In a somewhat underpublicised interview with Trevor Macdonald on the 'Tonight' documentary last night , George Michael spoke about his motivation for his latest release, ''Shoot The Dog''.
A few years ago now, when George began to clash with his record company, most people dismissed it as the usual case of the superannuated, undertalented, manufactured plastic popstar getting to big for his bespoke boots. Now, I dont think he can be treated that way any further; in fact, considering the way in which most surviving rockstars of the recent past have manifestly ''sold out'' by helping to swell the crowds at Buckingham palace for the Jubillee Abominations, (I turned down the chance to go along, knowing that I would be responsible for making the crowd seem even bigger ...)I think George Michael has made a real contribution to the doubts surrounding TWAT (The War Against Terrorism) and has re-established the notion of rock as a political forum rather than just entertainment for Young People Today. What also shocked me was the way even Jonny Rotten Lydon saw fit to dismiss George on this matter (Liquid News show) perhaps forgetting his own past of combining protest with money-making in a deliberate anti-style.
I dont know whether George will make much cash out of this, nor do I care; capitalism is not to be equated with anyones personal wealth and he seems to have taken a real risk of antagonism with the notorious moral dictatorship USA bible- belt (they seem to howling about the animation video section where Bush pops up in bed with Blair) and which of course was responsible for much of the animosity to John Lennon in previous times. George is hardly Lennon, or Bob Dylan for that matter, but I say for once lets take his plea to be listened to without prejudice, and bear in mind nobody can force you to buy the record.