Throughout 2016, music lovers were horrified by one sad news after another. Several outstanding musicians have gone to a better world, including David Bowie, Prince and Leonard Cohen. On December 25, the last Christmas was celebrated by the legendary British singer George Michael, who gave us dozens of magnificent compositions. One of them was the touching song Jesus to a Child. Let’s take a look back at this wonderful piece of art.
The history of creation and the meaning of the song Jesus to a Child
In 1991, while performing at the Rock in Rio festival, George Michael met Brazilian fashion designer Anselmo Feleppa, who became his friend and, as it turned out later, lover. Two years later, Anselmo died of a brain hemorrhage due to AIDS.
George Michael was shocked by his death and could not compose music for a long time. He returned to creative activity only in the autumn of 1994. His first song was Jesus to a Child, which he dedicated to Anselmo. In November, Michael presented the composition to listeners at the MTV Music Awards in Berlin.
Release and achievements
In January 1996, Jesus to a Child was released as the first single from the Older album.
The song topped the charts in several countries, including the UK. It became the first solo track by George Michael to reach number one on the UK Singles Chart. It peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100.
Clip Jesus to a Child – George Michael
Watch the music video for Jesus to a Child by George Michael.
Interesting Facts
- There were rumors about Michael’s homosexual long before the release of Jesus to a Child, and the song only added fuel to the fire. But the singer himself made a “way out of the underground” only in 1998. From then until his death, George dedicated it at concerts to a deceased friend.
- This is George’s longest Top 40 song.
- The success of the composition in the American charts was the highest achievement of British musicians for a quarter of a century.
Jesus to a Child
kindness in your eyes
I guess you heard me cry
You smiled at me like Jesus to a child
I’m blessed I know
heaven sent and heaven stole
You smiled at me like Jesus to a child
And what have I learned from all this pain
I thought I never feel the same about anyone or anything again
But now I know
chorus:
When you find a love
When you know that it exists
Then the lover that you miss
Will come to you on those cold, cold nights
When you’ve been loved
When you know it holds such a bliss
Then the lover that you kissed
Will comfort you when there’s no hope in sight
sadness in my eyes
No one guessed and no one tried
You smiled at me like Jesus to a child
Loveless and cold
With your last breath you saved my soul
You smiled at me like Jesus to a child
And what have I learned from all these tears
I’ve waited for you all those years
Then just when it began he took your love away
But I still say
Chorus
So the words you couldn’t say
I’ll sing them for you
And the love we would have made
I’ll make it for two
For every single memory
Has become a part of me
You will always be my love
Well I’ve been loved so I know just what love is
And the lover that I kissed is always by my side
Oh the lover I still miss… was Jesus to a child
Jesus to a Child Lyrics George Michael
Kindness in your eyes
Think you heard me cry
You smiled at me like Jesus to a child
I know I’m blessed now
Heaven gave, heaven took away
You smiled at me like Jesus to a child
And what have I learned from this pain?
I thought I wouldn’t have the same feelings for someone or something
But now I know
Chorus:
When you get love
When you know it exists
Then lover who do you miss
Will come to you on cold nights
When you were loved
When you know what a blessing it is
Then the lover you kissed
Will comfort you when there is no hope
Sadness in my eyes
No one guessed, and no one tried
You smiled at me like Jesus to a child
Without love and warmth
With your last breath you saved my soul
You smiled at me like Jesus to a child
And what did I learn from those tears?
I’ve been waiting for you all those years
Then when it started he took your love
But I still remain
The words you couldn’t say
I will sing them for you
The love that we could have
I’ll take care of her for two
After all, each of the memories
Became a part of me
You will forever be my love
I was loved, and therefore I know that there is love
The lover I kissed is always by my side
Oh sweetheart I still miss…was Jesus to a child
