Likened to 松田聖子, she won a singing contest and was signed to a Japanese recording company at the age of 15.
After completing her O-level examinations in Singapore, Olivia moved to Japan to further her studies and career as a solo artist. There, she became a member of a Japanese pop (J-pop) group called Mirai, before she released her bestselling debut, "A Girl Meets Bossa Nova" at only 19.
With her sultry, soulful and innocent vocals, she has since done her reinterpretation of Frank Sinatra's "Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars" as well as other jazz and pop numbers.
Part of the wave of Singaporean talents being exported internationally, Olivia has, by far, been the only pop sensation exported exclusively to Japan, while previous stars such as 陳潔儀, 蔡健雅 and 孫燕姿 have only been exporting to the Greater Chinese market through Hong Kong and Taipei.
In 2009, Olivia signed to Taiwanese company HIM International Music and released her first album under HIM in March of 2010.
never can say goodbye
Olivia Ong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never can say goodbye
No no no no, I
Never can say goodbye
Even though the pain and heartache
Seems to follow me wherever I go
Though I try and try
They always seem to show
Then you try to say youre
Leaving me
And I always have to say no...
Tell me why
Is it so
That I
Never can say goodbye
No no no no, I
Never can say goodbye
Everytime I think I had enough
I start heading for the door
Theres a very strange vibration
That pierces me right to the core
It says turn around you fool
You know you love her more and more
Tell me why
Is it so
Dont wanna let yo go
(Instrumental)
(Chorus)
I keep thinkin that our problems
Soon are all gonna work out
But theres that same
Unhappy feeling and theres that anguish, theres that doubt
*Its that same old did ya hang up
*Cant do with you or without
Tell me why
Is it so
Dont wanna let you go
(Chorus)
The lyrics to Olivia Ong's song "Never can say goodbye" describe the internal struggle of the singer in letting go of someone they love. Despite the pain and heartache that follows them, they can't seem to say goodbye to the person they're truly in love with. They try to hide their feelings, but they always end up showing. Even when the other person tries to leave, the singer always stops them and can't bring themselves to say goodbye. There's a strange vibration that pierces them to the core, telling them to turn around because they love this person more and more. They keep hoping that their problems will work out, but they can't shake the doubt and anxiety surrounding their relationship.
Overall, the song portrays the difficulties of letting go of someone we love deeply, even when we know we should. It highlights the emotional turmoil and back-and-forth thinking that can come with the ending of a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Never can say goodbye
The singer feels unable to truly let go of someone or something.
No no no no, I
The singer emphatically repeats their inability to say goodbye.
Even though the pain and heartache
The singer acknowledges that they experience negative emotions frequently.
Seems to follow me wherever I go
The artist feels like their negative emotions are inescapable and ever-present.
Though I try and try
The artist attempts to suppress or hide their emotions.
To hide my feelings
The singer attempts to conceal their emotions.
They always seem to show
Despite the singer's attempts to hide their emotions, they always become apparent.
Then you try to say youre
Someone else attempts to leave the artist's life.
Leaving me
The person in the artist's life is attempting to end the relationship.
And I always have to say no...
The artist resists the attempts to end the relationship.
Tell me why
The singer questions why they are unable to let go.
Is it so
The artist asks if it is inevitable that they cannot say goodbye.
Everytime I think I had enough
The singer believes they have reached their breaking point.
I start heading for the door
The singer contemplates leaving the situation or relationship.
Theres a very strange vibration
The singer experiences an inexplicable sensation or intuition.
That pierces me right to the core
The sensation is intense and deeply affecting.
It says turn around you fool
The sensation or intuition strongly suggests staying in the situation or relationship.
You know you love her more and more
The singer acknowledges their love for the person and why they cannot leave.
I keep thinkin that our problems
The singer believes their relationship issues will eventually be resolved.
Soon are all gonna work out
The artist is hopeful that the problems will be resolved.
But theres that same
The artist encounters the same issues repeatedly.
Unhappy feeling and theres that anguish, theres that doubt
The negative emotions associated with the relationship persist.
Its that same old did ya hang up
The singer encounters the same issues they have faced before.
Cant do with you or without
The artist feels stuck and conflicted in the relationship.
Dont wanna let yo go
The singer is reluctant to end the relationship.
(Instrumental)
No lyrics during this portion of the song.
(Chorus)
Repetition of the song's central idea and theme.
Contributed by Jack J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.