You Have Been Loved

Cover music and song by George Michael You have been loved.

“You Have Been Loved” is one of George Michael’s most poignant ballads, released in 1997 as part of his Older era. It’s a deeply emotional song about loss, grief, and the enduring power of love.

Key Facts
Album: Older (1996)

Release: 8 September 1997, as a double A-side with The Strangest Thing ’97

Writers: George Michael & David Austin

Genre: Smooth jazz / ballad

Chart success: Reached #2 in the UK, held back only by Elton John’s Candle in the Wind 1997

Themes & Lyrics
The song is often interpreted as George Michael’s reflection on the AIDS crisis and the loss of loved ones, including his partner Anselmo Feleppa.

It opens with imagery of a mother mourning her son: “She takes the back road and the lane past the school that has not changed in all this time…”

The chorus delivers a message of comfort: “Take care, my love, she said… You have been loved.”

The lyrics emphasize the cruelty of the world, the fragility of life, and the importance of cherishing love while we have it.

Performances
George Michael performed You Have Been Loved live with haunting simplicity, often accompanied only by piano or minimal instrumentation. These renditions highlight the raw emotion behind the song.

Here’s a powerful live performance you might enjoy: