Father Figure (song)



"Father Figure" is a song by English singer George Michael from his debut studio album, Faith (1987). It was released on 2 January 1988 as the album's fourth single by Columbia Records. The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

Music video
The music video depicts a relationship between a cab driver (Michael) and a high-fashion model (Tania Coleridge). Various intercut flashbacks tell a backstory. Michael and Andy Morahan won "Best Direction of a Video" at the 1988 MTV Video Music Awards for the video.

Chart performance
Released in the United Kingdom in January 1988, "Father Figure" reached number eleven on the UK Singles Chart – the first time Michael had failed to reach the top ten in his home country. The song remained a live favourite at Michael's concerts for many years and is also one of his most frequently aired songs on the radio in the United Kingdom.

In the United States, "Father Figure" became George Michael's sixth number one single (including three number one singles garnered as half of Wham!). "Father Figure" debuted at number 49 on 16 January 1988, while "Faith" was still prominent (at number nine) in the top ten of the chart. In the subsequent weeks, "Father Figure" was a surefire hit, reaching number one by its seventh week, 27 February 1988, staying at the top for two weeks. Altogether, the single spent six weeks in the top ten, nine weeks in the top twenty, and 14 weeks in the top forty.

Track listings

 * US single (CD and cassette)
 * 1) "Father Figure" – 5:40
 * 2) "Look at Your Hands" – 4:37


 * International single (CD and cassette maxi single)
 * 1) "Father Figure" – 5:28
 * 2) "Love's in Need of Love Today (Live)" – 4:42
 * 3) "Father Figure" (Instrumental version) – 5:28

Cover versions

 * Ace Young covered the song during top 24 week on the fifth season of American Idol in 2006. It was included on the compilation album American Idol Season 5: Encores.
 * The song was covered by Noah Guthrie (as his character Roderick Meeks) in the fifth episode of the sixth and final season of Glee.