Gaynor's cover, released on MGM records, was produced by the Disco Corporation of America, a production company newly formed by Meco Monardo and Tony Bongiovi to which Gaynor was signed. Also working on this production were Jay Ellis and Harold Wheeler.
Though Gaynor is perhaps best known for her 1978/1979 hit "I Will Survive", her version of "Never Can Say Goodbye" has the distinction of occupying the number one spot on the very first Dance/Disco chart ever to appear in Billboard magazine.
The Newark, New Jersey, native has re-recorded the song on more than one occasion, in increasingly Hi-NRG tempos, and subsequent remixes have hit the dance charts.
This track song was heard on the TV series Charmed ("That '70s Episode"), and is featured on the video game series Just Dance 2015.
Never Can Say Goodbye
Gloria Gaynor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I never can say goodbye
Every time I think I've had enough
And start heading for the door
There's a very strange vibration
Piercing me right to the core
It says, turn around, you fool
Tell me why is it so?
Don't wanna let you go
I never can say goodbye, boy
Ooh, ooh, baby
I never can say goodbye, no no no, no no no, no no no
Ooh, oh I never can say goodbye boy
Ooh baby
I never can say goodbye, no no no, no no no, ooh
I never can say goodbye, no, no, no, I
I never can say goodbye
I keep thinking that our problems
Soon are all gonna work out
But there's that same unhappy feeling
There's that anguish, there's that doubt
It's that same old dizzy hangup
I can't do with you or without
Tell me why is it so?
I don't wanna let you go, hey
I never can say goodbye boy
Ooh ooh baby
I never can say goodbye, no no no, no no no, no no no
Ooh, ooh I never can say goodbye boy
Ooh ooh
I never can say goodbye, no no no, no no no, no no no, hey
I never can say goodbye boy
Ooh ooh baby
I never can say goodbye, no no no, no no no, no no no
Ooh, ooh I never can say goodbye boy
Ooh ooh baby
I never can say goodbye, no no no, no no no, no no no, hey
Hey, I never can say goodbye boy
Ooh ooh baby
I never can say goodbye, no no no, no no no, no no no
Gloria Gaynor’s “Never Can Say Goodbye” is a song about a woman who can’t seem to let go of a past relationship. Despite all the hurt and the pain, the woman cannot bring herself to say goodbye because of the intense love she has for her lover. The song reveals that every time she thinks she has had enough, she feels a strange vibration piercing her right to the core, making her turn around and stay. The woman is in continuous emotional turmoil and can’t seem to understand why. She keeps thinking that the problems in the relationship will eventually work out and keeps hoping for a happy ending. However, the more she tries to convince herself that everything is fine, the more doubt and anguish she feels.
The repetitive chorus of “I never can say goodbye” is a representation of unresolved feelings and the struggle to move on from something that is not good for her. The constant repetition acts as a plea to the self, a desperate plea for the woman to finally take the step and walk away. The lyrics in this song are highly relatable as many people have gone through similar experiences of holding on to someone or something that is not good for them.
Line by Line Meaning
I never can say goodbye, no, no, no, I
I am unable to let go and say goodbye, even though I know it may be necessary.
I keep thinking that our problems Soon are all gonna work out
I continue to hold onto hope that our issues with each other will eventually resolve themselves.
And start heading for the door There's a very strange vibration Piercing me right to the core
Whenever I try to leave, I feel a strong emotional pull that makes me reconsider my decision.
It says, turn around, you fool You know you love him more and more
My heart tells me not to leave because I am still in love and my feelings are growing stronger.
It's that same old dizzy hangup I can't do with you or without
I feel stuck because even though the relationship is difficult, I can't imagine being without you either.
Tell me why is it so?
I am questioning why I am unable to let go and move on.
Don't wanna let you go
I am resisting the idea of letting you go.
I never can say goodbye boy Ooh ooh baby
I am expressing my struggle to let go of you, even though I know it may be necessary.
No no no, no no no, no no no
This repetition emphasizes my unwillingness to say goodbye and move on.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Clifton Davis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@marygarcia7182
Annie sounds like a
Beautiful Soul .. God's
Daughter ♥️ Annie is in my
prayers .. 24/7 starting today ...Almighty Father I lift
Annie up to You ...bring her
Blessings ... Heal her Father
May Annie feel every word of
Prayer and become closer to
You . May she experience a
BIG MIRACLE from You Father, in JESUS' Name.
🙏 AMEN 🙏
@richardiritano1197
The young, talented and ever so gifted Ms. Gloria Gaynor has a voice that can silence church bells! In fact, I can listen to her sing this song on a loop; it's a disco lullaby, and grand tribute to the ever so brief days of Studio 54—how magically lucky that I was able to be a part of the nightly glitter of Studio, as a serial devotee and habitué to this nocturnal palace of global attraction.
Ahh, those sweet, innocent memories of dancing with Liza Minelli (on a Wednesday night at 2:00 a.m., no less, when I had to be up at 6:00 a.m. the next day for school—I was STILL in high school at the tender age of 15!)! How incredible that I was able to forge a friendship with doorman Mark Benecke and Steve Rubell, and oh those wonderful DJ sessions that enchanted the partygoers, whilst I twirled Liza, Cher and Donna Summer on the dance floor—such priceless memories that are frozen in time. Then, there was the sage advice imparted by Mick Jagger, as he looked at me curiously after I told him that I was 19 years old (he didn't believe me, but he told me to place my poker chips on a future with the London School of Economics). Then, there was HALSTON (American Royalty!), politely asking my advice on young men's fashion (he bought me my first Rum & Coke at Studio).
So, I leave this missive to pay homage to the late, great Donna Summer, who tragically crossed over to 'Glory' on Thursday, May 17, 2012 (ironically, my birthday), which ruined my birthday luncheon altogether (that I was en route to partake, whilst driving on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, and headed to ARUGALA Restaurant in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn, at 190 Dean Street), when I heard the announcer say on 1010 WINS AM Radio that Ms. Donna Summer had passed. I will never forget that moment in time, because it felt like, at that very moment, that time itself ceased to exist.
May you rest in peace, Donna Summer, you MAGNIFICENT lady of Disco (and, beyond). You are sorely missed by this earthly sphere of terminal mourners.
To live in hearts that we leave behind is to not die ...
X-O-X-O
@jackmason2989
Adonises celebrating our victory at Stonewall Inn. We were living in the greatest decade of American Gay Culture. One decade, ten quick years, the apex of Gay Male life, never to be repeated. Stonewall announced our emancipation, AIDS killed our dreams. And our boys. Overnight. It harkened the darkest days of Gay Male History. Not many guys felt like dancing. Can you comprehend why?
years decade of the
@adriapadu
Who is listening in 2024?
@jamesfletcher7993
Me
@juli-annb.anderson8816
It's a big "WOW!!!" from me... hallelujah!!❤💃
@heathergates3168
Meeeeeee
@norizanhassan3041
Me too . One of my favorite legendary disco song . Makes my feet always tapping on the ground when listening to Gloria Gaynor sing this amazing tune . Thank you very much Gloria Gaynor for bringing your music to the world and thank you very much for the download .
@john4385
I am 2/20/24 .....🥳🥰🤩
@pete726able
Such an amazing time to be alive for this era in music.
@GloriaGaynor
🌸🕊️🤗 wonderful songs during that period of time, Raymond!
@pete726able
@@GloriaGaynor Your music means so much to me. Being born in the late 60s and trying to grow up "straight" and closeted I started going to gay bars in the mid 80s and I felt like I was finally home. Your music was ALWAYS played and packed the dance floor and is now the soundtrack to my life with so many wonderful memories. God bless you and your contribution to sooo many peoples life's. Much LOVE 😍
@Ang543210
👧yes !