Praying for Time



"Praying for Time" is a song written and performed by George Michael, released on Epic Records in the UK and Columbia Records in the US in 1990. It spent one week in the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100, making it Michael's ninth number one. It was also the last solo single from Michael to occupy the top of the chart in the US.

History
The song was Michael's first single in almost two years, entering the UK Singles Chart in August 1990.

A dark and sombre reflection on social ills and injustice, it was hailed by critics, with James Hunter of Rolling Stone magazine describing the song as "a distraught look at the world's astounding woundedness. Michael offers the healing passage of time as the only balm for physical and emotional hunger, poverty, hypocrisy and hatred."

The single peaked at number six in the UK, but it was his ninth number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in the USA. The song remained in the Billboard top 40 for ten weeks. It was the first song of political motivation he had released as a single since his earliest days with Wham!.

The song was the first of five released in the UK from the album Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1, although it was the only one of the quintet to make the UK top 10.

Music video
While George Michael refused to appear in videos to support the album, an experimental video clip directed by Michael Borofsky was released for "Praying for Time", featuring only the lyrics of the song with a blue and black background that, at the end of the clip, reveals itself to be the image on the cover of the album. The completely un-George Michael style video quickly became a buzz clip on MTV, and stayed in rotation on most video networks for weeks. Similarly, the commercial single had no cover photo, only words.

American Idol
The song was performed by Carrie Underwood for the 2008 Idol Gives Back mini-marathon on 9 April 2008. In a matter of 24 hours, Underwood's rendition of "Praying for Time" reached number 10 on the Hot Digital Songs chart, with all proceeds being donated to charity. It also peaked at number 27 on the US Billboard Hot 100 on the week of 26 April 2008. George Michael performed the song during the 2008 American Idol finale on 21 May 2008.

7": Epic / GEO 1 (UK)

 * 1) "Praying for Time" – 4:40
 * 2) "If You Were My Woman" (live) – 4:05


 * also available on MC (Epic / GEO M1)
 * also available on 12" (Epic / GEO T1)
 * also available on CD (Epic / CD GEO 1)

CD: Epic / GEO C1 (UK)

 * 1) "Praying for Time" – 4:40
 * 2) "If You Were My Woman" (live) – 4:05
 * 3) "Waiting" (reprise) – 2:27


 * limited edition

Cassette, 7" and CD: Columbia 73512 (US)

 * 1) "Praying for Time" – 4:40
 * 2) "If You Were My Woman" (live) – 4:05