Twenty Five is the second compilation album by
George Michael released in the UK on 13 November 2006,[4] celebrating the 25th anniversary of his music career.[5] It was released on 13 November 2006 by
Sony BMG.[6] It debuted at number one on the
UK Albums Chart[7] and number 23 on the
Billboard 200,[8] and it reached the top 20 on most other album charts. After Michael's death in December 2016, the album re-entered the Billboard 200 at a new peak position of number 12.[9]
The album mostly contains songs from Michael's solo career, but also from his earlier days with
Wham!. The album is sold in two formats: a 2-CD set and a limited edition 3-CD set. The 2-CD set contains 29 tracks, including four recorded with Wham! and three new songs: "
An Easier Affair", "
This Is Not Real Love" (a duet with the British singer
Mutya Buena) and a new version of "
Heal the Pain", recorded with
Paul McCartney. The limited edition 3-CD version contains an additional 14 lesser known tracks, including one with Wham! and another new song called "Understand".
A 3-CD limited deluxe version was released in the United States exclusively by
Best Buy. The track listing for the third CD is the same as the international version, but unlike the 2-CD US version, it includes "Freedom" instead of "Feeling Good". The 3-CD version is packaged in a
digipak. It includes a 36-page colour booklet with lyrics for every track, along with screen shots from the videos for most of the tracks on the first two CDs.
In 2010, a special tour edition of the album was released in Australia for his short three date
George Michael Live in Australia tour. The track listing itself contained the same tracks as the international version alongside a bonus third disc.
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
^"Czech Albums – Top 100".
ČNS IFPI. Note: On the chart page, select 47.Týden 2006 on the field besides the words "CZ – ALBUMS – TOP 100" to retrieve the correct chart. Retrieved 18 February 2013.