You Have Been Loved

"You Have Been Loved" is a song by English singer and songwriter George Michael, recorded for his third studio album, Older (1996). It was written by Michael and David Austin and produced by Michael. On 8 September 1997, "You Have Been Loved" was released as a double A-side single with "The Strangest Thing '97" and reached number two in the United Kingdom, behind Elton John's "Candle in the Wind 1997" charity record.

"You Have Been Loved"
Single by George Michael
from the album Older
A-side	"The Strangest Thing '97"
Released	8 September 1997 (1997-09-08)^[1]
Genre	Pop jazz
Length	5:30
Label	Virgin
Songwriter(s)	George Michael David Austin
Producer(s)	George Michael
George Michael singles chronology
"Waltz Away Dreaming" (1997) "You Have Been Loved" / "The Strangest Thing '97" (1997) "Outside" (1998)
Music video
"You Have Been Loved" on YouTube

Background

Michael wrote "You Have Been Loved" about his lover, Anselmo Feleppa, who died of an AIDS-related illness in 1993.^[2] It was released as the sixth single from Older. "The Strangest Thing", also from the album, was remixed and re-recorded for this release as a more up-tempo track, the original version became more a dance-pop, middle eastern and bossa-nova song.^[3]

Critical reception

Matthew Hocter from Albumism said "You Have Been Loved" is "one of the album’s most heartbreaking and painfully personal love songs".^[4] A reviewer from Music Week rated it four out of five, describing it as "a gorgeous but painfully sad ballad about the lost of a loved one. May be too downbeat to get his usual feverish radio support, but should go Top 10."^[5] The magazine's Alan Jones felt it is "George at his most laidback." He added, "Beautifully sung mood music, it meanders melliflously for more than five minutes and is like a breath of fresh air, though the fact that Older has sold so many copies already, and the track's lack of a commercial hook, will limit its chart potential."^[6] An editor from Sunday Mirror wrote, "A beautiful ballad. Considering recent events, it strikes the perfect chord. Enough said."^[7] Alan Jackson from The Times declared it as a "lush, achingly tasteful ballad on bereavement" from "pop's King of Sorrows."^[8]

Track listings

• Asian, Australian, European, and UK CD EP

1. "You Have Been Loved" – 5:29
2. "The Strangest Thing '97" (Radio Mix) – 4:40
3. "Father Figure" (Live from MTV Unplugged) – 6:13
4. "Praying for Time" (Live from MTV Unplugged) – 5:22

• European and UK CD II

1. "The Strangest Thing '97" (Loop Ratz Mix) – 8:46
2. "The Strangest Thing '97" (Radio Mix) – 4:40
3. "You Have Been Loved" – 5:29

• European CD single

1. "You Have Been Loved" – 5:29
2. "The Strangest Thing '97" (Radio Mix) – 4:40

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1997) Peak position Australia (ARIA)^[9] 75 Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)^[10] 7 Denmark (IFPI)^[11] 7 Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)^[12] 9 Ireland (IRMA)^[13] 11 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[14] 21 Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[15] 44 Poland (Music & Media)^[16] 9 Scotland (OCC)^[17] 4 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)^[18] 53 UK Singles (OCC)^[19] 2

Year-end charts Chart (1997) Position UK Singles (OCC)^[20]^[21] 72

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)^[22]	Silver	200,000^^
^^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

1. "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 6 September 1997. p. 53. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
2. Lucy Ellis; Bryony Sutherland (1998). The Complete Guide to the Music of George Michael & Wham!. Omnibus Press. p. 77. ISBN 978-0711968226.
3. "George Michael Comes Back, With A Whimper Б─⌠ Sun Sentinel". Sun-sentinel.com. 14 May 1996. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
4. Hocter, Matthew (12 May 2021). "George Michael's 'Older' Turns 25 — Anniversary Retrospective". Albumism. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
5. "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 23 August 1997. p. 12. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
6. Jones, Alan (30 August 1997). "Talking Music" (PDF). Music Week. p. 10. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
7. Sunday Mirror. 7 September 1997. p. 37.
8. Jackson, Alan (6 September 1997). "The week's top pop releases; Records". The Times.
9. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 187.
10. "George Michael – You Have Been Loved" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
11. "Top National Sellers: Denmark" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 41. 27 September 1997. p. 15. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
12. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 27 September 1997. p. 13. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
13. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – You Have Been Loved". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
14. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 40, 1997" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
15. "George Michael – You Have Been Loved" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
16. "Major Market Airplay: Poland" (PDF). Music & Media. 4 October 1997. p. 23. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
17. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
18. "George Michael – You Have Been Loved". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
19. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
20. "Top 100 Singles 1997". Music Week. 17 January 1998. p. 27.
21. (in Polish). Archived from the original on 4 June 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
22. "British single certifications – George Michael – You Have Been Loved". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 3 May 2011.