Careless Whisper
Inishkea Lyrics


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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

I'm never gonna dance again
Guilty feet have got no rhythm
Though it's easy to pretend
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

Overall Meaning

Inishkea’s song Careless Whisper is a ballad about lost love and regret. The opening lyrics set a scene of uncertainty and hesitation as the singer takes his partner’s hand and leads her to the dance floor. The music fades away, and he notices something in her eyes that brings to mind the silver screen and all the sad goodbyes that come with it.


The chorus reveals the reason for the singer’s apprehension – the guilt he feels about his actions. He cheated on a friend, and as a result, he feels he has lost the chance to dance with his partner the way he once did. The line “guilty feet have got no rhythm” is a poignant reference to the way his guilt has affected his ability to enjoy the moment. He knows he is not fooling his partner when he pretends that everything is okay.


The second verse continues with the theme of regret, acknowledging that hurtful words have been spoken between the couple, and they have hurt each other in the process. The singer reflects on what could have been and the dance they could have shared forever. But he knows it is too late to go back, and he is left with the sad reality that he has lost his chance.


Line by Line Meaning

I feel so unsure
I am lacking confidence and feeling uneasy


As I take your hand and lead you to the dance floor
I am making a move and showing initiative by leading you to the dance floor


As the music dies, something in your eyes
As the music fades away, I can see a certain expression in your eyes


Calls to mind the silver screen
It reminds me of the old movies from the past


And all its sad good-byes
Which were full of sorrowful farewells


I'm never gonna dance again
I know I will never dance again


Guilty feet have got no rhythm
I feel guilty for what I have done and it has affected my ability to dance


Though it's easy to pretend
Even though it might be easy to pretend that everything is okay


I know you're not a fool
I know you are not foolish enough to fall for my act


Shoulda known better than to cheat a friend
I should have known better than to betray a friend's trust


And waste this chance that I've been given
I have wasted the opportunity that was given to me


So I'm never gonna dance again
So, I know I will never dance again


The way I danced with you
The way I used to dance with you is no longer an option


Tonight the music seems so loud
The music tonight seems louder than usual


I am wishing that we could lose this crowd
I wish we could be alone and away from this audience


But maybe it's better this way
But maybe it is for the best that we are in front of everyone


We hurt each other with the things we wanna say
Despite our love, we end up saying things that hurt each other


We could have been so good together
If only we had made different choices, we could have been very happy together


We could have danced this dance forever
We could have had a long-lasting, loving relationship


But no one's gonna dance with me
But now, no one will want to dance with me


Please stay
Please don't leave me




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Andrew J. Ridgeley, George Michael

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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