Finding his voice in a school choir, Crawford began his professional career still a teenager. Having some luck on the London stage in the early 60s, he then found his way onto the BBC and starred in various programmes such as 'Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em'. He also had film roles in 'The War Lover', 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum'. and 'How I Won the War' (which brought him into the same work as John Lennon).
Andrew Lloyd Webber's casting of him opposite Sarah Brightman and Steve Barton as the Phantom in 1986 shot his career into high gear. Winning a Tony Award for his role, Crawford also had the aforementioned tune, "The Music Of The Night", reach the British Top Ten. He has released several studio albums such as 'A Touch of Music in the Night' and 'On Eagle's Wings' among others.
Every Time We Say Goodbye
Michael Crawford Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Every time we say goodbye, I wonder why a little
Why the gods above me, who must be in the know
Think so little of me, they allow you to go?
When you're near there's such an air of spring about it
I can hear a lark somewhere begin to sing about it
There's no love song finer but how strange the change
When you're near there's such an air of spring about it
I can hear a lark somewhere begin to sing about it
There's no love song finer but how strange the change
From major to minor every time we say goodbye
We say goodbye
The lyrics describe the painful experience of parting ways with someone you love. The singer emphasizes that saying goodbye takes a toll on them, causing them to feel as though a part of them is dying each time they have to do so. The singer also questions the “gods above me,” wondering why they would allow the person they love to leave.
Despite the heartache, the singer notes that being near the person they love brings joy and a sense of renewal, as they can hear birds singing and feel the energy of spring. The singer reflects on the strange effect that saying goodbye has on them, as the emotional shift from major to minor makes every goodbye feel more melancholic than the last.
Overall, the song captures the feelings of love and loss, and the struggle to reconcile the joy of being near someone you love with the pain of having to say goodbye.
Line by Line Meaning
Every time we say goodbye, I die a little
Whenever we part ways, it feels as if a part of me gets taken away and I feel like I'm dying a little.
Every time we say goodbye, I wonder why a little
Each time we say farewell, I can't help but wonder and question why this has to happen to us.
Why the gods above me, who must be in the know
I can't help but think about the divine powers that govern our lives and question why they allow such painful separations to happen.
Think so little of me, they allow you to go?
I feel like the higher powers don't consider my feelings and let you go away from me, leaving me to suffer.
When you're near there's such an air of spring about it
Whenever you're with me, I feel like spring has sprung and everything around me becomes filled with joy and hope.
I can hear a lark somewhere begin to sing about it
The happiness in my heart when I'm with you is so apparent that even the birds feel it and start singing with joy.
There's no love song finer but how strange the change
No other love song captures the depth of our emotions, yet, every time we have to say goodbye, it feels like something changes.
From major to minor every time we say goodbye
It's strange how the emotions we feel when we're together can suddenly shift to sadness and despair every time we have to say our goodbyes.
Contributed by Michael J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.