Careless Whisper
| "Careless Whisper" | ||||
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UK 7-inch vinyl picture sleeve (also used for various international releases) | ||||
| Single by George Michael | ||||
| from the album Make It Big | ||||
| B-side | "Careless Whisper" (instrumental) | |||
| Written | 1981 | |||
| Released | 23 July 1984 | |||
| Recorded | 1984 | |||
| Studio | Sarm West, London | |||
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| George Michael singles chronology | ||||
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| Wham! singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Careless Whisper" on YouTube | ||||
"Careless Whisper" is a song by the English singer-songwriter George Michael, released as the second single from Wham!'s second album, Make It Big (1984). It was produced by Michael and written by Michael and his Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley. The single was credited to Michael as part of his transition to a solo career.
A contemporary pop song with R&B and soul influences, "Careless Whisper" features a prominent saxophone riff composed by Michael and played by Steve Gregory. Michael composed it as a teenager and recorded several versions, auditioning several saxophone players, before he was satisfied.
"Careless Whisper" topped the charts in the UK, US, and several other countries. It is one of the best-selling songs of all time, selling over eleven million copies, including seven million in the US. The song achieved popularity on social media, mainly due to the saxophone riff being used in many movies and as a popular internet meme. The song has been covered by acts including Brian McKnight, Seether, Roger Williams, Kenny G, and Julio Iglesias.