Kiss and Say Goodbye
Anna McGarrigle Lyrics

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Call me when you're coming to town
Just as soon as your plane puts down
Call me on the telephone
But only if you're traveling alone
Counting down the hours
Through the sunshine and the showers
Today's the day
You're finally going to come my way

Let's make a date to see a movie
Some foreign film from gay Paris
I know you like to think you've got taste
So I'll let you choose the time and place
Have some dinner for two
In some eastside rendezvous
Then we'll walk
Arm in arm around the block and talk

Tonight you're mine
Let's not waste time

I do believe the die is cast
Let's try and make the night-time last
And I don't know where it's coming from
But I want to kiss you till my mouth get numb
I want to make love to you
Till the day comes breaking through

And when the sun is high in the sky
We'll kiss and say goodbye

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Anna McGarrigle's "Kiss and Say Goodbye" are about a long-awaited reunion between two lovers. The singer has been counting down the hours, through sunshine and showers, for the day when her lover finally comes to town. She suggests they see a foreign film from gay Paris and have dinner for two in some eastside rendezvous. The singer wants to make the most of their time together and is explicit about her desires to kiss her lover until her mouth gets numb and make love until the day comes breaking through. However, the song's title, "Kiss and Say Goodbye," implies that the reunion is short-lived and that they must part ways before the sun is high in the sky.

Line by Line Meaning

Call me when you're coming to town
Contact me if you plan to visit my city

Just as soon as your plane puts down
Immediately after your plane lands

Call me on the telephone
Contact me via phone

But only if you're traveling alone
Unless you're with someone

Counting down the hours
Excitedly waiting

Through the sunshine and the showers
Regardless of the weather

Today's the day
The long-awaited day

You're finally going to come my way
You will finally visit me

Let's make a date to see a movie
Let's plan to watch a film together

Some foreign film from gay Paris
A movie from Paris, France

I know you like to think you've got taste
You believe you have good taste