Say Goodbye
Dave Matthews Band Lyrics


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So here we are tonight
You and me together
The storm outside, the fire is bright
And in your eyes I see
What's on my mind
You've got me wild
Turned around inside
And then desire, see, is creeping
Up heavy inside here
And know you feel the same way
I do now

Now let's make this an evening
Lovers for a night, lovers for tonight
Stay here with me, love, tonight
Just for an evening
When we make
Our passion pictures
You and me twist up
Secret creatures
And we'll stay here
Tomorrow go back to being friends, yay, yay, yay

Oh, go back to being friends
But tonight let's be lovers
We kiss and sweat
We'll turn this better thing
To the best
Of all we can offer, just a rogue kiss
Tangled tongues and lips
See me this way
I'm turning and turning for you
Girl, just tonight

Float away here with me
An evening just wait and see
But tomorrow go back to your man
I'm back to my world
And we're back to being friends
Wait and see me
Tonight let's do this thing
All we are is wasting hours until the sun comes up it's all ours
On our way here
Tomorrow go back to being friends

Oh go back to being friends
Tonight let's be lovers, oh, please
Tonight let's be lovers, say you will
Tonight let's be lovers, oh, yes
Tonight let's be lovers
And hear me call
Oh, soft spoken, whispering love
A thing or two I have to say here
Oh, tonight let's go all the way then
Oh, love, I'll see you
Just for an evening
Oh, let's strip down, trip out at this
One evening's love starts with a kiss
And away here
And tomorrow back to being friends, yeah
But now lovers, love, yeah
Just for tonight, one night, love you

Tomorrow say goodbye




Tomorrow say goodbye
Tomorrow say goodbye

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Dave Matthews Band's song Say Goodbye tell the story of two individuals who are caught up in the moment, swept away by passion and desire. The storm outside sets the scene for an intimate evening between the two, as they find themselves lost in one another, with the fire burning brightly in the background. The lyrics evoke a sense of urgency and impulsive behavior; the desire to make the most out of the present moment before it is gone. The singer is entirely consumed by the feelings that they have for the other person, feeling wild and turned around inside, completely overtaken by desire. As the night wears on, they both know that this evening will only last for this one night, as they will inevitably have to go back to their lives as friends come tomorrow.


The lyrics are incredibly poetic and paint a vivid picture of the thoughts and emotions of the singer. There is a sense of vulnerability and honesty in the lyrics, with the singer laying their emotions open for all to see. The lyrics speak to the rawness of desire and the way that it can overtake us, making us completely lose our sense of self.


Overall, the lyrics to Dave Matthews Band's Say Goodbye are deeply introspective and emotive, delving into the complexities of relationships and the intensity of desire.


Line by Line Meaning

So here we are tonight
The present moment where two people have come together


You and me together
Stating the two people involved in the present moment


The storm outside, the fire is bright
The weather outside is severe, while indoors the fire is bright


And in your eyes I see
The physical expression of the other person reveals their thoughts


What's on my mind
An inner conversation with oneself


You've got me wild
The other person has stirred up emotions


Turned around inside
Feeling lost within one's own thoughts


And then desire, see, is creeping
Passion is slowly taking hold


Up heavy inside here
A strong desire is felt in the body


And know you feel the same way
Perceiving that the other person is experiencing similar emotions


I do now
Confirming one's own feelings, in response to the last line


Now let's make this an evening
Deciding to act on the feelings currently present


Lovers for a night, lovers for tonight
Committing to a short term romantic relationship


Stay here with me, love, tonight
A request to spend the evening together


Just for an evening
Expanding on the idea that this will be short-lived


When we make
In the event of the following actions


Our passion pictures
Creating mental images of a romantic nature


You and me twist up
Intertwining together romantically


Secret creatures
Sharing the moment privately and secluding from the world


And we'll stay here
Choosing to remain present in the moment


Tomorrow go back to being friends, yay, yay, yay
After the evening has passed, we will revert back to our previously established friendship


Oh, go back to being friends
Restating the idea that things will go back to normal at some point


But tonight let's be lovers
Emphasizing that the present moment is to be spent in a romantic relationship


We kiss and sweat
Describing the physical activity taking place in the moment


We'll turn this better thing
Referring to the evening as a 'better thing', that should be appreciated


To the best
As good as it can possibly be


Of all we can offer, just a rogue kiss
Conveying that the relationship is limited to only this evening


Tangled tongues and lips
Describing the nature of the kiss in more detail


See me this way
Wanting to be seen as an attractive romantic option


I'm turning and turning for you
Expressing one's emotional state in response to the other person's presence


Girl, just tonight
Calling attention to the fact that this is the only opportunity for such a relationship


Float away here with me
Prompting the possibility to escape from current realities


An evening just wait and see
Hinting at the unknown or exciting events that could occur


But tomorrow go back to your man
Returning to previous commitments


I'm back to my world
Alluding to the idea that the evening had been a temporary escape


And we're back to being friends
Reinforcing the idea that the romantic relationship was temporary


Wait and see me
Leaving the idea of rekindling open for the future (unknown)


Tonight let's do this thing
Urging the other person to participate


All we are is wasting hours until the sun comes up it's all ours
Comparing the preciousness of the moment to time with limitless potential


On our way here
Leading up to the present moment


Oh go back to being friends
Restating the idea that things will go back to normal after this evening


Tonight let's be lovers, oh, please
Reiterating that this is a desirable choice at the present moment


Tonight let's be lovers, say you will
Asking for explicit verbal agreement


Tonight let's be lovers, oh, yes
Persuading the other person to comply


And hear me call
The other person is being summoned to fulfill the role of lover


Oh, soft spoken, whispering love
Describing the nature of the following conversation as quiet and romantic


A thing or two I have to say here
Stating that there are things to be discussed


Oh, tonight let's go all the way then
Changing the tone to one of strong desire and undeniable passion


Oh, love, I'll see you
Acknowledging the other person with an affectionate nickname


Just for an evening
Repeating the key idea that this is temporary


Oh, let's strip down, trip out at this
Implied sexual activity


One evening's love starts with a kiss
Romantic relationships generally begin with a kiss


And away here
Emphasizing the brevity of the relationship


And tomorrow back to being friends, yeah
Restating that things will go back to normal after the evening concludes


But now lovers, love, yeah
Stating the current situation


Just for tonight, one night, love you
Affirming that the relationship only applies to the duration of this evening


Tomorrow say goodbye
State the immediate future before parting ways


Tomorrow say goodbye
Restating that the following day marks the end of the current situation


Tomorrow say goodbye
Concluding the song with a repetition of the previous line




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: David John Matthews

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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