Goodbye Isn't Really Good At All
Don Williams Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

It seems you've gone, without leaving
All the doors, are closed at night
Though I've tried ,to think of leaving
Goodbye isn't really good at all

If there were really something good to it
And I knew it wouldn't get me down
I could leave in the morning
But goodbye isn't really good at all

Here we are, alone together
That's the truth, and that's the lie
Though I try, I can't get over
Goodbye isn't really good at all

If goodbye were like it sometimes seems
If it could be like it's been in some of my dreams




I could leave in the morning
But goodbye isn't really good at all

Overall Meaning

In Don Williams's song "Goodbye Isn't Really Good At All," the singer is feeling trapped in a relationship that has come to a standstill. The opening lines show his partner's physical absence, as she has seemingly left without saying a word, and all the doors are now closed. The singer admits to having thought about leaving as well, but then realizes something significant about goodbyes - that they are not really good at all. Williams uses repetition throughout the chorus to emphasize this idea, emphasizing the fleeting and incomplete nature of goodbyes.


The singer then muses on the possibility of leaving, but notes that it won't be as easy as it sounds. He is caught up in the emotional turmoil of the moment, and this is where Williams's lyrics become more interesting. The singer points out that if there were truly something good about saying goodbye, something that would be positive and uplifting, then it might be easier to leave. However, the singer cannot find a single thing that would be good about saying goodbye. For him, goodbye is nothing but a negative experience that will only bring him down.


Williams paints a poignant picture of a man struggling with the complexities of human relationships, and his lyrics showcase the lingering uncertainty and pain that can follow a failed relationship. Ultimately, the song reflects on the bonds that hold us together, even when we might want to leave, and the power of the human spirit to persist in the face of hardship.


Line by Line Meaning

It seems you've gone, without leaving
You're not physically here but it still feels like you're gone


All the doors, are closed at night
I feel trapped and unable to escape my own thoughts


Though I've tried ,to think of leaving
I've tried to move on, but it's not that simple


Goodbye isn't really good at all
Saying goodbye won't make me feel any better


If there were really something good to it
If there were some benefits to saying goodbye


And I knew it wouldn't get me down
And I was sure it wouldn't affect me negatively


I could leave in the morning
I could say goodbye and move on with my life


But goodbye isn't really good at all
But I know deep down that saying goodbye won't solve my problems


Here we are, alone together
We're physically together but emotionally distant


That's the truth, and that's the lie
We pretend we're okay but we both know the truth


Though I try, I can't get over
I've tried to move on but I can't


Goodbye isn't really good at all
Saying goodbye won't make me feel any better


If goodbye were like it sometimes seems
If saying goodbye was easy


If it could be like it's been in some of my dreams
If things played out like I imagined in my dreams


I could leave in the morning
I could say goodbye and move on with my life


But goodbye isn't really good at all
But I know deep down that saying goodbye won't solve my problems




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DONALD R. WILLIAMS

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
Comments from YouTube:

@yanglisesangtam9099

When I was a child, I used to listen this song. Rest in peace....

@Malheiro32

Além da voz de Don Williams a banda era simplesmente perfeita. Músicas boas do começo ao fim. Sempre agradeço a Deus quando ouço as músicas dele. Top de mais!

@marryannlamb9853

Awesome song thanks so much for sharing.

@barrymoore8155

Well said

@christineburgin1345

My favorite Don Williams song. Love all of his music. Greeatest voice ever.

@barrymoore8155

Goodbyes not good at all

@felixilunga8409

We still together listening

@bettyboyd96

Beautiful

@helmikanime2810

RIP legend Don

@rebeccad5988

RIP Don Williams
Gentle GIANT My Favorite Singer. Thank you dear friend. Marianne

More Comments

More Versions