Say Goodbye
Katharine McPhee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Words are like scissors, in your hands
And there's no script to follow, so I just close my eyes
That way it won't hurt so much, when we say goodbye
I feel just like an actress, up on the stage
I can't believe, what I'm hearing myself say
And a porch light is my spotlight, so I play along with this lie
That way it won't hurt so much, when we say goodbye
Did you ever love me? Does it even matter?
Did you even notice, the whole word shatter?
I just want to hold you, and tell you that I'm sorry
But I just keep it all inside
That way it won't hurt so much, when we say goodbye
My heart feels like a circus
It's too much to take in
It's hard to lose a love
But you were my best friend
So walk this high wire, alone tonight
That way it won't hurt so much, when we say goodbye
That way it won't hurt so much, when we say goodbye
In "Say Goodbye," Katharine McPhee sings about a relationship that's coming to an end. She expresses her feelings of distance and the difficulty of communicating her emotions. She sees herself as an actress on a stage, performing her lines but struggling to believe in them. She wishes she could open up and tell her partner how she really feels, but instead, she keeps her feelings locked inside to avoid the pain of their impending breakup.
The chorus of the song highlights the pain and heartache that comes with saying goodbye to someone you love. McPhee acknowledges that it's hard to lose a love, especially when that person was also your best friend. As difficult as it is to say goodbye, she suggests that it's easier to just go through the motions, like walking on a tightrope, and keep your emotions hidden to avoid the intensity of the pain.
Overall, “Say Goodbye” is a poignant and deeply emotional song that captures the feelings of loss and heartbreak in a relationship that has come to an end.
Line by Line Meaning
If I seem distant, baby I am
I'm feeling unattached and isolated from you.
Words are like scissors, in your hands
I feel vulnerable and hurt by the words you say to me.
And there's no script to follow, so I just close my eyes
Our relationship has no direction or plan, I don't know what to do.
That way it won't hurt so much, when we say goodbye
I'm trying to protect myself from the pain of our eventual breakup.
I feel just like an actress, up on the stage
I feel like I'm performing and pretending everything is okay when it's not.
I can't believe, what I'm hearing myself say
I'm shocked by my own words and actions in this situation.
And a porch light is my spotlight, so I play along with this lie
I'm trying to portray a certain image of myself to you, but it's not the real me.
Did you ever love me? Does it even matter?
I'm insecure about your love for me and unsure if it even makes a difference in our breakup.
Did you even notice, the whole word shatter?
I'm hurt that you don't seem to care about the impact our breakup has on me or the world around us.
I just want to hold you, and tell you that I'm sorry
I yearn for physical and emotional connection with you and a chance to apologize for my faults.
But I just keep it all inside
I'm feeling emotionally repressed and unable to express my true feelings to you.
My heart feels like a circus
My emotions are in a tumultuous and chaotic state.
It's too much to take in
I'm overwhelmed by the intensity of my feelings and the situation as a whole.
It's hard to lose a love
Breaking up and losing our relationship is painful and difficult.
But you were my best friend
I cherished the closeness and connection we once had as best friends.
So walk this high wire, alone tonight
I feel like I'm navigating a dangerous and precarious situation by myself.
That way it won't hurt so much, when we say goodbye
By being alone and self-sufficient, I can lessen the pain of our eventual split.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: HILLARY LINDSEY, CHRIS LINDSEY, AIMEE MAYO, TROY VERGES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@aileenmaealba5886
If I seem distant
Baby I am
Words are like scissors in your hands
And there’s no script to follow
So I just close my eyes
That way it won’t hurt so much
When we say goodbye
I feel just like an actress
Up on the stage
I can’t believe
What I’m hearing myself say
And the porch light is my spotlight
So I play along with this life
That way it won’t hurt so much
When we say goodbye
Did you ever love me?
Does it even matter?
Did you even notice the whole world shatter?
I just want to hold you ‘til you know I’m sorry
But I just keep it all inside
That way it won’t hurt so much
When we say goodbye
My heart feels like a circus
It’s to much to take in
It’s hard to lose love
But you were my best friend
So I walk this high wire
Alone….tonight
That way it won’t hurt so much
When we say goodbye
That way it won’t hurt so much
When we say goodbye
@transformerslover7
This is such a beautiful song. I've come back to it several times throughout the years. Katharine McPhee is an incredible talent and deserves much more recognition.
@josellco8335
YES
@LB-ih7hn
Me too
@seanjenkins331
This is still one of my fav pop albums. I love her sweet voice
@MusicSweetly
This song is amazing! One of my favorites off of your new album. The video is also perfect for it! Completely captures the emotion that you've put into your song. You are one of the few artisits who can say so much with such a simple song. Love it.
@JuezMaldito
My God... that`s what I call singing from the heart... One of the most beautiful songs I`ve ever heard and such a heavenly voice!
@GreenleeSmite
One of the most emotional, touching, and beautiful songs i"ve heard in my life! Love you Katharine!
@VelaDomLifeTravels
Her voice is phenomenal . Their is a perfect emotion for the song and the quality of her voice is world class ! She need to be a superstar !!!
@CountryBoyJoina
I have love this song since day one,great to see it officially released as a video and single to radio.
@kevinmohd233
2018 ..and i still listen to her and this song...everyline just makes sense and the melodies just great.. not a typical love song but i dig it