"Careless Whisper" by George Michael is one of the most recognizable songs of all time. Released in 1984, the track is famous for its iconic saxophone riff — but on guitar, it takes on a completely new life. If you are looking for Careless Whisper chords, this guide will walk you through the entire song, from an adapted guitar riff to the verse and chorus chord progressions.

Toca Aquela has the full Careless Whisper chord chart with key transposition and chord diagrams — all free and ad-free.

The Iconic Riff on Guitar

The saxophone riff is the soul of the song. On guitar, you can play it on the first string (high E) with a simple adaptation. Here is the melodic idea:

• Use string 1 (high E) and string 2 (B)
• The main notes are: D - E - F - E - D - C - A (around the 5th to 10th fret area)
• Start on the 10th fret of string 1 (D note), descend to the 7th fret (A note on string 2)
• Practice slowly and build up speed as you gain confidence

It does not need to be perfect — even a simplified version of the riff sets the mood before you transition into the chords.

Main Chord Progression

The chord progression of Careless Whisper is elegant in its simplicity. The entire song revolves around four chords:

Am - Bm7 - Em7 - Am

This progression appears in both the verse and much of the chorus. It is a minor sequence that creates the melancholic, sophisticated atmosphere that defines the song.

Chords Used

• Am (A minor): x02210
• Bm7 (B minor 7th): x24232 (barre) or x20202 (simplified)
• Em7 (E minor 7th): 022030
• Dm (D minor): xx0231
• G (G major): 320003
• Cmaj7 (C major 7th): x32000

Verse Chords

The verse follows the main progression:

Am              Bm7
I feel so unsure
Em7                    Am
As I take your hand and lead you to the dance floor

The transition from Am to Bm7 is the most important moment. Practice this change until it feels smooth. A tip: keep your index finger as a guide — it stays in the same region of the neck for both chords.

Chorus Chords

In the chorus, the progression expands slightly:

Dm                    G
I'm never gonna dance again
Cmaj7                Am
Guilty feet have got no rhythm

The move from Dm to G and then to Cmaj7 creates that sense of resolution that makes the chorus so memorable. Using Cmaj7 instead of a plain C adds a layer of sophistication — try it and hear the difference.

Strumming Pattern

For Careless Whisper, a smooth and steady strum works better than anything aggressive. Here is what I recommend:

Basic pattern (4/4): Down Down-Up Down-Up Down-Up

• Play with your fingers or a light pick
• Keep the rhythm steady — this song is all about flow
• Accent the first beat of each measure
• In the verses, play softer; in the chorus, add a bit more volume

Alternative pattern (fingerpicking): If you prefer fingerpicking, use your thumb on the bass strings (6th, 5th, and 4th) and your index, middle, and ring fingers on the treble strings. Alternate the bass with the treble in a P-i-m-a pattern.

Capo Suggestions

The original key of Careless Whisper works well without a capo, since Am, Em7, and Dm are all very accessible chords. However, if you want to avoid the Bm7 barre chord:

• Capo on fret 2: Play Gm, Am7, Em7, Gm (easier shapes)
• Capo on fret 5: Play Em, F#m7, Bm7, Em (another option)
• No capo: The original version (Am, Bm7, Em7, Am) is the most recommended

Use the Toca Aquela transposer to find the key that best fits your voice. You can transpose the entire chord chart with a single click.

Song Structure

Understanding the structure helps you memorize the song faster:

1. Intro (saxophone riff adapted for guitar)
2. Verse 1 (Am - Bm7 - Em7 - Am)
3. Chorus (Dm - G - Cmaj7 - Am)
4. Verse 2 (same progression)
5. Chorus
6. Bridge
7. Final Chorus

The song does not have many harmonic variations — what changes is the dynamics. Start soft in the verses and build intensity into the chorus.

Tips for Beginners

If you are just starting out on guitar, Careless Whisper is a great choice because:

• Most of the chords are basic (Am, Em7, Dm, G)
• The tempo is slow and steady
• Only Bm7 requires a barre chord (and it can be simplified)
• The structure repeats, so you memorize it quickly

Extra tip: Practice the Am to Bm7 to Em7 transition in a loop for 5 minutes before attempting the full song. Once that sequence is automatic, the rest flows naturally.

Full Chord Chart on Toca Aquela

This guide covers the fundamentals, but to play the complete song with all chords positioned over the lyrics, check out the Careless Whisper chord chart on Toca Aquela. There you will find:

• Complete chord chart with chords above the lyrics
• One-click key transposition
• Chord diagrams for every chord used
• Ad-free, clean version ready for printing

Also check out the George Michael artist page for more songs by the artist, and explore our blog for more tutorials on how to play your favorite songs.