On July 4, 1988, George Michael released the single “Monkey” from his debut solo album, “Faith.” The song quickly climbed the charts, eventually reaching the #1 spot on the US Billboard charts, where it remained from August 27 to September 9. “Monkey” also achieved international success, hitting #1 in Canada. The track’s upbeat tempo and innovative production, combined with Michael’s distinctive vocals, made it a standout hit and further cemented his status as a leading pop artist of the 1980s.