"Amazing" is a song co-written, produced, and performed by English singer-songwriter George Michael, released by Aegean and Sony Music on 1 March 2004. It was included on Michael's fifth studio album, Patience. The song is about and dedicated to Michael's then-partner, Kenny Goss. The song reached 1 in Hungary, Italy, Poland and Spain, as well as on three US Billboard dance charts.
Critical reception Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic chose the track as one of the album's track picks.[ AllMusic review] 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".
On 26 December 2016, a day after Michael's death, Rolling Stone compiled a list of "20 Essential Songs" by Michael, and described "Amazing" as "a dancey soft-rock number".
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, Italy, Poland and Hungary.
When 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 Billboards Dance Club Play chart. It also topped the Dance Radio Airplay chart, staying at number one for four weeks.
Music video The song's music video (directed by Matthew Rolston) was filmed in London, in late 2003. It shows a modern club-like setting where a holographic performance by Michael is projected in front of a long lounge. He is also shown amongst the crowd, and in small intervals singing in front of a black background.
Track listing UK CD1 "Amazing" – 4:25 "Freeek! '04" – 4:28
UK CD2 "Amazing" (album version) – 4:25 "Amazing" (Jack 'n' Rory 7-inch vocal mix) – 5:56 "Amazing" (Full Intention club mix) – 8:05
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (2004)PeakpositionCanada (Nielsen SoundScan)3Canada AC Top 30 (Radio & Records)2Canada Hot AC Top 30 (Radio & Records)5Croatia International Airplay (HRT)1Czech Republic (IFPI)5Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)4Greece (IFPI Greece)5Poland (PiF PaF)1Romania (Romanian Top 100)32US Hot Singles Sales (Billboard)8
Chart (2023)Peakposition
Year-end charts Chart (2004)PositionAustralia (ARIA)79Croatia International Airplay (HRT)2Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)14Italy (FIMI)21Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)161Netherlands (Single Top 100)100Spain (Promusicae)12Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)81UK Singles (OCC)45US Dance Club Play (Billboard)37US Dance Radio Airplay (Billboard)18US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)4
Certifications and sales
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Australia1 March 2004CDDenmarkUnited KingdomUnited States5 April 2004Contemporary hit radioEpic8 June 2004Hot adult contemporary radio
See also List of number-one dance airplay hits of 2004 (U.S.) List of number-one dance singles of 2004 (U.S.) List of number-one hits of 2004 (Italy) List of number-one singles of 2004 (Spain)
References