Hello Goodbye
Culture Club Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hello hello goodbye
Hello hello goodbye
Hello hello goodbye
Goodbye

The rhythm of the jungle
A temperamental beast
Makes the mountain tremble
Brings giants to their knees

If I ask you to stay
You might leave anyway
But the situation´s fallen from my hands

Hello hello goodbye
Hello hello goodbye
Hello hello goodbye
Goodbye

I feel exasperation
Get down on your knees
I called the operator
But this is where I freeze

I said hello
I said hello
I said hello
I´ve got to go

Hello hello goodbye
Hello hello goodbye
Hello hello goodbye
Goodbye

Do you love me?
Do you love me? No
Do you love me?
Do you love me? No
I´ve got to go

Hello hello goodbye
Hello hello goodbye




Hello hello goodbye
Goodbye

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Culture Club's song "Hello Goodbye" are about the frustration and confusion of communication and relationships. The opening phrase of "hello hello goodbye" is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the fleeting nature of the interactions and the uncertainty of the singer's situation. The second verse describes a jungle and a temperamental beast, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the unpredictable nature of love and communication. The singer then laments the fact that even if they ask someone to stay, they may still leave, highlighting the powerlessness and helplessness they feel in the situation.


In the chorus, the repetition of "hello hello goodbye" becomes even more insistent, conveying the rapidity and lack of control that the singer is experiencing. They then express their exasperation and their sense of being brought to their knees, demonstrating the emotional toll that this situation is taking on them. The reference to calling the operator seems to suggest that the singer is trying to reach out for help or guidance, but ultimately feels frozen and unable to take action.


Line by Line Meaning

Hello hello goodbye
Greeting and parting are both necessary in life


Hello hello goodbye
Sometimes both hello and goodbye must be repeated


Hello hello goodbye
Greetings may indicate partings soon to come, and vice versa


Goodbye
Farewell, until we meet again


The rhythm of the jungle
Nature is wild and unpredictable


A temperamental beast
It can be difficult to control or understand the forces of nature


Makes the mountain tremble
Nature can have a great impact on the environment around it


Brings giants to their knees
Even the strongest and most powerful beings can be humbled by nature's forces


If I ask you to stay
Requesting someone to stay doesn't guarantee they will


You might leave anyway
Individuals have autonomy and may make their own choices despite the effects on others


But the situation´s fallen from my hands
Some situations are beyond our control despite our best efforts


I feel exasperation
Sometimes situations can cause distress and frustration


Get down on your knees
Desperate times require desperate measures


I called the operator
Asking for help or guidance is sometimes necessary


But this is where I freeze
Sometimes help isn't available or isn't enough


I said hello
Spoke a greeting


I said hello
Repeated the greeting


I said hello
Said it again


I´ve got to go
I must depart


Do you love me?
Asked the question of affection


Do you love me? No
Received a negative response to the question of affection


Do you love me?
Asked the question of affection again


Do you love me? No
Received another negative response to the question of affection


I´ve got to go
I must depart


Hello hello goodbye
Greetings and farewells are cyclical


Hello hello goodbye
They can be fluid, and repeat themselves over and over


Hello hello goodbye
Ultimately, all greetings must turn into goodbyes


Goodbye
Until next time




Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SARAH ASSBRING

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions