One More Try

George Michael Bares His Soul on "One More Try"

Picture the spring of 1988: George Michael has completed one of the most remarkable transformations in pop history, shedding his teen-idol past to emerge as a sophisticated, soulful solo artist of extraordinary depth. His landmark album had already produced a string of massive hits, establishing him as one of the defining artists of his era. Into that triumphant moment came "One More Try," a soaring, soulful ballad of emotional caution and longing that carried him to the very top of the chart.

An Artist at the Height of His Powers

By 1988 George Michael had fully established himself as a major solo artist, his album Faith having become a phenomenon and earning him recognition as one of the most gifted singers and songwriters of his generation. He had moved far beyond his origins in the pop duo Wham!, revealing himself as an artist of remarkable soul, sophistication, and emotional depth. "One More Try" came from this triumphant period, a song that showcased his gospel-influenced vocal power and his gift for conveying complex emotion. It found him at the height of his powers, delivering a ballad of striking emotional intimacy.

Gospel Soul and Emotional Caution

The recording is a masterful soul ballad, built on a spare, gospel-influenced arrangement that gives George Michael's extraordinary voice room to soar. The song expresses emotional caution and vulnerability, the wariness of someone hurt before who hesitates to risk their heart again, even as they long to. That tension between longing and self-protection gives the song its emotional depth. Michael delivers it with breathtaking soul and sincerity, his voice building from intimate restraint to powerful, gospel-tinged climax. The arrangement is sparse and tasteful, letting the vocal carry the song's profound emotion. It is a master vocalist at his most soulful and exposed.

A Climb to Number One

The single entered the Billboard Hot 100 on April 16, 1988, at a position in the chart, and climbed steadily through the spring. It gained ground week after week as its soulful power connected with listeners. It reached the very top, hitting number 1 on May 28, 1988, and enjoyed a substantial 18 weeks on the chart. Topping the chart confirmed George Michael's standing as one of the biggest and most respected artists in popular music. It was another in a remarkable string of number-one hits from his landmark album, cementing his status as a superstar of extraordinary gifts.

One of Pop's Great Voices

George Michael's place among the greatest singers and songwriters in pop history is secure, his soulful voice and emotional depth having made him a beloved and respected artist. "One More Try" stands as one of his finest vocal performances, a soaring soul ballad of emotional caution delivered with breathtaking power. The recording captures the gospel-influenced soul and emotional honesty that defined his best work. Its roughly 290 thousand YouTube views on this recording reflect the lasting love for one of pop's most gifted artists.

The Soul Behind the Pop Star

What makes "One More Try" so remarkable is the way it reveals the profound soul and emotional depth beneath George Michael's pop-star image. Having risen to fame as a teen idol in Wham!, Michael faced the challenge of being taken seriously as a mature artist, and songs like this one proved beyond any doubt that he possessed extraordinary depth and genuine soul. His gospel-influenced vocal power, his gift for emotional nuance, and his willingness to expose real vulnerability set him apart from mere pop entertainers. "One More Try" showcases all of those qualities, a song that demands and rewards a great vocal performance, and that Michael delivers with breathtaking soul and sincerity. The emotional caution at the heart of the song, the wariness of someone afraid to be hurt again, reveals a real emotional intelligence and honesty rarely found in pop music. By baring his soul so completely, Michael demonstrated that he was far more than a handsome pop star; he was a genuine artist of remarkable gifts, capable of conveying the deepest and most complicated emotions. That depth is a large part of why he remains so beloved and respected, an artist whose music continues to move listeners with its soul, honesty, and extraordinary beauty.

Press play and feel that soul; this is one of pop's greatest voices baring its heart with breathtaking power.

"One More Try" — George Michael's singular moment on the 1980s charts.