Sony releases new version of George Michael's 'Fantasy'

Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Sony Music released "Fantasy," a single by the late George Michael featuring Nile Rodgers, on Thursday.

"First recorded by the superstar in the late '80s, the track was intended to be featured on George Michael's second solo album, the multi-platinum, Listen Without Prejudice Vol.1, but was left off," a news release explained.

"It was subsequently a B-side of the U.S. release of the single, 'Freedom! '90' and on the U.K. version of the single, 'Waiting For That Day' in 1990. But as one of his favorite tracks, George always intended for 'Fantasy' to be a single in its own right."

The recording artist chose "Fantasy" in early 2016 as the single to launch the re-issue of his 1990 album Listen Without Prejudice Vol.1/MTV Unplugged, which is due out this Oct. 20.

Michael contacted Rodgers to update the track for the project and the result is the current, up-tempo version of the song.

Michael died at the age of 53 on Dec. 25, 2016.