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Amazing (George Michael song)

{{Short description|2004 single by George Michael}}

{{Use British English|date=May 2011}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Amazing

| cover = Amazing single.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = George Michael

| album = Patience

| B-side = Freeek! '04

| released = {{start date|df=yes|2004|03|01}}

| recorded =

| studio =

| venue =

| genre =

| length = 4:25

| label =

| writer =

  • Jon Douglas
  • George Michael

| producer = George Michael

| prev_title = Shoot the Dog

| prev_year = 2002

| next_title = Flawless (Go to the City)

| next_year = 2004

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|6YziZ1FlAWs|"Amazing"}}}}

}}

"Amazing" is a song co-written, produced, and performed by English singer-songwriter George Michael, released by Aegean and Sony Music on 1 March 2004. It was included on Michael's fifth studio album, Patience. The song is about and dedicated to Michael's then-partner, Kenny Goss. The song reached {{abbr|No.|Number}} 1 in Hungary, Italy, Poland and Spain, and it also topped three US Billboard dance charts.

Critical reception

Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic chose the track as one of the album's track picks.[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r684308|pure_url=yes}} AllMusic review] BBC News Online's Michael Osborn said the song "sends us hurtling back to the late 80s."{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3501604.stm|title=Review: George Michael's Patience|date=17 March 2004|via=news.bbc.co.uk}} Sal Cinquemani called the song "catchy yet un-amazing."{{Cite web|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/george-michael-patience/|title=Review: George Michael, Patience|first=Sal|last=Cinquemani|website=Slant Magazine |date=15 March 2004 }}

On 26 December 2016, a day after Michael's death, Rolling Stone compiled a list of "20 Essential Songs" by Michael, and described "Amazing" as "a dancey soft-rock number."{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/george-michael-20-essential-songs-117032/|title=George Michael: 20 Essential Songs|date=26 December 2016|magazine=Rolling Stone}}

Chart performance

On 1 March 2004, "Amazing" was released in the United Kingdom. The song debuted at number four on the UK Singles Chart, selling 41,000 copies in its first week.{{cite magazine|date=27 March 2004|first=Paul|last=Sexton|title=Strong Interest Precedes New Michael Album|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media|volume=116|issue=13|page=9|issn=0006-2510}} Outside of the UK, the song was also successful. It reached number one in Spain, Italy, Poland, and Hungary.

When Michael appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show on 26 May 2004 to promote the album, he performed the song on the show. "Amazing" was released in the United States. Michael had previously found success in the dance clubs with "Monkey" (1988) and "Star People" (1997), and "Amazing" became his third release to reach the top on Billboard{{'}}s Dance Club Songs chart. It also performed well on the Hot Dance Airplay chart, where it reached the top spot and stayed there for four weeks.

Music video

The song's music video (directed by Matthew Rolston) was filmed in London, in late 2003. It shows a modern club-like setting where a holographic performance by Michael is projected in front of a long lounge. He is also shown amongst the crowd, and in small intervals singing in front of a black background.

Track listing

UK CD1{{cite AV media notes|title=Amazing|others=George Michael|year=2004|type=UK CD1 disc notes|publisher=Aegean Records, Sony Music UK|id=674726 2}}

  1. "Amazing" – 4:25
  2. "Freeek! '04" – 4:28

UK CD2{{cite AV media notes|title=Amazing|others=George Michael|year=2004|type=UK CD2 liner notes|publisher=Aegean Records, Sony Music UK|id=674726 5}}

  1. "Amazing" (album version) – 4:25
  2. "Amazing" (Jack 'n' Rory 7-inch vocal mix) – 5:56
  3. "Amazing" (Full Intention club mix) – 8:05

Charts

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

=Weekly charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
scope="col"|Chart (2004)

!scope="col"|Peak
position

{{single chart|Australia|6|artist=George Michael|song=Amazing|rowheader=true|access-date=28 December 2016}}
{{single chart|Austria|23|artist=George Michael|song=Amazing|rowheader=true|access-date=28 December 2016}}
{{single chart|Flanders|23|artist=George Michael|song=Amazing|rowheader=true|access-date=28 December 2016}}
{{single chart|Wallonia|34|artist=George Michael|song=Amazing|rowheader=true|access-date=28 December 2016}}
{{single chart|Flanders Dance|4|artist=George Michael|song=Amazing|rowheader=true|access-date=28 December 2016}}
scope="row"|Canada (Nielsen SoundScan){{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/302747/George%20Michael/chart?f=1186|title=Canadian Singles Chart|magazine=Billboard|access-date=28 December 2016}}

|3

scope="row"|Canada AC Top 30 (Radio & Records){{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/2000s/2004/RR-2004-09-17.pdf|title=Canada AC Top 30|magazine=Radio & Records|page=60|date=September 17, 2004}}

|2

scope="row"|Canada Hot AC Top 30 (Radio & Records){{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/2000s/2004/RR-2004-08-13.pdf|title=Canada Hot AC Top 30|magazine=Radio & Records|page=57|date=August 13, 2004}}

|5

scope="row"|Croatia (HRT){{cite web|url= http://www.hrt.hr/hr/top20/maineng.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040405174726/http://www.hrt.hr:80/hr/top20/maineng.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 5, 2004|title=Top Lista Hrvatskog Radija|publisher=Croatian Radiotelevision|access-date=April 14, 2023}}

|7

scope="row"|Czech Republic (IFPI){{cite web|url=http://www.ifpicr.cz/radio.htm|title=Oficiální Česká Hitparáda – Pro týden 14/2004|publisher=IFPI ČR|language=cs|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040405174648/http://www.ifpicr.cz/radio.htm|archive-date=5 April 2004|access-date=13 January 2020}}

|5

{{single chart|Denmark|2|artist=George Michael|song=Amazing|rowheader=true|access-date=28 December 2016}}
scope="row"|Europe (European Hot 100 Singles){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/00s/2004/BB-2004-03-20.pdf|title=Hits of the World: Eurocharts|magazine=Billboard|volume=116|issue=12|page=71|date=20 March 2004|access-date=28 December 2016}}

|4

{{single chart|Finland|13|artist=George Michael|song=Amazing|rowheader=true|access-date=28 December 2016}}
{{single chart|France|37|artist=George Michael|song=Amazing|rowheader=true|access-date=28 December 2016}}
{{single chart|Germany|19|songid=6023|artist=George Michael|song=Amazing|rowheader=true|access-date=28 December 2016}}
scope="row"|Greece (IFPI Greece){{cite web |url=http://www.ifpi.gr/chart03.htm |title=IFPI Greece Top 50 Singles archive |access-date=5 June 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040605194621/http://www.ifpi.gr/chart03.htm |archive-date=5 June 2004 |url-status=dead}}

|5

{{single chart|Hungary|1|artist=George Michael|song=Amazing|year=2004|week=19|rowheader=true|access-date=28 December 2016}}
{{single chart|Hungarytop10|2|artist=George Michael|song=Amazing|year=2004|week=14|rowheader=true|access-date=28 December 2016}}
{{single chart|Hungarydance|12|artist=George Michael|song=Amazing|year=2004|week=15|rowheader=true|access-date=28 December 2016}}
{{single chart|Ireland2|4|song=Amazing|rowheader=true|access-date=28 December 2016}}
{{single chart|Italy|1|artist=George Michael|song=Amazing|rowheader=true|access-date=28 December 2016}}
{{single chart|Dutch40|15|year=2004|week=12|rowheader=true|access-date=28 December 2016}}
{{single chart|Dutch100|9|artist=George Michael|song=Amazing|rowheader=true|access-date=28 December 2016}}
{{single chart|New Zealand|30|artist=George Michael|song=Amazing|rowheader=true|access-date=28 December 2016}}
{{single chart|Norway|11|artist=George Michael|song=Amazing|rowheader=true|access-date=28 December 2016}}
scope="row"|Poland (Polish Airplay Charts){{cite web|url=http://www.nielsenmusiccontrol.com/index_pol|title=Nielsen Music Control|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021145422/http://www.pifpaf.com.pl/airplay/lista_06_2004.html|archive-date=21 October 2007}}

|1

scope="row"|Romania (Romanian Top 100){{cite web|url=http://www.rt100.ro/editie-top-100_x10113.html|title=Arhiva romanian top 100 – Editia 14, saptamina 5.04 – 11.04, 2004|publisher=Romanian Top 100|language=ro|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050221022240/http://www.rt100.ro/editie-top-100_x10113.html|archive-date=21 February 2005|access-date=15 May 2020}}

|32

{{single chart|Scotland|5|date=20040307|rowheader=true|access-date=28 December 2016}}
{{single chart|Spain|1|artist=George Michael|song=Amazing|rowheader=true|access-date=28 December 2016}}
{{single chart|Sweden|16|artist=George Michael|song=Amazing|rowheader=true|access-date=28 December 2016}}
{{single chart|Switzerland|10|artist=George Michael|song=Amazing|rowheader=true|access-date=28 December 2016}}
{{single chart|UKsinglesbyname|4|artist=George Michael|artistid=3|rowheader=true|access-date=17 May 2021}}
{{single chart|Billboardadultpopsongs|35|artist=George Michael|rowheader=true|access-date=28 December 2016}}
{{single chart|Billboarddanceclubplay|1|artist=George Michael|rowheader=true|access-date=28 December 2016|note=Full Intention and Jack 'n' Rory mixes}}
{{single chart|Billboarddancesales|1|artist=George Michael|rowheader=true|access-date=3 March 2023|note=Full Intention and Jack 'n' Rory mixes}}
{{single chart|Billboarddanceairplay|1|artist=George Michael|rowheader=true|access-date=28 December 2016}}
scope="row"|US Hot Singles Sales (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/search/charts?f[0]=is_bmdb_track_id%3A1505527&f[1]=itm_field_chart_id%3A353&refine=1|title=Hot Singles Sales|magazine=Billboard|access-date=28 December 2016}}

|8

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
scope="col"|Chart (2023)

!scope="col"|Peak
position

{{single chart|UKdownload|56|date=20230623|rowheader=true|access-date=24 June 2023}}

{{col-2}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
scope="col"|Chart (2004)

!scope="col"|Position

scope="row"|Australia (ARIA){{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/2004/singles-chart|title=ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2004|publisher=ARIA|access-date=17 December 2020}}

|79

scope="row"|Hungary (Rádiós Top 40){{cite web|url=https://slagerlistak.hu/archivum/eves-osszesitett-listak/radios/2004|title=Rádiós Top 100 – hallgatottsági adatok alapján – 2004|publisher=Mahasz|language=hu|access-date=28 December 2016}}

|14

scope="row"|Italy (FIMI){{cite web|url=http://www.fimi.it/documenti/Classifiche_TUTTE_2004.pdf|title=Mix e singoli|publisher=FIMI|language=it|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060510005652/http://www.fimi.it/documenti/Classifiche_TUTTE_2004.pdf|archive-date=10 May 2006|access-date=17 December 2020}}

|21

scope="row"|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40){{cite web|url=http://www.top40web.nl/jaarlijsten/jr2004.html|title=Jaarlijsten 2004|publisher=Stichting Nederlandse Top 40|language=nl|access-date=28 December 2016}}

|161

scope="row"|Netherlands (Single Top 100){{cite web|url=http://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2004&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten – Single 2004|publisher=MegaCharts|language=nl|access-date=28 December 2016}}

|100

scope="row"|Spain (PROMUSICAE){{cite book|author=Fernando Salaverri|title=Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002|edition=1st|date=September 2005|publisher=Fundación Autor-SGAE|location=Spain|isbn=84-8048-639-2}}

|12

scope="row"|Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade){{cite web|url=http://swisscharts.com/charts/jahreshitparade/2004|title=Swiss Year-end Charts 2004|access-date=28 December 2016}}

|81

scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC){{cite web|url=http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/ChartsPlusYE2004.pdf|title=The Official UK Singles Chart 2004|work=UKChartsPlus|access-date=28 December 2016}}

|45

scope="row"|US Dance Club Play (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/bb/biz/yearendcharts/2004/dsititl.jsp|title=2004 Year End Charts: Hot Dance Music/Club Play Titles|magazine=Billboard|date=25 December 2004|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050206214354/http://www.billboard.com/bb/biz/yearendcharts/2004/dsititl.jsp|archive-date=6 February 2005|access-date=3 March 2025}}

|37

scope="row"|US Dance Radio Airplay (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/00s/2004/BB-2004-12-25.pdf|title=Year in Music & Touring|magazine=Billboard|volume=116|issue=52|pages=60–61|date=25 December 2004|access-date=28 December 2016}}

|18

scope="row"|US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)

|4

{{col-end}}

Certifications and sales

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2004|certyear=2004}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=George Michael|title=Amazing|award=Silver|relyear=2004|certyear=2020|id=16301-1018-1|access-date=17 May 2021}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streaming=true}}

Release history

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

!scope="col"|Region

!scope="col"|Date

!scope="col"|Format(s)

!scope="col"|Label(s)

!scope="col"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

scope="row"|Australia

|rowspan="3"|1 March 2004

|rowspan="2"|CD

|rowspan="3"|{{hlist|Aegean|Sony Music UK}}

|{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/Issue731.pdf|title=The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 1st March 2004|publisher=ARIA|page=26|date=1 March 2004|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20040306130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20040307-0000/Issue731.pdf|archive-date=6 March 2004|access-date=15 June 2021}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

scope="row"|Denmark

|{{cite web|url=http://130.227.53.55/pdf_katalog/sony_music_dk_10_11.pdf|title=Uge 10+11|trans-title=Week 10+11|publisher=Sony Music Denmark|page=8|language=da|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040615103311/http://130.227.53.55/pdf_katalog/sony_music_dk_10_11.pdf|archive-date=15 June 2004|access-date=12 November 2023}}

scope="row"|United Kingdom

|{{hlist|12-inch vinyl|CD}}

|{{cite magazine|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=29|date=28 February 2004}}

scope="row" rowspan="2"|United States

|5 April 2004

|Contemporary hit radio

|rowspan="2"|Epic

|{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2004/RR-2004-04-02.pdf|title=Going for Adds|magazine=Radio & Records|issue=1549|page=22|date=2 April 2004|access-date=15 June 2021}}

8 June 2004

|Hot adult contemporary radio

|{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2004/RR-2004-06-04.pdf|title=Going for Adds|magazine=Radio & Records|issue=1558|page=27|date=4 June 2004|access-date=15 June 2021}}

See also

References

{{Reflist}}

{{George Michael singles}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2004 singles

Category:2004 songs

Category:Epic Records singles

Category:George Michael songs

Category:Music videos directed by Matthew Rolston

Category:Number-one singles in Hungary

Category:Number-one singles in Italy

Category:Number-one singles in Poland

Category:Number-one singles in Spain

Category:Song recordings produced by George Michael

Category:Songs written by George Michael

Category:Sony Music UK singles