To celebrate the 35th anniversary of one of the greatest Christmas songs of all time, a strictly limited edition replica of the original single by Wham!, on collectible white vinyl, is available to buy now.
Also the Last Christmas official video upgraded for the first time in 4K has been uploaded to YouTube reaching after just one day 1.1 million views, and a brand new lyric video is available too.
This Is How (We Want You to Get High), co-written and co-produced by George Michael and collaborator James Jackman, is out now.
The previously unreleased track, which was recorded during George’s final studio sessions, is his first original material to be shared for seven years.
A funky, upbeat soon-to-be-classic, This is How (We Want You to Get High) has a seductive George Michael hook and melody that will delight you all. The lyrics, written exclusively by George, see the star addressing society’s ills with his trademark blend of self-deprecation and wry humour.
Work on This is How (We Want You to Get High) began in early 2012. The track was subsequently developed and recorded in sessions at Air Studios in London, before the finishing touches were added in late 2015 during George’s final recording sessions.
“We hope fans and lovelies! everywhere rejoice in hearing this great new song written as ever with Yog‘s immense passion and pride. This new track we proudly send as his gift to you this season to bring you all love and festive joy…
– Whoever you worship…
– Whoever you love…”
Melanie, Yioda, Jack and David.
With its uplifting vibe and socially-conscious message, the song is a fitting finale to Last Christmas, Universal Pictures’ new romantic comedy. The film was inspired by the eponymous Wham! hit, and has a soundtrack featuring tracks from Wham! and George Michael’s solo career. Director Paul Feig (Bridesmaids, Mad Men) describes the movie as ‘a love letter to George’.
The film was co-scripted by Academy Award winner Emma Thompson, who stars alongside Emilia Clarke and Henry Golding. Thompson visited George at his North London home in the Spring of 2013 to talk through her ideas for the screenplay. George loved what she had to say and gave his blessing. The actress and screenwriter then developed various versions of the script before George’s sudden passing on Christmas Day 2016.
In the Spring of 2018, after discussions over which songs would be in the film, Emma Thompson was given an exclusive preview of four new, finished and unreleased George Michael tracks. She instantly fell in love with This Is How (We Want You To Get High), remarking how the lyrics resonated with the film’s central themes.
Source: GeorgeMichael.com
The album from Legacy Recordings will feature such classic hits as the title track, “Everything She Wants,” “Faith,” “Fastlove Part1,” “Freedom! ’90” and “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” as well as the previously unreleased “This is How (We Want You To Get High).”
Director Paul Feig recently told BBC News that the new song came off of an album Michael was recording before his death in 2016.
“It’s a very celebratory song, I would dare say,” he said. “And we were able to play the entire song, which is almost six minutes long, in the film.”
The film began when the acclaimed British film producer David Livingstone spoke of his love of Wham!’s iconic hit, ‘Last Christmas’ to producer and screenwriter, Emma Thompson. That conversation sowed the germ of a winning idea: to make a film inspired by ‘Last Christmas’, so in Spring 2013, Emma Thompson visited George Michael at his London home who gave her his blessing.
“The wisdom and emotional scope of George’s lyrics have always amazed me. So many feel like they were written for the movie. After I met George and experienced his compassion and understanding up close, I realised that in fact the movie was written for those lyrics.”
– Emma Thompson
Last Christmas stars Emilia Clarke and Henry Golding.
Track listing
Last Christmas
Too Funky
Fantasy
Praying For Time
Faith
Waiting For That Day
Heal The Pain
One More Try
Fastlove Part 1
Everything She Wants
Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go
Move On
Freedom! ‘90
Praying For Time (MTV Unplugged version)
This Is How (We Want You To Get High)
The album will be released on 8th November (CD and Digital) and 15th November (vinyl).
