One More Try

Album

Hold an Old Friend's Hand

Label

Columbia Records

Genre

Blue-eyed soul

Composer(s)

George Michael

Entered Chart

Apr 16, 1988

Peak Date

May 28, 1988

Released

11 April 1988

Recorded

1987

Catalog #

Columbia 07773

B-Side

"Look at Your Hands"

In this song, Michael seems to be addressing a new lover, who he refers to as "teacher" (possibly because he feels he has a lot to learn about love). It seems that he is reluctant to enter into this new love because of past experiences, and that he has been burned and is very bitter to the idea of another relationship. Michael says that it's a very personal song, and one that is very close to his heart. He said it's "about my attitude coming out of my last relationship and into this new one when I was pretty unwilling to be open to anything." George Michael was enjoying a spectacular run of hits when "One More Try" topped the American chart. After scoring three #1 US hits with his group Wham!, his 1987 debut solo album Faith was a blockbuster. The title track spent four weeks at #1 (longer than any other song in 1987), and the next single, "Father Figure," stayed for two. The next single was "One More Try," which was another huge hit, perched at the top spot for three weeks. The follow-up was "Monkey," which also rose to the top, this time for two weeks. In 1999, the New Jersey teen trio Divine covered the song for their second single off their debut album Fairy Tales. Their version peaked at #29 on the Hot 100. The song was covered by Mariah Carey for her 2014 Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse album. Elton John said on his Beats 1 radio show, Rocket Hour, "I don't get jealous of many songs, but I'm jealous of this song. I'd love to have written this.

I've had enough of danger
And people on the streets
I'm looking out for angels
Just trying to find some peace
Now I think it's time
That you let me know
So if you love me
Say you love me
But if you don't just let me go

'Cause teacher
There are things that I don't want to learn
And the last one I had
Made me cry
So I don't want to learn to
Hold you, touch you
Think that you're mine
Because it ain't no joy
For an uptown boy
Whose teacher has told him goodbye, goodbye, goodbye

When you were just a stranger
And I was at your feet
I didn't feel the danger
Now I feel the heat
That look in your eyes
Telling me no
So you think that you love me
Know that you need me
I wrote the song, I know it's wrong
Just let me go

And teacher
There are things
That I don't want to learn
Oh the last one I had
Made me cry
So I don't want to learn to
Hold you, touch you
Think that you're mine
Because it ain't no joy
For an uptown boy
Whose teacher has told him goodbye, goodbye, goodbye

So when you say that you need me
That you'll never leave me
I know you're wrong, you're not that strong
Let me go

And teacher
There are things
That I still have to learn
But the one thing I have is my pride
Oh so I don't want to learn
Hold you, touch you
Think that you're mine
Because there ain't no joy
For an uptown boy
Who just isn't willing to try

I'm so cold
Inside
Maybe just one more try