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R.I.P. George Michael's career 1982-2002
The Sun - Bizarre section, August 30, 2002
GEORGE MICHAELS career looked doomed last night after his controversial single Shoot The Dog sold only 3,000 copies. Midweek sales figures show him heading for a lowly No12 in Sunday's charts. If the poor first-day performance continues the song is unlikely to make it into the Top Ten something that hasn't happened to a George release for more than a decade. The sales are a huge embarrassment as the ex-WHAM! star hoped the anti-US single would rescue his flagging career. To make things worse, the midweek chart shows Pop Idol loser DARIUS DANESH heading for a likely No1 with sales of more than 20,000 for his debut single, Colourblind. George is also trailing fledgling acts SCOOTER, SHAKIRA and NELLY. He has sold less than VANESSA CARLTO's A Thousand Miles and only a few more than Shooting Star by F & FILL, who are in their second and third weeks in the charts. Insiders at his label Universal say George has taken the news badly.
One told me: "George was a bit nervous about the backlash." He was at least hoping to get in the Top Ten. He put on a brave face when he heard the news and told those around him that it didn't matter. But deep down you could see it did. For an artist of his stature, No12 is simply not good enough. There was a time when it would have been unthinkable. The song has been dogged by controversy since the moment George started promoting it four weeks ago. Shoot The Dog, which has been shunned by radio stations, portrays TONY BLAIR as lapdog GEORGE BUSH and the cartoon video shows the world leaders as gay lovers. He has already refused to release it in the US fearing the reaction of angry Americans. George's career has been waning for some time. His last single Freeek! only reached No7 in March. While promoting Shoot The Dog, George said: "This the most political thing I've done. It's a massive and totally unnecessary risk." And it just backfired, George. I will be charting how much further the singer's career sinks with my daily George-Down-The-Pan-ometer.
Also:
GEORGE MICHAEL is making a desperate bid to escape the U-bend on my Down-The-Pan-ometer which measures the end of his career. Shoot The Dog Yesterday climbed from No12 in the midweek charts to No11. Down boy.
George Michael - 'SHOOT THE DOG' (POLYDOR)
Dotmusic, by Chris Nye-Browne, Released on: Monday, 29 July 2002
So much has already been written about this protest (ish) song. Most of it nonsense. Inspired apparently by the Daily Mirror's highly critical coverage of US foreign policy, The Sun has already sunk its teeth into Michael, claiming his recording career is over and referring back to the infamous incident involving the singer and an ex-copper in a Los Angeles public toilet. The liberal press has also been lining up to have a go, claiming a mere pop star should not be expressing such 'radical' views. In fact, they miss the point. It is precisely because George Michael is so mainstream that this record so worthwhile. If it had come from the usual patriarchs of political protest: Billy Bragg, Joe Strummer and, er, the Levellers…it would have slipped by unnoticed. As it is 'Shoot The Dog' has succeeded in stimulating debate, both high and low brow about where Bush and Blair are taking us in their 'war against terror'.
But what of the record itself: As a piece of music it's a fairly bland disco pop romp, good to tap the toe to but even by Michael's standard pretty throwaway. 'Shoot The Dog' is no more than a little light-hearted satire with an amusing video but more power to Michael for being just that little bit braver than his pop peers.
What are you up to George?
The Sun Bizarre, 26 July 2002
GEORGE MICHAEL looks like he is recreating the infamous pose that got him busted in a Los Angeles loo in 1998. Either that or he?s attempting to run away from all the bad publicity stirred up by new single Shoot The Dog. The singer is seen arrived home in Hampstead, North London, yesterday after a stroll. George is in Britain to promote Shoot The Dog ? but things have backfired. The track, attacking the war on terror, has prompted an angry backlash and is not getting much airplay.
Pop Olympian
Dotmusic, 19 July 2002
George Michael has been approached to write the theme song for the 2004 Olympic games, dotmusic has learnt. Michael was asked to write the song by the Athens Olympic Committee, who organise the promotion and administration of the worldwide sporting event. The star is presently considering the proposition, although it is unclear when he will decide whether or not to accept the offer. Michael is currently at the centre of a media storm, because his new single 'Shoot the Dog' has been deemed anti-American. But Michael has continually refuted the claims, stating instead that the song is a reference to Tony Blair's unquestioning relationship with George Bush. The single's release has been brought forward a week to July 29.
George Michael asked to write song for Olympics
Variety, July 18 2002
LONDON (Reuters) - British pop singer George Michael is considering a request from the Athens Olympic Committee to write a theme song for the 2004 Games, a spokeswoman for the artist said Thursday. The 39-year-old's Greek heritage is obvious in his original name, Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, although he was born in north London. "A request was made by the Athens Olympic Committee to write the theme song for the 2004 games," said the spokeswoman.
Michael, a former member of the 1980's duo Wham!, has been in the public eye in the past few weeks defending his upcoming single "Shoot the Dog." The song's lyrics criticise British Prime Minister Tony Blair's relationship with U.S. President George W. Bush, and an animated video features Michael in bed with Cherie Blair. The Athens Olympics will be held in August 2004, and have been subject to their own controversy, with the organising committee being accused of lagging dangerously behind schedule. Greek government officials told Reuters last month that the games are on track, despite minor problems.
Michael fears return to US
BBC News, July 12 2002
Singer George Michael said he can no longer return to his home in the US after his controversial video caused upset.
The star, whose Shoot the Dog single and video has been interpreted as being anti-American, fears for his life following the bad press he has received. Michael has been heavily criticised for the song which has a cartoon video showing UK Prime Minister Tony Blair as a poodle on the White House lawn. But the 39-year-old has told the Tonight with Trevor McDonald programme that he puts much of the reaction down to homophobia but said he did not regret making the video. In particular he singled out the New York Post newspaper which has branded him a "past-his-prime pop pervert". He said he now fears his life could be in danger if he returns to the house he shares with his long-term lover Kenny Goss.
"Americans are very reactionary right now and I - because of that article - cannot return to America, even though my partner lives there," he said. "It's been very heavily inferred that I was actually an al-Qaeda sympathiser, that somehow I thought that there was something not horrific and shocking and undeserved about the attacks on 11 September," said Michael.
Misread
He also admitted he has had to take part in a number of interviews to carry out "damage control" since previews of the video were released amid such furore. Michael insists the video was designed to provoke debate about Tony Blair and was not an attack on George Bush or Americans.
"I did release a statement anticipating a misreading of the video to try and make people understand that I'm not anti-American in any sense," he said. He said some sectors were unable to accept his opinions without dragging his homosexuality and conviction for lewd conduct into it.
"I don't think that there's any real connection between what I'm saying and the fact that I'm a gay man. But there's a lot of connection in the press as to those two things. For some reason I don't have a right to talk about anything because I got caught four years ago with a police officer in a Los Angeles toilet. Somehow that eradicates all possibility that what I'm saying might be for the best or is worthy of being discussed."
He also denied he had made the video in order to get publicity after his last single Freeek! only reached a disappointing number seven in the charts. "This would be the most stupid publicity stunt anyone ever pulled. I mean look at the publicity, I've got out of it.
Singer George Michael Fears for His Life in U.S.
Variety, July 12, 2002
LONDON (Reuters) - Singer George Michael believes his life would be in danger if he returned to the United States following an outburst of anger there over his latest single which ridicules the U.S.-led "war on terror." In an interview to be broadcast on Britain's ITV network on Friday evening, Michael said a New York Post article about him headlined "Pop Perv's 9/11 slur" followed by a disastrous interview on the CNN news network designed to limit the damage had made it impossible for him to go back.
"I was trying to do some damage control because my life was in danger. Americans are very reactionary right now and I -- because of that article -- cannot return to America, even though my partner lives there," he told ITV. "Shoot the Dog" lampoons the U.S. response to the September 11 attacks and the "special relationship" between the United States and Britain. The video depicts British Prime Minister Tony Blair as a poodle being petted on the White House lawn by President Bush.
Michael sings in one verse: "Nine nine nine gettin jiggy, People did you see that fire in the city? It's like we're fresh out of democratic, Gotta get yourself a little something semi-automatic." The gay singer claimed he was not anti-American and blamed homophobia for his unpopularity in the U.S., following his 1998 arrest for exposing himself to a police officer. "It is not an attack on American people, who I have a great deal of respect for," he said. "For some reason I don't have a right to talk about anything because I got caught four years ago with a police offer in a Los Angeles toilet. Somehow that eradicates all possibility that what I'm saying might be for the best or is worthy of being discussed," he complained.
In the interview Michael described the events of September 11 unfolding as he put the final touches to the song. "On September 11 I was almost finished. I had two lines to go on the chorus and one of my co-producers ran into the room and said: 'You have to switch on the TV, you're not going to believe what you see,"' he said. "Shoot the Dog" will not be released in the United States because the singer currently has no American record deal.
George Michael fears for his safety in U.S.
Gay.com U.K., July 12 2002
SUMMARY: Gay pop star George Michael fears he may be hounded out of the United States, following the release in the United Kingdom of his single, "Shoot the Dog." Gay pop star George Michael fears he may be hounded out of the United States, following the release in the United Kingdom of his single, "Shoot the Dog," which questions the relationship between George Bush and Tony Blair. Despite the fact that the single is not being released in the United States, Michael, 39, believes that a hate campaign branding him as "un-American" has become so vitriolic that he may never be allowed to return.
The star told the Mirror: "It's been heavily implied that I was actually an al-Qaeda sympathizer. … (B)ecause of that … I cannot return to America, even though my partner lives there." Michael, who lives with Texan Kenny Goss and owns a mansion in Beverly Hills, also hit out at right-wing leaders who, he claims, have launched a smear campaign against him because he is a "gay man with a big mouth." "I don't think that there's any real connection between what I'm saying (in the video) and the fact that I'm a gay man. But there's a lot of connection in the press as to those two things," Michael said in an Associated Press report.
On ITV's "Tonight" on Thursday he answered critics, who have accused him of courting controversy to boost his flagging career, when he told Sir Trevor McDonald: "This would be the most stupid publicity stunt anyone ever pulled. I mean look at the publicity I've got out of it. I'm not stupid. I knew I was going to walk into a wall of criticism." The single features outspoken lyrics and is accompanied by a cartoon video mocking U.S. President George Bush and his response to the Sept. 11 attacks. In the video, British Prime Minister Tony Blair is depicted as a lap dog for President Bush. In another scene, Michael himself ends up in bed between Tony and Cherie Blair.
Last March, Michael released another single, "Freeek!," which reached the Top 10 on the U.K. pop charts. The controversial video was relegated to late-night television programming.
Shoot The Pop Star
Dotmusic, 12 July 2002
George Michael claims he would feel unsafe if he returned to the US, after the angry reaction that has greeted his new single, 'Shoot the Dog', in America. The pop megastar has lived in America for a number of years with his partner, Kenny Goss, but now says he feels unable to return for fear of attack from people upset by his 'political single'. 'Shoot the Dog' was written before September's terrorist attacks on New York and was meant as a criticism of Tony Blair. However, Michael claims that Americans have misinterpreted the song's message and mistakenly taken it to be an attack on US foreign policy. Citing an article in a US newspaper which branded him a "past-his-prime pop pervert", Michael rejected claims that he had an uncertain viewpoint on the terrorist attacks in New York last year.
"Americans are very reactionary right now and I - because of that article - cannot return to America, even though my partner lives there," he said. "It's been very heavily inferred that I was actually an al-Qaeda sympathiser, that somehow I thought that there was something not horrific and shocking and undeserved about the attacks on 11 September."
George Michael Feels Unsafe in U.S.
Yahoo, July 11, 2002
LONDON (AP) - George Michael says he's nervous to return to his home in the United States because of the criticism he's received for his new song and video, "Shoot the Dog." The British pop singer's video condemns Prime Minister Tony Blair ( news - web sites) for his close ties with the United States, portraying him as President Bush ( news - web sites)'s obedient lap dog. The video shows a cartoon of Bush tickling a poodle representing Blair on the White House lawn. When it was released, Michael called the video a political satire that should not be seen as unpatriotic in Britain or anti-American. But he also urged Blair to find the strength to challenge Bush's views, including his talk of a possible U.S. military attack on Iraq. Since then, Michael said in an interview with ITV1's "Tonight" show Thursday night, he's been unfairly criticized in the United States as anti-American, which he blames on homophobia.
The 39-year-old singer, who announced in 1998 that he's gay, has lived mostly in America the past few years with his boyfriend, Kenny Goss. Michael said a recent article in the New York Post branded him a "past-his-prime pop pervert." Negative media coverage has made life too difficult for him in the United States and forced him to undertake "damage control" interviews, he said. "It's been very heavily inferred that I was actually an al-Qaida sympathizer, that somehow I thought that there was something not horrific and shocking and undeserved about the attacks on September the 11th," he said. "Americans are very reactionary right now, and I — because of that article — cannot return to America, even though my partner lives there."
He said he loves his home in the United States, Goss' family, and the time he's spent in Dallas and Los Angeles. "I don't think that there's any real connection between what I'm saying (in the video) and the fact that I'm a gay man. But there's a lot of connection in the press as to those two things," Michael said. "For some reason I don't have a right to talk about anything because I got caught four years ago ... in a Los Angeles toilet," he said. "Somehow that eradicates all possibility that what I'm saying might be for the best, or is worthy of being discussed. I can't fight that kind of homophobia."
Michael was charged with lewd conduct in a Los Angeles public toilet in 1998. Soon after, he said publicly for the first time that he's gay. Later, his career rebounded with the single and video "Outside," which poked fun at the police. Michael first shot to stardom in the 1980s as half of the duo Wham! When the group split up in 1986, Michael went solo with his first album, "Faith," which sold more than 10 million copies. In 1987, many U.S. radio stations boycotted his hit, "I Want Your Sex," saying that it encouraged promiscuity. Michael said the song actually was about monogamy.
George Michael's new song not coming to Canada
JamMusic, July 10, 2002
TORONTO -- Canadian fans of George Michael will have to turn to the Internet -- at least for now -- if they want to hear the singer's controversial new song. With Shoot The Dog, the pop star has turned into a political commentator. The song and video, which Michael has said won't be released in America, have been criticized for their parodies of British Prime Minister Tony Blair and U.S. President George W. Bush and called insensitive because of the Sept. 11 attacks.
Officials at MTV Canada and MuchMusic say the video hasn't been sent to them, and they've had no indication that it's coming. In the animated video, a cartoon Blair is depicted as Bush's poodle, running around on the White House lawn. At one point, Bush is seen tickling the dog's stomach. In another scene, Blair is a sea captain steering his country towards the United States.
The video, which is currently airing only in the U.K., also pokes fun at the Queen, Geri Halliwell and Blair's wife Cherie. The pop singer crashes into the Blair bedroom riding a rocket from Iraq.
"It is not an attempt to express anti-American sentiment, nor an attempt to condone the action of al-Qaida," Michael said in a statement on his Web site, www.aegean.net. "I would never knowingly disrespect the feelings of a nation, which has suffered so much loss, so recently, for any reason."
It's not the first time Michael has made headlines for his music videos. His 1998 single Outside parodied his very public arrest for exposure after a Beverly Hills police officer caught him with another man in a park bathroom. The video featured a re-enactment of the arrest that led to Michael's self-outing as a homosexual.
Michael stated that Shoot The Dog is meant as a political commentary drawn from his fear that the United States is pulling Britain towards a war with Iraq. "Shoot The Dog is simply my attempt to contribute to the public debate that I feel should be taking place regarding Iraq and Saddam Hussein. I have tried to convey my message with humour, because the public is rightfully scared of these issues, and humour has often been a useful aide to political debate."
The single was released in late June. A new album is slated for the fall but North American fans may have a tough time finding it. "The record was never intended for American release, for the precise reason that I felt it could be misread . . . no offence to Americans was intended," he said.
Michael's video has garnered attention from many sources including the Swiss-based Raelian Movement. The group, with a following in Quebec, believes extra-terrestrials created humans and will return to Earth some day. Michael was made an Honourary Guide because of his video, joining two other musicians with the title. Sinead O'Connor was singled out for publicly tearing up a photograph of the Pope. Madonna received it for the video Like A Prayer which took place in a church.
Noel blasts Michael
Dotmusic, 9 July 2002
Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher has launched yet another scathing verbal assault, this time calling George Michael "a liar and a fake". Gallagher senior was speaking about Michael's new 'political' single 'Shoot the Dog', in his latest outburst. He insisted: "He's now trying to make social comment, this is the guy who hid who he actually was from the public for 20 years, now, all of a sudden, he's got something to say about the world. I find it laughable. That's before you get to the song, which is diabolical."
Noel is famed for his verbal outbursts and has long been critical of the likes of Damon Albarn, Victoria Beckham and Robbie Williams. Only a fortnight ago he branded Kylie Minogue "a demonic little idiot". Gallagher has also spoken out about the state of the British music industry, in an interview with XFM. He said: "I think that the British music industry is suffering from a lot of fear at the moment, for people losing their jobs. It's all about making money. It's all about Westlife and that 'Pop Idol' thing. Nothing has a very long shelf life, and the music has no depth to it.
"Gone are the days when bands like The Smiths and The Jam would always be in the top ten. Oasis are probably the last of the big - and I use this term because I can't think of another - 'alternative' bands to really make an impact on the country." In other Oasis news, the band have added two Scottish indoor shows to their headline performance at T In The Park. The Gallagher brothers will now play the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference centre on September 9 and 10.
Gallagher attacks 'liar' Michael
BBC News, July 8, 2002
Oasis singer Noel Gallagher has verbally attacked fellow pop star George Michael, branding him "a liar and a fake".
Michael's controversial new song, Shoot the Dog, satirises Prime Minister Tony Blair's relationship with US President George W Bush, depicting Mr Blair as a poodle in its cartoon video. But Gallagher said Michael's attempt at social commentary was "laughable".
The song's author concealed his homosexuality until 1998 when he was caught propositioning a Los Angeles police officer in a public toilet. "What's he trying to say?" said Gallagher. "He's now trying to make social comment, this is the guy who hid who he actually was from the public for 20 years, now, all of a sudden, he's got something to say about the way of the world. I find it laughable. That's even before you get to the song, which is diabolical."
Oasis brothers Noel and Liam are known for their scathing attacks on other artists. Noel Gallagher pronounced Kylie Minogue "a demonic little idiot", and Liam said Spice Girl Victoria Beckham was too stupid to write a book. Other targets have included Robbie Williams and Damon Albarn.
Michael defended his song last week, saying he was definitely not anti-American, amid reports the song was causing controversy in the States. "I am definitely not anti-American," he said. "How could I be? I have been in love with a Texan for six years." Michael's partner Kenny Goss is from Texas.
The singer said there were no plans to release Shoot The Dog in the US. "The record was never intended for American release, for the precise reason that I felt it could be misread in this very way," he said. The single is set to go on sale in the UK on 5 August.
Who's a cheeky boy?
The Guardian, July 7, 2002
Critics of George Michael's satirical protest song have missed the point.
'With the release of his George Bush and Cherie Blair-referencing new single,' snickers the Popbitch website, 'we would like to commiserate with George Michael on the death of his career.' Popbitch is not alone in its verdict on 'Shoot the Dog', George Michael's satirical take on the 'war on terror', and its animated video, which depicts, among other things, the President of the United States having foreign policy explained to him by a general with a sock puppet, popping up (literally) in bed with the Blairs, and tickling Mr Tony's tummy - 'Good puppy!' - on the White House lawn.
The Sun said more or less the same thing, declaring the release of the record to be professional suicide and throwing in terms such as 'sleazy' and 'pervert' for good measure. In his Guardian column last Tuesday, Rod Liddle, editor of Radio 4's Today and renowned for his frequent defence of giving airtime to British National Party leader Nick Griffin, weighed into the debate, also on the 'nay' side. Not content with giving Michael a good kicking, Liddle attacks Bono and Bob Geldof, dismissing the very notion that a mere entertainer might not only hold political views but claim the right to express them in his work. What Liddle is actually doing is defending the current-affairs establishment's monopoly on political comment.
He does concede that 'there have been a few occasions in the history of rock and pop music when musicians have genuinely captured the mood of an angry minority', citing Neil Young's 'Ohio' and the Sex Pistols' 'God Save the Queen', but qualifies it: 'back then, pop musicians were not the establishment, as they have since, sadly (for them and us) become'. That, however, is precisely the point.
After all, George Michael is no banner-waving, dog-on-a-string crusty. He's the Elton John of his generation: a bona-fide pop star with almost two decades' worth of international hits in his CV. If something with the political content of 'Shoot the Dog' had been released by Billy Bragg or Joe Strummer, or some other veteran ranter from the punk era, it would simply have been business as usual. By the same token, much of the video, currently showing only on MTV, replicates the tone, style and production values of the opening titles to the cheeky but scarcely radical Have I Got News for You, wherein its core political gags - Dubya is a cretin, Blair is a creep - are more or less standard assumptions.
It's only because a critique of the 'war on terror' features in a single by a household pop name that it seems shocking to those accustomed to the quiescent popsters, adolescent and senescent alike, who showed up for the jubilee concert to have their heads patted by royalty. It may not be a great record - and with the authority vested in me by the British Board of Popular Culture, I regret to inform you that it isn't - but its existence is immensely encouraging. The political silence of rock's lambs has been deafening over the past decades - one of the saddest popculch spectacles I've ever seen was a documentary about Sean Lennon and Lenny Kravitz attempting to put together an all-star record protesting against the Gulf War and finding no performer with serious clout willing to join in - and the post-11 September phenomenon of Paul McCartney and Neil Young's 'give war a chance' records is dispiriting.
Ever since Bob Dylan imported the topical polemic into pop from the folk world in the mid-Sixties, the 'protest song' has been an intrinsic part of the pop palette. It is sad not only that it has fallen into disuse but that some would still deny its intrinsic legitimacy. '"Shoot the Dog' is political satire, expressing my personal opinion about the lack of public dialogue between the government and the British people today,' says Michael. 'I wrote it to get people talking, not to change the world and certainly not to cause offence. If it stimulates debate and makes people dance and laugh, I think it will have done its job.'
Publicity-seeking career move or heartfelt personal statement, 'Shoot the Dog' is still a blow against a manufactured consensus in which genuine debate has been marginalised by knee-jerk accusations of 'anti-Americanism' or 'anti-Semitism' from governments that want only a one-way conversation with their electorates and a media complicit in the charade. Even if he does not release the record in the States Michael, by putting his well-coiffed bonce above the parapet when the majority of his colleagues are keeping their heads down, has proved himself a smarter, braver man than most of his peers. And most of his critics.
'Shoot the Dog' is released on 5 August on Polydor Records.
Nobby comments Shoot The Dog
Nobby (www.yogger.net) in PG, July 7, 2002
Reading the lyrics of Shoot The Dog (STD), it reminds me of Dr Strangelove I watched recently. Even the German army is some kind of plaything of the White House. Cut off the last verse of STD and add the end of Dr. Strangelove's 'We´ll meet again', the cartoon people could be dancing in heaven and hell... Could there be an even more sarcastic end for the video? But instead, George chose a versus from Human League's 'Love Action':
I believe, I believe what the old man said
Though I know that there's no lord above
I believe in me, I believe in you
And you know I believe in love
I believe in truth though I lie a lot
I feel the pain from the push and shove
No matter what you put me through
I'll still believe in love
Isn't this a clear message to stop silly wars and to rather discuss things out?
Regarding 999: very week, BBC 1's 999 programme brings you real-life rescues and safety tips. This series includes 'What Would You Do?' - how to make the right choices in an emergency. Of course, if I were Bush or Blair, I would say "We are not amused", but to stir up the public discussions it is the only way. I find it strange that some media (esp SUN and FOX) eagerly quote the LA incident (writing 'exposing in front of a cop' - letting the reader think: "Who is that stupid?"), that he's gay, and with no word mention that he is himself 'seducing' Cherie in the video - a very strange thing to do for a gay that is. Charming. :o))))
This STD video is so amusing, so rich in details. George is coming right out of the men's toilet. *Hurray* to the SUN who is mentioning the LA incident in every second sentences, but seemingly without knowing the video exactly. Then George grabs the General's sock where he (the General) tried to 'explain' something to Dubya, and hides it in his trousers. Trough the 'front door' of course.
Later on, when George lands on Cherie's bed with the bomb, this very sock is appearing again where it seems to be his willie... and then it turns out it's just this sock... The spirit of Lady Diana lives on in the bunch of red roses George is grabbing from the Queen and hiding underneath his jacket. (Goodbye English rose, though I never knew you at all.) In the next scene George is walking across the seat of war putting the roses back into the gunbarrels.
Has anyone mentioned yet that George uses samples of Fastlove in Shoot The Dog? I wonder whether there will be a contest what songs are in Shoot The Dog. After
I spent Saturday night on Novocaine
Called the pigs, but nobody came
I'm gonna shoot the dog,...
there's a 'Gonna get up...' sample two times.
Hey, does anyone ask himself what lady that is that dances with George in the video, gets bumped off the screen and reappears in George's hair again? Is that Geri Halliwell? Looks like!!!
Nobby, www.yogger.net
Michael denies attack on Bush
BBC News, July 5 2002
Pop singer George Michael has defended his new single, saying the satirical Shoot The Dog is not intended as an attack on US president George Bush or the American people. Responding to criticisms of the song, which has a cartoon video showing UK Prime Minister as a poodle on the White House lawn, the star said it was meant to provoke debate about Tony Blair.
Michael, 39, told CNN's Talkback Live TV show: "It's anti-Mr Blair and anti-Mr Blair's reluctance to challenge Mr Bush. It's not anti-American in any sense." And he confirmed that the single would not be released in the US. The video was shown for the first time on Tuesday on cable channels MTV and VH1.
Attack
It also features a scene in which the singer, dressed in a leopard-print thong, apparently tries to seduce Cherie Blair. But US callers to the CNN show appeared to perceive the video as an attack on the US, and there were reportedly boos from the studio audience. Michael maintained he would never "disrespect" Americans' feelings after the 11 September attacks.
"There was no plan to release [the song] in your country and I think it would have been disrespectful to make this an issue in a country which obviously has suffered much loss and very recently," he told CNN. "This was absolutely an attack on Tony Blair, principally, and the perspective which is really predominant in Europe right now that he's not questioning enough of Mr Bush's policies."
"I think in the current climate, it can be very difficult to speak your mind, but sometimes, I believe, we're all in danger and I think this discussion needs to be widened," he said.
'Coward'
Earlier in the week, Michael said in a statement: "I am definitely not anti-American - my feelings about George W Bush, however, are a little different. And I know I'm not alone in fearing his politics, and in hoping that our man Tony can be a calming and rational influence on him," said the statement.
Pop Idol judge and BMG records boss Simon Cowell said that Michael was a "coward" for not releasing the song in the US. "It shows a lack of conviction to write a song about America and not actually release it there," Cowell told the Sun newspaper.
Record deal
But on Friday Michael's spokeswoman told BBC News Online that there had never been any intention to release the record in the US. "It never was going to be released there - [his previous single] Freeek wasn't released in the US either. He doesn't have a record deal in the US," she said.
The single, which goes on sale in the UK on 5 August, is set for release in Europe, Asia, Australia and South America.BR>
George Michael Says He's Not Anti-U.S.
Yahoo, July 5 2002
LONDON (Reuters) - George Michael denied on Friday he was anti-American after his new single lampooning President Bush ( news - web sites) and the "War on Terror" provoked a storm of protest in the United States. "I am definitely not anti-American, how could I be?" the platinum-selling artist said in a statement. "I have been in love with a Texan for six years." Michael's boyfriend Kenny Goss is from Texas.
He added, however that he feared Bush's politics and had concerns about the U.S. and Britain bombing Iraq, but said the song and video do not condone "the actions of al-Qaeda." The single "Shoot the Dog," which will not be released in the U.S. because the singer has no American record deal, prompted the New York Post to headline a story "Pop Perv's 9/11 Slur." The reference was to the singer's 1998 arrest in a Los Angeles public toilet after exposing himself to a police officer.
Britain's Sun newspaper, said the singer could have done irretrievable damage to his career with the song. "His career was at a crossroads and he has just taken the wrong turning," the paper said. Michael, whose career has flagged since the 1980s and 1990s, also attracted ridicule from some media commentators this week after a newspaper interview in which he declared that, for him, staying silent about the world situation was "not an option."
George Michael Song
CNN, 5 July 2002
ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) - Pop singer George Michael said Wednesday that his newest song, a political satire skewering the British and U.S. leaders for their decisions regarding Iraq, was intended purely to spur public debate. The song and video for "Shoot the Dog," released Monday, have drawn outrage from listeners in the United States who see it as an insult to President George Bush. But Michael, 39, told CNN's "TalkBack Live" he would never knowingly disrespect Americans' feelings following the September 11 terrorist attacks.
"There was no plan to release [the song] in your country and I think it would have been disrespectful to make this an issue in a country which obviously has suffered much loss and very recently," Michael said. "This was absolutely an attack on [British Prime Minister] Tony Blair, principally, and the perspective which is really predominant in Europe right now that he's not questioning enough of Mr. Bush's policies." He said the song was intended for release in Europe. Michael said he began writing the song last September as a way to criticize Blair for not involving the British public in decisions regarding Iraq and its president, Saddam Hussein. More widely, he said, the song describes the dangers he saw developing between the Western world and fundamentalist factions in the Middle East. He sings, "People did you see that fire in the city/It's like we're fresh out of democratic/Gotta get yourself a little something semi-automatic."
Michael said those lines refer to al Qaeda members, who "took the law into their own hands" by carrying out the terrorist attacks last fall. "I don't think that should be misconstrued as some kind of criticism," Michael told CNN. "It's a reference to what happened, and basically saying things are going crazy." The sometimes-graphic video is a cartoon depicting the singer at the palace with Queen Elizabeth, in Blair's bedroom with his wife, Cherie, and at the White House with Bush and Blair. He said he "wouldn't even have wanted the video shown" until it began making headlines in recent days. "It's anti-Mr. Blair and anti-Mr. Blair's reluctance to challenge Mr. Bush. It's not anti-American in any sense," Michael told CNN. "Satire is used for political purposes all the time, but obviously there's a time and a place," he said. "I think in the current climate, it can be very difficult to speak your mind, but sometimes, I believe, we're all in danger and I think this discussion needs to be widened."
Shoot George Michael
Dotmusic, 5 July 2002
George Michael's controversial new single has been castigated in America, where it was greeted with boos after an airing on CNN, dotmusic can report. 'Shoot The Dog' is an attack on Tony Blair and makes reference to his unwillingness to question the politics of American President George Bush. It also features an equally contentious video, with Blair portrayed as Bush's 'lap-dog' (see above). Some Americans believe it to be an attack on their country, with it coming so soon after the New York terrorist attacks of September 11. But Michael insists that he would never "disrepect" the American feeling towards September 11 and doesn't plan to release the record stateside. Speaking to CNN he said: "There was no plan to release ('Shoot The Dog') in your country and I think it would have been disrespectful to make this an issue in a country which obviously has suffered much loss and very recently."
The video for the single depicts an animated Blair being tickled like a poodle by Bush and also shows Michael trying to seduce Blair's wife Cherie. Despite not being released in America, the single will be available in Australia, South America and throughout Europe and Asia. The decision not to release the single in America has also brought its own criticism, with 'Pop idol' judge Simon Cowell, accusing Michael of being a "coward".
"It shows a lack of conviction to write a song about America and not actually release it there," he told the Sun newspaper. But a spokesperson for Michael insists that the single was never intended to be released in the US because he hasn't got a record deal there. 'Shoot The Dog' is out in the UK from August 5.
George Michael writes about his intentions for his new video
www.undercover.com.au, July 4, 2002
George Michael has found himself the centre of controversy again this week because of the political message he has made in his new video "Shoot The Dog". However, George says the video is not anti-American, it was created to fuel debate. Michael has written to the media to explain his intentions. Here is his letter:
"The song and video in question, "Shoot The Dog", is definitely not an attempt to express anti-American sentiment, nor an attempt to condone the actions of Al-Qaida. I have lived with an American citizen for the past six years, and have had a home there for the past 10. And I would never knowingly disrespect the feelings of a nation, which has suffered so much loss, so recently, for any reason. The debate which I hope to encourage by lampooning the relationship between our two leaders (and I think it is fair to say that lampooning is principally an American invention, born out of a desire for true democracy), is one that I think would protect all of us, but it would seem that neither the British nor American governments are keen to have us raise our voices, or ask a few simple, terrifying questions:
Saddam Hussein is without question now capable of changing the face of the planet. The level of destruction possible if this madman is cornered is too awful to put into words. So what should we do? Do we hope that time and his age will remove him from us all (don't forget, he is in his sixties, and God may smile on us in that respect), or do we bomb Iraq and hope to get rid of his regime right now? And, most frightening of all, if we do go looking for him, and succeed, isn't it possible that he will behave as he always has, like the bad guy in some tacky movie, sat in a room with nothing to lose and a few terrifying red buttons at his fingertips. Isn't that almost inevitable?
I do not believe this is melodrama. I believe this is the most important decision that our respective Government's have ever had to make on our behalf's. I cannot speak for America, I would not presume to, but there is no doubt that here in the UK, we are not being asked what we think. Like many of you over there in the States, we are just praying that Tony and Dubya know more than we do, because prayer is all that appears to be allowed.
"Shoot the Dog" is simply my attempt to contribute to the public debate that I feel should be taking place regarding Iraq and Saddam Hussein. I have tried to convey my message with humor, because the public is rightfully scared of these issues, and humor has often been a useful aide to political debate. And believe me, however irreverent I may be of Mr. Blair and Mr. Bush, my intentions are genuinely to do something, however small, to protect all of us, the people I love, and the people you love, from a disaster that we have the power to avoid. The record was never intended for American release, for the precise reason that I felt it could be misread in this very way, and it makes me truly sad that this press statement has been necessary. Once again, no offense to Americans was intended, but politicians are humans, not Gods, and God knows, there has never been a more important time to remember that than now.
Sincerely, George Michael"
Shoot The Dog has been sent to radio around the world this week and will be on sale in the first week of August.
The tight-trousered philosopher
The Daily Telegraph, July 4, 2002
George Michael, tired of singing about sex, suddenly has an urgent political message for us. If only we could work out what it is, wishes Neil McCormick, Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Bob Marley, The Clash, Public Enemy, U2. To the roll call of popular music's great social commentators and political activists can be added a new name: George Michael. Following the relative failure of his last single (although, of course, the two events are in no way related), the erstwhile boy-band pin-up and gay icon has decided he is no longer content with being your "Sexual Freeek!" but would rather be recognised as a global statesman with an important message for listeners everywhere.
Barking up the wrong tree: a scene from the video for George Michael's new single, Shoot the Dog, which claims 'It's like we're getting fresh out of democratic' Even after carefully listening to his forthcoming single, Shoot the Dog, and reading his exclusive four-page interview with The Mirror this week, however, I am still not entirely sure what his message actually is. Apparently inspired by the growing tensions between "the secular world and the fundamentalist world", George delivers the following words of wisdom over a typically funky rhythm section: "Mustapha, Mazeltov, the Gaza Boys, all that holy stuff/ I get the feelin' when it all goes off, they're gonna shoot the dog, they're gonna shoot the dog."
Strong stuff, I am sure you agree, although, in a nation of pet lovers, certain question have to be asked. Who is this dog? Is there not a more humane way to have the poor beast put down? And how might the death of a beloved pet affect the delicate balance of power in the Middle East? According to Mirror editor Piers Morgan, George's "sensational" lyrics "expose the culture of fear, retribution and often mindless bigotry pervading world affairs right now". Morgan was particularly impressed with Michael's pithy assessment of the events of September 11: "Nine, nine, nine, getting' jiggy/ People did you see that fire in the City? It's like we're getting fresh out of democratic/ Gotta get yourself a little something semi-automatic, yeah.' You can't put it clearer than that.
Fans may be wondering if George's interest in politics is a recent development or whether the former Wham! singer has been practising his own brand of shuttlecock diplomacy all along? Perhaps on his next tour, he will unveil new versions of his hits in all their political glory: "Wake Me Up Before You Bomb Afghanistan", "Careless Whispers Cost Lives" and "Club Tropicana (Drinks Are Free But Please Respect the Laws and Customs of the Local Community When You Leave the Premises)". In fact, George has revealed that his agit-pop manifesto was inspired by reading John Pilger in The Mirror (and not, apparently, in the many books written by the campaigning journalist in his long career).
This, presumably, led to George baring his social conscience exclusively to the tabloid. The paper's agenda, however, was revealed at the bottom of Monday's self-important interview, in the teaser: "Tomorrow: the truth about me and Kenny". Sure enough, the next day it was business as usual, with the Mirror revealing salacious details about the pop star's sex life. All in the name of world peace, of course. "This is such a serious time for us all that being silent is not an option," according to George. If only.
Criticism dogs George
The Daily Telegraph, July 2, 2002
LONDON: Controversial UK pop singer George Michael has denied being anti-American after his new single which lampoons President George W Bush and the "War on Terror" provoked a storm of protest in the US. "I am definitely not anti-American; how could I be?" the platinum-selling artist said in a statement. "I have been in love with a Texan for six years." Michael's boyfriend, Kenny Goss, is from Texas.
However, he added that Bush's politics made him afraid and he also had concerns about the US and Britain bombing Iraq, but said the song and video do not condone "the actions of al-Qaeda". The single, Shoot The Dog, which will not be released in the United States because the singer has no American record deal, prompted the New York Post to headline a story, Pop Perv's 9/11 Slur. The newspaper's reference was to the singer's 1998 arrest in a Los Angeles public toilet after exposing himself to a police officer.
Britain's Sun newspaper, said the singer could have done irretrievable damage to his career with the song. "His career was at a crossroads and he has just taken the wrong turning," the paper said. Michael, whose career has flagged since the 1980s and 1990s, also attracted ridicule from some media commentators this week after a newspaper interview in which he declared that, for him, staying silent about the world situation was "not an option".
Controversy Erupts Over George Michael Vid Showing Bush As Idiot, Blair As Lapdog
vh1, Jennifer Vineyard, with additional reporting by Kurt Loder, 3 July 2002
In 'Shoot the Dog,' Michael criticizes British foreign policy as being too closely aligned with that of U.S. Could George Michael's latest single and video, "Shoot the Dog," actually be a shot in the foot?
Never one to shy away from controversy, Michael has outdone himself with the animated clip, his first foray into the worlvh1d of political satire, in which he takes on President George W. Bush, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Queen Mum. In the song, Michael criticizes British foreign policy — at least when it comes to dealings with the Middle East — as being too closely aligned with that of the U.S. The video depicts Bush as an idiot and Blair as his lapdog, literally . Critics are already predicting that the song and video — which shows Michael astride a nuclear missile — could end the pop star's career. In an exclusive interview with MTV News' Kurt Loder on Wednesday (July 3), however, Michael defended "Shoot the Dog" and said that his lyrics and imagery are being misinterpreted.
"People are looking at the song in context of an attack on America, as opposed to an attack on Tony Blair," Michael said from his vacation home in France. "And really, my attack is that Tony Blair is not involving the British in this issue. He's perfectly happy staying up to watch the World Cup and enjoying the Jubilee, all things I'm perfectly guilty of, but there's a serious discussion about Iraq which hasn't taken place. We don't know what Saddam Hussein is capable of, the British public has no idea." Though the song is about some very serious topics, Michael addresses them in such a tongue-in-cheek and (in some cases) sexual way, that the overall mission of the song — a call for discussion and debate — has been missed. Critics are focusing on the depiction of Blair and his wife Cherie in bed with Bush (in a visual homage to Genesis' video for "Land of Confusion," which featured then-President Ronald Reagan in satire), as if Blair and Bush were gay lovers.
And though Michael is the one who's openly gay, he comes on to Blair's wife in the video, telling her he's available, while the prime minister is busy with global politics ("Cherie, baby ... stay with me tonight/ Let's have some fun while Tony's stateside"). The message, Michael says, is that Blair has been remiss in some of his homeland duties, and that the British are feeling just as threatened by the situation in the Middle East as Americans are. "We're all still obviously very much vulnerable right now, both countries, with their relationship with the Middle East and Al Qaeda," Michael said. "Britain is now a target, we're effectively a possible target, as a warning to America."
Despite lyrics that seem to refer to September 11th, Michael said that he wrote the song beforehand, and out of respect to those who suffered any loss in those attacks, he never intended the single or video to be released in the U.S., to avoid any misunderstandings. "The incident was so appalling, and the shock was so fresh," he said, "that I think it would have been totally disrespectful, because the song was really about the West and the fundamentalist world. It wasn't about any one event."
George Michael Attacks Tony Blair & President Bush In New Video
LAUNCH, by Brett Anderson, 1 July 2002
George Michael takes political swipes at British Prime Minister Tony Blair and President George W. Bush in the new animated video for his latest single, "Shoot The Dog."
The clip portrays Blair as a "poodle" being tickled on its stomach by Bush. In another scene, the two leaders in cartoon form dance the tango, Blair wearing a dress, and the pair boogie to the Village People. An animated version of Michael also appears in the video, goosing the Queen and riding atop a rocket from Iraq that lands on the bed of Blair and his wife Cherie Blair. In a leopard-print thong, Michael tries to seduce the Prime Minister's wife.
There are blunt lyrics in the song, including the lines: "So Cherie, my dear, could you leave the way clear for sex tonight? Tell him: 'Tony, Tony, I know that you're horny, but there's something' bout that Bush ain't right."
Michael told the British newspaper, the Daily Mirror. "I know this is dangerous territory. This is the most political thing I've ever done and it's a massive and totally unnecessary risk for me.
"'Shoot The Dog' is intended as a piece of political satire, no more no less, and I hope that it will make people laugh and dance, and then think a little," he said. " I have strong opinions on Britain's current situation and I feel that in a time when public debate is being suppressed, even something as trivial as a pop song can be a good thing."
Michael stated he's fearful that the U.S. could bring Britain into a war with Iraq's leader, Saddam Hussein. He actually started writing the song before the September 11 terrorist attacks.
"I was just totally freaked out that what I had been writing about was happening in front of my eyes," he said.
But Michael doesn't have hostile feelings towards the U.S., just the political leadership. He told the BBC, "Don't get me wrong, I am definitely not anti-American, how could I be? I have been in love with a Texan for six years and we are still going strong."
"My feelings about George Bush, however, are a little different," Michael added. "And I know I'm not alone in fearing his politics, and in hoping that our man Tony can be a calming and rational influence on him."
Michael's previous video, for the song "Freeek," features sexual imagery and themes, and drew numerous complaints from U.K. viewers when it was shown in the early evening on television and Britain's Broadcasting Standards Commission reprimanded BBC One.
The Prime Minister's office at Downing Street In London has so far declined to make any comment on the new video.
George Michael courts controversy
Yahoo, July 1, 2002
LONDON (Reuters) - Singer George Michael has admitted that his latest song -- depicting Prime Minister Tony Blair as a poodle to U.S. President George W. Bush -- is his most controversial career move to date.
"Shoot the Dog", released on Monday, is a political satire in which the singer presents his views on the state of world affairs, taking a critical pop at the "special" relationship between Bush and Blair.
"I'm fully aware that people don't really like their pop music and politics mixed these days," Michael said, describing himself as "truly a patriotic man".
"Nevertheless, I have strong opinions about Britain's current situation and I feel that in a time when public debate is being suppressed, even something as trivial as a pop song can be a good thing," the singer said in a statement on Monday.
The cartoon video sees Bush on the White House lawn petting a smiling poodle-shaped Blair and also depicts the two leaders dancing the tango, Blair in a flowing dress.
The song, which was originally written before the September 11 attacks on the United States but shelved until now, is an attempt by Michael to get people thinking about what is happening in the world.
"(It's) intended as a piece of political satire, no more no less, and I hope that it will make people laugh and dance, and then think a little, that's all," Michael said.
Michael told the Daily Mirror his inspiration came from watching late-night news on television. "I noticed a lot of stuff about the growing fear of a war between the secular world and the fundamentalist world," he told the tabloid newspaper.
"The more I learned, the more fearful I became. And I simply wanted to write a song that said to everybody: 'people let's be aware of this situation and understand that there are some very pissed-off people out there.'"
The song's release is bound to spark controversy and by the singer's own admission could "make my experience with a certain policeman in Los Angeles look like a tea party".
It was in 1998 that Michael was arrested in a Los Angeles toilet after exposing himself to a police officer.
George Defends Satirical New Song
Yahoo, July 1, 2002
George Michael has spoken out in defence of his controversial new single, Shoot The Dog, claiming the track and accompanying video should be seen as a political satire.
The song, which is released on August 12th and follows his hit single, Freeek!, questions the cosy relationship between Tony Blair and George W Bush and even features the cheeky lyrics "So Cherie, my dear, could you leave the way clear for sex tonight? Tell him: Tony, Tony, I know that you're horny but there's something about that Bush that ain't right."
However, while George Michael has come in for a lot of criticism, successfully landing himself pages of tabloid coverage, he finds it necessary to clarify his views.
"I have strong opinions on Britain's current situation and I feel that in a time when public debate is being suppressed, even something as trivial as a pop song can be a good thing," he said in a statement. "Shoot The Dog is intended as a piece of political satire, no more, no less and I hope it will make people laugh and dance and then think a little, that's all."
George also goes on to question some of Blair's recent actions (or non-actions) regarding the crisis in the Middle East:
"I'm not alone in fearing [George W. Bush's] politics and in hoping that our man Tony can be a calming and rational influence on him. So please, Tony, much as we all loved watching the best team we've had in 40 years at the World Cup, and as much as we loved the Jubilee, now that we have some downtime, could we have a little chat about Saddam?
The animated video for Shoot The Dog will be premiered on MTV on July 2nd and appear on George's official website, www.georgemichael.com, on the same day.
George Michael on Dangerous Ground with New Song
Yahoo, July 1, 2002
LONDON (Reuters) - British singer George Michael admitted on Monday that his latest song -- depicting British Prime Minister Tony Blair as a poodle to President Bush -- was his most controversial career move to date.
"Shoot the Dog," released on Monday, is a political satire in which the singer presents his views on the state of world affairs, taking a critical pop at the "special" relationship between Bush and Blair. "I'm fully aware that people don't really like their pop music and politics mixed these days," Michael said, describing himself as "truly a patriotic man." "Nevertheless, I have strong opinions about Britain's current situation and I feel that in a time when public debate is being suppressed, even something as trivial as a pop song can be a good thing," the singer said in a statement.
The cartoon video sees Bush on the White House lawn petting a smiling poodle-shaped Blair and also depicts the two leaders dancing the tango, Blair in a flowing dress. The song, which was originally written before the September 11 attacks on the United States but shelved until now, is an attempt by Michael to get people thinking about what is happening in the world. "(It's) intended as a piece of political satire, no more no less, and I hope that it will make people laugh and dance, and then think a little, that's all," Michael said. Michael told the Daily Mirror his inspiration came from watching late-night news on television.
"I noticed a lot of stuff about the growing fear of a war between the secular world and the fundamentalist world," he told the tabloid newspaper. "The more I learned, the more fearful I became. And I simply wanted to write a song that said to everybody: 'people let's be aware of this situation and understand that there are some very pissed-off people out there."' The song's release is bound to spark controversy and by the singer's own admission could "make my experience with a certain policeman in Los Angeles look like a tea party." It was in 1998 that Michael was arrested in a Los Angeles toilet after exposing himself to a police officer.
Poodle Rock
Dotmusic, July 1, 2002
George Michael is set to create controversy with his next single, the video for which portrays an animated George trying to have sex with Cherie Blair. The video for the single, 'Shoot the Dog', depicts George dressed only in a leopard print thong, trying to crack on to the Prime Minister's wife. It also pictures Tony Blair as a poodle being tickled by American President George Bush. The song questions Britain's alliance with North America and mocks Tony Blair for sucking up to the American President.
One line in particular makes reference to George Michael's belief that Britain could be the next target for terrorist attacks: "Mustapha, Mazeltov, the Gaza boys and all that holy stuff. I get the feelin' when it all goes off, they're gonna shoot the dog," (the dog being Blair's 'poodle-like' Britain). It is thought that many radio stations - especially those that rely on government subsidies - could ban the track because of its obvious anti-government message. The cover of the single is an actual copy of a tabloid newspaper with the headline "Howdy, Poodle" and a picture of Blair and Bush beside one another wearing cowboy hats.
This is George Michael's most daring song to date and could land the star in hot water with the Government and the American public. "I know this is dangerous territory. I've never done anything so political before. But I really feel this is such a serious time for us all that being silent is not an option," George told the Daily Mirror. "I'm an extremely patriotic person. One of the most patriotic you will ever meet. I've travelled the world and I absolutely know that England is the place I want to be," he continued. "It occurred to me that Britain was starting to become a more dangerous place than it used to be. And I simply wanted to write a song that said to everybody, 'people let's be aware that there's some very pissed off people out there and that America - and us for that matter - need to start listening to them a little'"
'Shoot the Dog' is expected to hit shops in early August, although an exact release date has not yet been confirmed.
George Gets Political
365Gay.com, July 1, 2002
George Michael released his newest single Monday and was immediately denounced on both sides of the Atlantic. In what is seen as his most controversial career move to date the out singer depicts British Prime Minister Tony Blair as a poodle to US President George W. Bush. "I'm fully aware that people don't really like their pop music and politics mixed these days," Michael said, describing himself as "truly a patriotic man."
"Shoot the Dog," presents Michael's views on the state of world affairs. The cartoon video sees Bush on the White House lawn petting a smiling poodle-shaped Blair and also depicts the two leaders dancing the tango, Blair in a flowing dress. "I have strong opinions about Britain's current situation and I feel that in a time when public debate is being suppressed, even something as trivial as a pop song can be a good thing," the singer said in a statement.
Michael said the song was originally written before the September 11 attacks on the United States but he shelved until now. "(It's) intended as a piece of political satire, no more no less, and I hope that it will make people laugh and dance, and then think a little, that's all," Michael said. "I noticed a lot of stuff about the growing fear of a war between the secular world and the fundamentalist world," he told the tabloid Daily Mirror.
"The more I learned, the more fearful I became. And I simply wanted to write a song that said to everybody: 'people let's be aware of this situation and understand that there are some very pissed-off people out there."' Michael came out in 1998, shortly after he was arrested in a Los Angeles toilet after exposing himself to a police officer.
George Goes Political
The Daily Mirror, July 1, 2002
George Michael next week releases the most sensational and controversial record of his life. Called Shoot The Dog, it's a sharply political satirical expose of Bush, Blair, the war on terror and America's response to the events of September 11. For George, 39 last Monday, it represents as he admits: "The biggest risk of my career."
The lyrics poke fun at Cherie Blair, criticise husband Tony's poodle-like behaviour towards the US President, and express his concern at the world situation. The single's cover features The Daily Mirror's Howdy Poodle front page from earlier this year which mocked the special relationship between Britain and the US. George - no stranger to controversy after his arrest for lewd conduct in a Los Angeles toilet - wrote the single mainly before the World Trade Center disaster. He was smoking cannabis as he grieved his mother's death and watching late night TV discussions on the impending threat of an Islamic fundamentalist war with the secular West. Now it looks eerily prescient. As George says: "I watched those planes crashing into the Trade Center on TV and couldn't believe that my worst fears that I'd been putting down in this song were actually happening."
Shoot The Dog will redefine George Michael's career. He knows that by being so political he'll invite criticism. But he says: "I am British, I live here, I pay my taxes, and I'm very, very worried that we are now the second most dangerous country in the world thanks to our special relationship with America. I want this record to start a proper open debate about what Tony Blair and our other political leaders are doing in our name." George's use of our front page represents the first time a national newspaper has been used this way by a major musician. George says: "I read the Mirror's coverage of the war on terror and found myself agreeing with so much of it. It was refreshing to see such bold, questioning journalism in a tabloid paper. The Howdy Poodle front page just summed up what this record's about so I used it on the cover."
For Shoot The Dog he has commissioned a hilarious video from the animation team behind ITV's hit show 2DTV. He mercilessly sends himself up in the clip which takes a dig at his former pop images as well as including some near-the-knuckle moments of him romping naked - apart from a leopardskin thong - in bed with Tony and Cherie Blair. In Monday's Mirror, in a world exclusive interview, George Michael goes political for the first time and explains why he's made this record, why he feels so afraid to live in Britain, why he distrusts George Bush, and what he really thinks of Tony and Cherie Blair. It's George as you've never heard him - and it's a fascinating insight into the mind of our most gifted contemporary songwriter.
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