Fans have welcomed the release of a posthumous George Michael track as Nile Rodgers, who worked on the song, admitted it sparked “mixed feelings”.
Producer and Chic frontman Rodgers remixed the track after being called up by Michael in early 2016, the year he died.
It is a reworking of Fantasy, which the ex-Wham! star previously released as a B side.
A statement from Michael’s publicist said that “as one of his favourite tracks, George always intended for Fantasy to be a single in its own right.”
Rodgers admitted that he had mixed feelings about the record.
“You should have mixed feelings, he wrote to one fan.
“No one’s heart was dragged through emotional ambiguity more than mine. Tears, uncertainty, happiness and love.”
You SHOULD have mixed feelings. No one's heart was dragged through emotional ambiguity more than mine.Tears, uncertainty, happiness & #LOVE https://t.co/8cX4efAX1o
— Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers) September 7, 2017
The upbeat track caused some of the late star’s fans to shed tears and predict it will top the charts.
@ycdillon wrote: “Oh wow – so good to hear ‘new’ George Michael song #fantasy.”
Oh wow – so good to hear 'new' George Michael song #fantasy 💔
— Yvonne (@ycdillon) September 7, 2017
@TracySpearing wrote: “Love the new George Michael song.”
@KLFM967 love the new George Michael song
— Tracy Spearing (@TracySpearing) September 7, 2017
@AmazingLovelyGM wrote: “God…In tears here. Loved hearing George Michael and Nile Rodgers on Fantasy. Thank you SO much”.
God…In tears here. Loved hearing @GeorgeMichael and @nilerodgers on Fantasy. Thank you SO much Nile and @david__austin 🙏💖
— Ilse (@AmazingLovelyGM) September 7, 2017
@choose80s wrote: “Number One it is then! Fantasy sent shivers down my spine. Sooo miss George Michael.”
Number One it is then! Fantasy sent shivers down my spine. Sooo miss George Michael @GeorgeMOfficial @nilerodgers #GeorgeMichael pic.twitter.com/8Y136QCJIV
— Choose80s (@choose80s) September 7, 2017
I set my alarm here in the states to listen. His voice ❤️ One of my favorite songs of George's and I love the remix with Nile. Thank you!
— Lisa✌ (@lmengis) September 7, 2017
Loved the original and love the remix, tears and goosebumps ❤️ love you George ❤️❤️❤️
— Corinne (@CorinneBriant1) September 7, 2017
Some were disappointed that the single was a remix.
@Leeo1980 wrote: “Good work… but hoped for a new material. Hope we hear something new soon.”
Good work have to day ?? but hoped for a new material ?? hope we hear something new soon
— Leeo (@Leeo1980) September 7, 2017
@sameatwell wrote: “At the risk of ostracising myself, I’m sorry – I just don’t like the new George Michael/Nile Rodgers song!”
At the risk of ostracising myself, I'm sorry – I just don't like the new George Michael/Nile Rodgers song! #Fantasy
— ✨✨Sam Osborne✨✨ (@sameatwell) September 7, 2017
@evibenstein wrote: “Bit underwhelming that George Michael single, isn’t it?”
Bit underwhelming that George Michael single, isn't it? It's no "Battlestations", that's for sure.
— Steve Binnie (@evibenstein) September 7, 2017
Also, I'm a bit of a Niall Rodgers and a George Michael fan, but that new song is just over-produced. He's lost the song in the mix.
— Sideburns Kev (@All_The_Pies) September 7, 2017
The single had its first airplay on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2.