. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
- ^ Baltin, Steve (20 January 1996). "Pop Singles" (PDF). Cash Box. p. 7. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
- ^ Daily Mirror. 12 December 1995. p. 15.
- ^ Davis, Sarah (15 April 1996). . Dotmusic. Archived from the original on 1 September 2000. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
- ^ "The Week: Music". Entertainment Weekly. 19 January 1996. Issue 310.
- ^ Sullivan, Caroline (5 January 1996). "Music: CD single of the week - George Michael is back". The Guardian.
- ^ Göteborgsposten. 10 May 1996.
- ^ DeKnock, Jan (11 January 1996). "Boys II Men rise, Beatles sink on charts". Knight Ridder. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
- ^ "Reviews: Singles - Single of the Week" (PDF). Music Week. 6 January 1996. p. 16. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
- ^ "Picks and Pans Review: Older". People. 20 May 1996. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
- ^ Ross, Michael E. . Salon Magazine. Archived from the original on 5 June 2008. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
- ^ Sinclair, David (23 December 1995). "Pop Single; Recordings". The Times.
- ^ Morales, Ed (1 August 1996). "George Michael - Older". Vibe. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
- ^ Love, Melanie (29 November 2008). "Older – George Michael". The Daily Vault. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
- ^ Ewing, Tom. "GEORGE MICHAEL – "Jesus to a Child"". Freaky Trigger. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
- ^ Segal, Victoria. . NME. Archived from the original on 17 August 2000. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
- ^ Fawbert, Dave (31 March 2017). "Who would win in a fight: 'Now That's What I Call Music! 96' vs 'Now That's What I Call Music! 34'". ShortList. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
- ^ "The 15 Best George Michael Songs". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
- ^ "Production Notes". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 4. 27 January 1996. p. 114.
- ^ a b Steele, Robert (4 September 2017). "Careless Whispers: The Life & Career of George Michael: Revised & Updated". Omnibus Press.
- ^ Jesus to a Child (UK CD1 liner notes). George Michael. Virgin Records. 1996. VSCDG 1571, 7243 8 93272 2 9.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Jesus to a Child (UK CD2 liner notes). George Michael. Virgin Records. 1996. VSC 1571, 8-93272-4.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Jesus to a Child (US CD single liner notes). George Michael. DreamWorks SKG Records. 1996. SKGDS-58000.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Jesus to a Child (Australian CD single liner notes). George Michael. Virgin Records. 1996. 8932702.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Jesus to a Child (Australian cassette single sleeve). George Michael. Virgin Records. 1996. 8932724.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Jesus to a Child (UK CD2 liner notes). George Michael. Virgin Records. 1996. VSCDX 1571, 7243 8 93273 2 8.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Jesus to a Child (European CD single liner notes). George Michael. Virgin Records. 1996. VSCDE 1571, 7243 8 93271 2 0.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Jesus to a Child (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). George Michael. DreamWorks SKG Records. 1996. SKGS7-59000.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Jesus to a Child (US cassette single sleeve). George Michael. DreamWorks SKG Records. 1996. SKGCS-59000.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "George Michael – Jesus to a Child". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
- ^ "George Michael – Jesus to a Child" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
- ^ "George Michael – Jesus to a Child" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
- ^ "George Michael – Jesus to a Child" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2933." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
- ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 2907." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
- ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 16. 20 April 1996. p. 20. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
- ^ a b "Hits of the World". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 7. Prometheus Global Media. 17 February 1996. p. 69. ISSN 0006-2510.
- ^ "George Michael: Jesus to a Child" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
- ^ "George Michael – Jesus to a Child" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
- ^ "George Michael – Jesus to a Child" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
- ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 13. 30 March 1996. p. 23. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
- ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (23.12.1995 – 5.1.1996)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 23 December 1995. p. 44. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Jesus to a Child". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
- ^ "UK World Hits: Israel" (PDF). Music Week. 10 February 1996. p. 18. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
- ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 5. 3 February 1996. p. 13. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
- ^ (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on 11 January 2012. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 4, 1996" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
- ^ "George Michael – Jesus to a Child" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
- ^ "George Michael – Jesus to a Child". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
- ^ "George Michael – Jesus to a Child". VG-lista. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
- ^ a b Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
- ^ "George Michael – Jesus to a Child". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
- ^ "George Michael – Jesus to a Child". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
- ^ "George Michael: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
- ^ "George Michael Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
- ^ "George Michael Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
- ^ "George Michael Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
- ^ "George Michael Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
- ^ "George Michael Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
- ^ . Australian Record Industry Association. Archived from the original on 2 November 2015. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1996" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
- ^ "Rapports annuels 1996" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
- ^ "RPM Year End Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
- ^ "RPM Year End Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
- ^ "1996 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 51/52. 21 December 1996. p. 12. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
- ^ "Tops de L'année | Top Singles 1996" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
- ^ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1996" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
- ^ "Árslistinn 1996". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 2 January 1997. p. 16. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
- ^ "Chart Watch – Top Selling Singles of 1996". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 24. 14 June 1997. p. 58. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
- ^ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1996". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1996" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
- ^ "Årslista Singlar, 1996" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
- ^ "Swiss Year-End Charts". swisscharts.com (in German).
- ^ "Top 100 Singles 1996". Music Week. 18 January 1997. p. 25.
- ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 1996". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
- ^ "French single certifications – George Michael" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
- ^ "New Zealand single certifications – George Michael". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
- ^ (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
- ^ "British single certifications – George Michael – Jesus to a Child". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
- ^ "American single certifications – George Michael". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 25 July 2012.