George Michael’s Cover of “Let Her Down Easy”

“Let Her Down Easy” was George Michael’s first single from the album Symphonica. Originally a moving 1993 tune by Terence Trent D’Arby, the subdued, piano-driven cover song perfectly showcase George’s mellifluous voice, cementing his reputation as his generation’s best male vocalist.

“Let Her Down Easy” premiered on Magic Radio UK radio on 3 February, 2014, ahead of the song’s digital release on 17 March 2014. George Michael’s version was produced by the singer with the late legendary producer Phil Ramone.

Live Vocals

The album Symphonica, released on March 14, 2014, was George’s only live album, with vocals recorded during his critically-acclaimed 2011-2012 orchestral Symphonica tour. As such, vocals for “Let Her Down Easy” was recorded live during the tour.

George performed the song “Let Her Down Easy” in the Symphonica tour during which it became one of the highlights and quickly became a fan favorite. Here is a live performance of George singing the song filmed at the Palais Garnier Opera House, Paris, France, 2011:

However, there were some questions as to whether the song was indeed recorded live, prompting George to respond on Twitter. In a tweet posted on February 17, 2014, he assured fans that his new single Let Her Down Easy was recorded live on tour. He posted:

Good Morning campers! Just out of intrest, Let her down easy is indeed a live vocal, but radio these days wont any live or live sounding…

— George Michael (@GeorgeMichael) February 17, 2014

He tweeted that he was unsure why this rule was in place, as he has scored two number one singles that were recorded live in the past:

get rid of all audience sounds off the track..I know i dont understand it either, all i can thank god for is that it’s a recent development

— George Michael (@GeorgeMichael) February 17, 2014

Reviews of the George Michael Version

In a review of the cover song, Radio Creme Brulee said:

“While “Let Her Down Easy” might not rank among the best covers he has recorded over the years, it does deserve merit and serves as a good sneak preview of what listeners could hope to hear on “Symphonica.”

The reviewer went on to say:

Regardless of what we feel about George Michael’s take on many of these songs, the one thing we absolutely have to give him credit for is his remarkable ability to bring great songs out of obscurity and breathing new life into them by adding his vocal stamp to them. He doesn’t typically cover songs that have been done and redone by several artists. This is something he did particularly well on his Symphonica tour – a tour that took him all over Europe playing alongside live orchestras in every city. Some of the relatively obscure songs (at least with regard to the limited American mainstream) that he brought to life on this tour include “F.E.A.R” (originally performed by Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown), “Idol” (originally performed by Elton John), and of course his new single “Let Her Down Easy” (originally performed by his former label-mate Terence Trent D’Arby).

“Let Her Down Easy” is thematically one of the most unusual songs in pop music. It is sung from the perspective of a father making a heartfelt plea to the man that has either taken or is planning to “take” his daughter’s virginity. The lyrics are far from subtle.

George Michael was never a “run of the mill” artist in any sense of the world – not stylistically, not visually, and certainly not lyrically. Hence, it is no surprise that he was drawn to the track and feels the need to perform a cover version of it. His decision to record “Let her down easy” is well within the realms of his multi-faceted and distinct personality – both as a person as well as an artist.

The song is a sparsely produced ballad that features a piano, light string arrangements in parts, and George’s achingly beautiful vocals. Like a fine bottle of wine, George Michael’s vocal ability only seems to get better with time. More importantly, through his vocals he is able to capture both the beauty of a father’s concern and the sense of helplessness he feels as he tries to communicate with this man that is most likely going to hurt his daughter.

NewNowNext.com’s reviewer Louis Virtel wrote:

The immediacy of George’s vocal reminds me of his fantastic cover of Stevie Wonder’s “They Won’t Go When I Go” from his second solo album, but this track is somehow tenderer. It’s a return to form for a man with unbeatable form. So, so refreshing. Anyone else feel like their monkey’s been set free?

Video of the Cover Song

Vaughan Arnell, one of Britain’s foremost and most innovative music video directors, directed the black-and-white video for “Let Her Down Easy.” The two have previously worked together on George’s video for ‘Outside’. Arnell has also previously worked with other musical artists such as Robbie Williams, The Spice Girls and One Direction.

The music video for the song was released on February 4, 2014.

Brilliantly shot by DP Callan Green in Barcelona at a family-run circus, all the cast are actual performers in the circus, with the exception of the leads – including model Hannah Janes from London, who according to press reports was chosen from 3,000 hopefuls. The video is tinged with sadness as the tale of sexual desire unfolds.

From the director:

“As soon as I heard George’s voice it felt like only yesterday we made ‘Outside’. For me, the man is timeless.”

“I love working with George – he gives so much ‘Freedom’ to go out there and make a video. But don’t get me wrong he knows every f@#king frame of the rushes. God bless you Mr Michael.”

Michael posted a video teaser of the tune to his YouTube account. The teaser video sees a number of circus acts preparing for a stage show and is presented entirely in black and white.

Here is the full official video:

NewNowNext.com’s Virtel praised the accompanying video

So, this video: The balletic pacing and old-timey coloring gave me immediate pangs of “Constant Craving,” and the studly circus performer reminded me of that torrid toreador from Madonna’s “Take a Bow” video. That’s all fine by me. The word to describe this video is immaculate — not a shot or note or out of place.

‘Let Her Down Easy’ Music Video Credits:

• Director – Vaughan Arnell
• Production Company – Rokkit
• Producer – Tom Knight
• Line Producer – Claire Baylin
• Production Services – Manic Butterfly
• Production Assistant – Declan Masterson
• Director Of Photography – Callan Green
• Editor – Vid Price
• Editing Company – Family Editing
• Colourist – James Tillett
• Post Production Company – MPC
• Director’s Representation – Marisa Garner Associates
• Label – Virgin Records
• Commissioner – Caroline True

Original Version

The ballad “Let Her Down Easy” was originally recorded by Terence Trent D’Arby in 1993 for his Symphony or Damn album. The song peaked at #18 in the UK charts when it was released as a single.

Listen to the original version sung by Terence Trent D’Arby

Lyrics:

You’re top man on the scene
You don’t think life comes in between
But hey, she’s just seventeen
She feels that she’s a worldly girl
But man you’ve been around the world
She is just some worried daddy’s girl
Even though there’s nothing I can say
Its just human nature any way
Let her down easy
Her heart is on a dime
Let her down easy
And you’ll grow up in time
In her strawberry eyes
The way she sees you signifies
That she’s susceptible to your velvet lies
But if you must lay her down
May a butterscotch glow be her dressing gown
And please do not lead her on when you leave town
Even though there’s nothing I can say
Its just human nature any way
Let her down easy
Her heart is on the line
Let her down easy
And you’ll grow up in time
She’s a woman now
With a daughter to make her proud
In her crayon world of paper clouds
She still remembers you
The first boy that she gave it to
And she laughs at how little then she knew
Her daughter’s five and her grandfather adores her (of course)
Let her down easy
Her heart is on the line
Let her down easy
And you’ll grow up in time

Songwriters: Terence Trent D’arby
Let Her Down Easy lyrics © EMI Music Publishing