Older cover art

  Studio Album · No. 3

Older Songwriting Credits by George Michael

1996 Virgin Records 11 tracks 59 min

Produced by George Michael, Jon Douglas  ·  Engineered by Charlie Brocco, Paul Gomersall, Chris Porter, Ren Swan

Virgin Records Jazz FusionSoulR&BPop
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 11 of 11 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 11 / 11 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 11 tracks with documented writers, by whether George Michael carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
11 trackswritten by George Michael 0 tracksoutside writers
George Michael's roles on this album

Share of the 11 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer100%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

11
Tracks
6
Lyricists
2
Producers
5 million
Worldwide Copies Sold
1996
Released
Data Insight

Older is George Michael's most personal album, written and produced entirely by himself in the wake of grief and loss. Every track is his own composition, and he produced the record alone, deepening his sound with jazz and soul textures rather than chasing pop hits. 'Jesus to a Child' and 'Fastlove' are self-written and self-produced, reflecting opposite poles of mourning and escape. The album is the work of an auteur using full creative control to make something more reflective than commercial.

Older is George Michael's third solo studio album, released May 13, 1996 on Virgin Records. Produced primarily by Michael and co-produced with Jon Douglas on several tracks, the album is a deeply personal work written almost entirely by Michael. 'Fastlove' samples Patrice Rushen's 'Forget Me Nots,' requiring additional co-writer credits.

Track Listing & Credits 11 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Jesus to a Child #7
George Michael George Michael George Michael George Michael (Vocals)
2
Fastlove #8
George MichaelPatrice RushenFreddie WashingtonTerri McFaddin George MichaelPatrice RushenFreddie WashingtonTerri McFaddin George MichaelJon Douglas George Michael (Vocals)
3
Older
George Michael George Michael George Michael George Michael (Vocals)
4
Spinning the Wheel
George MichaelJon Douglas George MichaelJon Douglas George MichaelJon Douglas George Michael (Vocals)
5
It Doesn't Really Matter
George Michael George Michael George Michael George Michael (Vocals)
6
The Strangest Thing
George Michael George Michael George Michael George Michael (Vocals)
7
To Be Forgiven
George Michael George Michael George Michael George Michael (Vocals)
8
Move On
George Michael George Michael George Michael George Michael (Vocals)
9
Star People
George Michael George Michael George Michael George Michael (Vocals)
10
You Have Been Loved
George MichaelDavid Austin George MichaelDavid Austin George Michael George Michael (Vocals)
11
Free
George Michael George Michael George Michael George Michael (Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 6 contributors

More from George Michael

Frequently Asked Questions Older

Did George Michael write Older himself?
Yes. George Michael wrote every song on Older and produced the album entirely on his own. The record is widely seen as his most personal work, shaped by grief over the loss of his partner. He used complete creative control to lean into jazz and soul rather than chart-friendly pop.
What is Jesus to a Child by George Michael about?
'Jesus to a Child' is a tender, mournful ballad George Michael wrote and produced as a tribute to his late partner Anselmo Feleppa. It reached number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number one in the UK. The six-minute song set the reflective tone for the entire Older album.
How did Fastlove chart for George Michael?
'Fastlove' peaked at number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100 and topped the UK chart. The smooth, groove-driven track was written and produced by George Michael. It offered a lighter counterpoint to the grief that runs through much of Older.
What genre is George Michael's Older?
Older blends jazz fusion, soul, R&B, and pop. The arrangements are more sophisticated and subdued than his earlier work, with a strong jazz influence throughout. The sound matched the album's reflective and personal themes.
How many copies did Older sell?
Older sold approximately five million copies worldwide and was a major success across Europe. It was certified 6x Platinum in the UK and Platinum in the US. The IFPI certified it 5x Platinum across Europe.
Was Older a bigger success in Europe than in the US?
Yes. Older was a substantial hit across Europe, certified 6x Platinum in the UK and 5x Platinum Europe-wide, while reaching only Platinum in the US. Its lead singles topped the UK chart but peaked in the US top ten rather than at number one. The album reflected Michael's stronger commercial standing in Europe by the mid-1990s.

Sources