Despite its massive popularity, the song faced significant pushback during the height of the AIDS crisis:
In response to critics who claimed the song promoted promiscuity, George Michael added a video prologue stating, "This song is not about casual sex". Despite its massive popularity, the song faced significant
: Some stations played a sanitized version titled " I Want Your Love ". American Top 40 host Casey Kasem famously refused to say the title, referring to it only as "the new single by George Michael". : The video featured his girlfriend at the
: The video featured his girlfriend at the time, Kathy Jeung, and included scenes of Michael writing " Explore Monogamy " on her back in lipstick. Released in May 1987 in the US and
George Michael's 1987 hit "" served as a bridge between his pop-star roots in Wham! and his mature solo debut album, Faith . Released in May 1987 in the US and June in the UK, it became a cultural flashpoint for its provocative title and themes. Movie Connection & Soundtrack