Older (George Michael song) explained

"Older" is a song by English singer-songwriter George Michael, released as the fourth single from his third album, Older (1996). It was also released as an EP under the name The Older EP. The single's other A-side is a cover of Bonnie Raitt's song "I Can't Make You Love Me". The single peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart while becoming a top-ten hit in Denmark, Hungary, Ireland, and Spain.

Critical reception

Scottish newspaper Aberdeen Press and Journal stated that Michael follows up a triumphant 1996 with "one of his strongest ballads to date". They also said it is a track "he obviously hopes will cement his maturing image."^[2] Sarah Davis from Dotmusic noted the "jazzy mood", "as Michael brusquely casts off a former lover—'I'm not the man you want... these are wasted days without affection, I'm not that foolish anymore'—to the quavering accompaniment of Steve Sidwell's trumpet."^[3] Elysa Gardner from Los Angeles Times called it "moody", noting that the singer is "addressing a lover" in the song.^[4]

A reviewer from Music Week rated it five out of five, writing, "As smooth, soulful and jazzy a ballad as Michael has ever made, this silky song is coupled with the Bonnie Raitt track 'I Can't Make You Love Me'. A certain hit."^[5] Steve Morse from The Spokesman-Review described it as a "anguished love song".^[6] Ed Morales for Vibe wrote in his album review, that on the "affecting" title track, "Michael delivers his message of aging gracefully through a narrative detailing a breakup—one lover is crowding another. 'Change is a stranger you have to know', he says."^[7]

Music video

The official music video for the song was directed by British director Andy Morahan.

Track listings

• Standard CD EP^{[8] [9]}

1. "Older" – 5:35
2. "I Can't Make You Love Me" – 5:21
3. "Desafinado" (with Astrud Gilberto) – 3:22
4. "The Strangest Thing" (live) – 6:01

• UK cassette EP^[10]

1. "Older" (radio edit) – 5:00
2. "I Can't Make You Love Me" – 5:21
3. "Desafinado" (with Astrud Gilberto) – 3:22
4. "The Strangest Thing" (live) – 5:01

• European CD single^[11]

1. "Older" – 5:35
2. "I Can't Make You Love Me" – 5:21

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1997)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)[12]	61
Denmark (IFPI)[13]	10
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[14]	25
Hungary (Mahasz)[15]	6
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[16]	15
Spain (AFYVE)[17]	3

Year-end charts

Notes and References

1. 11 January 1997. New Releases: Singles. Music Week. 25. 16 August 2024.
2. Aberdeen Press and Journal. 17 January 1997. p. 12. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
3. Web site: Davis, Sarah. GEORGE MICHAEL – OLDER. Dotmusic. 15 April 1996. 8 April 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20000901223227/http://www.dotmusic.com/artists/GeorgeMichael/reviews/April1996/reviews11083.asp. dead. 1 September 2000.
4. Elysa. Gardner. MUSIC REVIEWS: "Older". Lakeland Ledger. 25 May 1996. 14 March 2020.
5. Reviews: Singles . . 28 December 1996 . 17 . 6 October 2021.
6. Steve. Morse. George Michael's new album first in six years. The Spokesman-Review. 14 May 1996. 12 March 2020.
7. Ed. Morales. George Michael – Older. Vibe. 1 August 1996. 2 March 2020.
8. Older. George Michael. 1997. UK, European & Australian CD EP disc notes. Virgin Records, Aegean Records. VSCDT 1626, 7243 8 94040 2 9.
9. Older. George Michael. 1997. Japanese CD EP liner notes. Virgin Records, Aegean Records. VJCP-12053.
10. Older. George Michael. 1997. UK cassette EP sleeve. Virgin Records, Aegean Records. VSC 1626, 7243 8 94029 4 0.
11. Older. George Michael. 1997. European CD single liner notes. Virgin Records, Aegean Records. VSCDE 1626, 7243 8 94038 2 4.
12. 187.
13. Top National Sellers. Music & Media. 14. 12. 19. 22 March 1997. 14 April 2020.
14. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. Music & Media. 14. 6. 21. 8 February 1997. 14 April 2020.
15. Top National Sellers. Music & Media. 14. 8. 15. 22 February 1997. 14 April 2020.
16. News: Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (NR. 209 Vikuna 20.2. '97 – 26.2. '97). Dagblaðið Vísir. is. 16. 21 February 1997. 12 July 2018.
17. Book: Salaverri, Fernando. Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002. 1st. September 2005. Fundación Autor-SGAE. Spain. 84-8048-639-2.
18. Top 100 Singles 1997. Music Week. 27. 17 January 1998.