Too Funky

Lyrically, the song is a basic, animalistic plea for sexual activity.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}} An Anne Bancroft line from the 1967 film The Graduate ("I am not trying to seduce you... Would you like me to seduce you? Is that what you're trying to tell me?") appears in the intro of the song and is repeated during the final crescendo. The song then ends with a sample from an episode of the Tony Hancock sitcom Hancock called "The Radio Ham", spoken by actress Annie Leake ("Would you stop playing with that radio of yours? I'm trying to get to sleep"). The song is based on a drum beat from the Brand New Heavies' 1991 single "Never Stop",{{cite web |title=George Michael's 'Too Funky' |url=https://www.whosampled.com/sample/33386/George-Michael-Too-Funky-The-Brand-New-Heavies-Never-Stop/ |website=WhoSampled |access-date=26 October 2024}} while its synth hook quotes the hook from Jocelyn Brown's 1984 hit "Somebody Else's Guy".{{cite news |last=Fulton |first=Rick |date=1 November 2013 |title=Soul singer Jocelyn Brown: I've played with some of the greats but my 1990 Scottish performance was my favourite gig |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/celebrity-interviews/soul-singer-jocelyn-brown-played-2661887#3pDeGXaemikzXpk1.99 |work=Daily Record |access-date=6 August 2016}}

File:George Michael 25 Live London (2).jpg during the 25 Live tour in 2006]]

Scottish Aberdeen Press and Journal commented, "George obviously having a go at trying to get into the dance scene with this too-funky number which rings of Bobby Brown and Michael Jackson."Aberdeen Press and Journal. 28 May 1992. p. 11. Larry Flick from Billboard felt that the singer "works up an impressive sweat amid a swirling array of funk-driven guitars and keyboards, adding, "This bears all the marks of a well-deserved multiformat smash."{{cite magazine|first=Larry|last=Flick|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1992/Billboard-1992-06-13.pdf|title=Single Reviews|magazine=Billboard|date=June 13, 1992|access-date=25 January 2018|author-link=Larry Flick}} A reviewer from Cash Box declared the song as a "simple, funky dance send-up".{{cite magazine|title= Music Reviews: Singles |magazine= Cash Box |date= 27 June 1992 |page= 5 |access-date= 1 November 2020 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1992/CB-1992-06-27.pdf}} Amy Linden from Entertainment Weekly called it a "slinky, disco-fever-redux hit".{{cite magazine|first=Amy|last=Linden|url=https://ew.com/article/1992/08/14/red-hot-dance/|title=Red Hot + Dance|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=14 August 1992|access-date=28 February 2020}} Irish Evening Herald found that the "steamy" single is about a "big build-up to a seduction", "but it's got a depressing end. Some things never change, but we can definitely tell you that although George's hair is shorter these days, he's still got the same beard."Evening Herald. 13 June 1992. p. 30. Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report stated that Michael "delivers just the type of sound a lot of longtime fans were hoping for. He rides this groove with a sexy undercurrent reinforced by sampling the voice of Anne Bancroft seducing Dustin Hoffman in The Graduate.{{cite magazine|first= Dave |last= Sholin |title= Gavin Picks > Singles |magazine= Gavin Report |issue= 1908 |date= 5 June 1992 |page= 56 |access-date= 16 April 2018 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Gavin-Report/90/92/Gavin-1992-06-05.pdf}}

Dennis Hunt from Los Angeles Times viewed it as a "sizzling" new dance track, stating that "Too Funky" "ranks with his best and is an indication that he should focus on dance music".{{cite news|first=Dennis|last=Hunt|title=In Brief|work=Los Angeles Times|date=12 July 1992|page=|accessdate=22 January 2023|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-07-12-ca-4215-story.html}} The Stud Brothers of Melody Maker said it's "George doing a rumbustuous Karaoke Prince, the extravagant minimalist backing coming courtesy of many of the world's highest-paid session musicians. Which is all weirdly endearing."{{cite magazine|author=The Stud Brothers|title=Singles|magazine=Melody Maker|date=6 June 1992|page=29|access-date=19 February 2023|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/52622767402/}} Pan-European magazine Music & Media described it as a "funky and catchy number, underpinned by a persistent keyboard pattern".{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1992/MM-1992-06-06.pdf|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music & Media|date=6 June 1992|page=12|access-date=26 February 2018}} Alan Jones from Music Week named it Pick of the Week, writing, "Released 10 years to the week after George made his recording debut with the instantly successful 'Wham Rap', it's a muscular, mid-tempo urban dance contender bass-based with some nice piano fills. George groupies, dance fans and casual record buyers alike will warm to it, with obvious chartresults."{{cite magazine|first= Alan |last= Jones |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1992/MW-1992-05-09.pdf |title= Mainstream: Singles - Pick of the Week |magazine= Music Week |date= 9 May 1992 |page= 10 |access-date= 2 October 2020}} David Quantick from New Musical Express called it "a plonking, KC and the Sunshine Band pastiche with a few hooks but nothing else".{{cite magazine|first=David|last=Quantick|title=Singles|magazine=New Musical Express|date=9 May 1992|page=12|access-date=18 February 2023|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/52611774035/|author-link=David Quantick}} Victoria Segal from NME said, "A consummate narcissist—"I'd love to see you naked, baby... maybe tonight, if that's alright", he intones coolly on the staccato seduction of 'Too Funky'."{{cite web|first= Victoria |last= Segal |title= George Michael – Ladies And Gentlemen - The Best Of George Michael |url= http://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews/19981006103726reviews.html |work= NME |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20000817211528/http://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews/19981006103726reviews.html |access-date= 24 November 2020|archive-date= 17 August 2000 }} Bunny Sawyer from Smash Hits gave the song four out of five, praising it as "a fab stomp-along beat...a triumphant return to form".{{cite magazine|first= Bunny |last= Sawyer |url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/57779449@N02/49357756531/in/album-72157712592495737/ |title= New Singles |magazine= Smash Hits |date= 13 May 1992 |page= 56 |access-date= 6 October 2020}}

"Too Funky" reached number four on the UK Singles Chart in 1992. As of October 2017, the single sold 168,000 copies in UK.{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/remembering-george-michaels-listen-without-prejudice-vol-1__20742/|work=Official Charts Company|title=Remembering George Michael's Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 |date=13 October 2017|access-date=25 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025184029/http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/remembering-george-michaels-listen-without-prejudice-vol-1__20742/|archive-date=25 October 2017|url-status=live}} In the US, it reached number 10 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the US Cash Box Top 100.{{cite book|title=Top Pop Singles 1955–2010|year=2011|last=Whitburn|first=Joel|author-link=Joel Whitburn|publisher=Record Research}}{{cite book|title=Cash Box Pop Hits: 1952–1996|last=Whitburn|first=Joel|author-link=Joel Whitburn|year=2014|publisher=Record Research}} It sold more than 500,000 copies, being certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In Australia, "Too Funky" became the biggest gainer song ever in the top 50 of the Australian ARIA Singles Chart when it jumped from number 50 to number eight (42 places), before reaching its peak position at number three. "Too Funky" held this record until 2009, when "3" by Britney Spears rose from number 50 to number seven (43 places). In Canada, "Too Funky" peaked at number six on the RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart.

Fashion designer Thierry Mugler and Michael directed the video for "Too Funky".{{cite web |last1=Borrelli-Persson |first1=Laird |title=An Oral History of George Michael's 1992 "Too Funky" Video, Directed by Manfred Thierry Mugler |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/george-michael-supermodels-linda-evangelista#:~:text=It%20took%20place%20in%20Paris,all%20so%20passionate%20about%20it. |website=Vogue |access-date=11 June 2024 |date=25 December 2016}} Mugler designed and created the costumes for the models in the song's accompanying music video,{{cite news |url=http://www.vogue.com/13428238/george-michael-supermodels-linda-evangelista/ |title="Moulin Rouge Meets Vegas!" An Oral History of George Michael's 1992 "Too Funky" Video |newspaper=Vogue |location=New York |date=20 April 2016 |access-date=28 April 2016 |last=Borrelli-Persson |first=Laird |archive-date=29 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229050310/http://www.vogue.com/13428238/george-michael-supermodels-linda-evangelista/ |url-status=dead }} which shows Michael in one- to three-second appearances as a director filming a number of supermodels on the catwalk at a fictitious runway show, a concept similar to the one he used in the video for his 1990 single "Freedom! '90". The models who appeared in the video are Eva Herzigova, Linda Evangelista, Nadja Auermann, Emma Sjöberg, Estelle Hallyday, Shana Zadrick, Tyra Banks, Beverly Peele and Connie Fleming (a.k.a. Connie Girl).{{Cite web |date=2016-12-25 |title=An Oral History of George Michael's 1992 "Too Funky" Video, Directed by Manfred Thierry Mugler |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/george-michael-supermodels-linda-evangelista |access-date=2023-10-01 |website=Vogue |language=en-US}} Actresses Julie Newmar and Rossy de Palma, and the performance artists Joey Arias and Lypsinka are also shown. A "making of" video was also created.

The video's concept was written by Jeff Beasley after attending a benefit fashion show held by Mugler several months before in Los Angeles. Beasley worked at Propaganda Films, the production company where David Fincher directed "Freedom! '90"—the supermodel video on which "Too Funky" is based. Originally the same models from Fincher's video were going to be used, namely Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford, and Tatjana Patitz. Mugler decided, however, that he wanted new models and only kept Evangelista for the project. The video was produced by Beasley and filmed by Mike Southon. A rare "alternate edit" of the video includes several male models, including eventual Grey's Anatomy star Justin Chambers and Oscar-nominated actor Djimon Hounsou, who was discovered by Mugler in Paris, and sometimes can be found online.

In 2012, Porcys listed the song at number 62 in their ranking of "100 Singles 1990–1999".{{cite web|title=100 Singli 1990–1999|url=http://www.porcys.com/ranking/100-singli-1990-1999/4/|website=Porcys|date=20 August 2012|language=pl|access-date=2 April 2020}} In 2017, BuzzFeed ranked "Too Funky" number 60 in their list of "The 101 Greatest Dance Songs of the '90s".{{cite web|first1= Matt |last1= Stopera |first2= Brian |last2= Galindo |title= The 101 Greatest Dance Songs of the '90s |website= BuzzFeed |date= 11 March 2017 |access-date= 31 March 2020 |url= https://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/jump-to-the-rhythm-jump-jump-to-the-rhythm-jump}} In 2020, Slant Magazine placed it at number 55 in their list of "The 100 Best Dance Songs of All Time".{{cite web|title=The 100 Best Dance Songs of All Time|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/100-greatest-dance-songs/|website=Slant Magazine|date=15 June 2020 |access-date=27 July 2020}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

• UK 7-inch and cassette single{{cite AV media notes|title=Too Funky|others=George Michael|year=1992|type=UK 7-inch single vinyl disc|publisher=Epic Records|id=658058 7}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Too Funky|others=George Michael|year=1992|type=UK & Australian cassette single sleeve|publisher=Epic Records|id=658058 4}}
• European CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Too Funky|others=George Michael|year=1992|type=European CD single liner notes|publisher=Epic Records|id=EPC 658058 1}}
• Australian cassette single

1. "Too Funky" – 3:45
2. "Crazy Man Dance" – 5:05

• UK 12-inch single{{cite AV media notes|title=Too Funky|others=George Michael|year=1992|type=UK 12-inch single vinyl disc|publisher=Epic Records|id=658058 6}}

:A. "Too Funky" (extended) – 5:36

:B. "Crazy Man Dance" – 5:05

• UK and Australian CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Too Funky|others=George Michael|year=1992|type=UK & Australian CD single liner notes|publisher=Epic Records|id=658058 2}}
• Japanese mini-CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Too Funky|others=George Michael|year=1992|type=Japanese mini-CD single liner notes|publisher=Epic Records|id=ESDA 7099}}

1. "Too Funky" – 3:45
2. "Crazy Man Dance" – 5:05
3. "Too Funky" (extended) – 5:36

• European 12-inch and maxi-CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Too Funky|others=George Michael|year=1992|type=European 12-inch single vinyl disc|publisher=Epic Records|id=EPC 658058 8}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Too Funky|others=George Michael|year=1992|type=European maxi-CD single liner notes|publisher=Epic Records|id=EPC 658058 5}}

1. "Too Funky" (extended) – 5:36
2. "Too Jazzy" (Happy mix) – 5:52
3. "Too Funky" (Digital mix) – 6:24

{{col-2}}

• US 7-inch and cassette single{{cite AV media notes|title=Too Funky|others=George Michael|year=1992|type=US 7-inch single vinyl disc|publisher=Columbia Records|id=38-74353}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Too Funky|others=George Michael|year=1992|type=US cassette single sleeve|publisher=Columbia Records|id=38T 74353}}

1. "Too Funky" – 3:45
2. "Crazy Man Dance" – 5:52

• US 12-inch and maxi-cassette single{{cite AV media notes|title=Too Funky|others=George Michael|year=1992|type=US 12-inch single vinyl disc|publisher=Columbia Records|id=44 74352}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Too Funky|others=George Michael|year=1992|type=US maxi-cassette single sleeve|publisher=Columbia Records|id=44T 74352}}

:A1. "Too Funky" (extended) – 5:37

:A2. "Too Funky" (Digital mix) – 6:25

:B1. "Too Jazzy" (Happy mix) – 5:53

:B2. "Crazy Man Dance" – 5:52

• US maxi-CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Too Funky|others=George Michael|year=1992|type=US maxi-CD single disc notes|publisher=Columbia Records|id=44K 74352}}

1. "Too Funky" (extended) – 5:37
2. "Too Funky" (Digital mix) – 6:45
3. "Too Jazzy" (Happy mix) – 5:45
4. "Too Funky" (single version) – 3:45
5. "Crazy Man Dance" – 5:52

{{col-end}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=1992|certyear=2016|access-date=15 August 2016}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|nocert=true|salesamount=168,000|salesref=|access-date=12 May 2019}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=George Michael|title=Too Funky|award=Gold|relyear=1992|certyear=2016|access-date=15 August 2016|refname="uscert"}}

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

{{Reflist}}

{{George Michael singles}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1992 singles

Category:1992 songs

Category:Columbia Records singles

Category:Dance-pop songs

Category:Epic Records singles

Category:George Michael songs

Category:Number-one singles in Denmark

Category:Songs written by George Michael

Category:Song recordings produced by George Michael

Category:Music videos directed by George Michael