George Michael's 'One More Try', Written & Recorded in Just 8 Hours, Became a No. 1 Hit

On this day in 1988, George Michael's beloved pop ballad "One More Try" was dominating the Billboard Hot 100.

The song was released as a single from Michael's debut solo album, Faith, following the formal breakup of Wham! less than a year prior. Michael had decided to leave the pop duo, which he formed alongside Andrew Ridgeley, to focus on a more mature, introspective solo career.

"One More Try" was a huge success that proved Michael's commercial appeal wasn't confined to Wham!, and that he was just as capable of finding success with his own unique sound. The song was originally included on Faith in 1987, then later released as a single in 1988 following the record's success.

The song's lyrics discuss the narrator's inability to enter a new relationship because of how much they've been hurt in the past, with a similar nostalgic intimacy as Michael's previous solo hit, "Careless Whisper". Many critics compared the two tracks upon release, with many praising Michael's decision to leave Wham! in order to follow his creative inspiration.

The song was a huge commercial success, landing at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remaining there for three weeks before it was ultimately dethroned by Rick Astley's "Together Forever". It was viewed as a necessary and mature step forward for the artist, who had clearly outgrown the pop sensibilities of Wham!.

Speaking with Countdown in 1988, Michael revealed that the entire process for writing, recording, and producing "One More Try" took less than eight hours. "Sometimes I can write something very deliberately and slowly, and it will be successful. And sometimes I can write something that really just comes, and before I know it, I finished it. And it can be some of my best work."

The song quickly became one of Michael's most popular, earning a music video (directed by Tony Scott) and a single release the following year. It became a staple of his live concerts, and helped drive Faith to No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 8, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published June 8, 2026 at 6:35 AM.