Neither One Of Us
Gladys Knight & The Pips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're not gonna make it
And it's gotten to the point
Where we just can't fake it
For some ungodly reason
Just won't let it die
I guess neither one of us
I keep wondering
What I'm gonna do without you?
And I guess you must be
Wondering the same thing too
So we go on
Go on together living a lie
Because neither one of us
Wants to be the first to say goodbye
Every time I find the nerve
Every time I find the nerve to say, I'm leaving
Memories, those old memories
Get in my way
Lord knows it's only me
Only know it's only me that I'm deceiving
When it comes to saying goodbye
That a simple word that I just cannot say
There can be no way, there can be no way
This can have a happy ending, no, no
So we just go on hurting and pretending
And convincing ourselves to give it just one more try
Because neither one of us
Wants to be the first to say
Neither one of us
Wants to be the first to say
Neither one of us
Wants to be the first to say
Farewell my love
Goodbye
The song "Neither One Of Us" by Gladys Knight & The Pips is a poignant reflection on the end of a romantic relationship. The opening lines suggest that the couple has reached a point of no return and their relationship is beyond salvaging. They can no longer pretend to be happy together and are simply existing in a state of disillusionment. However, the sentimentality and irrationality of love keeps them from breaking up. They are trapped in a cycle of indecisiveness, waiting for the other person to make the first move and say goodbye.
The lyrics delve into the raw emotions of a failed relationship, where both partners are grappling with the reality of being apart. The singer is plagued with thoughts of their future without their partner, while also acknowledging that their partner is feeling the same way. Yet still, they stay together, living a dishonest life. The fear of letting someone go is often based on the fear of the unknown, possibly facing the reality of being alone. It is easier to stay and suffer instead of facing the unknown. The lyrics are symbolic of the emotional pain, heartache, and indecisiveness that many people endure when a once-healthy relationship reaches the end.
Line by Line Meaning
It's sad to think
The situation we find ourselves in is a pitiable one.
We're not gonna make it
Our relationship is falling apart beyond repair.
And it's gotten to the point
Things have become so dire.
Where we just can't fake it
We can't pretend to still have feelings for each other.
For some ungodly reason
Despite the obvious truth, we can't seem to let go.
Just won't let it die
Our love, though faltering, continues on.
I guess neither one of us
Both you and I, we're unable to do what needs to be done.
Wants to be the first to say goodbye
Neither of us wants to be the one to initiate the breakup.
I keep wondering
My thoughts are constantly occupied with questions.
What I'm gonna do without you?
How can I possibly cope with the loss?
And I guess you must be
I can only assume the same is true for you as well.
Wondering the same thing too
You must also be consumed by these thoughts.
So we go on
Despite the obvious issues, our relationship persists.
Go on together living a lie
Our love is a facade, a deception we maintain.
Because neither one of us
Both of us, equally.
Wants to be the first to say goodbye
Neither of us is willing to take the first step towards a painful end.
Every time I find the nerve
Although I try, I haven't found the courage yet.
Every time I find the nerve to say, I'm leaving
Whenever I attempt to tell you it's over.
Memories, those old memories
Past moments, that I cherish and cling to.
Get in my way
These memories stop me from carrying out what I know is right.
Lord knows it's only me
I'm the only one who's to blame for this failure.
Only know it's only me that I'm deceiving
I'm the only person I'm able to fool.
When it comes to saying goodbye
The simple act of saying farewell is beyond me.
That a simple word that I just cannot say
I'm completely incapable of uttering that one simple word.
There can be no way, there can be no way
The events that have transpired offer no room for recovery.
This can have a happy ending, no, no
There will be no joyous outcome to this tale.
So we just go on hurting and pretending
Our relationship will continue to deteriorate as we pretend everything is okay.
And convincing ourselves to give it just one more try
We're feeding ourselves false hope that things can still improve.
Because neither one of us
Both of us, together.
Wants to be the first to say
We are both reluctant to be the first one to say it.
Neither one of us
Both of us, equally.
Wants to be the first to say
Neither one of us wants to initiate the end of our relationship.
Neither one of us
Both you and I, equally.
Wants to be the first to say
Neither one of us wants to be the first one to say goodbye.
Farewell my love
Goodbye my dear one.
Goodbye
A final farewell.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAMES D. WEATHERLY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@K-MasterGirl
It's sad to think
We're not gonna make it
And it's gotten to the point
Where we just can't fake it
For some ungodly reason
Just won't let it die
I guess neither one of us
Wants to be the first to say goodbye
I keep wondering
What I'm gonna do without you?
And I guess you must be
Wondering the same thing too
So we go on
Go on together living a lie
Because neither one of us
Wants to be the first to say goodbye
Every time I find the nerve
Every time I find the nerve to say, I'm leaving
Memories, those old memories
Get in my way
Lord knows it's only me
Only know it's only me that I'm deceiving
When it comes to saying goodbye
That a simple word that I just cannot say
There can be no way, there can be no way
This can have a happy ending, no, no
So we just go on hurting and pretending
And convincing ourselves to give it just one more try
Because neither one of us
Wants to be the first to say
Neither one of us
Wants to be the first to say
Neither one of us
Wants to be the first to say
Farewell my love
Goodbye
@johnwitherspoon1095
One night me and my wife were spending the evening alone and I played this song, it was one of our favorite songs. I told her that night that this would never happen to us,😢 then one day she passed away, my life has never been the same without her, it's hard to listen to this song now, after eight long years I finally decided to listen to it, my mind goes back to that night which was one of the best nights of my marriage, I still haven't been able to say goodbye to her, baby I love you so much and I miss you 😢😢😢😢😢it just doesn't seem fair.
@michaeljackson206
Know that feeling
@mablejeffries5806
I am so 😢
@jamesparker1063
as one who lost, not the life of my beloved, but her heart.....be so over thankful that the end for you and your bride came that way...and not as mine,... 😞.....
@lisacharlez8530
This touched me. 😢 You’re in my prayers. It isn’t fair. But she is waiting for you. When it’s your time she will be at the gates of heaven waiting for her prince. Gods ways aren’t are ways. But we have to trust in him and believe in him as in Christ there are no goodbyes.
@williegriffin945
It's going on 3yrs and I'm still crying and confused 😢 just can't understand how someone can be just taken so soon and quickly.. Love you Willie #Wife Caleta 🖤
@danthomas6587
This song means a lot to anyone who has suffered a broken heart from a lost love.
@jimst.george669
Still loving this beautiful ballad 50 years later in 2023! God Bless Gladys & The Pips!!
@btannen777
As far as break-up songs go. This one cuts deep.
@clr1003
BEFORE I PULLED OUT THE PARKING LOT AT WORK I PULLED THIS UP AND CRIED 😢ALL WAY HOME. JUS MISSING THE PAST 😢 MOTHER, FATHER, LOVE OF MY LIFE, CARING PEOPLE, 😢 WHAT MORE CAN I SAY?