In keeping with the album’s theme of homages to the doo-wop, soul and R&B pioneers of the 50s and 60s, this track is a tribute to soul singer Sam Cooke.
Oh, oh, oh
Ah, yayaya, yayaya
Careless talk
That's what you heard about me
(Careless talk, talk, talkin')
Jealous talk
That's what I heard about you
(Jealous talk, talkin', talkin')
Everybody's telling lies
I don't even know why
Why can't people
Find something better to do
Careless talk
I don't believe what they say
(Careless talk, don't believe it)
I heard them talk
They say you've been putting me down
(Heard them talk, talkin', talkin')
In the shadows on the phone
They won't leave us alone
They've been talking
Ever since you came around
Whoa-ho, oh, oh, oh
Ah, yayaya, yayaya
Careless talk
Telling you I'm doing wrong
(Careless talk, talkin', talkin')
Jealous talk
Follows wherever you go
(Jealous talk, talkin', talkin')
I'm aware of what you heard
Every terrible word
Everybody's making believe that they know
All of the intimate things
That we ever might have said
In the heat of a passionate moment
In a conversation shared
For the ears of nobody else
There are some things they'll never hear
There are secrets I'll never tell
Careless talk
Is going around on the streets
(Careless talk, talkin', talkin')
Jealous talk
I know how bad it can be
(Jealous talk, talkin', talkin')
Let them stand where they fall
They don't know us at all
All that talking
Won't make a difference to me
Whoa-oh, oh, oh
Ah, yayaya, yayaya
Oh, careless talk
That's what they say about me
(Careless talk, talkin', talkin')
Careless talk
That's what they say about you
(Careless talk, talkin', talkin', talkin')
Oh, careless talk
That's what they say about me
(Careless talk, talkin', talkin')
Oh, careless talk
That's what they say about you
(Careless talk, talkin', talkin', talkin')
Oh, careless talk
Careless Talk was written by Billy Joel.
Careless Talk was produced by Phil Ramone.