1 came out in September 1990, preceded by its lilting acoustic single “Praying for Time.” The latter topped the chart for a week without fuss, notwithstanding a despairing vocal drenched in echo, reminiscent of Plastic Ono Band-era John Lennon, and a lyric that heaped scorn on the rich who “declare themselves poor” while the rest of us hang on to hope “when there is no hope to speak of.” Fans, disappointed by Michael’s folly, clung to the “Vol. That “Heaven Help Me” and “Kissing a Fool” did well no doubt reassured the hyperventilating Columbia record execs when, 18 months after the Estus single, Listen Without Prejudice, Vol. A featherlight stab at sophisti-pop (trumpet solos, plucked guitar), “Heaven Help Me” served as testament to Michael’s multi-format ambition and do-no-wrong commercial instincts. It sailed into the top five in the spring of 1989, less than six months after “Kissing a Fool,” the last single from Michael’s blockbuster Faith.

At the time, his most recent hit was “Heaven Help Me,” sung and co-written by his bassist Deon Estus. For Michael, as ever, announcements traveled subtlest as music.

Brave words album