30 Years of 'Freedom!'

It is hard to believe, but "Freedom! 90" is 30 years old. To celebrate the icon's legacy, the official social accounts for George Michael are sharing a live performance of the song from the 25 Live Tour.

I am sharing with you today because the Philadelphia stop on that tour remains my favorite concert of all time. The show was back in 2008 and I am forever grateful I got to see George live.

"Let me hear ya" FREEDOM 🙌 🏳️‍🌈

To celebrate 30 years of "Freedom! '90" We've just released George's incredible live performance of the track from 2008 on the 25 Live Tour on @YouTube.

Watch in full here: https://t.co/ispn569q5G pic.twitter.com/CJ8E1jDZ2o

— George Michael Official (@GeorgeMOfficial) October 29, 2020

Comments

[Him]

Talented, and troubled, fellow. Amazing set of pipes. RIP.

I always love it when you share stuff that you love, Allyson, beyond just metal and glam. Adds a bit of something different to consider. I just might go and wander around a bit on the interwebs, listening to a few of his songs (even if I was never the biggest fan, I could recognize his talent).

[GNR]

True talent - hard to admit you enjoyed his band and solo stuff during the time my auto flip cassette deck was blasting out Motley Crue. Hard to realize how many songs you actually know that were written by him:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Songs_written_by_George_Michael

[Badland]

I like the Elton John cover
Dont let your son go down on me

[Bkallday]

George Michael was a big fan of that one too, badland! George Michael 🤣🤣🤣

[Him]

Ah yes, tinny rim shots (should be on Urban Dictionary). Try the veal. Dear me, my monocle is fogged up from all the guffaws and whatnot.

Stay classy, BBG!

[Bkallday]

Why don’t u make that post when ppl rag on Vince for being fat, or making fat jokes, Him?? Just curious what the difference is? Or is it that in 2020 ppl can make fat jokes but not gay jokes? A little hypocritical imho but what do I know? 🤷🏻‍♂️

[Him]

Oh, Bkallday, we were doing so well, you and I. Now let me unleash my quill (with apologies to the gross Jeff Toobin).

Don't you recall . . . I stopped with that Vince Neil bashing almost a year ago. I even wrote several posts about it. I realized (again, I get tired of things, I make mistakes, I learn) that it was getting stupid, and mean, and under-cutting the more serious issue: his health. And, since that time, I have not made another comment about his weight. So, please, at least give me that.

I also took a 'time out' from posting on here because (as I wrote) I was getting tired of having slap fights over trivial stuff when real stuff was impacting my life and the lives of those I care about (and that was _before_ the pandemic!). So I own my past comments and don't think I contradict myself too often.

And I have no issue with jokes that are not-PC. None whatsoever. If you read my posts, I have talked about comedians on this site (often older ones) who cross lines that we are told not to cross anymore. I admire people like Lenny Bruce and Dave Chappelle (the latter more because I am so amazed by how he constructs his 'nesting doll' jokes, as there is genuine craft to it). Hell, I grew up on _Truly Tasteless Jokes_ by Ashton Applewhite (aka Blanche Knott, now known as much for her work fighting ageism as she is for her collections of 'bad taste' jokes). So you really don't have any room to slam me here. Just saying.

I have said this time and again, but I think you misunderstand me on a host of issues. I don't drive a Prius (it is in the shop). I don't pickle my own vegetables (I hire people to do that). I own no beard wax (though I probably should). I don't shrink at the flimsiest of offenses (though I think I once 'got the vapors', which is odd). As I have also said, I think you and I would get along just fine if we ever met. Still do. I just think I rub you the wrong way (no puns intended) with my comments on occasion. Guess what? You do that to me too! Oh well. Moving on, right?

My point in my previous post? Allyson posted a tribute to a (as I wrote) "talented, and troubled, fellow." Stop the presses!!! He was gay too? Wow. Didn't know that. Moreover, my post was also a joke . . . notice the references I was making (I haven't owned a monocle in years, but I still do eat veal). I was giving you and Badland a bit of a punch in the shorts. If you lob a softball, someone is likely to hit it. So I did.

Three final things, Bkallday:

1. Timing is everything.

2. As ELO said, "Can it really be so serious?"

3. Though I am a bloviating gas cloud, I still hope you and yours are doing well. And I really wish you and I got the chance to meet. I bet I would surprise you with my arsenal of jokes.

[stu]

1988, my first concert. i went to see the bangles who opened, but GM put on a great show. i fell out of his fan club as his career went on and as my tastes changed, but i’ll always remember what a spectacle he put on.

[Bkallday]

Ok but I still never remember you telling anyone on here to “stay classy” when they were making Vince jokes, & that’s a fact. And yes this is Allyson’s site but that doesn’t mean that anything she posts is untouchable or out of bounds for us miserable peasants. Also, I will say that although it is her site and she can obviously post whatever she wants on it, making a George Michael post on a glam rock(& no he is absolutely not a glam rocker and his music certainly isn’t glam rock, it’s def pop music) site is kinda strange, and that’s also a fact. So you shouldn’t be so shocked and mortified when the peanut gallery throws some flimsy jabs here or there. My opinion on George Michael, regardless of what year it is, is based on his weak-ass music & has nothing to do with who he slept with or found attractive. I couldn’t give two shits less, frankly. But I am certainly entitled to have an opinion on his music, and don’t have a problem stating it. If others are offended that I don’t like his music, and what my opinion is of it, well I don’t gaff. It is what it is. Sometimes when a post is made on something, ppl are gonna sometimes actually comment on those posts, even bravely sharing their true opinions regardless of how popular they may or may not be. And sometimes it may not always be unicorns & rainbows. Stay safe yourself & hope all is well!

[Him]

I hear you, Bkallday. And I agree, at least in part. But you aren't bravely blazing a trail when others, myself included, are doing the same thing too.

These are opinions. They are posted. They are challenged. They are then challenged again. That's the routine. I take no offense at you having opinions that I don't. Fact of life. I guess I just think you and I are more alike that you suspect. I think you like making a point of making a point, even after the point was made (and occasionally supported you, even if other times it didn't).

And the suggestion that I didn't say "stay classy" when I just mentioned, in detail, that I grew tired of this sort of stuff? Well, I guess we respond differently when we are fed up with things. Which is cool too. Different responses add a bit of flavor, I guess? I just wanted you to acknowledge that I got tired of making fun of things that were, in retrospect, actually serious. What did I get from you? "Ok." Which is okay.

No worries though. I appreciate the nod, and the response.