That'll Be the Day
Linda Ronstadt Lyrics
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When you say goodbye
That'll be the day
When you make me cry
You say you're gonna leave
You know it's a lie
'Cause that'll be the day that I die
When you say goodbye
That'll be the day
When you make me cry
You say you're gonna leave
You know it's a lie
'Cause that'll be the day that I die
Well you gave me all your loving
And your turtle doving
All your hugs and kisses
And your money too
You know you love me baby
Still you tell me baby
That someday when I'll be true
Well that'll be the day
When you say goodbye
That'll be the day
When you make me cry
You say you're gonna leave me
You know it's a lie
'Cause that'll be the day that I die
When cupid shot his dart
He shot it at your heart
So if we ever part then I'll be blue
You kiss and hold me
And you tell me boldly
Well that someday that I'll be true
Well that'll be the day
When you say goodbye
That'll be the day
When you make me cry
You say you're gonna leave me
You know it's a lie
'Cause that'll be the day that I die
Ah that'll be the day woo-ooh-ooh
That'll be the day woo-ooh-ooh
That'll be the day woo-ooh-ooh
That'll be the day when I die
Linda Ronstadt's "That'll Be the Day" is a song that expresses the fear of heartbreak and the insecurity of a lover whose partner's loyalty is in doubt. The song is directed towards a lover who is already falling out of love with the singer. She sings about the moment when her lover leaves her and how it will be a devastating moment that will emotionally wound her, hinting that such a moment will be the day that she'll die. The chorus, which repeats itself twice, speaks of the pain she will feel when her lover says goodbye and causes her to cry, and assures us that the lover won't be successful in their supposed leaving, hinting that they will come back to her arms eventually.
In the verse, Linda Ronstadt describes the love and attention that she had devoted to her partner, still unsure of why they would want to leave her despite all the love and effort she has invested in the relationship. She sings of the moments of tenderness and romance between them that she treasures and the things they had built together. She wonders why her partner wants to leave, reaffirming that they will come back to her since they promised not to leave her alone. The song's final verse further emphasizes her doubts about her lover's loyalty and the fact that they may ultimately break her heart.
Line by Line Meaning
Well that'll be the day
I can't even imagine that happening
When you say goodbye
When you decide to leave me
That'll be the day
It will be an unforgettable moment
When you make me cry
When you cause me pain and sadness
You say you're gonna leave
You tell me you're going to go away
You know it's a lie
I know you're not being truthful
'Cause that'll be the day that I die
That would be the end of me emotionally
Well you gave me all your loving
You showed me so much affection and care
And your turtle doving
Your sweet and romantic gestures
All your hugs and kisses
Your physical displays of affection
And your money too
You even gave me financial support
You know you love me baby
You have feelings for me and care about me
Still you tell me baby
But you continue to lie to me
That someday when I'll be true
You claim that I will eventually become loyal and honest
When cupid shot his dart
When we fell in love
He shot it at your heart
Our love is centered around you
So if we ever part then I'll be blue
If we break up, I will be sad and heartbroken
You kiss and hold me
You show me affection
And you tell me boldly
But you still lie to me and make promises you can't keep
Well that'll be the day (that'll be the day)
That moment will be very significant and memorable
When you say goodbye (When you say goodbye)
When you decide to break up with me
That'll be the day (that'll be the day)
It will be an unforgettable moment
When you make me cry (When you make me cry)
When you hurt my feelings and make me sad
You say you're gonna leave me (You say you're gonna leave me)
You claim you're going to end our relationship
You know it's a lie (you know it's a lie)
I know you're not being truthful
'Cause that'll be the day (that'll be the day)
That would be the end of our relationship
When I die (uh huh) well, when I die (uh huh)
When I experience the emotional pain of losing you
Well, when you're that'll be the day (that'll be the day)
That moment will be very significant and memorable
When you say goodbye (When you say goodbye)
When you decide to break up with me
That'll be the day (that'll be the day)
It will be an unforgettable moment
When you make me cry (When you make me cry)
When you hurt my feelings and make me sad
You say you're gonna leave me (You say you're gonna leave me)
You claim you're going to end our relationship
You know it's a lie (you know it's a lie)
I know you're not being truthful
'Cause that'll be the day (that'll be the day)
That would be the end of our relationship
Ah that'll be the day (that'll be the day)
That moment will be very significant and memorable
Woo-ooh-ooh
That'll be the day (that'll be the day)
It will be an unforgettable moment
Woo-ooh-ooh
That'll be the day (that'll be the day)
It will be an unforgettable moment
Woo-ooh-ooh
That'll be the day when I die
That would be the end of me emotionally
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Buddy Holly, Jerry Allison, Norman Petty
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MarieLittleOne Boston
LYRICS … Well that'll be the day when you say goodbye
Yes that'll be the day when you make me cry
You say you're gonna leave you know it's a lie cause that'll be the day when I die
Well you give me all your lovin' and your turtle-dovin'
All your hugs and kisses and your money too
You know you love me baby until you tell me maybe that some day I'll be blue
Well that'll be the day when you say goodbye...
[ guitar - harmonica ]
Well that'll be the day when you say goodbye...
When cupit shot his dart he shot it at your heart so if we ever part and I leave you
You say you told me and you told me boldly that some day I will be blue
Well that'll be the day when you say goodbye...
That'll be the day (uh huh) that'll be the day (uh huh)
That'll be the day (uh huh) that'll be the day when I die
Niyazi Ömer Usta
Well that'll be the day
When you say goodbye
That'll be the day
When you make me cry
You say you're gonna leave
You know it's a lie
Cause that'll be the day that I die
Well that'll be the day
When you say goodbye
That'll be the day
When you make me cry
You say you're gonna leave
You know it's a lie
Cause that'll be the day that I die
Well you gave me all your loving
And your turtle doving
All your hugs and kisses
And your money too
You know you love me baby
Still you tell me baby
That someday when I'll be true
Well that'll be the day
When you say goodbye
That'll be the day
When you make me cry
You say you're gonna leave me
You know it's a lie
Cause that'll be the day that I die
When Cupid shot his dart
He shot it at your heart
So if we ever part then I'll be blue
You kiss and hold me
And you tell me boldy
Well that someday that I'll be true
Well that'll be the day
When you say goodbye
That'll be the day
When you make me cry
You say you're gonna leave me
You know it's a lie
Cause that'll be the day that I die
Ah that'll be the day wooh-ooh-ooh
That'll be the day woo-ooh-ooh
That'll be the day woo-ooh-ooh
That'll be the day when I die
Christine Wesley
One of the best female voices in rock and roll!!
Harbor Heart
Important voice. In concert she was stunning - her vocals,her bands, her vibe -
Mark Sproha
impossible to pick just one, but for my money, this is Linda's strongest, clearest & most powerful rock vocal; gives me chills each and every time I hear it! Guitar licks performed by Andrew Gold and Dan Dugmore don't hurt the overall aesthetic, either :)
Charles Dodimead
Dude, it absolutely IS impossible.
tovarisch
The guitars are actually Waddy Wachtel (first solo) and Andrew Gold (second); Dugmore doesn't appear on this song.
timlamiam
I'd enjoy this version alot more if I couldn't stop thinking in the back of my head how different rock could've been if Buddy Holly lived through the 60s and 70s. And how much poorer we are all for his early loss.
John Golofit
One of many great songs that warmed us up during the cold Fall of 1976…
Kathryn Mullaney
One of the few songs I remember from age 4 (I was born in 1973) that my mother had playing in the car which was not on tape that I loved as a little kid
Thomas Hutchinson
Her music was and is a special part of my life. Love always.
mark powell
Saw her when I was 21 and fell in love with her , 51 years later and I am still in love with her !