Careless Whisper
Brian McKnight/Earl Klugh/Kenny G Lyrics
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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
I'm never gonna dance again
Guilty feet have got no rhythm
I know you're not a fool
Shoulda known better than to cheat a friend
And waste this chance that I've been given
So I'm never gonna dance again
The way I danced with you
Tonight the music seems so loud
I am wishing that we could lose this crowd
But maybe it's better this way
We hurt each other with the things we wanna say
We could have been so good together
We could have danced this dance forever
But no one's gonna dance with me
Please stay
I'm never gonna dance again
Guilty feet have got no rhythm
Though it's easy to pretend
I know you're, know you're not a fool
I shoulda known better than to cheat a friend
And waste this chance that I've been given
So I'm never gonna dance again
The way I danced with you
The lyrics to "Careless Whisper" by Brian McKnight/Earl Klugh/Kenny G are about regret and the consequences of infidelity. The singer reflects on a past dance with a partner and the emotional connection they shared, but he knows that he's lost his chance for a future with them because of his own mistakes. His guilt over cheating on a friend and the loss of his dance partner make him realize that he's never going to dance again - a way of saying that he's learned his lesson and won't make the same mistake again.
The emotions conveyed in the lyrics are heightened by the melancholy saxophone performed by Kenny G, which complements the sad tone of the song. The instrumentation and melody also pay tribute to the classic Hollywood era, as the lyrics reference "the silver screen" and "its sad good-byes," adding to the nostalgic and wistful atmosphere of the song.
Overall, "Careless Whisper" is a poignant reminder of the pain that comes with regretting past mistakes and the importance of valuing the relationships we have, even if it means sacrificing our own desires.
Line by Line Meaning
I feel so unsure
I am uncertain and anxious
As I take your hand and lead you to the dance floor
I guide you towards the dance floor by holding your hand
As the music dies, something in your eyes
Your eyes express something as the music fades away
Calls to mind the silver screen
Reminds me of the movies and their stories
And all its sad good-byes
The parting scenes that are often tragic
I'm never gonna dance again
I won't dance again in the same way
Guilty feet have got no rhythm
I have no sense of rhythm as I am guilty
Though it's easy to pretend
Even though it seems easy to act like it's alright
I know you're not a fool
I recognize that you are not deceived
Shoulda known better than to cheat a friend
I should have been smart enough to not betray a friend
And waste this chance that I've been given
And not squander the opportunity that was given to me
So I'm never gonna dance again
So I won't dance in this way again
The way I danced with you
The way we danced together
Tonight the music seems so loud
The music sounds louder than usual tonight
I am wishing that we could lose this crowd
I hope that we could be alone and not surrounded by this crowd
But maybe it's better this way
But maybe it's better for things to be like this
We hurt each other with the things we wanna say
We end up hurting each other with the things we want to say
We could have been so good together
We had the potential to be a great couple
We could have danced this dance forever
We could have kept dancing and having fun forever
But no one's gonna dance with me
But now, no one wants to dance with me
Please stay
Don't leave my side
I'm never gonna dance again
I won't dance in this way again
Guilty feet have got no rhythm
I have no sense of rhythm as I am guilty
Though it's easy to pretend
Even though it seems easy to act like it's alright
I know you're, know you're not a fool
I recognize that you are not deceived
I shoulda known better than to cheat a friend
I should have been smart enough to not betray a friend
And waste this chance that I've been given
And not squander the opportunity that was given to me
So I'm never gonna dance again
So I won't dance in this way again
The way I danced with you
The way we danced together
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANDREW RIDGELEY, ANDREW J. RIDGELEY, GEORGE MICHAEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind