Eleni Mandell, a singer/songwriter from Los Angeles, California, often cite… Read Full Bio ↴Eleni Mandell, a singer/songwriter from Los Angeles, California, often cites Tom Waits and X as her biggest influences. Mandell self-released her Jon Brion-produced debut album Wishbone in 1998. Thrill followed in 2000 on Zedtone Records - the label that has released all of her subsequent full-length albums: Snakebite, the all-country album Country for True Lovers, Afternoon, Miracle of Five, and Artificial Fire. I Can See the Future is her first release on Yep Roc. Mandell also has several releases on the Minneapolis based Heart of a Champion record label: vinyl pressings of Snakebite and Country for True Lovers, two 7" singles, and a limited edition jazz vocal CD EP titled Maybe, Yes. Mandell's songs have appeared in several movies and television shows (including Six Feet Under), and she received much acclaim for her cover of the song "I Love Paris", which was used in a fast food commercial starring Paris Hilton. Mandell also sings, plays guitar, and writes for the L.A. pop supergroup The Grabs. She is also one-third of The Living Sisters.

Say Goodbye
Eleni Mandell Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

It's down to the time when we both know
One has to hurry and one has to go slow
I'm no good and you're all wrong
Living can be so fun

Say goodbye
Say goodbye
I don't wanna hear your stories

You don't wanna tell me lies

It's down to the time when we both know
One has to worry and one has to let it go
I'm at the end and you're at the start
Living can be so hard

Say goodbye
Say goodbye
I don't wanna hear your stories
You don't wanna tell me lies

Why why why don't you say goodbye?

It's down to the time when we both know
One is the jury, the other's a prisoner
I'm still me and you're still you
Living can be so cruel

Say goodbye
Say goodbye
I don't wanna hear your stories
You don't wanna tell me lies

Say goodbye
Say goodbye
I don't wanna hear your stories
I don't wanna hear your stories

I don't wanna hear your stories
You don't wanna tell me lies

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Eleni Mandell's song "Say Goodbye" seem to be about the end of a relationship that has reached a stalemate. Both parties know that it's time to part ways, but one is reluctant to let go while the other is ready to move on. The singer acknowledges that she is "no good" and her partner is "all wrong," indicating that they might not be right for each other. Despite this, she recognizes that life can be enjoyable, though it can also be hard and cruel. She pleads with her partner to "say goodbye" and stop telling her stories or lies, suggesting that both of them are tired of holding onto something that's not working.

The repetition of the line "say goodbye" throughout the song emphasizes the singer's urgency to end things and move on. She acknowledges that they are at different points in their lives, with one at the end and the other at the start. The line "one is the jury, the other's a prisoner" suggests that one partner is decided on the fate of the relationship while the other is trapped and unable to make a move. However, the singer affirms that she is still herself, and her partner is still himself, despite their differences.

Overall, "Say Goodbye" is a poignant and introspective song about the need to let go of what no longer serves us, even when it's hard. It acknowledges the beauty and the pain in life and the importance of being truthful with ourselves and others when it's time to say goodbye.

Line by Line Meaning

It's down to the time when we both know
It's come to the moment where both of us know

One has to hurry and one has to go slow
One of us needs to speed up while the other must slow down in this situation

I'm no good and you're all wrong
I am imperfect in every way, while you are incorrect with all you think

Living can be so fun
Life can be enjoyable and entertaining

Say goodbye
Bid me farewell

I don't wanna hear your stories
I have no interest in hearing your version of events

You don't wanna tell me lies
You have no desire to deceive me

One has to worry and one has to let it go
One of us must fret while the other must let things happen naturally

I'm at the end and you're at the start
I have arrived at my conclusion while you are at the beginning of a new beginning

Living can be so hard
Life can be difficult at times

Why why why don't you say goodbye?
What is the reason you won't tell me farewell?