Hello Goodbye
H.G. & The Ettaswell Band Lyrics


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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 of "Hello Goodbye" by H.G. & The Ettaswell Band speak to the confused and opposing nature of communication in relationships. The song begins with a back-and-forth dialogue where one person says "yes" and the other says "no," then switches between "stop" and "go, go, go." The chorus features the phrase "I don't know why you say goodbye, I say hello" which highlights the confusion in communication and how it can be difficult to understand each other's intentions.


The second verse talks about the contrasting emotions of "high" and "low" and the inability to understand why the other person is saying "goodbye." The bridge further emphasizes the confusion by repeating the phrase "why, why, why" and questioning why the other person wants to say goodbye. The song ends with a final chorus that echoes the same sentiment of misunderstanding and confusion in communication.


Overall, "Hello Goodbye" is a song that speaks to the complexity of relationships and how communication can be a source of confusion and disconnect between people.


Line by Line Meaning

You say "Yes", I say "No".
Our opinions are opposite.


You say "Stop" and I say "Go, go, go".
We have different ideas about what to do next.


Oh no.
Expressing hesitation or reluctance.


You say "Goodbye" and I say "Hello, hello, hello".
We have different ways of communicating our farewells and greetings.


I don't know why you say "Goodbye", I say "Hello, hello, hello".
I don't understand your reasons for saying goodbye, I prefer to say hello instead.


I say "High", you say "Low".
We have differing preferences or expectations for something.


You say "Why?" And I say "I don't know".
You're asking me a question and I don't have an answer.


Why, why, why, why, why, why, do you Say "Goodbye, goodbye, bye, bye".
Repeating a question in exasperation or frustration about why you're choosing to say goodbye.


I say "Yes", but I may mean "No".
I may not actually agree with you, even if I say I do.


I can stay still it's time to go.
I'm ready to move or change, even if it contradicts your desire to stop.


Oh, oh no.
Similar to before, expressing reluctance or hesitance.


I don't know why you say "Goodbye", I say "Hello-wow, oh. Hello".
I'm reiterating my preference for saying hello instead of saying goodbye, in a slightly more playful way.


Hela, heba, helloa. Hela, heba, helloa. Hela, heba, helloa.
Nonsensical words, possibly intended as a chant or chorus.


Hela, heba, helloa. (Hela.) Hela, heba, helloa. Hela, heba, helloa.
Repeating the nonsense phrase as a part of the chorus.


Hela, heba, helloa. Hela, heba, helloa. Hela, heba, helloa. Hela, heba, helloa.
Continuing the repetitive, nonsensical refrain.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN LENNON, JOHN WINSTON LENNON, PAUL MCCARTNEY, PAUL JAMES MCCARTNEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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