Singer George Michael has had to overcome several challenges in his life, but his new live album, Symphonica, proved that his U.K. fans still love his music. The “Faith” singer’s latest release topped the U.K. album chart, beating Kylie Minogue’s anticipated new album.
Symphonica was recorded live during his 2011-2012 tour of the same name and beat Minogue’s Kiss Me Once by 20,000 copies, according to the Official Charts Company numbers, notes Billboard. It is Michael’s seventh No. 1 album as a solo artist. His 1980s group Wham! also scored two No. 1 albums.
“Thank you so much!” Michael told the Official Charts Company, reports The Guardian. “It's so nice to be able to savour this wonderful moment. I am a lucky man!”
Australian singer Minogue has had five No. 1 albums, but this is her second straight No. 2 debut. Her 2012 release The Abbey Road Sessions also started at No. 2.
The rest of this week’s Top 5 includes Pharrell Williams’ G I R L, Paloma Faith’s A Perfect Contradiction and Elbow’s The Take Off and Landing of Everything. The top-selling single in the U.K. this week is Duke Dumont’s “I Got U” with Jax Jones.
Symphonica is Martin’s first release since his deadly bout with pneumonia and a 2010 week-long prison stint.