The first unheard song of George Michael dropped posthumously on November 6, 2019, and fans welcomed the song with excitement and enthusiasm.
‘This Is How (We Want You To Get High)’ is part of the soundtrack to the romantic comedy film “Last Christmas” which is based on George’s song with Wham! (Read ‘Last Christmas’ Movie Production Notes). The film starred Emilia Clarke and Henry Golding, and co-written by Emma Thompson (read Emma Thompson on George Michael and the ‘Last Christmas’ Movie)
The song premiered on November 6, 2019 in the BBC Radio 2 morning show hosted by Zoe Ball. Zoe tweeted this to fans that it’s a “real honour to have first play of the new song from George Michael” and thanked the fans around the world who listened to the song’s premiere.
Real honour to have first play of the new song from George Michael taken from the soundtrack to Emma Thompson’s @lastchristmas film. Love to all George Michael fans who had tuned in especially, from all around the world. @gmlegacy @GMichaelNews ❤️ #ThisIsHow
— Zoe Ball (@ZoeTheBall) November 6, 2019
As New York Post said in its story about the song release, “New George Michael song gets fans ‘High’ again.” And yes, George Michael fandom has been celebrating the release of new music, and thankful that new music is released. As Twitter user @spec4david said:
We miss George but remember his spirit especially in this song. Thank you very much.
— david a (@spec4david) November 8, 2019
Australian singer Darren Hayes, formerly the frontman of Savage Garden, described the song as:
The ‘new’ George Michael song reminds me of some of his songwriting on the Faith album, especially, ‘Look at your hands’ ( and that’s a great thing! ) https://t.co/QFSnWuapQc
— Darren Hayes (@darrenhayes) November 6, 2019
LGBTQ writer Nick Levine thought the song to be “pretty strong” that could fit nicely with the album “Patience”:
So this new George Michael song seems pretty strong and would have slotted quite nicely onto Patience. https://t.co/kdTIiuMf3i
— Nick Levine (@mrnicklevine) November 6, 2019
A Facebook poster praised the lyrics of the new song, calling it “some of the most profound lyrics he’s ever written.”
David Davidson: Brilliant tune and some of the most profound lyrics he’s ever written. “I’ve never dropped a pill in a drink… I know how low I can sink” rivals “got to get up to get down” The theme that people brought up in a troubled environment have difficulty being better than what they see/experience is so true and such an astute view of today’s society where broken homes and families are more the norm than the exception. If the other three tracks that are “in the can” are as good as this… I can’t wait!
British radio presenter Kevin Hughes tweeted that he loves the song:
It features on the brilliant #LastChristmas soundtrack, love this previously unreleased @GeorgeMOfficial song This Is How recorded during George’s final studio sessions @lastchristmas https://t.co/IToXVHfI9p Song out today.
— Kevin Hughes (@Popprince) November 6, 2019
Many fans find themselves experiencing mixed emotions listening to the song — while happy they get to hear a new song, many felt that “George should be here to appreciate how much we love his song”:
Having listened to your voice in a new song was a very strong and terribly sad emotion .. what a cruel destiny to have lost such an great artist, the only one capable of touching the hearts of all of us💔@GeorgeMOfficial @gmlegacy @AEFAN1 @LyricsOfGeorge @GMfans_Italia pic.twitter.com/LQuIUyZDLW
— Carmela67GMLovely forever (@Carmela679) November 6, 2019
On the official George Michael Facebook page, fans think the song is an absolute gem and truly a wonderful early Christmas gift. While they are thankful that new music is released, many become very emotional listening to his new song. As long-time George Michael fan Mag Freedom described the experience of hearing the song for the first time:
Mag Freedom: Once more, a great dance track from our beloved George ! I was crying a little before it aired, I completely froze when I heard the first note.💜 and then his voice…I really love it, it stays in your head after only one listen!! Thanks to George’s team for the good work. The video is classy just like George. You’re making his lyrics shine, that’s what he wanted : “to be remembered as a great singer songwriter”. Thanks for respecting his wishes.💜
A George Michael fan who has reservations about posthumous releases said that the song is “brilliant:”
I’m not a fan of releasing unfinished works by dead artists. Highly questionable business, but this George Michael tune is quite brilliant. And yeah, it made me cry. For *so* many reasons. 🖤🌈🎤https://t.co/aYYrJWy9v7
— Stewart Who? (@DJstewartwho) November 6, 2019
Co-writer and co-producer of the song James Jackman gushed at the “incredible first reaction” to the song and how George would have been so proud.
Incredible first reaction to This Is How (We Want You To Get High)! George would have been so proud. Emotional for us all to hear him again on radio but of course tinged with great sadness that he’s not here to share the moment with us.
— James Jackman Music (@_James_Jackman) November 6, 2019
He perfectly summarized what many fans felt: “Just so grateful for the musical legacy he’s left behind #LegendGeorgeMichael”
Just so grateful for the musical legacy he’s left behind #LegendGeorgeMichael
— James Jackman Music (@_James_Jackman) November 6, 2019
[…] Feig also talked about the importance of the new, unreleased song of George Michael that features in the movie — “This Is How (We Want You to Get High),” recorded in 2015 at London’s Air Studios according to Huffington Post. The posthumous song marks the first song from Michael to be released in seven years, and it was met with celebration and enthusiasm by the fans. […]