The first single from George Michael's upcoming album of traditional pop songs will be a cover of the very untraditional collaboration between U2 and opera man Luciano Pavarotti.

"Miss Sarajevo" first appeared on the 1995 U2-Brian Eno album "Soundtrack," released under the moniker Passengers 1. Now, that song will take its place alongside the works of Cole Porter, Rodgers and Hart, Johnny Mercer, and Ewan MacColl on Michael's new album, "Songs From The Last Century."

The collection was produced this summer in New York City by Phil Ramone (who has produced Billy Joel, Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand) and will be released in Canada on Dec. 7. That's one day after its release in the U.K., Europe, and other international territories, but a full week before it comes out in the U.S.

Other songs include the Billie Holiday number "You've Changed," Nina Simone's "My Baby Just Cares For Me", and Frank Sinatra's "Wild Is The Wind."

The release also completes the latest round of label-hopping for Michael. He began his career with the Sony group of labels, but after a protracted battle, moved to Dreamworks for 1996's "Older" (although the album was released by Virgin Records outside North America).

Last year, Michael returned to the Sony-affiliated Epic when he issued his "Ladies And Gentlemen: The Best Of..." disc, apparently as part of a contractual obligation to Sony, but now moves from Dreamworks to Virgin for "Songs From The Last Century."

Virgin now has the worldwide rights to Michael's work, the label announced in a news release. It will be the sole label to issue the new album.