Growing up in the 80s or the 90s in Melbourne, you must have listened to the memorable ballad Father Figure by George Michael. Published already in 1987, the song was one of his signature hits, which touched the hearts of listeners all over the world. And, to this day, in 2025, Father Figure is a trending song not only on radio nostalgia lists but on TikTok, streaming subscriptions, and even on the streets of Melbourne at coffee shops.

So why is this song suddenly back on everyone’s radar? Let’s dive into how George Michael’s Father Figure has found a whole new life, and why Melburnians are vibing with it all over again.

The 80s Legacy – George Michael and Melbourne

By the time Father Figure was initially released, George Michael was already a massively popular star in the world. The one-hit wonder topped the US Billboard charts, and soon crossed over to Australian radio, as well.

To Melburnians, George Michael was not only another pop star; he was a culture icon. His tours in the city were legendary and played such venues as Rod Laver Arena and the Palais Theatre. The fans recall how they would queue up outside record shops in Swanston Street to collect his records or listen to his voice coming out of cafes in Chapel Street.

Father Figure was different from his other hits. It was not as brisk as Faith or as coquettish as I Want Your Sex. Rather it was gentle, textured, and emotionally naked — the type of song that could bring you to a standstill.

George Michael’s Journey – The Story Behind the Hits

George Michael, whose birth name is Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou was born on 25 June 1963 in East Finchley, London to a working-class family of a Greek Cypriot father Jack and an English mother Lesley and two sisters. He was an early music lover and had been composing his own songs since his days at Kingsbury High and later at Bushey Meads School where he met Andrew Ridgeley, his future Wham! band mate. Wham! stormed the world together in the early 80s with Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, Last Christmas and Careless Whisper. 

In 1987 George released his debut album Faith, a ground-breaking record that sold over 25 million copies, which made him one of the most successful musicians of all time. His music spanned across generations and styles, as he blended pop, soul, R&B, and dance which won him two Grammy awards and sold more than 100 million records across the world. Outside music, George was a queer icon since coming out in the late 1990s and was well-liked due to his silent philanthropy, involvement with HIV/AIDS charities, children hospitals, and LGBTQ+ organisations. 

By the time of his death on the Christmas Day of 2016, at the age of only 53, the world has lost one of the icons of the era, and yet his legacy, especially in the form of such a song as Father Figure, is as potent as ever.

Why Father Figure Still Hits Home in Melbourne.

George Michael has always been close to Melbourne. His music has always been a part of Melbourne culture since his concerts at Rod Laver arena are sold out, and there are numerous tribute nights at local venues.

Father Figure is unique in the sense that it is not a simple love song, but it is soulful, haunting and very emotional. It has reached the status of being able to be enjoyed by the listeners even now thanks to the vocal of George Michael and layered storytelling. To the music enthusiasts of Melbourne, and to all the people who like mixing the old with the new, this song is the ideal throwback.

Why Father Figure Is Back in 2025

So, why is a nearly 40-year-old ballad suddenly trending in Melbourne again? 

• Tik Tok edits- Producers are making the song in cool, emotive videos that appeal to a younger demographic. The song is ideally complementary to nocturnal contemplation to montage of relationships.

• Film spotlight The film spotlight in the 2024 film Babygirl also presented the track to a completely new audience.

• Taylor Swift linkage – The recent utilization of the melody by Swift has led to the gossiping that George Michael was involved and reminded fans of the origin of the original melody.

As is Melbourne fashion, the trend has been rapidly disseminated – particularly among uni students and the creatives in Brunswick, Fitzroy, and St Kilda. One night you hear Father Figure playing in a bar in Collingwood and the next morning it is on your Tik Tok feed.

The New Wave of Listeners and Tik Tok.

Father Figure is making a comeback into the limelight simply because of one thing, Tik Tok. One of the latest tendencies has taken snippets of the song in short emotional videos – in the relationship videos, moody edits that fits the vibe best.

In Melbourne, where TikTok trends go viral (especially among uni students and creatives in the likes of Brunswick, Fitzroy and St Kilda), Father Figure has become an overnight soundtrack among a younger generation that was never even born when it was first topping the charts.

Local Love – George Michael and Melbourne Memories.

To long term fans this revival is not just a viral moment, but rather a revisitation of the time when the music by George Michael was the sound of a generation. Numerous Melburnians recall his tours of this place, how his music was listened to at parties, weddings and during late night drives along the Great Ocean Road.

It is now trending with Father Figure and is bringing up generational conversations. Parents are playing the song to their teens and fans are re-visiting their favourite records. The Melbourne record stores such as Greville Records in Prahran or Rocksteady Records in the CBD have also recorded increased attention to George Michael vinyl – evidence of the enduring nature of his music.

Why is it evergreen to Melbourne Readers?

In the event you are writing or telling about Father Figure in a Melbourne context, here is why it can be described as an evergreen story:

• Nostalgia factor: Melburnians are fond of a good throwback, be it music or fashion or old school establishments.

• Local attachment: Tours by George Michael here made memorable moments and the song provided the song with a cultural significance in the city.

• Trend: The fact that you connect it to Tik Tok means that you are connecting the past and the present, which the Melbourne audience likes.

• Classic themes: Love, identity, emotion are classic and Father Figure has found them and will always find them.

From 1987 to 2025

Just how eternal music may be can be demonstrated by the resurrection of Father Figure. To Melburnians, it is a reminder of the legacy of George Michael and how music brings generations together. You can either be finding it on TikTok or being drawn back to it on vinyl in a cafe in Brunswick, but one thing is certain: the voice of George Michael can make us feel something.

The next time you pass Swanston Street wearing your headphones, you may not be surprised to hear Father Figure playing and feeling as fresh as it did 1987. George Michael may be gone, but in Melbourne, Father Figure lives on.

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