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New duet from George Michael and Elton John could be on the way
George Michael's former manager, Andros Georgiou, has revealed hopes of finally releasing an unfinished duet the late singer recorded with Elton John in the 1990s. The song, titled 'This Kind Of Love', has both artists' vocals recorded separately but was never completed, and Georgiou is now seeking Sir Elton's permission to combine them and release the track more than three decades on.
Georgiou shared the details with The Sun while promoting his upcoming film Trojan Souls, which focuses on Michael's shelved 1993 album of the same name that was meant to feature collaborations with Stevie Wonder, Sade, Seal and Aretha Franklin. He said he and Michael prioritised finishing 'This Kind Of Love' ahead of Elton John's studio visit, and is confident Sir Elton would agree to the release given how impressed he reportedly was with the song at the time. George Michael, who died on Christmas Day 2016, and Elton John had a long musical friendship, having performed 'Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me' together at Live Aid in 1985 before recording a chart-topping studio version in the 1990s.
In short
- Unfinished George Michael/Elton John duet 'This Kind Of Love' may finally be released
- Manager Andros Georgiou seeking Elton John's permission to combine vocals
- Song tied to promotion of new film Trojan Souls about Michael's shelved 1993 album
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Releasing the duet honours the artistic legacy of two legendary musicians who collaborated willingly and shared a genuine friendship. Both George Michael and Elton John recorded their vocals, demonstrating mutual interest in the project, and Sir Elton remains alive to grant permission. Fans would value the opportunity to hear these masters create together, and completing and sharing previously unreleased work is a common and valued practice in music. The release would be a fitting tribute to Michael's genius rather than exploitation.
The case against
The artists themselves chose not to finish or release this recording during their lifetimes, a decision that perhaps deserves respect. Whilst Elton John can consent, George Michael cannot, raising genuine questions about posthumous artistic decisions and who rightfully speaks for his creative legacy. The work remaining unfinished may reflect their own artistic judgment. Additionally, the manager promoting the release has a clear commercial incentive through his film, and combining separately recorded vocals raises questions about the authenticity and integrity of the final product.
Explained simply
George Michael and Elton John had a long musical friendship. They performed together at Live Aid in 1985, then recorded a studio version of Elton John’s song “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me”, which became a hit in the 1990s.
In the 1990s, Michael began work on an album called “Trojan Souls”, planned to include several guest artists, but it was shelved. A duet with John, “This Kind Of Love”, was left unfinished: the singers recorded their vocals separately, and the track was never put together.
Michael died in 2016. Andros Georgiou, his former manager, is now seeking John’s permission to combine the recordings and release the song. Any release would bring together two voices with a shared musical history and offer a glimpse of work from Michael’s abandoned album.
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