Songs from the Last Century cover art

  Studio Album · No. 4

Songs from the Last Century Songwriting Credits by George Michael

1999 Virgin Records 10 tracks 43 min

Produced by George Michael, Phil Ramone  ·  Engineered by Frank Filippetti, Ted Jensen

Virgin Records Vocal JazzTraditional PopStandards
0%
Authorship
Singer / Performer

Holds writing credit on 0 of 10 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 0 / 10 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 10 tracks with documented writers, by whether George Michael carries a lyricist or composer credit.

0%
0 trackswritten by George Michael 10 tracksoutside writers
George Michael's roles on this album

Share of the 10 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist0%
Composer0%
Producer100%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

10
Tracks
15
Lyricists
2
Producers
3.6 million
Worldwide Copies Sold
1999
Released
Data Insight

Songs from the Last Century is the one George Michael album he did not write. It is a covers record of jazz and pop standards, including 'Roxanne,' 'Brother Can You Spare a Dime,' 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,' and 'My Baby Just Cares for Me,' all interpretations of songs written by others. Michael co-produced it with veteran producer Phil Ramone, stepping into the role of interpreter rather than author. It stands apart from the rest of his catalog, where he otherwise wrote and produced his own material.

Songs from the Last Century is George Michael's fourth studio album, released November 15, 1999 on Virgin Records. Co-produced by Michael and Phil Ramone, the album is an all-covers record paying tribute to songs from the 20th century. Michael wrote none of the tracks.

Track Listing & Credits 10 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
E. Y. Harburg Jay Gorney George MichaelPhil Ramone George Michael (Vocals)
2
Roxanne
Sting Sting George MichaelPhil Ramone George Michael (Vocals)
3
You've Changed
Bill Carey Carl Fischer George MichaelPhil Ramone George Michael (Vocals)
4
My Baby Just Cares for Me
Gus Kahn Walter Donaldson George MichaelPhil Ramone George Michael (Vocals)
5
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
Ewan MacColl Ewan MacColl George MichaelPhil Ramone George Michael (Vocals)
6
Miss Sarajevo
BonoThe EdgeAdam ClaytonLarry Mullen Jr.Brian Eno BonoThe EdgeAdam ClaytonLarry Mullen Jr.Brian Eno George MichaelPhil Ramone George Michael (Vocals)
7
I Remember You
Johnny Mercer Victor Schertzinger George MichaelPhil Ramone George Michael (Vocals)
8
Secret Love
Paul Francis Webster Sammy Fain George MichaelPhil Ramone George Michael (Vocals)
9
Wild Is the Wind
Ned Washington Dimitri Tiomkin George MichaelPhil Ramone George Michael (Vocals)
10
Where or When / It's All Right with Me
Lorenz HartCole Porter Richard RodgersCole Porter George MichaelPhil Ramone George Michael (Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 24 contributors

AC
Adam Clayton
Writer
On this album1 written
BC
Bill Carey
Writer
On this album1 written
B
Bono
Writer
On this album1 written
BE
Brian Eno
Writer
On this album1 written
CF
Carl Fischer
Writer
On this album1 written
CP
Cole Porter
Writer
On this album1 written
DT
Dimitri Tiomkin
Writer
On this album1 written
EY
E. Y. Harburg
Writer
On this album1 written
EM
Ewan MacColl
Writer
On this album1 written
GK
Gus Kahn
Writer
On this album1 written
JG
Jay Gorney
Writer
On this album1 written
JM
Johnny Mercer
Writer
On this album1 written

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1996 100%
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Frequently Asked Questions Songs from the Last Century

Did George Michael write Songs from the Last Century?
No. Songs from the Last Century is a covers album, the only George Michael record made entirely of songs written by others. It collects jazz and pop standards such as 'Brother Can You Spare a Dime' and 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,' along with reinterpretations of The Police's 'Roxanne' and U2's 'Miss Sarajevo.' Michael served as interpreter and co-producer rather than songwriter.
Is George Michael's Roxanne a cover?
Yes. George Michael's 'Roxanne' on Songs from the Last Century is a cover of the song written by Sting and originally recorded by The Police. Michael reworked it into a slower, jazz-inflected arrangement. He did not write the song.
Who produced Songs from the Last Century?
George Michael co-produced the album with veteran producer Phil Ramone, known for his work with Frank Sinatra and Billy Joel. This was a departure from Michael's usual practice of producing his albums alone. Frank Filippetti engineered and mixed the record.
What genre is Songs from the Last Century?
The album is a collection of vocal jazz, traditional pop, and standards. Michael interprets material drawn largely from the early-to-mid twentieth century, hence the title. The arrangements favor orchestral and jazz settings over the pop and R&B of his earlier work.
Why did George Michael record an album of standards?
George Michael recorded Songs from the Last Century as a tribute to the songwriting of an earlier era, stepping away from his own material to interpret classics. It was his only album consisting entirely of cover versions. He paired with producer Phil Ramone to give the standards a polished, jazz-leaning treatment.
How well did Songs from the Last Century sell?
The album sold roughly 3.6 million copies worldwide and was certified 2x Platinum in the UK. It performed modestly in the United States, with no RIAA certification and far lower sales than his pop albums. None of its singles charted on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Data note: All-covers album, George Michael has no writing credits on any track.

Sources

Wikipedia: Songs from the Last Century Wikipedia: Roxanne (The Police song) Wikipedia: George Michael discography MusicBrainz release group Cover Art Archive front cover Cover Art Archive: Songs from the Last Century by George Michael