George Michael was a gay icon who proudly campaigned for LGBT rights, especially after his very public coming out in April 1998. He was a big supporter of the gay community who participated in a number of fundraising events that helped fight homophobia and pushed for equal rights. One of these events was the Stonewall ’99.
On 28 November 1999, Michael performed at the 7th Stonewall Equality Show at the Royal Albert Hall. It was an annual event organized by Stonewall, the largest British charity for lesbian, gay and bisexual equality.
The cream of the British gay talent participated in the show, including the headline act Elton John and Boy George. But the night belonged to George Michael.
Michael sang two songs at the event. His first song, ‘My Baby Just Cares For Me’ drew some knowing chuckles from the crowd when they realized that he reworked the lyrics, replacing “Lana Turner” with “Ricky Martin.” Here are the original lyrics and the George Michael version of the song:
‘My Baby Just Cares For Me’
ORIGINAL LYRICS:
My baby don’t care for shows
My baby don’t care for clothes
My baby just cares for me
My baby don’t care for cars and races
My baby don’t care for high-tone places
Liz Taylor is not his style
And even Lana Turner’s smile
Is somethin’ he can’t see
My baby don’t care who knows
My baby just cares for me
Baby, my baby don’t care for shows
And he don’t even care for clothes
He cares for me
My baby don’t care
For cars and races
Baby don’t care for
He don’t care for high-tone places
Liz Taylor is not his style
And even Liberace’s smile
Is something he can’t see
Is something he can’t see
I wonder what’s wrong with baby
My baby just cares for
My baby just cares for
My baby just cares for me
GEORGE MICHAEL VERSION:
My baby don’t care for shows
My baby don’t care for clothes
My baby just cares for me
My baby don’t care for cars and races
My baby don’t care for high tone places
Elizabeth Taylor is not his style
And even Ricky Martin’s smile
Is something he can’t see
My baby don’t care who knows it
My baby just cares for me
I wonder what’s wrong with baby
My baby just cares for
He just says his prayers for
My baby just cares
For me
Michael’s second song was “I Remember You,” a 1941 song about nostalgia, which he dedicated to his former partner Anselmo Feleppa who died of AIDS in 1993. According to Paul Clements in a review of the show on the now-defunct website music365.com:
Accompanied by a simple harp arrangement, Michael makes it clear why he’s the rightful heir to Frank Sinatra’s crown. He lifts us up, he knocks us down, he wipes the floor with us. There isn’t a dry eye in the house.
On the way out, each attendee received a free CD ‘Stonewall 99’ sampler of his new covers album, ‘Songs From The Last Century‘. Labeled “An Early Xmas Present from George Michael”, the sampler contained three songs:
- Secret Love (1953)
- My Baby Just Cares For Me (1930)
- I Remember You (1941)
When Michael passed away in 2016, Stonewall issued this statement:
George Michael is a musical icon whose visibility and artistry had such a positive influence on the LGBT community.
He will be sorely missed and his music will continue to inspire many, and our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.
Below are some pictures from the 1999 Stonewall event (source: http://www.cyprusjack.com/stonewall/):