Twenty Five
Greatest hits album by
George Michael
Released13 November 2006 (2006-11-13)
Recorded1984–2006
GenrePop
Length78:21 (CD1)
77:41 (CD2)
71:05 (CD3)
LabelSony BMG
ProducerGeorge Michael
George Michael chronology
Patience
(2004)		 Twenty Five
(2006)		 Symphonica
(2014)
Singles from Twenty Five
  1. "An Easier Affair"
    Released: 3 July 2006
  2. "This Is Not Real Love"
    Released: 6 November 2006
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
PopMatters(8/10)[2]
The Times[3]

Twenty Five is the second compilation album by George Michael released in the UK on 13 November 2006,[4] celebrating the 25th anniversary of his music career.[5] It was released on 13 November 2006 by Sony BMG.[6] It debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart[7] and number 23 on the Billboard 200,[8] and it reached the top 20 on most other album charts. After Michael's death in December 2016, the album re-entered the Billboard 200 at a new peak position of number 12.[9]

The album mostly contains songs from Michael's solo career, but also from his earlier days with Wham!. The album is sold in two formats: a 2-CD set and a limited edition 3-CD set. The 2-CD set contains 29 tracks, including four recorded with Wham! and three new songs: "An Easier Affair", "This Is Not Real Love" (a duet with the British singer Mutya Buena) and a new version of "Heal the Pain", recorded with Paul McCartney. The limited edition 3-CD version contains an additional 14 lesser known tracks, including one with Wham! and another new song called "Understand".

The 2-CD version was released in the United States on 1 April 2008,[10] with two changes: "Feeling Good" replaced the Wham! track "Freedom", and "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" (from Songs from the Last Century) replaced "Round Here", a track from Patience that was not released as a single in the US.

A 3-CD limited deluxe version was released in the United States exclusively by Best Buy. The track listing for the third CD is the same as the international version, but unlike the 2-CD US version, it includes "Freedom" instead of "Feeling Good". The 3-CD version is packaged in a digipak. It includes a 36-page colour booklet with lyrics for every track, along with screen shots from the videos for most of the tracks on the first two CDs.

In 2010, a special tour edition of the album was released in Australia for his short three date George Michael Live in Australia tour. The track listing itself contained the same tracks as the international version alongside a bonus third disc.

A Twenty Five DVD was also released.

Track listing

International release

Disc 1: For Living

  1. "Everything She Wants (12" remix)" – 6:33 original version on Wham!'s album Make It Big
  2. "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" – 3:52 from Wham!'s album Make It Big
  3. "Freedom" – 5:20 from Wham!'s album Make It Big
  4. "Faith" – 3:13 from Faith
  5. "Too Funky" (Single Version) – 3:45 Extended Version appears on Red Hot + Dance
  6. "Fastlove" – 5:27 from Older
  7. "Freedom! '90" – 6:30 from Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1
  8. "Spinning the Wheel" – 6:09 from Older
  9. "Outside" – 4:44 from Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael
  10. "As" (with Mary J. Blige) – 4:42 from Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael
  11. "Freeek!" (2002 single version) – 4:33 remixed version "Freeek! 04" appears on Patience
  12. "Shoot the Dog" – 5:08 from Patience (non-USA release)
  13. "Amazing" – 4:24 from Patience
  14. "Flawless (Go to the City)" (vs. The Ones) (Radio Edit) – 4:50 original version from Patience
  15. "An Easier Affair" – 4:36 Previously unreleased
  16. "Kissing a Fool" – 4:35 from Faith / Japanese bonus track

Disc 2: For Loving

  1. "Careless Whisper" (Single Edit) – 5:00 original version from Wham!'s album Make It Big
  2. "Last Christmas" (Single Edit) – 4:27 original version from Wham!'s album The Final
  3. "A Different Corner" (Single Edit) – 4:03 from Wham!'s The Final
  4. "Father Figure" – 5:37 from Faith
  5. "One More Try" – 5:53 from Faith
  6. "Praying for Time" – 4:41 from Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1
  7. "Heal the Pain" (with Paul McCartney) – 4:43 Previously unreleased version
  8. "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" (with Elton John) – 5:47 from John's album Duets
  9. "Jesus to a Child" – 6:49 from Older
  10. "Older" – 5:32 from Older
  11. "Round Here" – 5:55 from Patience
  12. "You Have Been Loved" – 5:28 from Older
  13. "John and Elvis Are Dead" – 4:24 from Patience
  14. "This Is Not Real Love" (with Mutya) – 4:54 Previously unreleased
  15. "Club Tropicana" – 4:28 from Wham!'s album Fantastic / Japanese bonus track

Disc 3: For the Loyal (limited edition only)

  1. "Understand" – 5:55
  2. "Precious Box" – 7:38
  3. "Roxanne" – 4:10
  4. "Fantasy" – 5:02
  5. "Cars and Trains" – 5:51
  6. "Patience" – 2:53
  7. "You Know That I Want To" – 4:32
  8. "My Mother Had a Brother" – 6:19
  9. "If You Were There" – 3:43
  10. "Safe" – 4:25
  11. "American Angel" – 4:08
  12. "My Baby Just Cares for Me" – 1:43
  13. "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" – 4:27 (Performed at "Pavarotti and Friends")
  14. "Please Send Me Someone (Anselmo's Song)" – 5:25
  15. "Through" – 4:54

Digital download version (2 bonus tracks and 4 videos)

  1. "I'm Your Man" – 6:52
  2. "Edith & The Kingpin" – 3:41
  3. "I'm Your Man" – 3:59 (video)
  4. "John and Elvis Are Dead" – 4:23 (video)
  5. "An Easier Affair" – 4:31 (video)
  6. "Father Figure" – 5:34 (video)

North American release

Disc 1: For Living

  1. "Everything She Wants (12" remix)" – 6:33 original version on Wham!'s album Make It Big
  2. "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" – 3:52 from Wham!'s album Make It Big
  3. "Feeling Good" – 2:54 Previously unreleased
  4. "Faith" – 3:15 from Faith
  5. "Too Funky" – 3:46 from Red Hot + Dance
  6. "Fastlove" – 5:28 from Older
  7. "Freedom! '90" – 6:30 from Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1
  8. "Spinning the Wheel" – 6:09 from Older
  9. "Outside" – 4:44 from Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael
  10. "As" (with Mary J. Blige) – 4:43 from Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael
  11. "Freeek!" – 4:32 from Patience
  12. "Shoot the Dog" – 5:08 from Patience
  13. "Amazing" – 4:25 from Patience
  14. "Flawless (Go to the City)" (vs. The Ones) – 4:50 from Patience
  15. "An Easier Affair" – 4:38 Previously unreleased

Disc 2: For Loving

  1. "Careless Whisper" – 5:04 from Wham!'s album Make It Big
  2. "Last Christmas" – 4:27 from Wham!'s album Music from the Edge of Heaven
  3. "A Different Corner" – 4:03 from Wham!'s Music from the Edge of Heaven
  4. "Father Figure" – 5:40 from Faith
  5. "One More Try" – 5:53 from Faith
  6. "Praying for Time" – 4:41 from Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1
  7. "Heal the Pain" (with Paul McCartney) – 4:43 Previously unreleased
  8. "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" (with Elton John) – 5:48 from John's album Duets
  9. "Jesus to a Child" – 6:50 from Older
  10. "Older" – 5:34 from Older
  11. "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" – 5:19 from Songs from the Last Century
  12. "You Have Been Loved" – 5:28 from Older
  13. "John and Elvis Are Dead" – 4:23 from Patience
  14. "This Is Not Real Love" (with Mutya) – 4:56 Previously unreleased

Disc 3: For the Loyal (Best Buy exclusive)

  1. "Understand" – 5:56
  2. "Precious Box" – 7:38
  3. "Roxanne" – 4:11
  4. "Fantasy" – 5:03
  5. "Cars and Trains" – 5:51
  6. "Patience" – 2:53
  7. "You Know That I Want To" – 4:32
  8. "My Mother Had a Brother" – 6:20
  9. "If You Were There" – 3:44
  10. "Safe" – 4:25
  11. "American Angel" – 4:09
  12. "My Baby Just Cares for Me" – 1:43
  13. "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" – 4:27 (performed at Pavarotti & Friends)
  14. "Please Send Me Someone (Anselmo's Song)" – 5:25
  15. "Through" – 4:55

2010 Australian release

Disc 3: Bonus 2010 Australian Tour Disc

  1. "Kissing A Fool" – 4:34
  2. "Feeling Good" – 2:54
  3. "My Baby Just Cares For Me" – 1:46
  4. "Roxanne" – 4:11
  5. "Club Tropicana" – 4:29
  6. "I'm Your Man (Extended Stimulation)" – 6:52 [11]

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[58] 2× Platinum 140,000^
Belgium (BEA)[59] Gold 25,000*
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[60] 4× Platinum 80,000‡
France (SNEP)[61] Gold 75,000*
Germany (BVMI)[62] Gold 100,000‡
Greece (IFPI Greece)[24] Gold 7,500^
Hungary (MAHASZ)[63] 2× Platinum 12,000^
Ireland (IRMA)[64] 3× Platinum 45,000^
Italy (FIMI)[65] Gold 25,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[66] Gold 7,500^
Poland (ZPAV)[67] 2× Platinum 40,000*
Portugal (AFP)[68] Gold 10,000^
Russia (NFPF)[69] Gold 10,000*
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[70] Gold 15,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[71] 5× Platinum 1,500,000‡
Summaries
Europe (IFPI)[72] Platinum 1,000,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ↑ AllMusic review
  2. ↑ "George Michael: Twenty Five". PopMatters.
  3. ↑ "The Times & The Sunday Times".
  4. ↑ "Sony Music UK: George Michael". Archived from the original on 2 February 2009. Retrieved 25 October 2009.
  5. ↑ "GeorgeMichael.com". GeorgeMichael.com. Archived from the original on 13 September 2008. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
  6. ↑ Archived 2 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  7. 1 2 "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  8. ↑ "Music Albums, Top 200 Albums & Music Album Charts". Billboard. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
  9. ↑ "Top 200 Albums". Billboard.
  10. ↑ "GeorgeMichael.com". GeorgeMichael.com. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
  11. ↑ "George Michael - Twenty Five (CD, Compilation)". Discogs. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
  12. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – George Michael – Twenty Five". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  13. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – George Michael – Twenty Five" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  14. ↑ "Ultratop.be – George Michael – Twenty Five" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  15. ↑ "Ultratop.be – George Michael – Twenty Five" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  16. ↑ "George Michael Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  17. ↑ "Czech Albums – Top 100". ČNS IFPI. Note: On the chart page, select 47.Týden 2006 on the field besides the words "CZ – ALBUMS – TOP 100" to retrieve the correct chart. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  18. ↑ "Danishcharts.dk – George Michael – Twenty Five". Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  19. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – George Michael – Twenty Five" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  20. ↑ Sexton, Paul (23 November 2006). "George Michael Starts at No. 1 in Europe". Billboard. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  21. ↑ "George Michael: Twenty Five" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  22. ↑ "Lescharts.com – George Michael – Twenty Five". Hung Medien. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  23. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – George Michael – Twenty Five" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  24. 1 2 "Ελληνικό Chart – Top 50 Ξένων Aλμπουμ" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  25. ↑ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2007. 21. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  26. ↑ "GFK Chart-Track Albums: Week 46, 2006". Chart-Track. IRMA. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  27. ↑ "Italiancharts.com – George Michael – Twenty Five". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  28. ↑ ジョージ・マイケルのアルバム売り上げランキング (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  29. ↑ "Charts.nz – George Michael – Twenty Five". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  30. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – George Michael – Twenty Five". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  31. ↑ "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
  32. ↑ "Portuguesecharts.com – George Michael – Twenty Five". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  33. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  34. ↑ "Spanishcharts.com – George Michael – Twenty Five". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  35. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – George Michael – Twenty Five". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  36. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – George Michael – Twenty Five". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  37. ↑ "George Michael Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  38. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 2006" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  39. ↑ "Rapports annueles 2006" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  40. ↑ "Chart of the Year 2006". Mogens Nielsen. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  41. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 2006" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  42. ↑ "Les 40 meilleures ventes de compilations en France pour l'année 2006" (in French). SNEP. Archived from the original on 16 October 2007. Retrieved 4 January 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  43. ↑ "Összesített album- és válogatáslemez-lista – eladási darabszám alapján – 2006" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  44. ↑ "Swiss Year-end Charts 2006". Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  45. ↑ "The Official UK Albums Chart 2006" (PDF). OCC. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  46. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 2007" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  47. ↑ "Összesített album- és válogatáslemez-lista – chart-pozíció alapján – 2007" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  48. ↑ "The Official UK Albums Chart 2007" (PDF). OCC. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  49. ↑ "UK Year-End 2009" (PDF). Charts Plus. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  50. ↑ "Najlepiej sprzedającym się albumem ubiegłego roku była płyta rapera Quebonafide "Egzotyka"" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  51. ↑ White, Jack (3 January 2018). "The Top 40 biggest albums of 2017 on the Official Chart". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  52. ↑ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2018". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  53. ↑ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2019". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  54. ↑ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2020". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  55. ↑ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2021". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  56. ↑ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2022". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  57. ↑ "End of Year Albums Chart – 2023". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  58. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2016 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  59. ↑ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – albums 2006". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  60. ↑ "Danish album certifications – George Michael – Twenty Five". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
  61. ↑ "French album certifications – George Michael – Twenty Five" (in French). InfoDisc. Retrieved 1 November 2017. Select GEORGE MICHAEL and click OK. 
  62. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (George Michael; 'Twenty Five')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  63. ↑ "Adatbázis – Arany- és platinalemezek – 2007" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  64. ↑ "The Irish Charts - 2006 Certification Awards - Multi Platinum". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  65. ↑ "Italian album certifications – George Michael – Twenty Five" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 4 January 2022. Select "2021" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Twenty Five" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Album e Compilation" under "Sezione".
  66. ↑ "New Zealand album certifications – George Michael – Twenty Five". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  67. ↑ "Wyróżnienia – Platynowe płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2007 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  68. ↑ "Portuguese Charts: Week 21, 2007". Artistas & Espectáculos (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Archived from the original on 27 May 2007.
  69. ↑ "Russian album certifications – George Michael – Twenty Five" (in Russian). National Federation of Phonogram Producers (NFPF). Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  70. ↑ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Twenty Five')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  71. ↑ "British album certifications – George Michael – Twenty Five". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  72. ↑ "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards – 2006". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
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