George Michael – Careless Whisper Chords & Guitar Lesson

Behold… one of the most famous songs of the ‘80s. 

From the opening saxophone solo to the funky rhythm guitar, this tune is sure to get recognized if you play it for friends and family. 

Below, I’m going to share some insider tips on the guitar style behind it. 

So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this “Careless Whisper” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Careless Whisper?

"Careless Whisper" was written by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley, the two members of the band Wham!. 

It’s one of the most recognizable and famous ballads of the ‘80s. The song is about a couple going to hit the dance floor, but the main character is hiding something. Particularly the lyrics: 

Guilty feet have got no rhythm…  

Some say it’s about infidelity ruining a relationship. The title "Careless Whisper" refers to how his secret was revealed, likely through a whispered conversation or rumor. One of the most surprising facts about "Careless Whisper" is that despite its massive success, Michael loathed it. 

He wrote most of the lyrics when he was a teenager and thought they weren’t sophisticated or as deep as his later work. He was puzzled by its immense popularity. 

But that is often the case with people who are smarter than normal. 

They feel something is boring or bland, yet the rest of the world eats it up.

The saxophone solo and opening lick are legendary. “Careless Whisper” was recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Alabama with a different sax player, but George Michael wasn't happy with the result. 

He returned to London and auditioned a bunch of other saxophonists. (Some reports say as many as 9, before he found what he was looking for). The final solo was laid down by session musician Steve Gregory.  But there was another twist. You see, he didn’t like how it sounded in Dm (the original key) when he played it on his sax.

So Gregory suggested playing it ½ step lower and then speeding it up to bring it to the key of Dm. That’s what they did, and that’s what you hear on the final recording…

"Careless Whisper" has become a global phenomenon. It was a number one single in the UK and topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the US, becoming the top song of 1985. It reached number one in 25 countries worldwide.  

Now, you may be wondering…

What is the tuning for Careless Whisper?

The tuning for "Careless Whisper” is standard tuning. Standard tuning is spelled: E, A, D, G, B, and E. 

Here are the strings: 

• E (6th string, lowest pitch)
• A (5th string)
• D (4th string)
• G (3rd string)
• B (2nd string)
• E (1st string, highest pitch)

All right! 

Now that you know the tuning for “Careless Whisper”, let’s next talk about…

Careless Whisper Chords

To play “Careless Whisper”, you only need to know 4 main chords they are Dm7, Gm7, Am7, and Bbmaj7. All of these chords are played as bar chords. This will help get the funky feel. 

If bar chords are giving you all kinds of aches and pains, and you haven’t yet discovered how to play them effortlessly, go here: https://www.jonmaclennan.com/7mistakes

Let’s take a look at a few ways these shapes can be played on the fretboard.

Dm7 is played from the 5th string down like this:

Gm7 is played using a common 4-note jazz voicing like this:

Am7 simply shifts Gm7 up 2 frets like so:

Finally,  Bbmaj7 is played in 6th position and uses 4 strings like this:

If you’ve struggled to understand the fretboard for RHYTHM and LEAD guitar, and want to discover the easiest and fastest way. Then get your hands on my free Fretboard Guide PDF right here now:  

Is Careless Whisper hard to play on guitar?

I would say playing “Careless Whisper” on guitar is going to require an intermediate skill level. There are only 4 chords, so from a chord progression standpoint, it’s not overly complicated. However, the 16th-note funky rhythms and the riff are where the bulk of the work will come in. So, take your time with this one. 

What key is Careless Whisper in?

“Careless Whisper”, as recorded by Wham!, is in the key of D minor. The primary scale for the song is the D natural minor scale, which is built using the notes D, E, F, G, A, Bb, and C. 

Let’s break down the chords and how they function in the key of D minor: 

Dm7 (D minor 7th)

Notes: D, F, A, C

Function: This is the i7 chord, the tonic minor 7th. It is the home base of the key. The added minor 7th (C) adds a natural minor sound.

Gm7 (G minor 7th)

Notes: G, B♭, D, F

Function: This is the iv7 chord, the subdominant minor 7th. It is built on the fourth degree of the D minor scale. It functions as a predominant chord, creating a sense of forward motion and often leading to the dominant chord (Am7 or A7) before resolving back to the tonic (Dm7).

Am7 (A minor 7th)

Notes: A, C, E, G

Function: This is the v7 chord, the minor dominant 7th. It's the diatonic chord built on the fifth degree of the D minor scale. While it functions as a dominant, the minor quality of the triad (A minor) gives it a less forceful pull back to the tonic than a major dominant chord would. 

B♭maj7 (B♭ major 7th)

Notes: B♭, D, F, A

Function: This is the VImaj7 chord, the submediant major 7th. It is built on the sixth degree of the D minor scale. This chord has a very distinct, jazzy quality due to the major 7th (A). It’s used for color in countless minor-key songs.

All right! 

So that’s the theory. Next, let’s look at…

What is the strumming pattern for Careless Whisper?

The main underlying feel for “Careless Whisper” is a slow 16th note ballad feel. It’s got a hint of funkyness to it. In 4/4 time, 16th notes divide each beat into four equal parts, creating a quicker, more flowing rhythm. The counting for 16th notes in a measure looks like this:

1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a 

The numbers (1, 2, 3, 4) represent the main beats in the measure. The "e," "&," and "a" divide each beat into four evenly spaced subdivisions.

When counted out loud, it sounds like:

"One-ee-and-a, Two-ee-and-a, Three-ee-and-a, Four-ee-and-a."

Here’s an example of a strumming pattern in the style of “Careless Whisper”:

Conclusion

To wrap it up, “Careless Whisper” is a classic. From the iconic saxophone solo (recorded originally down ½ step) to the funky rhythm, it’s a worthwhile tune for many guitarists to learn. 

So keep practicing, and if you want to learn songs way faster, better understand the fretboard for lead and rhythm, and not waste years spinning your wheels with guitar, grab my free fretboard guide here right now: 

Jon MacLennan