As a songwriter, Bonoff's songs have been interpreted by other artists such as "Home" by Bonnie Raitt, "Tell Me Why" by Wynonna Judd, "Isn't Always Love" by Lynn Anderson. Also Linda Ronstadt has successfully recorded a number of her songs, including, "Someone To Lay Down Beside Me," "Trouble Again," "All My Life," "Falling Star" and "Goodbye My Friend," thus helping to introduce Bonoff to a larger audience.
In her early career, Bonoff sang background vocals for Linda Ronstadt and Wendy Waldman before releasing her debut album in 1977, titled Karla Bonoff (1977). Her other albums include Restless Nights (1979), Wild Heart of the Young (1982), New World (1988), and All My Life (a greatest hits collection) in 1999. Bonoff is best known as a songwriter, but she is also noted for her hit recording of "Personally", which reached number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the summer of 1982. She also recorded "Standing Right Next To Me" on the "8 Seconds" movie soundtrack (1994) and "Somebody's Eyes" on the "Footloose" soundtrack (1984).
Karla's first live album was released in September 2007. This double CD includes many of her hits performed live in concert on October 24, 2004 (except for one song recorded July 30, 2005). She is backed by her touring band including Kenny Edwards (guitar, bass, mandolin, cello, vocals) and Nina Gerber (guitar) plus long time associate Scott Babcock (drums and vocals).
She is also a member of the currently inactive group Bryndle, which includes Wendy Waldman and Kenny Edwards. The band has also included Andrew Gold who left the band in 1996. The group had released three albums between 1995 and 2002.
Her songs recorded by Bonnie Raitt, Wynonna Judd, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, she herself hit 19 on the top 100 singing "Personally" written by P. Kelly. A writer from the heart, collaborated with Pete Seger and Frank Hamilton on "The Water is Wide." Although she released just four studio albums in her first 30 years as a recording artist, in 2007 she issued a well-received live album.
Goodbye My friend
Karla Bonoff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We know it's just a ride on the wheel
And we never know when death will shake us
And we wonder how it will feel
So goodbye my friend
I know I'll never see you again
But the time together through all the years
It's O.K. now
Goodbye my friend
I'd see a lot of things that made me crazy
And I guess I held on to you
You could've run away and left, well maybe
But it wasn't time and we both knew
So goodbye my friend
I know I'll never see you again
But the love you gave me through all the years
Will take away my tears
I'm O.K. now
Goodbye my friend
A life so fragile, a love so pure
We can't hold on but we try
We watch how quickly it disappears
And we'll never know why
But I'm O.K. now
Goodbye my friend
You can go now
Goodbye my friend
In this song, Karla Bonoff speaks about the uncertainties of life and how the sudden and unexpected arrival of death can turn everything upside down. She compares life to a ride on a wheel, indicating that we never know where it will take us. Death comes in like an uninvited guest, shaking us to our core, and causing us to question how it will feel. In the chorus, she bids farewell to her friend, acknowledging that they will never meet again. She finds solace in the love and the time they shared over the years that will undoubtedly take away her tears. Despite the pain of loss, the singer is okay now and at peace with the fact that her friend has gone.
The second verse of the song expresses Bonoff's gratitude to her friend, for being a constant source of support in times when things seemed crazy. Despite any reason to leave, the friend stayed knowing that the time was not right, and both knew it. In the final verse, the singer talks about how delicate life is and how pure love is. We hold on, hoping to keep the things that matter to us, but they slip through our fingers, and we never know why.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh we never know where life will take us
We cannot predict the path that life will take us on
We know it's just a ride on the wheel
Life is just a journey with twists and turns
And we never know when death will shake us
Death can come unexpectedly and suddenly
And we wonder how it will feel
It's normal to feel apprehensive about the unknown process of dying
So goodbye my friend
Saying goodbye to a friend
I know I'll never see you again
Accepting the finality of death
But the time together through all the years
Reminiscing about the moments shared with the friend
Will take away these tears
Memories can help ease the pain of loss
It's O.K. now
The person has come to terms with the loss
Goodbye my friend
Final farewell to the friend
I'd see a lot of things that made me crazy
Life has its share of difficulties and hardships
And I guess I held on to you
The person relied on their friend for support during tough times
You could've run away and left, well maybe
The friend could have abandoned the person but chose to stick around
But it wasn't time and we both knew
The friend's presence was necessary in that moment of life
But the love you gave me through all the years
Reflecting on the enduring love and support of the friend
Will take away my tears
The love and memories shared with the friend provide solace
A life so fragile, a love so pure
Life is frail and short-lived, but love endures
We can't hold on but we try
We cannot stop the passage of time and inevitability of death, but we try to hold on to what we can
We watch how quickly it disappears
Life goes by in the blink of an eye
And we'll never know why
We may never understand the mysteries of life and death
You can go now
Giving the friend permission to move on from this life
Goodbye my friend
One final farewell to the friend
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: KARLA BONOFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Domino11
I challenge anyone to listen to this song without shedding a tear. I played it at my brother's memorial and there wasn't a dry eye in the house. Beautiful tribute for all of those we have lost.
@Domino11
Brother, mother, friend, sister, cat. For everyone I've lost this song offers comfort and farewell. One of the most beautiful memorial songs ever written or sung. Thank you Karla.
@SuperFredAZ
Thank you for this song, I played it at my beloved wife's memorial in 2021. This bittersweet song makes me tear up every time I hear it.
@ondacat68
My Mother passed away on March 1991, my senior year in high school . I was 19 and justing starting my life, a time in my life when I could really have used her guidance. Times have been up and down, I have a family of my own now. Would have liked to share with them a life with her, but this song which we played over and over that day, helped then as does it when I am feeling down now. She is a blessed angel watching over us every day of our life. Thank you God for such a wonderful Gift.
@stever7157
I too was a senior in high school in 1991. My Mom passed away in 2017 when I was 44. It was tough losing her then, I couldn’t imagine losing her at such a young age like you did.
It’s been 11 years since your comment. I hope life is still good for you and your family.
@kissfox5
Just saw one of my favorite middle school coach's obituary. I was his student in 1985 through 1988. He passed in 2010 but I feel as though it's today. If you've ever seen the Wonder Years TV show where Kevin's teacher passes away (this song was pivotal in the episode) you get an idea of how I'm feeling now.
Coach Baldock suffered a major heart attack one of those years and I prayed that he'd recover and survive....and thanks be to God he did.
Goodbye to you, Coach George Henry Baldock. I will never forget you nor forget your gentle nature as a human being. You were special to me.
@MrNaturalhigh72
This beautiful song makes me cry every time I hear it. Whether it be a person or a pet, let your friends know how much you cherish them.
@charleshorne7045
Thank you all so much for believing in this song. The first time I heard it was a couple of weeks after I lost my cat, Sweetheart. We had spent every second together. We had two way unconditional love. A piece of my soul is missing.
@mtwiner9981
I'm sorry for your loss. It breaks my heart that death takes away such innocent creatures. I dearly hope you will see Sweetheart again when all pain and sorrow are only distant memories.
@thomastillman5395
For everyone we loved and lost. Simply beautiful...