1996 George Michael: Jesus To A Child

Bridging a gap of five years (and following 1990's 'Listen Without Prejudice') with a 'comeback' album called 'Older' made it plain that Michael still harboured a chip on his shoulder regarding his past and remained keen to maintain the distance between his solo nineties work and the eighties model. 'A Different Corner' had set that particular ball rolling and, as the title alone suggests, 'Jesus To A Child' has a similar maturity, albeit one that belies its sombre tone with a lightness of touch and an unforced intimacy. Michael's vocal flows like warm honey over a dreamy bossanova rhythm of fluid sophistication, a combination born of a confidence and lack of self consciousness that the ill at ease with himself Michael on 'A Different Corner' didn't have. Events post 1996 (George's coming 'out' as a homosexual and the revelation that the song is an ode to his Brazilian lover who died of AIDS) have given the song added resonance but with no detraction - in tying it to a specific individual it in no way lessens the impact or puts it in a 'gay love song' niche corner; the "You smiled at me like Jesus to a child" image of salvation through love is a strong one and it's equally applicable to any such bond between two individuals of any sexuality. Which is surely the mark of all the best love songs.