| "Outside" | |||||
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| Single by George Michael from the album Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael |
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| Released | October 25, 1998 (UK) | ||||
| Format | CD single | ||||
| Recorded | 1998 | ||||
| Genre | Dance | ||||
| Length | 5:21 | ||||
| Label | Epic Records | ||||
| Writer | George Michael | ||||
| Producer | George Michael | ||||
| Certification | Silver (BPI) | ||||
| George Michael singles chronology | |||||
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| Twenty Five track listing | |||||
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"Outside" was a song written and performed by George Michael and released on Epic Records in 1998.
Contents |
History
The song was seen as a fine self-deprecating public relations exercise by George, as it was the first single since he was infamously arrested for engaging in a lewd act six months earlier by an undercover police officer in a Beverly Hills public lavatory; an incident which prompted him to declare the homosexuality which had been rumoured for some years but never confirmed. George took a swipe at the incident in the lyrics, claiming he wanted an alfresco sex life because he was bored with lovemaking behind closed doors. Reference to the Beverly Hills affair came with the line "I'd service the community, but I already have, you see" (he was sentenced to 80 hours' community service for the offence) and direct samples of radio reports of his arrest.
Music Video
The video was especially satirical, featuring disco ball urinals and policemen kissing. The police officer who arrested him, Marcelo Rodriguez, filed a lawsuit, claiming the video mocked him. Initially it was dismissed, but the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reopened the case on 3 December 2002.[1]
Chart performance
Outside reached #2 in the UK Singles Chart; one of many songs to be held off by a seven-week run at the top by Cher with "Believe". It did not feature on a studio album, but was included on his solo hits collection Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael - the title of which was also a sly dig at his activity in the lavatory.
External links
Albums
Studio: Faith • Listen without Prejudice, Vol. 1 • Older • Songs from the Last Century • Patience Compilation: Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael • Twenty Five EPs: Five Live EP
Singles
Solo: "Careless Whisper" • "A Different Corner" • "I Want Your Sex" • "Hard Day" • "Faith" • "Father Figure" • "One More Try" • "Monkey" • "Kissing a Fool" • "Praying for Time" • "Waiting for That Day" • "Mother's Pride" • "Freedom! '90" • "Heal the Pain" • "Cowboys and Angels" • "Too Funky" • "Jesus to a Child" • "Killer" / "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" • "Fastlove" • "Spinning the Wheel" • "Older / I Can't Make You Love Me" • "Star People '97" • "You Have Been Loved / The Strangest Thing '97" • "Outside" • "Freeek!" • "Shoot the Dog" • "Amazing" • "Flawless (Go to the City)" • "Round Here" • "John and Elvis Are Dead" • "An Easier Affair" Duets: "I Knew You Were Waiting (for Me)" • "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" • "As" • "If I Told You That" • "This Is Not Real Love"
Tours
The Faith World Tour • 25 Live
Related articles
Discography • George Michael awards and nominations • Wham! • Eli Stone • Anselmo Feleppa
