Freeek!

"Freeek" redirects here; not to be confused with Freek or Freak.

"Freeek!" is a song written and performed by English singer George Michael. The song contains samples from "Try Again" by Aaliyah, "Breathe and Stop" by Q-Tip, and "N.T." by Kool & the Gang. A remastered version called "Freeek! '04" was later included on Michael's fifth and final studio album, Patience (2004).

"Freeek!"
Single by George Michael
from the album Patience
B-side	"The Long and Winding Road"
Released	18 March 2002 (2002-03-18)
Genre	Funk[1] urban pop[2]
Length	4:33
Label	Polydor Aegean
Songwriter(s)	George Michael Moogymen
Producer(s)	George Michael
George Michael singles chronology
"If I Told You That" (2000) "Freeek!" (2002) "Shoot the Dog" (2002)

The single was released on 18 March 2002; the first of six to come from Patience, although the album itself was not released until 2004. The song peaked at number seven on the UK Singles Chart and also charted within the top ten in many other European countries. It topped the charts of Denmark, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, and Spain and reached number five in Australia.

Music video

The music video for "Freeek!" was directed by Joseph Kahn. It incorporates a futuristic theme, including cyborgs and sophisticated technology recalling the film Blade Runner, with a sexually aggressive tone. The directorial effects in the video were first used in Janet Jackson's "Doesn't Really Matter" video, also directed by Kahn.

With a production budget of $2 million (equivalent to $3.3 million in 2023), the music video for "Freeek!" was among the most expensive music videos made.

Track listings

UK and Australian CD1[3] "Freeek!" "Freeek!" (The Scumfrogs mix) "Freeek!" (Moogymen mix) UK and Australian CD2[4] "Freeek!" "Freeek!" (Max Reich mix) "The Long and Winding Road" (Beatles cover)

UK cassette single and European CD single[5][6] "Freeek!" "The Long and Winding Road" (Beatles cover) Japanese CD single[7] "Freeek!" "Freeek!" (The Scumfrogs mix) "Freeek!" (Moogymen mix) "Freeek!" (Max Reich mix) "The Long and Winding Road" (Beatles cover)

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2002) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[8] 5 Australian Dance (ARIA)[9] 2 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[10] 7 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[11] 21 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[12] 11 Denmark (Tracklisten)[13] 1 Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[14] 1 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[15] 6 France (SNEP)[16] 7 Germany (GfK)[17] 7 Greece (IFPI)[18] 4 Hungary (Mahasz)[19] 1 Ireland (IRMA)[20] 14 Italy (FIMI)[21] 1 Japan (Oricon)[22] 93 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[23] 8 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[24] 12 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[25] 15 Norway (VG-lista)[26] 7 Portugal (AFP)[14] 1 Romania (Romanian Top 100)[27] 9 Scotland (OCC)[28] 9 Spain (PROMUSICAE)[29] 1 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[30] 26 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[31] 2 UK Singles (OCC)[32] 7

Year-end charts Chart (2002) Position Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[33] 99 Italy (FIMI)[34] 19 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[35] 147 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[36] 66 UK Singles (OCC)[37] 117

Certifications and sales

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[38]	Gold	35,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region	Version	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref(s).
United Kingdom	"Freeek!"	18 March 2002	CD	Polydor Aegean	[39][40]
Australia					[41]
Japan		20 March 2002			[42]
	"Shoot the Dog" / "Freeek!"	4 December 2002	DVD	Polydor	[43]

See also

• List of number-one hits of 2002 (Italy)
• List of number-one singles of 2002 (Spain)
• List of number-one songs of the 2000s (Denmark)