“Careless Whisper”
Single by George Michael /Wham! from the album Make It Big
Released	1984 (U.K.) 1985 (U.S.)
Format	12" maxi 7" single
Recorded	1984
Genre	Pop, R&B
Length	5:04 6:30 (album version)
Label	Columbia Records
Writer(s)	George Michael Andrew Ridgeley
Producer	George Michael
Certification	2x Platinum (RIAA) 3x Platinum (BPI)
Wham! singles chronology
"Wake Me Up Before You Go Go" (1984) "Careless Whisper" (1984) "Freedom" (1984)
Twenty Five track listing
) "An Easier Affair" (15) (Disc 1) "Careless Whisper" (1) "Last Christmas" (2 Alternate covers UK 7-Inch single cover Audio sample Info "Careless Whisper" (help· info)

“Careless Whisper”
Single by George Michael Wham! from the album Make It Big
B-side	"Careless Whisper" (Instrumental version)
Released	UK:1984 U.S.:1985
Format	12", 7"
Recorded	1984
Genre	Pop
Length	5:04 6:30 (Album Version)
Label	Columbia Records
Writer(s)	George Michael Andrew Ridgeley
Producer	George Michael
Certification	2x Platinum (RIAA)

"Careless Whisper" was a worldwide number-one hit song for George Michael in 1984. It was released by Epic Records in the UK, Japan and other countries, and Columbia Records in North America. It features a very distinctive saxophone riff, and has been recorded by a number of artists since its first release. It went on to sell almost six million copies worldwide.^{[citation needed]} Image File history File links Wham_Careless_Whisper. ... A collection of various CD singles In music, a single is a short recording of one or more separate tracks. ... For other persons named George Michael, see George Michael (disambiguation). ... Wham! (often written WHAM!) was a pop band formed in 1981 by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley. ... Make It Big was the 1984 effort of British pop duo Wham! A giant success the world over, Make It Big was the album that would confirm George Michael as a star. ... This article is about the year. ... “UK” redirects here. ... This article is about the year. ... For other uses of terms redirecting here, see US (disambiguation), USA (disambiguation), and United States (disambiguation) Motto In God We Trust(since 1956) (From Many, One; Latin, traditional) Anthem The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City National language English (de facto)1 Demonym American... The 12-inch single gramophone record gained popularity with the advent of disco music in the 1970s. ... In music, a single is a short (usually ten minutes or less) record, usually featuring one or two tracks as A-sides, often accompanied by several B-sides—usually remixes or other songs. ... This article is about the year. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article is about the genre of popular music. ... Rhythm and blues (or R & B) is a musical marketing term introduced in the United States in the late 1940s by Billboard magazine. ... In the music industry, a record label can be a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. ... Columbia Records is the oldest brand name in recorded sound, dating back to 1888, and was the first record company to produce pre-recorded records as opposed to blank cylinders. ... A songwriter is someone who writes the lyrics to songs, the musical composition or melody to songs, or both. ... For other persons named George Michael, see George Michael (disambiguation). ... Andrew John Ridgeley (born 26 January 1963) is an English pop singer, guitarist and environmentalist. ... In the music industry, a record producer (or music producer) has many roles, among them controlling the recording sessions, coaching and guiding the musicians, organizing and scheduling production budget and resources, and supervising the recording, mixing and mastering processes. ... For other persons named George Michael, see George Michael (disambiguation). ... “Golden record” redirects here. ... General Name, Symbol, Number platinum, Pt, 78 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 10, 6, d Appearance grayish white Standard atomic weight 195. ... The RIAA Logo. ... General Name, Symbol, Number platinum, Pt, 78 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 10, 6, d Appearance grayish white Standard atomic weight 195. ... The British Phonographic Industry was founded in 1973 to represent the interests of British music companies and to fight the growing problem of music piracy. ... Wham! (often written WHAM!) was a pop band formed in 1981 by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley. ... Wake Me Up Before You Go Go was a song by British pop duo Wham! which was released in 1984 and became their first UK number-one hit. ... Freedom was a song by British pop duo Wham! in 1984, becoming the groups second UK #1 hit. ... Twentyfive or 25 is George Michaels latest greatest hits album, which celebrates the 25th anniversary of his music career. ... An Easier Affair is a first single from George Michaels second greatest hits album 25. ... Last Christmas is a song by British pop duo Wham!, released on Epic Records in 1984, on a double A-side with Everything She Wants. It was written by George Michael, one half of the duo. ... Image File history File links Careless_Whisper. ... Image File history File links Careless_Whisper. ... Image File history File links Wham_Careless_Whisper. ... A collection of various CD singles In music, a single is a short recording of one or more separate tracks. ... For other persons named George Michael, see George Michael (disambiguation). ... Wham! (often written WHAM!) was a pop band formed in 1981 by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley. ... Make It Big was the 1984 effort of British pop duo Wham! A giant success the world over, Make It Big was the album that would confirm George Michael as a star. ... “B-Sides” redirects here. ... This article is about the year. ... This article is about the year. ... The 12-inch single gramophone record gained popularity with the advent of disco music in the 1970s. ... A vinyl EP from Crop Circles. ... This article is about the year. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article is about the genre of popular music. ... In the music industry, a record label can be a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. ... Columbia Records is the oldest brand name in recorded sound, dating back to 1888, and was the first record company to produce pre-recorded records as opposed to blank cylinders. ... A songwriter is someone who writes the lyrics to songs, the musical composition or melody to songs, or both. ... For other persons named George Michael, see George Michael (disambiguation). ... Andrew John Ridgeley (born 26 January 1963) is an English pop singer, guitarist and environmentalist. ... In the music industry, a record producer (or music producer) has many roles, among them controlling the recording sessions, coaching and guiding the musicians, organizing and scheduling production budget and resources, and supervising the recording, mixing and mastering processes. ... “Golden record” redirects here. ... General Name, Symbol, Number platinum, Pt, 78 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 10, 6, d Appearance grayish white Standard atomic weight 195. ... The RIAA Logo. ... For other persons named George Michael, see George Michael (disambiguation). ... Epic Records is an American record label, owned and operated by Sony BMG. // Epic was launched originally as a jazz and classical music label in 1953 by CBS. Its bright-yellow, black and blue logo became a familiar trademark for many jazz and classical releases. ... Riff is also an alternate spelling of Rif, a region of Morocco. ...

History

The song was first released as a solo George Michael single, while he was part of the pop group Wham!. Unlike all the Wham! singles (except Wham Rap!), it was co-written by Andrew Ridgeley, the other member of the duo. The two had written it together as unknowns three years earlier, when Michael was working as a cinema usher in Watford, England. In a June 2006 interview on London radio station Magic 105.4, Michael said that he wrote it "in his head" during work and that he recalls coming up with the saxophone riff whilst boarding a number 32 bus on the way home. Originally the riff had words, but Michael declined to state them, saying that they were very poor lyrics.^{[citation needed]} Wham! (often written WHAM!) was a pop band formed in 1981 by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley. ... Andrew John Ridgeley (born 26 January 1963) is an English pop singer, guitarist and environmentalist. ... Country Constituent area Region East of England County Hertfordshire Borough Watford Government leadership=Mayor & Cabinet  - Type Borough  - Mayor Dorothy Thornhill (Liberal Democrat  - mp Claire Ward Area  - Borough 55. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... A radio station is an audio (sound) broadcasting service, traditionally broadcast through the air as radio waves (a form of electromagnetic radiation) from a transmitter to an antenna and a thus to a receiving device. ... Magic 105. ... The saxophone (colloquially referred to as sax) is a conical-bored musical instrument usually considered a member of the woodwind family. ... Autobus redirects here. ... Words has several meanings: words in Unix. ...

The song went through at least two rounds of production. The first was during a trip Michael made to Muscle Shoals, Alabama where he went to work with the legendary producer Jerry Wexler at the venerable Muscle Shoals Studio. Michael was unhappy with the version that was originally produced and decided to re-record and produce the song himself, this time coming up with the version that was finally released. The version Wexler produced did, however, see the light of day, but only later on, as a (4:41) B-side "Special Version" on 12", released in England. A mid-tempo ballad with a soulful production standard and a remarkable saxophone solo (played by Steve Gregory), the single was issued in August 1984, entering the UK singles chart at number twelve. Within two weeks, it was at number one, ending a nine-week run at the top for "Two Tribes" by Frankie Goes to Hollywood. It stayed at number one for three weeks, later going to the top of the charts in seventeen other countries, including the USA's Billboard Hot 100 in February 1985, although in the United States, it was credited as "Wham! featuring George Michael". Muscle Shoals is a city famous for its music and contributions to American popular music, in Colbert County, Alabama, USA. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city is 11,924, and is included in The Shoals MSA. // Muscle Shoals is located at (34. ... Gerald Jerry Wexler (born January 10, 1917) is a music journalist turned highly influential music producer, and is regarded as one of the major record industry players behind 1960s soul music. ... For other uses, see Tempo (disambiguation). ... Illustration by Arthur Rackham of the ballad The Twa Corbies A ballad is a story, usually a narrative or poem, in a song. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... “British Hit Singles” redirects here. ... Two Tribes is the title track of the second single by Frankie Goes To Hollywood, released in the UK by ZTT Records in May 1984 (see 1984 in music). ... Frankie Goes to Hollywood (FGTH) was a UK dance-pop band that was extremely popular in the mid 1980s. ... Motto: (traditional) In God We Trust (official, 1956–present) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City Official language(s) None at the federal level; English de facto Government Federal Republic  - President George W. Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence - Declared - Recognized... “Hot 100” redirects here. ...

George Michael was still very much committed to Wham! and was quickly back at number one with the duo with the song "Freedom", before ending the year at the top as part of Band Aid, meaning that he had number one hits in 1984 as part of three different entities - part of a duo, a solo artist and part of a charity ensemble. Band Aid was a British and Irish charity supergroup, founded in 1984 by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure in order to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia by releasing the record Do They Know Its Christmas? for the Christmas market. ... A benefit concert is a concert featuring musicians, comedians, or other performers that is held for a charitable purpose, often directed at a specific and immediate humanitarian crisis. ...

Wham! split in 1986, two months after Michael released his second solo single, entitled "A Different Corner", which had again gone to number one in the UK. He went on to have a highly successful, controversial and multi award-winning solo career. A Different Corner was a song written and performed by George Michael which was released on Epic Records in 1986. ...

"Careless Whisper" is ranked number one on Billboard magazine's year-end chart for 1985. Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry. ...

In a 2006 poll for a programme Britain's Favourite Break-up Songs, "Careless Whisper" was voted sixth.

Music video

The Music video shows about the guilt felt by a man over an affair, and his acknowledgement that his partner was always going to find out. The title is actually from a line in the second verse - "Time can never mend the careless whispers of a good friend."

Live performances

"Careless Whisper" was generally the closing act for concerts on the 25 Live tour, and less often in The Faith Tour concerts, usually performed live in many concerts tours like Cover To Cover Tour and Rock In Rio .George Michael would often perform "Careless Whisper" with an extended version of the ending which is apparently his preferred version. 25 Live is a concert tour by British singer / songwriter George Michael, his first in over 15 years. ...

Covers

In television

• The song was covered by Shayne Ward in British talent show The X Factor in 2005

• In the first season of Singapore Idol, the song was sung by Patrick Khoo, who literally whispered it. He did not pass the audition.

• In the fourth season of Canadian Idol, the song was sung by runner up Craig Sharpe of Upper Island Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador. Zach Werner, one of the Canadian Idol judges, has noted Craig's vocal similarity to George Michael on numerous occasions.

• In the sixth season of American Idol, top 24 contestant, Paul Kim, got eliminated after singing this song.

• In the Australian TV show Rockwiz it was done as a duet between Kate Miller Heidke and Paul Dempsey.

Shayne Thomas Ward (born 16 October 1984 in Clayton, Manchester) is a British pop singer of Irish background, who rose to prominence in the UK and Ireland after becoming the winner of the 2005 series of the talent show The X Factor. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Audition can refer to: The sense of hearing The audio editing software Adobe Audition ... Canadian Idol is a reality television show on the Canadian television network CTV, based on the popular British show Pop Idol and its American counterpart American Idol. ... Runner-up is a term used to denote a participant which finishes in second place in any of a variety of competitive endeavors, most notably sporting events and beauty pageants; in the latter instance, the term is applied to more than one of the highest-ranked non-winning contestants, the... Craig Sharpe Craig Sharpe (born in Carbonear but now living in born in Upper Island Cove, Newfoundland & Labrador) is a contestant of Canadian Idol 4 who is a member of the top ten who beat out 12,000 other competitors. ... This article is about the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. ... Zack Werner (born June 27, 1960[1] in Winnipeg, Manitoba) has had an extensive career in the music industry as an artist, producer, entertainment lawyer and manager. ... In music a singer or vocalist is a type of musician who sings, i. ... For the current American Idol season, see American Idol (season 7). ... RocKwiz is an Australian television quiz show series, focused on rock music, and broadcast on the Special Broadcasting Service. ...

In others

• The song was later covered by Ben Folds and Rufus Wainwright in several 2004 live performances.

• The Gossip recently performed a cover of "Careless Whisper" on the UK's Radio 1 Live Lounge which they began with a verse from Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone"

• It has also been covered live by the Hideto Takarai aka Hyde (from L'Arc~En~Ciel fame) and the Taiwanese performer Teresa Teng.

• The Barenaked Ladies performed and recorded the song while on their 2007 "Ships and Dip" musical cruise.

• Well known Irish singer, Edward Valentine, has recently released a version of this song into the Irish market, where Mike Mulvihill of "The Power Hour" hailed it as the anthem of the decade.

• In an acoustic concert in Shanghai (March 13, 2008), Incubus covered the song. Brandon Boyd sang a portion of the song, accompanied by temporary bassist Mike Einziger (Mike played bass for several songs, not all). Ben Kenney was absent from the show, as he was recuperating from an upset stomach.

• A cover version of "Careless Whisper" by Tamia appeared on the soundtrack album to the 1998 movie A Night at the Roxbury.

Benjamin Scott Folds (born September 12, 1966, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina[1] is an American singer-songwriter and the former frontman of the musical group Ben Folds Five. ... Rufus McGarrigle Wainwright (born July 22, 1973) is a Canadian-American singer-songwriter. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Beth Ditto. ... Jo Whiley, host of the Live Lounge. ... | accessdate = 2006-12-22 }}</ref> Clarksons third album, entitled My December, was released on June 26, 2007. ... This article is about the Kelly Clarkson song. ... Hyde (Pronounced in Japanese: Hai-do, or in English as Hide, b. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Teresa Teng (January 29, 1953 – May 8, 1995) (traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ; simplified Chinese: ), sometimes spelled as Teresa Tang or Teresa Deng, was a legendary and influential C-pop singer from Yunlin County, Taiwan. ... Barenaked Ladies (often abbreviated BNL or occasionally BnL) is a Canadian alternative rock band currently composed of Jim Creeggan, Kevin Hearn, Steven Page, Ed Robertson, Tyler Stewart, and formerly Andy Creeggan. ... Edward Virginius Valentine (b. ... Incubus can refer to: Incubus (demon), a demon said to rape women while they slept Incubus (band), an American alternative rock band. ... Brandon Boyd (born February 15, 1976, in Van Nuys, California) is the lead vocalist of the alternative rock band Incubus. ... Mike Einziger (born June 21, 1976 in Los Angeles, California) is the multi-instrumentalist, co-writer and guitarist of the alternative rock band Incubus, as well as his own side project band, Time Lapse Consortium. ... Ben Kenney, (born on March 16, 1977), is an American musician, and the bassist for the rock band Incubus. ... Tamia Washington (born May 9, 1975), professionally known as Tamia, is an American R&B singer born in Canada. ... A Night at the Roxbury is a 1998 comedy film based on a recurring skit on televisions long-running Saturday Night Live. ...

Track listings

7" single

1. "Careless Whisper" (5:04)
2. "Careless Whisper" (instrumental) (5:02)

12" maxi

1. "Careless Whisper" (extended mix) (6:23)
2. "Careless Whisper" (special version) (5:34)
3. "Careless Whisper" (instrumental) (4:52)

Credits

• Bass - Deon Estus
• Drums - Trevor Morrell
• Guitar - Hugh Burns
• Keyboards - Chris Cameron
• Percussion - Danny Cummings
• Photography - Tony McGee
• Producer, Arranged By - George Michael
• Written-By - Andrew Ridgeley , George Michael

Charts

“Hot 100” redirects here. ... The ARC Weekly Top 40 is an American mainstream music chart. ... The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The Dutch Top 40 (Dutch: Nederlandse Top 40) is a weekly music chart, which started as the Veronica Top 40, because the pirate radio channel Radio Veronica was the first to introduce it. ... The Syndicat National de lEdition Phonographique (SNEP) is the inter-professional organisation which protects the interests of the French record industry. ... Media Control GfK International is an enterprise which represents recording industry in Germany. ... The Irish Singles Chart is the Irish music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. ... “British Hit Singles” redirects here. ... Prince (UK) chronology Purple Rain track listing When Doves Cry is song by American musician Prince, and the lead single from his 1984 album Purple Rain. ... For other uses, see Prince (disambiguation). ... “Hot 100” redirects here. ... Billboard Year-End charts are a cumulative measure of a single or albums performance in the United States, based upon the Billboard magazine charts during any given chart year. ... This article is about the year. ... Thats What Friends Are For is a song and a series of charity concerts. ... Marie Dionne Warrick (born December 12, 1940), known professionally as Dionne Warwick, is an acclaimed five-time Grammy Award-winning African American singer best known for her work with Hal David and Burt Bacharach as songwriters and producers. ... Do They Know Its Christmas? is a song written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure in 1984 specifically to raise money for Ethiopian famine relief. ... This article is about the adhesive bandage. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... is the 19th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... California Girls is the title of a song written by Mike Love and Brian Wilson and recorded by The Beach Boys for their 1965 album Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!). It features contrasting verse-chorus form. ... David Lee Roth (sometimes referred to as Diamond Dave) (born October 10, 1954, Bloomington, Indiana) is an American rock vocalist, songwriter, actor, author, and former radio personality, best known as the lead singer for Van Halen. ... Like a Virgin is the second studio album by singer Madonna. ... This article is about the American entertainer. ... The Irish Singles Chart is the Irish music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. ... is the 220th day of the year (221st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... The Song One More Night is the 5th track from Collins 3rd album, No Jacket Required. ... For other uses, see Phil Collins (disambiguation). ... Bronski Beat was a popular British synth pop trio of the 1980s. ... Bronski Beat was a popular British synth pop trio of the 1980s. ... The Dutch Top 40 (Dutch: Nederlandse Top 40) is a weekly music chart, which started as the Veronica Top 40, because the pirate radio channel Radio Veronica was the first to introduce it. ... {| style=float:right; |- | |- | |} is the 235th day of the year (236th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... I Just Called to Say I Love You is a song written, produced, and performed by Stevie Wonder as part of the soundtrack to the 1984 film The Woman in Red. ... Stevie Wonder (born Steveland Hardaway Judkins on May 13, 1950, name later changed to Steveland Hardaway Morris)[1] is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. ... Two Tribes is the title track of the second single by Frankie Goes To Hollywood, released in the UK by ZTT Records in May 1984 (see 1984 in music). ... Frankie Goes to Hollywood (FGTH) was a UK dance-pop band that was extremely popular in the mid 1980s. ... This is a list of the number one hits in the UK Singles Chart, from its inception in 1952 to the present. ... is the 224th day of the year (225th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... I Just Called to Say I Love You is a song written, produced, and performed by Stevie Wonder as part of the soundtrack to the 1984 film The Woman in Red. ... Stevie Wonder (born Steveland Hardaway Judkins on May 13, 1950, name later changed to Steveland Hardaway Morris)[1] is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. ... Tina Turner (born Anna Mae Bullock) November 26, 1939) is an 11 time Grammy Award-winning (sharing three), American Singer, Dancer, Record Producer, Executive Producer, Film Producer, Actress, Writer, Performer, Songwriter, Author and occasional Painter whose career has spanned from 1956 to present. ... Whats Love Got to Do with It was a #1 hit album in America that saw US singer Tina Turner regain massive international success. ... The following lists the number one singles on the Australian Singles Chart, along with other substantial hits, during the 1980s. ... is the 260th day of the year (261st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... Talk Talk was a popular English music group that was active from 1981 to 1991. ... is the 273rd day of the year (274th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... is the 294th day of the year (295th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... Picture Disc I Want to Know What Love Is is a power ballad recorded by the British-American rock band Foreigner. ... Foreigner is a hard rock band formed in New York City in 1976 by veteran musicians Mick Jones and ex-King Crimson member Ian McDonald, along with then-unknown vocalist Lou Gramm (Louis Grammatico). ... “Hot 100” redirects here. ... This is a list of number-one hits in the United States by year from the Billboard Hot 100. ... is the 47th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... is the 61st day of the year (62nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... Cant Fight This Feeling is a number-one song from REO Speedwagon about how a man is falling in love with a girl hes been friends with for a long time. ... REO Speedwagon is an American rock band which grew in popularity in the Midwestern United States during the 1970s and peaked in the early 1980s. ... Easy Lover is a song written by Philip Bailey, Phil Collins, and Nathan East. ... Philip Bailey (born May 8, 1951, Denver, Colorado) is an American R&B, soul, gospel and funk singer, best known as one of the longtime members of Earth, Wind & Fire. ... For other uses, see Phil Collins (disambiguation). ... The ARC Weekly Top 40 is an American mainstream music chart. ... is the 47th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... is the 61st day of the year (62nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... Picture Disc I Want to Know What Love Is is a power ballad recorded by the British-American rock band Foreigner. ... Foreigner is a hard rock band formed in New York City in 1976 by veteran musicians Mick Jones and ex-King Crimson member Ian McDonald, along with then-unknown vocalist Lou Gramm (Louis Grammatico). ... The Hot 100 Airplay is a chart released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States. ... is the 54th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... is the 68th day of the year (69th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ...

External Links

• Wham's "Careless Whisper" music video

References