"One More Try" is a song recorded by English singer and songwriter George Michael from his debut solo album, Faith (1987). It was released on 11 April 1988 as the album's fourth single by Columbia Records.
Background
A ballad at almost six minutes in length, "One More Try" lyrically explores a young man's hesitancy to enter or revisit a new relationship because he had been emotionally hurt many times previously. The song concludes with temptation taking over, and Michael ends by singing the title for the only time. In 1988, Michael told Countdown that the song was written, recorded, and finished in eight hours.
Composition and Personnel
The song is classified as blue-eyed soul. It was written and produced entirely by George Michael. Personnel includes Chris Cameron on keyboards and Deon Estus on bass guitar.
Chart Performance
"One More Try" became Michael's sixth number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, staying at the top for three consecutive weeks. It also reached number one on the Hot Black Singles chart and the Hot Adult Contemporary chart, making it a triple-chart number one. It was the last number-one single on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart by a white male artist until Robin Thicke's "Lost Without U" in 2007. In the UK, it reached number eight on the UK Singles Chart.
Music Video
The music video was directed by filmmaker Tony Scott and filmed at the Carrington Hotel in New South Wales, Australia, which was empty and derelict at the time. The video features Michael singing alone in an empty room, with a grey-blue light shining into his window as a metaphor for loneliness.
Certifications
- United States (RIAA): Gold (500,000 units)
- United Kingdom (BPI): Silver (200,000 units)
- France (SNEP): Silver (250,000 units)
Cover Versions
Notable cover versions include:
- 1999: Divine (reached No. 29 on the US Billboard Hot 100)
- 2011: Beverley Knight (endorsed by George Michael)
- 2014: Mariah Carey (for her album Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse)
- 2023: Carrie Underwood (performed at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony honouring Michael's induction)
- Other artists: Joan Baez (1997), Iron & Wine (2011), Calum Scott (2022), Crosses (2022)
