B-side "Freeek! '04" Recorded 2003 Length 4:25 | Format CD Genre Acid jazz
dance-pop | |
Released 1 March 2004 (2004-03-01) | ||
"Amazing" is a dance-pop song co-written, arranged, produced and performed by George Michael, which was released by Sony BMG on 1 March 2004. It was included on Michael's fifth studio album, Patience. The song is about and dedicated to George Michael's partner, Kenny Goss.
Contents
Music video
The music video for the song was directed by Matthew Rolston. The video was filmed in London, United Kingdom in 2003. It shows a modern club-like setting where a holographic performance by George Michael is projected in front of a long lounge. George is also shown amongst the crowd, and in small intervals singing in front of a black background.
Critical reception
Stephen Thomas Erlewine from Allmusic chose the track as one of the album's track picks. BBC News Online's Michael Osborn said the song "sends us hurtling back to the late 80s." Sal Cinquemani called the song "catchy yet un-amazing." “Amazing” may have seemed a peculiarly subdued choice for lead single but its hooks start to dig in deep the more listens I give it. I wouldn't go as far as to call it subtle, but the understated, smart production with sly claps and soft acoustic strumming animate the song without hanging it from a fat and obvious hook.
Chart performance
On 1 March 2004, "Amazing" was released in the United Kingdom. The song debuted at number four on the UK Singles Chart, selling 41,000 copies in its first week. Outside of the UK, the song was also successful. It reached number one in Spain and Italy.
When George Michael appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show on 26 May 2004 to promote the album, he performed the song on the show. "Amazing" was released in the United States. Michael had previously found success in the dance clubs with "Monkey" (1988) and "Star People" (1997), and "Amazing" became his third release to reach the top on the Billboard's Hot Dance Club Songs chart. It also performed well on the Hot Dance Airplay chart, where it reached the top spot and stayed there for four weeks.
Formats and track listings
UK CD single number one
- "Amazing" – 4:25
- "Freeek! '04" – 4:36
"Amazing" – The Mixes
- "Amazing" (Album Version) – 4:25
- "Amazing" (Jack 'N' Rory 7" Vocal Mix) – 5:56
- "Amazing" (Full Intention Club Mix) – 8:05