Faith by George Michael Lyrics Meaning – The Quest for Authenticity in a Superficial World

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for George Michael's Faith at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

Well, I guess it would be nice if I could touch your body
I know not everybody has got a body like you, oh
But I gotta think twice before I give my heart away
And I know all the games you play because I play them too

Oh, but I need some time off from that emotion
Time to pick my heart up off the floor
Oh, when that love comes down without devotion
Well, it takes a strong man, baby
But I’m showin’ you the door

‘Cause I gotta have faith
I gotta have faith
Because I got to have faith, faith, f-
I got to have faith, faith, faith

Baby, I know you’re askin’ me to stay
Say, “Please, please, please don’t go away”
You say I’m givin’ you the blues
Maybe, huh, you mean every word you say
Can’t help but think of yesterday
And another who tied me down to loverboy rules

Before this river becomes an ocean
Before you throw my heart back on the floor
Oh, oh baby, I reconsider my foolish notion
Well, I need someone to hold me
But I’ll wait for somethin’ more

Yes, I gotta have faith
Ooh, I gotta have faith
Because I gotta have faith, faith, faith
I gotta have faith, faith, faith

I’ll just have to wait
Because I’ve got to have faith
I gotta have faith
I’ve got to, got to, got to have faith

Before this river becomes an ocean
Before you throw my heart back on the floor (I just got to have faith)
Oh, oh baby, I reconsider my foolish notion
Well, I need someone to hold me
But I’ll wait for somethin’ more

‘Cause I gotta have faith
Ooh, I gotta have faith
Because I gotta have faith, faith, faith
I gotta have faith, faith, faith

When George Michael released ‘Faith’ in 1987, the song not only climbed the charts but also became an anthem of self-reliance and hope for those wading through the floodwaters of superficial relationships. It’s a track that resonates with anyone who’s ever felt the friction between the lure of physical attraction and the rarity of true connection.

However, ‘Faith’ is more than a pop-rock blend sufficient to get feet tapping and heads bobbing, it’s a lyrical dive into the complexities of love and vulnerability. Tinged with religious symbolism and a hint of cynicism, the song navigates through a landscape of heartbreak and expectation, its catchy beat belying the depth of its introspection.

The Gospel According to George: Seeking Strength in Vulnerability

At its core, ‘Faith’ is an expression of determination — a mantra for those beaten down by love’s capricious tides. With the opening lines hypnotizing listeners into a camaraderie of shared longing and physical desire, Michael quickly flips the script to reveal the cost of such attractions. He muses on the necessity of restraint, pondering the dangers of yielding one’s heart in an instant.

Yet, it’s this very struggle between head and heart that imbues the song with its power. The simple refrain, ‘I gotta have faith,’ serves as a battle cry against the emotional upheaval of past relationships and the resolve to stand strong until the real thing comes along. It’s an acknowledgment that true depth and meaning require more than just sensual gratification.

A Sonic Dichotomy: Upbeat Melodies Hiding a Cautionary Tale

Sonically, ‘Faith’ slips into your consciousness with an infectious groove that contrasts strikingly with its contemplative words. It’s as if Michael employs the upbeat tempo to mask the emotional roller coaster he’s depicting — or perhaps to provide a buoyant antidote to the heavy reality.

The song’s upbeat nature belies the austerity of its message, one that warrants careful listening to uncover. This duality of sound and meaning is a hallmark of George Michael’s nuanced artistry, melding danceability with depth, and ensuring that this track finds a home both on the dance floors and within the confines of a contemplative heart.

The Hidden Religious Undertones: A Leap of Faith Towards Emotional Integrity

Entwining a strong religious symbol with the secular emotion of love, George Michael layers ‘Faith’ with a rich tapestry of meaning. The title and chorus hook borrow from the lexicon of religious devotion, comparing the conviction required for maintaining belief to that of persevering in the search for true love.

It suggests a journey from blind infatuation towards a deeper, more spiritual connection — perhaps even an internal battle between the sacred and profane elements of human experience. It is a plea for something more substantial than ephemeral pleasures, for a faith that transcends mere physicality and touches upon the soul’s longing for unity.

Sifting Through the Echoes of Yesterday: Michael’s Melancholic Nostalgia

In a poignant turn of phrase, the song revisits ‘yesterday’ and the manacles of ‘loverboy rules.’ Michael reflects on a past littered with constraints and expectations, weighing the inevitability of history’s repetition against the hope for a freer future. This yearning to break from the chains of the past permeates the track, offering wisdom born of pain.

Acknowledging the impact of these memories, the protagonist resolves not to be swift with his affections, indicating a personal growth and a newfound caution. he is caught between the siren call of past romances and the sobering reminders that sometimes what feels right in one moment can lead to sorrow in the next.

The Path to Emotional Redemption: Memorable Lines that Resonate

In one of the song’s most memorable moments, the phrase ‘Before this river becomes an ocean’ haunts with its imagery, encapsulating the critical juncture where a trickle of doubt can swell into a gulf of regret. Michael captures that precariousness of human connections that can, without care, overflow its banks and cause destruction.

Moreover, the staccato delivery of ‘Faith, faith, faith’ acts as a heartbeat within the song, a metaphorical pulse of persistence and belief in the face of disillusionment. This rhythmic chanting reinforces the title’s motif and embeds itself in the listener’s memory, making it an enduring symbol of the need for resilience in a world all too ready to disappoint.