In 2000, Ferrick founded her own record label, Right On Records. The first studio album released on her own label was Valentine Heartache.
Her 2011 album was entitled "Still Right Here".
Website: www.melissaferrick.com
Don't Say Goodbye
Melissa Ferrick Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
it all back into place
the way things were before
before I started the race
oh the way I used to look
and the way I used to laugh
and the way I used to carry myself
weightless on my back
the easy walk we took
and you would never think
to take a second look
oh so backwards and vertical
the way I used to talk
yeah you liked that there was a mystery
and you like that I faked a rock
oh and you liked that you didn't need me
and you liked that I liked to steal
but now I'm on my way
I'm on my way to real
and I'm putting it back together
like a busted plastic plane
I need a lot of glue and I've got a lot of pain
and I'm sorry if that scares you
sorry that you're stuck
and I'm sorry that I lied to you
when I said that I would never give you up
don't say goodbye yeah just say goodbye
don't say goodbye yeah just say goodbye
say it just say goodbye..
oh and so it's fear that keeps you
well it keeps you all locked in
you see no way out and I see no way in
well you are the mouth
the mouth on my chin
you are my disease
you are my sin
and you scream don't leave me here alone
don't leave me here to lose
I've got a big voice
and I'll do anything for you
just give me one more chance
give me one more try
I promise I won't kill you
and I promise I won't lie
well yes I hear you calling
through your booming dark braid
yes I hear you calling
and you're asking me to stay
but I have heard you before
before I soothed your rash
before I stopped the itch
and I'll never, ever, ever take you back
don't say goodbye yeah, just say goodbye
don't say goodbye, yeah, just say goodbye
In Melissa Ferrick’s song "Don't Say Goodbye," the singer reflects on a past relationship and their attempt to fit into the mold that their partner desired. Ferrick acknowledges her own desire to please her partner, as she tries to put things "back into place" the way they were before "she started the race." The singer attempts to change herself to fit her lover’s desires; she tries to revert back to the way she used to look, laugh, and carry herself, but ultimately feels as though she cannot fit into the “easy walk we took.”
Ferrick describes the relationship as "backwards and vertical," and implies that her previous partner likes the mystery that she once portrayed. She admits to lying to keep the relationship afloat and faking a hard exterior to make herself seem more desirable to her partner. As the song progresses, the singer grows tired of trying to be someone she is not, stating she is "on her way to real" and must "put it back together, like a busted plastic plane" using "a lot of glue." The pain she experienced as a result of trying to change herself is evident, as she sings "I need a lot of glue and I've got a lot of pain."
The second part of the song dives into the partner's fear of being alone and their desire for the singer's presence. However, the singer has made up her mind and promises never to go back, even if her partner screams, pleads or promises to change. Ferrick chooses to end the song by asking her partner to say 'goodbye' instead of ‘don’t say goodbye,’ showing the finality of the breakup.
Overall, "Don't Say Goodbye" by Melissa Ferrick is a heartfelt and introspective look at the end of a relationship, as well as the desire to be true to oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
well I'm trying to put it all
I am attempting to restore everything that was once broken
it all back into place
reassembling my life that was shattered
the way things were before
the way things were in the past
before I started the race
before I started chasing my dreams
oh the way I used to look
my appearance in the past
and the way I used to laugh
my laughter in the past
and the way I used to carry myself
my attitude and behavior in the past
weightless on my back
I was carefree and light-hearted before
oh but you just want the middle ground
you don't want anything too extreme
the easy walk we took
you are looking for the simplest way out
and you would never think
you don't consider alternative options
to take a second look
you ignore the possibility of change
oh so backwards and vertical
the way I used to act in the past
the way I used to talk
my way of communicating in the past
yeah you liked that there was a mystery
you were attracted to the unknown in me
and you like that I faked a rock
you were drawn to my tough exterior
oh and you liked that you didn't need me
you were self-sufficient and liked having control
and you liked that I liked to steal
you were attracted to my rebellious side
but now I'm on my way
I'm on a journey towards self-improvement
I'm on my way to real
I'm becoming my true self
and I'm putting it back together
I'm piecing my life back together
like a busted plastic plane
it's challenging and requires a lot of effort to fix
I need a lot of glue and I've got a lot of pain
I require a lot of help and support, and it's hard
and I'm sorry if that scares you
I apologize if my progress frightens you
sorry that you're stuck
I sympathize that you feel trapped
and I'm sorry that I lied to you
I acknowledge that I've been dishonest in the past
when I said that I would never give you up
when I promised to stay committed to you forever
oh and so it's fear that keeps you
your insecurity is holding you back
well it keeps you all locked in
your fear prevents you from moving forward
you see no way out and I see no way in
you feel trapped and hopeless, and I can't help you
well you are the mouth
you are the voice that speaks
the mouth on my chin
you use your mouth to express yourself
you are my disease
you are harmful to me
you are my sin
you are my wrongdoing and mistake
and you scream don't leave me here alone
you don't want to be abandoned
don't leave me here to lose
don't abandon me and cause me to fail
I've got a big voice
I have a powerful influence
and I'll do anything for you
I will go to great lengths to please you
just give me one more chance
please give me a chance to make it right
give me one more try
allow me to attempt to fix things once more
I promise I won't kill you
I promise not to harm you
and I promise I won't lie
I vow to be truthful
well yes I hear you calling
I acknowledge that you're attempting to reach out
through your booming dark braid
via your powerful words
and you're asking me to stay
you're pleading with me not to leave
but I have heard you before
I've listened to you previously
before I soothed your rash
before I fixed your temporary problems
before I stopped the itch
before I remedied your pain
and I'll never, ever, ever take you back
I will not return to the unhealthy connection we had
don't say goodbye yeah, just say goodbye
it's unnecessary to prolong the exit
say it just say goodbye..
let's part ways
Contributed by Daniel J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.