The one thing I love about music is that everyone has their own story to tell – the musician, the lyrics, the way the fans decipher them and also the way a song can also create a memory or a meaning to someone. That is what this new article is all about. Each fortnight, we will take a look at a different song and I will take you as a trip down memory lane as to what it means to me. Welcome to Music Memories.

Track: Careless Whisper
Artist: George Michael
Original Release Date: 29th July 1984

There are some songs that when I heard them, they bring back a really positive memory. The one thing that you end up really remembering are songs that you spend hours learning how to play. Careless Whisper has a really special place in my heart because it is the first song that I learnt to play with both hands in the style of the piano instead of keyboard.

I learnt how to play chords very quickly when I was a kid and learnt many different songs to build up my confidence. Some of the first songs that I learnt came with the music book that came with the keyboard – Little Brown Jug, Camptown Races and House of The Rising Sun to name a few.

When I was around, I think it was 14 years old, I wanted to do more then just play chords, I wanted to learn how to play properly with my left hand, like you would with the piano. I remember that I spent hours learning how to play the intense parts with my left hand many many times and I was determined not to give in and to learn it really well.

Eventually, I ended up being able to play the song with both hands and it was such a great feeling and a great sense of achievement. Whenever I hear this song I always remember the hard work I did to learn this song.

Facts About Careless Whisper

•  Written by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley.
• Released on the 1984 Wham! album Make It Big, the single release was credited either to Wham! featuring George Michael (in North America and several other countries) or solely to George Michael (in the United Kingdom and some European countries).
• Michael was unhappy with the original version produced by Wexler, and decided to re-record and produce the song himself; the second version was the one ultimately released as a single.