The band first experienced chart success when their second single "Take Me Out" reached #3 in the UK Charts, followed by their debut album Franz Ferdinand which entered the UK album chart at #3. The band went on to win the 2004 Mercury Music Prize and two BRIT Awards in 2005 for Best British Group and Best British Rock Act. NME named Franz Ferdinand as their Album of the Year. From the album, three top-ten singles were released, "Take Me Out", "The Dark of the Matinée" and "This Fire". The band has also received several Grammy Award nominations.
The band is named after Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria whose assassination was one of the main reasons for the start of the First World War. The band decided on the name after seeing a racehorse named Archduke Ferdinand win the Northumberland Plate in 2001, eventually coming to the decision as the alliteration and sound of the name appealed to them.
- Discography
Franz Ferdinand (2004)
You Could Have It So Much Better (2005)
Blood; Franz Ferdinand (2009)
Tonight: Franz Ferdinand (2009)
Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action (2013)
FFS (2015) (Collaborative album with the band Sparks)
Always Ascending (2018)
Hits to the Head (2022)
Billy Goodbye
Franz Ferdinand Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bye bye, Billy goodbye
When it comes to recollecting
Don't forget the best bits
Bye bye, Billy goodbye
Don't get down, look around
Or think about the next bit
When it comes to recollecting
Don't forget the best bits
Ah ah aye, Billy goodbye
I can't deny
I thought at last
I can't deny I thought
Auf Wiedersehen steckrübe
Why waste time regretting the past
When we can worry 'bout the future
We'll have a very merry future
Bye bye Billy, goodbye
Don't forget the best bits
Bye bye, Billy goodbye
When it comes to recollecting
Don't forget the best bits
Bye bye, Billy goodbye
Don't get down, look around
Or think about the next bit
Bye bye, Billy goodbye
When it comes to recollecting
Don't forget the best bits
Ah ah aye, Billy goodbye
Billy goodbye
How did it start?
How did it stop?
Details, details
But not the plot
If you walk in
I prefer to walk out
I prefer to walk on
Walk into the future
Have a very merry future
Bye bye Billy, goodbye
Maybe it's time to go (oh oh oh)
Maybe it's time to go (oh oh oh)
Maybe it's time to go (oh oh oh)
Maybe it's time to go (oh oh oh)
It's time to go
Well, bye bye, Billy goodbye
When it comes to recollecting
Don't forget the best bits
Bye bye, Billy goodbye
When it comes to recollecting
Don't forget the best bits
Bye bye, Billy goodbye
Don't get down, look around
Don't forget the best bits
Ah ah aye, don't forget the best bits
Ah ah aye, don't forget the best bits
Ah ah aye, Billy goodbye
Billy goodbye
Billy goodbye
Billy goodbye
The lyrics to Franz Ferdinand's song "Billy Goodbye" explore the idea of letting go of the past and focusing on the positive aspects of a relationship or experience. The repetition of "Bye bye, Billy goodbye" suggests a farewell to someone named Billy, but it can also be interpreted as bidding farewell to negative thoughts or regrets. The lyrics encourage the listener to not dwell on the past, but instead, to embrace the future and create a "merry future." The mention of "Auf Wiedersehen steckrübe" is a playful phrase that adds to the overall light-hearted tone of the song.
The lines "How did it start? How did it stop? Details, details but not the plot" suggest that the specifics of the past aren't as important as the overall trajectory and outcome. The singer seems to prefer moving forward and walking into the future rather than dwelling on past details. The repeated refrain of "Don't forget the best bits" serves as a reminder to focus on the positive memories and experiences, rather than getting caught up in negativity or sadness.
Overall, "Billy Goodbye" is a song that encourages the listener to let go of regrets and embrace a brighter future. It emphasizes the importance of cherishing the best moments and not allowing the past to hold us back.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't forget the best bits
Remember the most enjoyable moments
Bye bye, Billy goodbye
Farewell, Billy
When it comes to recollecting
In terms of remembering
Don't get down, look around
Stay positive, observe your surroundings
Or think about the next bit
Or worry about what comes next
I can't deny
I cannot refuse to acknowledge
I thought at last
I believed finally
Auf Wiedersehen steckrübe
Goodbye, turnip
Why waste time regretting the past
Why spend time feeling remorseful about what has already happened
When we can worry 'bout the future
When we can concern ourselves with the future
We'll have a very merry future
We will have an enjoyable future
How did it start?
How did it begin?
How did it stop?
How did it end?
Details, details
Specifics, specifics
But not the plot
But not the overall storyline
If you walk in
If you enter
I prefer to walk out
I prefer to leave
I prefer to walk on
I prefer to continue moving forward
Walk into the future
Move towards the future
Have a very merry future
Experience a joyful future
Maybe it's time to go (oh oh oh)
Perhaps it is time to depart
It's time to go
The moment has arrived to leave
Well, bye bye, Billy goodbye
So long, farewell, Billy
Don't get down, look around
Don't become discouraged, observe your surroundings
Don't forget the best bits
Remember the most enjoyable moments
Ah ah aye, don't forget the best bits
Ah ah aye, remember the most enjoyable moments
Billy goodbye
Farewell, Billy
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Alex Kapranos
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Giacomo Cartella
D-d-don't forget the best bits
Bye bye, Billy goodbye
When it comes to recollecting
Don't forget the best bits
Bye bye, Billy goodbye
Don't get down, look around
Or think about the next bit
Bye bye, Billy goodbye
When it comes to recollecting
Don't forget the best bits
Aah, ah, aye
Billy goodbye
I can't deny
I thought at last
I can't deny I thought
Auf Wiedersehen steckrübe
Why waste time regrеtting the past
When we can worry about the future?
Havе a very merry future
Byе bye, Billy goodbye
Don't forget the best bits
Bye bye, Billy goodbye
When it comes to recollecting
Don't forget the best bits
Bye bye, Billy goodbye
Don't get down, look around
Or think about the next bit
Bye bye, Billy goodbye
When it comes to recollecting
Don't forget the best bits
Aah, ah, aye
Billy goodbye
Billy goodbye
How did it start?
How did it stop?
Details, details
Not the plot
If you walk in
I prefer to walk out
I prefer to walk on
Walk into the future
Have a merry, merry future
Bye bye, Billy goodbye
Maybe it's time to go (oh, oh-oh)
Maybe it's time to go (oh, oh-oh)
Maybe it's time to go (oh, oh-oh)
Maybe it's time to go (oh, oh-oh)
It's time to go
Bye bye, Billy goodbye
When it comes to recollecting
Don't forget the best bits
Bye bye, Billy goodbye
When it comes to recollecting
Don't forget the best bits
Bye bye, Billy goodbye
Don't get down, look around
Don't forget the best bits
Aah, ah, aye
Don't forget the best bits
Aah, ah, aye
Don't forget the best bits
Aah, ah, aye
Billy goodbye
Billy goodbye
Billy goodbye
Billy goodbye
OSITO X
I remember around the time of You Could Have It So Much Better! The band said they were going to release a new album every year. After that, they took a break and came back with one of my all time favorite albums Tonight!
All of their albums are great but this is my ranking!
Tonight!
Always Ascending
Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Actions
S/T
FFS
You Could Have It So Much Better
They are all great albums though and the last 3 fluctuate all the time!
Franz Ferdinand forever!
Yuki Noda
Don’t forget the best bits
Bye bye, Billy goodbye
When it comes to recollecting
Don’t forget the best bits
Bye bye, Billy goodbye
Don’t get down
Look around
Or think about the next bit
Bye bye, Billy goodbye
When it comes to recollecting
Don’t forget the best bits
Billy goodbye
I can’t deny
I thought at last
I can’t deny I thought
Auf Wiedersehen steckrübe
Why waste time regretting the past
When we can worry about the future
Have a very merry future
Bye bye Billy, goodbye
Don’t forget the best bits…
How did it start
How did it stop
Details details
Not the plot
If you walk in
I prefer to walk out
I prefer to walk on
Walk into the future
Have a very merry future
Bye bye Billy, goodbye
Don’t forget the best bits…
Maybe it’s time to go
It’s time to go
Bye bye, Billy goodbye
When it comes to recollecting
Don’t forget the best bits
I don’t forget the best bits
Billy goodbye
animebeatle81
This is a killer tune. It's always sad to see lineup changes, but Alex makes it work. It still sounds like FF, after all these years. I'm really looking forward to a whole album now. 😁
Franz Ferdinand
Thanks. Paul is still our friend and very closely connected to the band. Glad you are enjoying this new sound though. It's still us, just slightly different. Audrey is amazing too.
XKenny77
@Franz Ferdinand Yes she is! So excited to see her doing so well! ☺️
Sean P
He is charisma personified
OSCAR FABIAN BERRY
NO ME GUSTA una baterista mujer en este grupo cambia mucho la imagen del grupo
Vidœ
@OSCAR FABIAN BERRYcope, she is an extremely talented drummer
Fátima••
Alex's voice is still beautiful even after so many years 💙
Anna Backman
"So many years"? Come back when he's nearing 70.
Sean P
More beautiful than ever
Guillermo De la Rosa
Always!!