Chris' Vinyl Picks
๐ŸŽต Lists By Genres
๐ŸŽ›๏ธ Other
Dig by Category
๐ŸŽค Artist Deep Dive ๐ŸŽท Jazz →

Every George Michael Album Ranked Best to Worse

George Michael Cover

๐ŸŽง Artist Spotlight

George Michael

Dive deep into the essential discography of George Michael. Explore the defining studio albums that shaped their legendary career.

โšก Key Highlights of Article

  • Ranked review of all 6 official George Michael studio albums from best to worst.
  • Focuses on core studio releases spanning his groundbreaking 1980s pop dominance to his soulful later years.
  • Includes essential key tracks, vinyl pressing notes, and crate-digging tips for collectors.
Curated Spotify PlaylistExpand Player โ–พ
๐Ÿ“‹ Vinyl Guide (4 Albums)Jump List โŒƒ

Few artists managed the transition from upbeat pop idol to deeply respected soulful singer-songwriter quite as smoothly as George Michael. Armed with a powerhouse voice and an uncanny knack for infectious melodies, he left behind a studio catalog that rewards vinyl collectors time and time again.

From the swaggering dance-pop of his massive solo debut to his gorgeous, cinematic late-career reflections, every record tells a piece of his evolving story. Let us dive into the crates and rank all six of his studio albums from absolute masterpiece to the bottom of the stack.

Essential George Michael Albums Ranked

#1 Essential Pick

George Michael โ€” Faith

Label: Columbia Records • Released: 1987

George Michael โ€” Faith

Label: Columbia Records • Released: 1987

Faith is a monumental pop masterpiece that completely redefined what an 80s superstar could achieve by writing, producing, and playing almost everything himself. It effortlessly blends funk, soul, and rock into a hit-packed powerhouse that still sounds fresh on a turntable today.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ Faith
โ™ซ Father Figure
โ™ซ One More Try
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Original 1987 US and UK pressing copies sound remarkably dynamic, though clean copies are becoming pricier.
#2 Essential Pick

George Michael โ€” Listen Without Prejudice, Volume 1

Label: Columbia Records • Released: 1990

George Michael โ€” Listen Without Prejudice, Volume 1

Label: Columbia Records • Released: 1990

Refusing to play the pop-star game, George delivered a stunningly mature, acoustic-leaning masterclass that proved his songwriting depth far outweighed his pin-up status. Its rich instrumentation and hauntingly introspective lyricism make it an incredible spin for relaxed evening listening.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ Praying for Time
โ™ซ Freedom! ’90
โ™ซ Waiting for That Day
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Look out for recent 180g remaster reissues which handle the subtle acoustic dynamics brilliantly.
#3 Essential Pick

George Michael โ€” Older

Label: Virgin Records • Released: 1996

George Michael โ€” Older

Label: Virgin Records • Released: 1996

A gorgeous, jazz-infused electronic soul record born from heartbreak and grief, Older stands as one of the most underrated records of the 90s. Its smooth, late-night atmosphere showcases his velvety vocals at their absolute emotional peak.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ Fastlove (Live)
โ™ซ Praying for Time
โ™ซ Freedom! ’90
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Original 90s vinyl pressings are notoriously scarce and command high prices, but recent box set reissues offer a welcome fix.
#4 Essential Pick

George Michael โ€” Patience

Label: Sony Music • Released: 2004

George Michael โ€” Patience

Label: Sony Music • Released: 2004

As his final album of original material, Patience is a polished, eclectic blend of electronic beats, acoustic arrangements, and socially conscious lyrics. While a bit overlong, it features some of his most nuanced vocal performances of the millennium.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ Flawless (Go to the City)
โ™ซ Amazing
โ™ซ Patience
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Vinyl editions are quite rare, so snatch up official recent pressings whenever you spot them in record shops.
๐Ÿ“ฉ

Donโ€™t Miss a Beat

Get our latest lists and hidden gem recommendations delivered straight to your inbox. No spamโ€”just good music.

๐Ÿ”’ 100% Free & No Spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

โ“ Frequently Asked Questions (Pop)

Q: What was George Michael’s debut solo studio album?

His debut solo studio album was Faith, released in 1987 after the breakup of his pop duo Wham! It became an instant worldwide blockbuster.

Q: Are Wham! albums included in this studio album ranking?

No, this ranking strictly focuses on George Michael’s solo studio albums, omitting his collaborative work with Andrew Ridgeley in Wham!

Q: Why are 90s albums like Older so expensive on vinyl?

During the mid-to-late 90s, vinyl production reached an all-time low as CDs dominated the market, making original pressings from that era quite rare today.

Q: What was George Michael’s final studio album?

His final studio album of original material was Patience, released in 2004 before his passing in 2016.

Vinyl Crate-Digging & Buying Guide

Collecting George Michael on vinyl is a rewarding journey, though 90s releases like Older require a bit of patience and a slightly larger budget due to limited original pressings. Keep an eye out for recent 180-gram box set reissues, which offer incredible audio fidelity and save you from hunting down expensive vintage copies.

Final Thoughts

Whether you are dancing around your living room to the upbeat grooves of Faith or unwinding to the jazzy late-night vibes of Older, George Michael’s catalog is a treasure trove of vocal brilliance. Dust off your turntable, pour a favorite drink, and give these incredible records a spin today.

Official Store

โ˜• The Perfect Gift for Vinyl Lovers

Whether for your morning brew or the vinyl fan in your life, explore our exclusive ceramic mugs. Custom made-to-order with worldwide tracked shipping!

Explore All Store Products →

Want to dig deeper into Jazz?

Explore essential pressings, crate-digger guides, and artist masterworks in this genre.