"Faith" is a number-one song written and performed by George Michael and released on Columbia Records from his album of the same title in 1987. According to Billboard magazine, it was the top-selling single of the year in the United States in 1988.

Track listing

7": UK / Epic EMU 2

1. "Faith" (7" Single Mix) – 3:16
2. "Faith" (Dance Remix Radio Edit) – 5:24

12": UK / Epic EMU T2

1. "Faith" (Dance Extended Mix) – 4:06
2. "Faith" (Org. Version) – 3:16
3. "Hand to Mouth" – 5:49

U.S. CD single

1. "Faith" (7" Single Mix) – 4:06
2. "Faith" (Dance Remix Radio Edit) – 4:54
3. "Faith" (Album Version) – 3:16
4. "Hand to Mouth" – 5:49

Mixes

1. Album version 3:16
2. 7" version 3:26
3. Instrumental 3:26
4. Dance Extended Mix 4:53
5. Dance Remix radio edit 5:22

History

Having disbanded Wham! the previous year, there was a keen expectation for Michael's solo career and "Faith" would go on to become one of his most popular and enduring songs, as well as being the most simplistic in its production. It was the second of six singles released from the well-received album.

"Faith" is just over three minutes long, the first 37 seconds of which is taken up by a straightforward, fade-up organ introduction (based on the Wham! song "Freedom"). Eventually, a two-chord guitar progression takes up the song with Michael singing a basic but meaningful lyric about not being tempted away from his relationship by a nonetheless attractive third party.

Music video

A famous video was made which provided some definitive images of the 1980s music industry in the process - Michael in shades, leather jacket and a particularly memorable pair of tight Levi's blue jeans and cowboy boots, playing a guitar near a classic-design jukebox.

Chart Performance

The song reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and number two on the UK Singles Chart.

On the Hot 100 chart, "Faith" rocketed from #54 to #37 the week of October 31, 1987, reaching #1 on December 12 1987, and remaining there for four consecutive weeks, easily becoming the longest running chart topper of 1987. Altogether, "Faith" lingered in the top 10 for 9 weeks, the Top 20 for 11 weeks, and the Top 40 for 15 weeks.

Peak positions

Chart (1987)	Peak position
Australian ARIA Singles Chart	1
Dutch Top 40	1
Italian Singles Chart	1
New Zealand RIANZ Singles Chart	1
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	1
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play	17
U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks	5
UK Singles Chart	2
United World Chart	1

Covers

• American nu metal band Limp Bizkit recorded their own version of "Faith," which is on their debut album Three Dollar Bill, Yall$ (1997). The cover undeniably helped gain Limp Bizkit mainstream exposure.
• At the 2003 BRIT Awards, a re-worded version of the song was performed by Ms. Dynamite in order to show opposition to the war in Iraq. George, himself a vocal campaigner against the war, did not appear at the ceremony but duetted on the song via a pre-recorded video.
• Korean girl group TSZX The Grace made an acapella cover of the song, which was included in their Korean single, "My Everything". The single was released on November 6, 2006.
• Turkish band Dolapdere Big Gang made an Alaturca cover of "Faith" in their second album, Just Feel, in December 2007.
• The Boy Least Likely To recorded a light-hearted cover as a homage to the song in 2006. Although currently unavailable for purchase, it can be streamed directly from their Facebook profile page, and the band occasionally play their version live.

Cultural references

• The song was featured at the opening of the Scrubs episode "My Own American Girl" being sung by the main character J.D.
• Michael appeared performing the song in the pilot episode of ABC's Eli Stone. "Faith" was heavily used in TV commercials for the series along with the episode footage of Michael singing. Future episodes of Eli Stone are all based on and feature George Michael's songs.

Personnel

• Vocals: George Michael
• Bass: Deon Estus
• Guitars: Hugh Burns
• Cathedral Organ: Chris Cameron

References