A new posthumous George Michael single was released by Virgin EMI / Universal Music Group (UMG) on Wednesday morning. The previously unheard ‘This Is How (We Want You To Get High)’ was created during Michael’s final studio sessions before his premature death. The funky track is set to feature in the closing credits of Last Christmas, the new film inspired by the late star’s music. Zoe Ball unveiled the track on her Radio 2 Breakfast Show before it was made available digitally.
The song is taken from the soundtrack to the new movie, which includes three Wham! songs alongside 12 solo tracks. Director Paul Feig has branded the film as a “love letter to George”. Emma Thompson stars in and co-scripted the film with Bryony Kimmings. The movie – which is said not to be a musical – hits cinemas this Friday and comes 35 years since the song of the same name reached #2 in the UK charts. A campaign to finally get the track to the top spot is underway.
This Is How (We Want You To Get High) is the first original Michael material to be unveiled since 2012’s White Light, which he performed at the London Olympics. Plans for the film were approved by the singer prior to his untimely 2016 death. Thompson was played four unreleased tracks in 2018, noting how the song seemed to emphasise the film’s themes. Michael’s final studio album, Patience, was released in 2004. A new Nile Rodgers rework of Fantasy was released in 2017, though the song originally appeared as a b-side back in 1990. The six-minute version of the track is to feature in the film in its entirety.
Michael’s family said they hoped listeners would “rejoice in hearing this great new song written as ever with Yog’s immense passion and pride.”
