Star People (song)


"Star People '97" is a song written, produced, and performed by British singer-songwriter George Michael. It released as the fifth single from his third studio album, Older, by Virgin Records in the United Kingdom and by DreamWorks Records in the United States. The lyrics make reference to the materialism and frivolity of certain people in show business, suggesting that those behaviours are derived from some insecurity or a bad childhood. The single version is titled "Star People '97", on most issues, because the track was re-recorded for the single release.
"Star People '97" was first released in the US on three formats over three weeks in March 1997 and was issued in the UK on 28 April 1997. The song peaked at No. 2 in the United Kingdom and No. 1 on the US Billboard Dance Club Play chart, becoming Michael's second No. 1 on this chart. Worldwide, the song reached No. 1 in Denmark and Hungary, and reached the top 10 in Iceland, Ireland, and Spain.

Critical reception

Retrospectively, Matthew Hocter from Albumism noted that the song "spoke to the fakery and greed that consumes many in the entertainment business, making reference to damaging childhoods and insecurity as some of the possible causes." He described it as a song "rooted in a soul, funk sound with splashes of disco". Upon the release, Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "After teasing his die-hard club following for months with several rhythmic singles, George Michael has finally unleashed a slamming house music anthem from his glorious—if underappreciated—opus Older. Jeremy Healy, Amos, Mike Koglin, and Forthright have been tapped to turn the original retro pop/jazz ditty into a dance ditty. Working as a team, Healy, Amos, and Koglin successfully transform the song into an edgy anthem befitting the swagger of Michael's vocal. Meanwhile, Forthright injects a few drops of Europop flavor into the groove, making the single a viable top 40 contender. A sterling 12-inch package that was well worth the wait."
Paul Lester from Melody Maker described the song as "uptempo", noting that it "has a go at celebrity attention-seekers". A reviewer from Music Week gave "Star People '97" four out of five, adding, "The restrained Older track takes on a completely new life in this re-recorded, funked up version which amounts to George's brightest, most uplifting single in a long while." Ed Morales for Vibe opined that "the halfhearted condemnation of glitz in "Star People" has a serious Latin beat working."

Track listings

UK and Australian CD1; Japanese CD single
  1. "Star People '97" – 5:42
  2. "Everything She Wants" – 4:37
  3. "Star People" – 6:01UK and Australian CD2
  4. "Star People '97" – 8:05
  5. "Star People '97" – 9:17
  6. "Star People '97" – 7:14
  7. "Star People '97" – 4:28UK cassette single
  8. "Star People '97" – 4:39
  9. "Everything She Wants" – 4:37
  10. "Star People" – 6:01
  11. "Star People '97" – 4:28European CD single
  12. "Star People '97" – 5:42
  13. "Everything She Wants" – 4:37US CD and cassette single
  14. "Star People" – 4:11
  15. "Star People" – 4:31
  16. "Star People" – 4:28
  17. "The Strangest Thing" – 6:01US maxi-CD and 12-inch single
  18. "Star People" – 9:16
  19. "Star People" – 7:27
  20. "Star People" – 8:08
  21. "Star People" – 7:15
  22. "Star People" – 4:31
  23. "The Strangest Thing" – 6:01