11 best George Michael duets, from Elton John to Whitney Houston

27 October 2017, 13:25 | Updated: 24 June 2018, 16:15

George Michael and Aretha Franklin

During his career, George Michael was highly sought after when it came to high-profile duets with some of the biggest artists around.

He sang with pretty much anyone you can think of, and we've selected just a few of the absolute best of the best:

1. ... with Whitney Houston - 'If I Told You That'

Originally intended as a duet with Michael Jackson, Whitney re-recorded this 1998 solo song two years later for her Greatest Hits collection.

2. ...with Aretha Franklin - 'I Knew You Were Waiting for Me'

This one-off project allowed George to perform with one of his all-time favourite artists, Aretha. Co-written by Simon Climie of Climie Fisher fame, it was a number one hit in both the UK and US.

3. ...with Mary J Blige - 'As'

George covered this Stevie Wonder classic for his greatest hits collection Ladies & Gentlemen in 1999, and it took George back into the UK top five.

4. ...with Elton John - 'Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me'

George surprised his fans on tour in 1991 with a special appearance from Elton to perform the latter's classic anthem, and it was so popular that it was released as a single. It reached number one in the UK.

5. ...with Beyoncé - 'If I Were a Boy'

OK, you might not be able to hear it over all the screaming fans, but George surprised everyone by turning up at Beyoncé's O2 gig in 2009.

7. ...with Luciano Pavarotti - 'Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me'

This song again, but what a performance with the operatic icon in Modena back in 2000.

8. ...with Paul McCartney - 'Heal the Pain'

George always intended this song as an homage to a Paul McCartney-style song, and then in 2006 he re-recorded it with the man himself for his Twentyfive collection.

9. ...with Stevie Wonder - 'Living for the City'

George performed with Stevie a few times, but our favourite has to be this powerful version of Stevie's classic social song 'Living for the City' for a VH1 special.

10. ...with Queen - 'Somebody to Love'

Another number one hit. This time, he teamed up with Queen for Freddie Mercury's tribute concert in 1991.

11. ...with Smokey Robinson - 'Careless Whisper'

A very young George sang his number one ballad with Motown legend Smokey for a US special back in 1985.