THE MANHATTANS were originally: Winfred "Blue" Lovett, Richard Taylor, Kenny Kelley, George "Smitty" Smith and Sonny Bivins. The quintet reportedly took it's name not from the big city across the water from New Jersey, but from the cocktail known as the Manhattan featuring whiskey, vermouth, and bitters. Still, the name suggested class, something the Manhattans have epitomized throughout their long career.
Between 1970 and 1973 they recorded for Starday/King Records , and by 1973 they were signed to industry behemoth Columbia where their career finally took off.
After 10 years of lower charting singles, the 1976 hit "Kiss and Say Goodbye" was the group's biggest hit to date and led to a performance at Jimmy carter's 1977 inaugural. In 1980 they won a Grammy for Shining Star written and produced by Leo Graham. In the mid 1980's female singer Regina Belle was briefly added to the lineup, singing on the Bobby Womack-produced single, "Where Did We Go Wrong" (a duet with Gerald Alston). She also contributed to The Manhattans 1986 Columbia Records album, "Back To Basics" before signing as a solo artist.
Two versions of The Manhattans have soldiered on to today. One lead by original member Sonny Bivins, and another created after a long hiatus, when founding member Blue Lovett began working with former lead Gerald Alston for a late career touring resurgence. Alston also appeared on Wu-Tang Clan's song "Stick Me For My Riches" in 2007.
In 2013, "Original" member Edward "Sonny" Bivins group features "Sonny" Bivins, Lee Williams, Charles Hardy, Harsey Hemphill and Alvin Pazant. In 2013, The Manhattans CD single "Just For Tonite" was released by Westwood Music Group. Currently, the group is recording material for a 2014 release. The Manhattans is a Registered U.S. Trademark owned by Manhattan Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Kiss and Say Goodbye
The Manhattans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I called you here today for a bit of bad news
I won't be able to see you any more
Because of my obligations
And the ties that you have
We've been meeting here every day
And since this is our last date together
I want to hold you just one more time
When you turn and walk away
Don't look back
I want to remember you just like this
Let's just kiss
And say goodbye
I had to meet you here today
There's just so many things to say
Please don't stop me 'till I'm through
This is something I hate to do
We've been meeting here so long
I guess what we done was wrong
Please, darling, don't you cry
Let's just kiss and say goodbye (goodbye)
Many months have passed us by
(I'm gonna miss you) I'm gonna miss you, I can't lie
(I'm gonna miss you)
I've got ties and so do you
I just think this is the thing to do
It's gonna hurt me, I can't lie
Maybe you'll meet another guy
Understand me won't you try, try, try, try, try, try
Let's just kiss and say goodbye
(I'm gonna miss you) I'm gonna miss you
(I'm gonna miss you) understand me, won't you try
(I'm gonna miss you) it's gonna hurt me, I won't lie
(I'm gonna miss you) take my handkerchief and wipe your eyes
(I'm gonna miss you) baby you'll find, you'll find another guy
(I'm gonna miss you) let's kiss and say goodbye, pretty baby
(I'm gonna miss you) please, don't you cry
(I'm gonna miss you) understand me, won't you try?
(I'm gonna miss you) let's just kiss and say goodbye
The Manhattans's song Kiss And Say Goodbye is a touching ballad that depicts the sentimentality of a man breaking up with the woman he loves. In the first verse of the song, the man explains that he won't be able to see the woman he loves anymore due to his obligations and ties that the woman has. The man and the woman have been meeting every day, and this is their last time meeting. The man and the woman share a kiss as they say goodbye to each other.
In the second verse, the man meets the woman to tell her that they have done something wrong and they can't continue meeting anymore. The man says that he has ties and so does she and it will hurt him too. The man tells the woman that she will find another guy and that he is going to miss her. The woman wipes her tears as they share one last kiss and say goodbye to each other.
The song is a beautiful and emotional rendition of a man's sorrow as he has to say goodbye to the love of his life due to circumstances beyond their control. The song's melody and lyrics capture the listener's heart and leave them with a feeling of longing that is hard to shake.
Line by Line Meaning
This has got to be the saddest day of my life
I am feeling immense sorrow and grief today
I called you here today for a bit of bad news
I have asked you to come here to tell you something unpleasant
I won't be able to see you any more
I will not be able to continue meeting you
Because of my obligations
This is due to my responsibilities and commitments
And the ties that you have
Your own connections and attachments are also involved
We've been meeting here every day
We have been seeing each other regularly in this place
And since this is our last date together
As this will be our final meeting
I want to hold you just one more time
I want to embrace you once more before we part
When you turn and walk away
As you leave and depart from me
Don't look back
Please don't turn to look back at me
I want to remember you just like this
I want to retain a mental image of you as you are right now
Let's just kiss
Let us share a final kiss
And say goodbye
As a way of marking the end of our relationship
Many months have passed us by
It has been a considerable length of time since we first met
(I'm gonna miss you) I'm gonna miss you, I can't lie
I must admit that I will feel your absence keenly
(I'm gonna miss you)
I will miss you
I've got ties and so do you
We both have other connections and obligations
I just think this is the thing to do
I believe that this is the best course of action
It's gonna hurt me, I can't lie
I must confess that this will cause me pain
Maybe you'll meet another guy
Perhaps you will find someone else
Understand me won't you try, try, try, try, try, try
Please try to comprehend my decision
Take my handkerchief and wipe your eyes
Here, use my handkerchief to dry your tears
Baby you'll find, you'll find another guy
You will eventually find someone else
Let's kiss and say goodbye, pretty baby
Let us part ways with a final kiss, my dear
Please, don't you cry
Please try not to weep
Understand me, won't you try?
Please attempt to understand my position
Let's just kiss and say goodbye
Let us part with a kiss and say our final goodbyes
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Winfred Lovett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind