George Michael Covered: Years & Years, Self Esteem, MNEK and more take on iconic songs for Apple Music Pride playlist

A host of artists including Years & Years, SELF ESTEEM, MNEK, Calum Scott and Scissor Sisters' Jake Shears have recorded their own versions of some of George Michael's most-loved songs as part of new Apple Music playlist George Michael Covered.

Released to celebrate Pride Month and available to stream now in Spatial Audio, the playlist sees some of the world's most exciting LGBTQIA+-identifying artists put their own spin on hits from the late star's back catalogue; including Outside, Fastlove and One More Try.

MORE: See George Michael's full Official Charts history

On his cover of Outside, Years & Years' Olly Alexander says: "One of the things I love most about George Michael was his ability to own his narrative. He was a huge, huge star. I’m sure he struggled with some of the attention and issues that come with worldwide fame, and he still remained so iconic, so true to who he was. He still had fun with it. He was always trying new things and taking risks and unashamedly himself. And I take so much inspiration from that … He got arrested in 1998 - I think the terminology is ‘soliciting a police officer in a public toilet’ - then goes and writes a song about it. And it’s such a banger."

On her version of Praying for Time, SELF ESTEEM says: "I only just heard Praying for Time in the last couple of years. My mate sent it to me and was like, ‘These lyrics!’ I still can’t believe them. Recording this has been gobsmacking in a way. It is talking things that are hot-button topics right now, and it was 1990. And that’s what George always did. I see now he could see through the bulls**t and call the bulls**t out."

Listen to Apple Music's George Michael Covered playlist in Spatial Audio here. George's back catalogue is also now available in Spatial Audio here.