Editing George Michael (section)

===2000s===
[[File:George Michael and Garth Brooks (2000).jpg|thumb|left|[[Garth Brooks]] and Michael at the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, Washington, 29 April 2000]]
In 2000, Michael worked on the hit single "[[If I Told You That]]" with [[Whitney Houston]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yb_ghov9uEMC&pg=PA193|title=Michael Jackson the Solo Years|last1=Halstead|first1=Craig|last2=Cadman|first2=Chris|date=1 January 2003|publisher=Authors on Line Ltd|isbn=978-0-7552-0091-7|language=en|access-date=26 December 2016|archive-date=9 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209163445/https://books.google.com/books?id=yb_ghov9uEMC&pg=PA193|url-status=live}}</ref> Michael co-produced on the single along with [[Rodney Jerkins]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1430159/whitney-george-michael-to-team-for-duet/|title=Whitney, George Michael To Team For Duet|publisher=MTV News|access-date=26 December 2016|archive-date=26 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226145556/http://www.mtv.com/news/1430159/whitney-george-michael-to-team-for-duet/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Michael's first single from his fifth studio album, "[[Freeek!]]", reached the Top 10 in the UK.<ref>[http://top40-charts.com/song.php?sid=3580&sort=chartid George Michael Freeek!] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606113017/http://top40-charts.com/song.php?sid=3580&sort=chartid |date=6 June 2011 }} Top40-charts.com. Retrieved 21 April 2011.</ref> His next single was "[[Shoot the Dog]]" which was released in July 2002 during the lead-up to the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]]. The video for the song showed [[Tony Blair]] as [[George W. Bush|George Bush]]'s [[poodle]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7444297.stm George Michael's highs and lows] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111104181822/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7444297.stm |date=4 November 2011 }} BBC News, 21 September 2008. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref> The single's cover featured the ''[[Daily Mirror]]'s'' "Howdy Poodle" front page from earlier in the year. Responding to criticism, Michael said, "I am British, I live here, I pay my taxes, and I'm very, very worried that we are now the second most dangerous country in the world thanks to our special relationship with America."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://george.michael.szm.com/Esection/E2002jul.html |title=George Goes Political ''The Daily Mirror'', July 1, 2002 |publisher=george.michael.szm.com/ |date=July 2002 |access-date=5 September 2021 |archive-date=5 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210905091336/http://george.michael.szm.com/Esection/E2002jul.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It reached No. 1 in Denmark and made the top 5 in most European charts.<ref>[http://top40-charts.com/song.php?sid=4692&sort=chartid George Michael Shoot The Dog] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606113138/http://top40-charts.com/song.php?sid=4692&sort=chartid |date=6 June 2011 }} Top40-charts.com. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref> It peaked at No. 12 on the UK Singles Chart.<ref name="UKCharts2"/>

In February 2003, Michael recorded another song in protest against the looming Iraq war, [[Don McLean]]'s "The Grave". The original was written by McLean in 1971 and was a protest against the [[Vietnam War]]. Michael performed the song on numerous TV shows including ''[[Top of the Pops]]'' and ''[[So Graham Norton]]''. His performance of the song on ''Top of the Pops'' on 7 March 2003 was his first studio appearance on the programme since 1986. He ran into conflict with the show's producers for an anti-war, anti-Blair T-shirt worn by some members of his band. McLean stated that he was "proud of George Michael for standing up for life and sanity".<ref>{{cite news|title=Michael accuses BBC in war row|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2828485.stm|work=BBC News|access-date=26 December 2016|date=7 March 2003|archive-date=1 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170101052101/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2828485.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:George Michael at Antwerp (BRAVO).jpg|thumb|upright|Michael performing in Antwerp, Belgium, 2006]]
When Michael's fifth studio album, ''[[Patience (George Michael album)|Patience]]'', was released in 2004, it was critically acclaimed and went to No. 1 on the [[UK Albums Chart]].<ref name="UKCharts2"/> The album became one of the fastest-selling albums in the UK, selling over 200,000 copies in the first week alone.<ref>[http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=10894 Analysis: UK albums and singles market] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208050250/http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=10894 |date=8 February 2012 }} Music Week, 29 November 2004. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref> It reached the Top 5 on most European charts and peaked at No. 12 in the US, selling over 500,000 copies to earn a [[RIAA certification|Gold certification]] from the [[RIAA]].<ref name="USCharts2"/> "[[Amazing (George Michael song)|Amazing]]", the third single from the album, became a No. 1 hit in Europe.<ref>[http://top40-charts.com/song.php?sid=9508&sort=chartid&string=George/ George Michael Amazing] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807051143/https://top40-charts.com/song.php?sid=9508&sort=chartid&string=George%2F |date=7 August 2020 }} Top40-charts.com. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref> When Michael appeared on ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show]]'' on 26 May 2004, to promote the album, he performed "Amazing", along with his classic songs "[[Father Figure (George Michael song)|Father Figure]]" and "[[Faith (George Michael song)|Faith]]".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://gmforever.com/george-michael-oprah-winfrey-show-interview/ |title=George Michael's Oprah Winfrey Show Interview (2004) |date=7 May 2019 |website=GM Forever |access-date=25 April 2021 |archive-date=9 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209163407/https://gmforever.com/george-michael-oprah-winfrey-show-interview/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On the show, Michael spoke of his arrest, the public revelation of his homosexuality, and his resumption of public performances. He allowed Oprah's crew inside his home outside London.<ref>[http://www.oprah.com/home/George-Michaels-House Inside George Michael's Home] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110123172444/http://www.oprah.com/home/George-Michaels-House |date=23 January 2011 }} Oprah.com, 1 January 2006. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref> The fourth single taken off the album was "[[Flawless (Go to the City)|Flawless]]". It was a dance hit in Europe as well as North America, reaching No. 1 on the ''Billboard'' [[Hot Dance Club Play]] and becoming Michael's last No. 1 single on the US Dance chart.<ref name="UKCharts2"/> ''[[Twenty Five (album)|Twenty Five]]'' is Michael's second greatest hits album, celebrating the 25th anniversary of his music career.<ref>[http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7315902 George Michael – Twentyfive CD Album] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717002018/http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7315902 |date=17 July 2012 }} CD Universe, 28 November 2006. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref> Released in November 2006 by [[Sony BMG]], it debuted at no. 1 in the UK.<ref>[http://www.everyhit.com/numberalb6.html Number 1 albums of the 2000s] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516104503/http://www.everyhit.com/numberalb6.html |date=16 May 2011 }} everyHit.com, 16 March 2000. Retrieved 21 April 2011</ref>

[[File:George Michael 02 bis.jpg|left|thumb|Michael onstage in Munich, 2006]]
During the 2005 [[Live 8]] concert at [[Hyde Park, London|Hyde Park]], London, Michael joined [[Paul McCartney]] on stage, harmonising on [[The Beatles]] classic "[[Drive My Car (song)|Drive My Car]]".<ref>{{cite magazine|title=George Michael Dead: Photos of His Life|url=https://www.billboard.com/photos/7633302/george-michael-photos|magazine=Billboard|date=26 December 2016|access-date=21 April 2020|archive-date=17 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417235215/https://www.billboard.com/photos/7633302/george-michael-photos|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2006, Michael embarked on his first tour in 15 years, [[25 Live]]. The tour began in [[Barcelona]], Spain, on 23 September and finished in December at [[Wembley Arena]] in England.<ref name="25 Tour"/> On 9 June 2007, Michael became the first artist to perform live at the newly renovated [[Wembley Stadium]] in London.<ref name="Wembley">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6737693.stm "Michael makes history at Wembley"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080924043852/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6737693.stm |date=24 September 2008 }}. BBC News. Retrieved 8 April 2015</ref> On 25 March 2008, a third part of the 25 Live Tour was announced for North America, with 21 dates in the US and Canada.<ref name="25 Tour">[https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/george-michael-plays-final-major-shows-908094.html "George Michael plays "final" major shows"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203111343/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/george-michael-plays-final-major-shows-908094.html |date=3 December 2021 }}. ''The Independent''. Monday 25 August 2008</ref>

Michael made his American acting debut by playing a guardian angel to [[Jonny Lee Miller]]'s character on ''[[Eli Stone]]'', a US TV series. Each episode of the show's first season was named after a song of his. Michael also appeared on the 2008 finale show of ''[[American Idol]]'' on 21 May, singing "Praying for Time". When asked what he thought [[Simon Cowell]] would say of his performance, he replied "I think he'll probably tell me I shouldn't have done a George Michael song. He's told plenty of people that in the past, so I think that'd be quite funny."<ref>{{cite news|title=George Michael Regains His Faith |url=http://music.aol.ca/article/George-Michael-interview/554/ |work=AOL Music Canada |year=2008 |access-date=13 June 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080531071913/http://music.aol.ca/article/George-Michael-interview/554/ |archive-date=31 May 2008 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.channel24.co.za/Music/Features/24-Facts-George-Michael-20091127-4 24 Facts: George Michael] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008023218/http://www.channel24.co.za/Music/Features/24-Facts-George-Michael-20091127-4 |date=8 October 2011 }} Channel 24, 14 October 2010</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120922095231/http://www.spinner.com/2008/05/22/george-michael-reflects-on-his-own-american-idolatry/ George Michael Reflects on His Own American Idolatry] Spinner, 22 May 2008</ref> On 25 December 2008, Michael released a new Christmas-themed track, "[[December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas)]]", on his website for free.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://torrentfreak.com/new-george-michael-track-survives-on-the-pirate-bay-081227/|title=New George Michael Track Survives on The Pirate Bay|publisher=TorrentFreak|date=27 December 2008|access-date=27 April 2009|archive-date=23 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100623002323/http://torrentfreak.com/new-george-michael-track-survives-on-the-pirate-bay-081227/|url-status=live}}</ref>