White Light

Album: Single Release Only (2012)
Charted: 15
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • George Michael released this song to mark the 30th anniversary of his first entry in the UK singles chart. He described the track as a "thank you to everybody who has been a part of [his] success", adding: "I mean everybody, including the press!! Long may it continue." The song was made available to download on August 12, 2012, 30 years after George first entered the UK singles chart with Wham!'s "Young Guns (Go For It!)."
  • The song references Michael's battle with pneumonia in late 2011, during which he came close to losing his life. "Was it science that saved me, or the way that you prayed for me? Either way I thank you, I'm alive," he sings.
  • The release also contains a previously unreleased cover of Tim Buckley's 1970 hit "Song To The Siren."
  • George Michael sang this during the London Olympic Games closing ceremony, marking the former Wham singer's first performance since his life-threatening illness. Whilst other artists sang some of their best known songs, Michael went with a new one. Responding to criticism that he used the event to plug his new material, Michael said: "It was my one chance on TV to thank you all for your loyalty and prayers, and I took it. And I don't regret it."

Comments: 1

  • Michelle from Milw Wi UsaVictoria, what on earth are you talking about? This song has NOTHING to do with that. Its all about his near death experience while in the hospital. Its also said that he chose to sing this song at the London Olympics instead of a more popular song as a way of thanking anyone and everyone who helped (or prayed I guess) him through that situation.

    I've been to Ukraine Victoria, and its a great country, and what Russia is doing is TOTAL BS, but this song has absolutely NOTHING to do with that aggression
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Bands Named After Real People (Who Aren't In The Band)

Bands Named After Real People (Who Aren't In The Band)Song Writing

How a gym teacher, a janitor, and a junkie became part of some very famous band names.

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Creedence Clearwater RevivalFact or Fiction

Is "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" about Vietnam? Was John Fogerty really born on a Bayou? It's the CCR edition of Fact or Fiction.

Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees

Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Damn YankeesSongwriter Interviews

Revisit the awesome glory of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees: cheesily-acted videos, catchy guitar licks, long hair, and lyrics that are just plain relatable.

Chris Fehn of Slipknot

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

David Sancious

David SanciousSongwriter Interviews

Keyboard great David Sancious talks about his work with Sting, Seal, Springsteen, Clapton and Aretha, and explains what quantum physics has to do with making music.

In The Cards

In The CardsSong Writing

Songwriters have used cards and card games to make sense of heartache, togetherness, and even Gonorrhea.