Hello Goodbye
Erin Alden Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You say "yes", I say "no"
You say "stop" and I say "go, go, go"
Oh no
You say "goodbye" and I say "hello, hello, hello"
I don't know why you say "goodbye", I say "hello, hello, hello"
I don't know why you say goodbye, I say hello

I say "high", you say "low"

You say "why?" And I say "I don't know"
Oh no
You say "goodbye" and I say "hello, hello, hello"
I don't know why you say "goodbye", I say "hello, hello, hello"
(Hello, goodbye, hello, goodbye hello, goodbye)
I don't know why you say "goodbye", I say "hello"

(Hello, goodbye, hello, goodbye hello, goodbye hello, goodbye)
Why, why, why, why, why, why, do you
Say "goodbye, goodbye, bye, bye"
Oh no
You say "goodbye" and I say "hello, hello, hello"
I don't know why you say "goodbye", I say "hello, hello, hello"
I don't know why you say "goodbye", I say "hello"

You say "yes", I say "no"
(I say "yes", but I may mean "no")
You say "stop", I say "go, go, go"
(I can stay still it's time to go)
Oh, oh no

You say "goodbye" and I say "hello, hello, hello"
I don't know why you say "goodbye", I say "hello, hello, hello"
I don't know why you say "goodbye", I say "hello, hello, hello"
I don't know why you say "goodbye", I say "hello-wow, oh hello"
Hela, heba, helloa hela, heba, helloa hela, heba, helloa

Hela, heba, helloa (hela) hela, heba, helloa hela, heba, helloa
Hela, heba, helloa hela, heba, helloa hela, heba, helloa

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Erin Alden's "Hello Goodbye" describe a relationship that is full of contradictions and misunderstandings. The two people involved seem to have completely opposite views on everything, as evidenced by lines such as "You say 'yes', I say 'no'" and "I say 'high', you say 'low'." Despite these differences, the singer is confused as to why the other person keeps saying goodbye when they should be saying hello.

The repetition of "hello" and "goodbye" throughout the song emphasize the contrast between the two words and the disconnect between the two people. The lines "Why, why, why, why, why, why, do you/Say 'goodbye, goodbye, bye, bye'" speak to the frustration and confusion the singer is feeling. The song ends with a nonsensical chant of "Hela, heba, helloa," further emphasizing the chaotic nature of the relationship.

Overall, the lyrics to "Hello Goodbye" by Erin Alden paint a picture of a relationship that is filled with misunderstandings and contradictions, leading to confusion and frustration for both parties involved.

Line by Line Meaning

You say "yes", I say "no"
You have a different opinion than me

You say "stop" and I say "go, go, go"
We have a difference of opinion on what we should do next

Oh no
Expressing disappointment or frustration about the situation

You say "goodbye" and I say "hello, hello, hello"
We have differing views on how the situation should end or continue

I don't know why you say "goodbye", I say "hello, hello, hello"
I am confused about why you would want to end things

I say "high", you say "low"
We have differing views on what the outcome or expectation should be

You say "why?" And I say "I don't know"
We have a difference of opinion on why something is happening or should happen

(Hello, goodbye, hello, goodbye hello, goodbye)
Expressing the emotional back-and-forth of the situation

Why, why, why, why, why, why, do you Say "goodbye, goodbye, bye, bye"
Asking for the reasoning behind the decision to end things

You say "yes", I say "no" (I say "yes", but I may mean "no")
Acknowledging dishonesty or miscommunication in the past

You say "stop", I say "go, go, go" (I can stay still it's time to go)
Acknowledging the need for a change in direction, even if it's uncomfortable

Hela, heba, helloa hela, heba, helloa hela, heba, helloa Hela, heba, helloa (hela) hela, heba, helloa hela, heba, helloa Hela, heba, helloa hela, heba, helloa hela, heba, helloa
Nonsensical repetition meant to signal emotional confusion

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS