The song Careless Whisper (“Careless whisper”) became the first major hit in the solo career of British artist George Michael (George Michael).
A beautiful pop ballad with touching lyrics and a great saxophone solo, climbed to the top of the charts around the world and proved to be an incredibly successful commercial.
Careless Whisper song history
George Michael co-wrote the song with longtime friend and bandmate Wham! Andrew Ridgeley.
Michael later said:
I was on my way to Bel Air where I was DJing when I wrote Careless Whisper. I have always written on buses, trains and cars. It always happens on trips. In the case of Careless Whisper, I remember exactly how it came to my mind, where I composed the saxophone part. I remember very vaguely where I was when I was composing after the success of Wham!, but in the case of Careless Whisper, I remember exactly the time and place.
I know it sounds really weird and somewhat romantic, but I remember exactly where it happened, where I was sitting on the bus, how I continued, and so on. I remember giving money to the guy on the bus and coming up with this line, the saxophone part. Then he turned away and I continued to compose in my mind. I composed it entirely in my mind. I mentally processed it for three months.
Bare
The meaning of Careless Whisper
Speaking about Careless Whisper, George Michael spoke about his love torment in his youth:
When I was twelve or thirteen, I accompanied my sister, who was two years older, to the skating rink in Queensway, London. There was a girl named Jane with long blond hair. I was a fat boy with glasses, and I had a crush on her, although I didn’t have the slightest chance. When we went to the skating rink, my sister was skating and doing what she wanted, and I almost fainted all day because of this Jane girl.
Bare
George also recalled that he later met Jane again. Then Michael was already performing at a local disco and liked the opposite sex much more.
In general, they met, and then you should listen to George:
A girl who didn’t even notice me when I was twelve invited me to her place. We dated her for a couple of months, but I didn’t stop seeing Helen. [«официальной» возлюбленной Майкла]. I thought I was a real smart guy, because I went from a complete loser to a guy who dates two girls. And I remember that my sisters really annoyed me, because everyone got wind of it, and they really liked my first one.
The main idea of Careless Whisper is that the first girl will find out about the second one, which never happened to me. But I started a new relationship with a girl named Alexis without breaking it off with Jane. Everything got a little confusing. Jane found out about it and got rid of me right away. […]
I really felt guilty about the first girl, and after that we saw each other. In fact, the song is about her. Careless Whisper is our dance, because we danced a lot, and the meaning is that we dance, but she knows, and it’s all over.
Bare
Recording and release
George Michael recorded the first version of Careless Whisper at Muscle Shoals Studios in Alabama. Recording took place under the direction of producer Jerry Wexler (Jerry Wexler).
The musician was dissatisfied with the result and re-recorded the track in his own way. The saxophone part was performed by the famous musician Steve Gregory.
In July 1984, this variant was released as a single from the Make It Big album. A few months later, the original version of the song was also released as a single.
Careless Whisper topped the charts in several countries, including the US and the UK. The single sold over six million copies.
Despite the fantastic success of the composition, George Michael never considered it his favorite work:
… I’m disappointed by the fact that you can write the lyrics very lightly. These are not very good words, and they can mean so much to so many people. This destroys the illusions that the author harbors.
Bare
Clip Careless Whisper George Michael
The music video for the song was filmed in Miami. The video with George Michael starred actress Lisa Stahl (Lisa Stahl). She later recalled problems on the set:
They lost the footage of our kissing scene, so we had to re-shoot it, which I didn’t complain about… Then George decided he didn’t like his hair. He had his sister fly in from England to cut them, and we had to re-shoot other scenes.
Q, 2009
Let’s watch the video clip Careless Whisper – George Michael.
Cover versions
The composition was performed by many famous artists. Let’s take a look at a few memorable stories.
Seether’s version of Careless Whisper is popular in autumn. Let’s listen.
So sang Careless Whisper Gloria Gaynor (Gloria Gaynor).
Next Careless Whisper performed by Brian Mcknight & Kenny G.
And a vintage jazz version of Careless Whisper by Robyn Adele Anderson & Dave Koz.
Interesting Facts
- Careless Whisper was featured on the Deadpool soundtrack.
Careless Whisper
I feel so unsure
As I take your hand and lead you to the dance floor
As the music dies, something in your eyes
Calls to mind the silver screen
And all its sad good-byes
chorus:
I’m never gonna dance again
Guilty feet got no rhythm
Though it’s easy to pretend
I know you’re not a fool
Should’ve known better than to cheat a friend
And waste the chance that I’ve been given
So I’m never gonna dance again
The way I danced with you
Time can never mend
The careless whispers of a good friend
To the heart and mind
Ignorance is kind
There’s no comfort in the truth
Pain is all you’ll find
Chorus
Never without your love
Tonight the music seems so loud
I wish we could lose this crowd
Maybe it’s better this way
We’d hurt each other with the things we’d want to say
We could have been so good together
We could have lived this dance forever
But no one’s gonna dance with me
Please stay
Chorus
Now that you’re gone
What I did’s so wrong, so wrong
That you had to leave me alone
Andrew J. Ridgeley / George Michael
Lyrics by Careless Whisper © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Careless Whisper Lyrics George Michael
I feel so insecure
When I take your hand and lead you to the dance floor.
When the music stops there’s something in your eyes
Reminds me of the movie
And all his sad goodbyes.
Chorus:
I will never dance again
Guilty feet do not follow the rhythm.
Though it’s easy to pretend
I know you’re not stupid.
I shouldn’t have cheated on my friend
And miss the opportunity
So I will never dance like this again
How I danced with you.
Time never mends
The careless whisper of a close friend.
Ignorance is a blessing
For the heart and mind.
There is no consolation in truth
Pain is all you’ll get.
Chorus
Never without your love
The music seems so loud tonight
Too bad we can’t get rid of this crowd.
Maybe that’s better.
We would hurt each other by saying what we want to say.
We could be so good together
We could live forever in this dance
But no one will dance with me.
Please stay.
Chorus
Now that you’ve gone
I did so wrong, so wrong
that you had to leave me
Download Careless Whisper
On Blimey you can not download the song Careless Whisper in mp3 for free. You can listen to George Michael tracks online and watch clips. Look for sheet music, backing tracks, options for karaoke and tabs on other resources.
