Father Figure

You people who attribute being gay to liking little kids (or vice versa), it's not funny. Or true. I have a couple good friends who are gay, and they actually read some of what you guys posted. You are so ignorant if you think that, and I'm sorry you're so close minded

I know a lot of people are saying that this song couldn't have been written about a man because George Michael hadn't begun exploring homosexuality yet, but just because he hadn't explored it doesn't mean he wasn't at that time and doesn't mean that he couldn't have written a song about it that perhaps hinted at it even a bit. With that in mind, I would also like to say that I don't think this song is directly to a specific gender. It's one of those wonderfully ambiguous songs that can address both genders and both hetero- and homosexual couples. Also, I love the Egyptian sounding melodic line he uses. It really adds something to the song, which went very interestingly with my previous opinion that this had something to do with forbidden relationships, such as in a church or school.

I don't actually think it was about a homosexual relationship specifically. This song came out in the 1980's and George Michael supposedly didn't began exploring homosexuality until the early 90's. I think its genreally about one partner being older or more experienced than the other.

This song IS beautiful, but very, very, creepy.

No one line is clear, but there are too many double-meanings here to ignore the probability that this song is about someone who is not yet considered to be old enough to be in a sexual relationship.

"That's all I wanted"

This is something that someone whose desires had unintented consequences would say. It's a bit like "I didn't mean it to turn out the way it did".

"Something special, something sacred In your eyes For just one moment To be bold and naked At your side"

Why just for one moment? There is an element of secrecy here.

"Sometimes I think that you'll never Understand me"

What is being misunderstood here? Is the lover misunderstanding the singer's intentions? Why?

"That's all you wanted Something special, someone sacred In your life Just for one moment To be warm and naked At my side"

At least the relationship is consensual - but is it? Or is it consensual only in eyes of the singer?

"I will be your father figure"

The combination of father figure in a sexual context? I get that it can be interpreted as "I will be the strong man looking after you, protecting you", which a lot of women secretly want, but there's a second, more sinister meaning.

"Put your tiny hand in mine"

It's a tiny hand, isn't it?

"I will be your preacher teacher"

Fathers, preachers, teachers: all occupations where those who prey on children have lurked.

"Anything you have in mind"

It might be a fun role play, or it might be that he is projecting consent on a child too young to know better.

"I have had enough of crime"

Crime? What an odd choice if this is about an adult relationship.

"That's all I wanted But sometimes love can be mistaken For a crime"

See my comments on the opening line. It's hard to explain this line any other way. Could possibly be about Biblical references to homosexuality being an abomination, which would fit the theme of the album, but again, the double-meaning.

"So when you remember the ones who have lied Who said that they cared But then laughed as you cried"

She's been hurt before. But is he turning her against those who sought to protect her from him?

"Beautiful Darling Don't think of me Because all I ever wanted"

This could mean "I'm not the monster they say I am: I didn't mean to hurt you". Note how the lyrics trail off after "wanted" - it's like there's regret there.

"(Greet me with the eyes of a child)"

More double meaning.

"My love is always tell me to..."

It's almost as if he wants to resist an urge, but can't.

"I will be the one who loves you until the end of time"

There's a hint, just a hint, of "farewell" in this statement. I think it starts where he says "when you remember ... don't think of me". For some reason, they won't be together.

Now, the above interpretation has nothing at all to do with George Michael's sexual preferences. I'm a big fan of his, and he has great songs. I don't think gay = rock spider. Nor do I think George is into that sort of thing.

It's all about the song itself. There are too many indications in this song to ignore.

This beautiful song is primarily about the devoted singer who is truly and deeply in love -- in love with someone who is in a very vulnerable place and desperately needs someone to provide comfort, stability, and unconditional love (i.e. a father figure).

Perhaps the recipient of this love is young, so the singer is willing to risk a love that can be "mistaken for a crime" in order to give the young person what he/she needs.

At a deeper level, there is also a confessional aspect to the what the singer is saying: this song is also his promise to always focus only on the true needs of his beloved, and not his own needs that he may be projecting onto his lover. This is what he means by having had enough of "crime", where he has let his own needs come first, as opposed to providing "whatever you ask for" and providing a love that lasts "until the end of time."

But the main message of the song, loud and clear, is in praise of an unselfish love that entirely devoted to the well-being of the recipient of this love.

pedophilia or pederasty?

Personally, I get a vibe from this song that it's about a man, one who he'll care for, and who cares for him. It's a beautifully sweet song, but yes, one with definite sexual significance.

Stoolhardy, I hate to break it to ya, but there are MANY instances where this song can be applied to a male/female relationship. The BDSM/fetish community abounds with people in "Daddy/daughter/little girl" relationships where with consenting adults, the older man assumes that teacher, leadership, dominant role. And even in everyday, vanilla relationships, history is littered with examples of older man/younger woman relationships, from the classic arranged marriage all the way down to the modern-day "trophy wife". If the person in the song was intended to be a woman, perhaps she was 17 or 18, slightly underage or just of age and less experienced than George at the time. Or, it could be just as you claimed. The only one who knows for sure is Michael himself, and since he's not been forthcoming with an explanation, we'll never know for sure. What we DO know is that this song is somewhat disturbing, highly erotic, hauntingly beautiful, and deeply profound to those of us who can claim a higher meaning from its lyrics. And that is why this song--and others of its ilk--will stand the test of time for us listeners. Ultimately, it's not a gay thing, or a straight thing, or even really an age thing,for that matter.It's about the power of love and what a person is willing to do, or be, for the object of his, or her, devotion. And that's what makes it such a great song.

I have always thought this is a stalker song. Love mistaken for a crime? That line really makes me think of the type of guy who just keeps harassing and threatening, all because he 'loves' her, but it isn't about love, it's about power. A father figure is a power figure. He sees himself as the answer to all she needs & wants-he is the one she needs. He promises her the world, to be everything she ever wants, but really it's about him possessing and controlling her. I've loved this song since it first came out, and that is the vibe I get from it.

I personally don't see anything disturbing or pedophilliac about this song. When he says "Love can be mistaken for a crime" I feel like hes talking about the persecution gay individuals face for their love. Father figure isn't necessarily a much older man with a younger one. He just wants to take care of the person he loves. He wants to be everything for him. This is truly a beautiful love song and expresses so much of what we do feel when we're in love. "If you are the desert I'll be the sea If you ever hunger Hunger for me Whatever you ask for That's what I'll be" I also suggest everyone listen to the Tori Amos cover of this song. The lyrics are so universal that even a girl can sing it and the message is just as powerful.