Peak
1
Weeks
18
Score
3,848
Chart Year
1988
Filmmaker Tony Scott directed the simple music video for the song, which features George singing alone in an empty room. The first shot of the video alone lasts a little over two minutes, ending at the beginning of the second verse. Throughout, a grey-blue light can be seen shining into his window, a metaphor for loneliness. In another scene, he attempts to draw a heart on his bathroom cabinet's glass door, but cannot finish the heart, as at this point, sadness and grief have taken over. His furniture can also be seen with drapes over each piece, as well as the curtains drawn, another lonely metaphor. The video was filmed at The Carrington Hotel in New South Wales, Australia, which was empty and derelict at the time.
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
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apr 16, 1988 | 40 | 86 |
| 2 | Apr 23, 1988 | 31 | 95 |
| 3 | Apr 30, 1988 | 22 | 104 |
| 4 | May 7, 1988 | 14 | 112 |
| 5 | May 14, 1988 | 4 | 122 |
| 6 | May 21, 1988 | 2 | 124 |
| 7 | May 28, 1988 | 1 | 125 |
| 8 | Jun 4, 1988 | 1 | 125 |
| 9 | Jun 11, 1988 | 1 | 125 |
| 10 | Jun 18, 1988 | 2 | 124 |
| 11 | Jun 25, 1988 | 7 | 119 |
| 12 | Jul 2, 1988 | 16 | 110 |
| 13 | Jul 9, 1988 | 32 | 94 |
| 14 | Jul 16, 1988 | 38 | 88 |
| 15 | Jul 23, 1988 | 48 | 78 |
| 16 | Jul 30, 1988 | 61 | 65 |
| 17 | Aug 6, 1988 | 73 | 53 |
| 18 | Aug 13, 1988 | 95 | 31 |