A 1984 saxophone-driven pop ballad written by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley, released as Michael's first solo single during the Wham! era.
Composition
George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley wrote Careless Whisper as teenagers. The arrangement is centered on a hooked saxophone line played by Steve Gregory, recorded after the song had been rerecorded multiple times searching for the right tone.
Release
The single was released in mid-1984 under the credit “Wham! featuring George Michael” in the United States and as a solo George Michael release elsewhere. It reached number one in nearly two dozen countries.
Legacy
Although Michael was the song’s primary writer and singer, he later said he was never fully satisfied with the recording. The saxophone hook has become a widely recognized motif in pop culture and an enduring radio standard.
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Careless Whisper starts with C and ends with R. Browse other songs along the same letter.
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