Careless Whispers
The Sunset Lounge Orchestra 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

The Sunset Lounge Orchestra's song "Careless Whispers" is a heart-wrenching ballad about regret and sorrow. The lyrics take us on a journey of a sad goodbye as the singer takes the hand of their loved one and leads them toward the dance floor. As the music dies down, there is a haunting feeling in the atmosphere amplified by the "something in your eyes," reminiscent of old Hollywood movies with the famous sad goodbyes. The first verse ends with the singer stating their remorse in breaking their friend's trust by cheating on them.

In the chorus, the singer acknowledges the mistake they have made, leaving them with guilty feet that can no longer dance to the rhythm. They internalize their feelings and understand that though they can pretend to be happy, they are well aware that their partner is not a fool. They realize the consequences of cheating on a friend and acknowledge that they should have known better than to waste the chance that they were given. The chorus ends with the singer saying that they will never be able to dance again as they did with their partner, indicating that the relationship may have ended because of the betrayal.

The last verse pleads to their partner to stay, recognizing that they could have been so good together and could have danced the dance forever. However, the hurtful things said during the relationship have caused damage that may not be fixable. The song ends with the singer repeating the chorus, stating that they are guilty and understand the consequences of their actions.

Line by Line Meaning

I feel so unsure
I am filled with uncertainty

As I take your hand and lead you to the dance floor
I guide you to the center of the room, holding your hand

As the music dies, something in your eyes
As the song ends, I see something in your gaze

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

And all its sad good-byes
The bittersweet farewells of those films

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

Guilty feet have got no rhythm
I feel guilty and out of sync

Though it's easy to pretend
Even though it's easy to fake it

I know you're not a fool
I know that you're not easily fooled

Shoulda known better than to cheat a friend
I regret betraying someone close to me

And waste this chance that I've been given
I squandered the opportunity I had