Kiss Me Good-Bye
Petula Clark Lyrics


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We choose it, win or lose it
Love is never quite the same
I love you, now I've lost you
Don't feel bad, you're not to blame

So kiss me goodbye and I'll try not to cry
All the tears in the world won't change your mind
There's someone new and she's waiting for you
Soon your heart will be leaving me behind
Linger awhile, then I'll go with a smile
Like a friend who just happened to call
For the last time pretend you are mine
My darling, kiss me goodbye

I know now I must go now
Though my heart wants me to stay
That girl is your tomorrow
I belong to yesterday

So kiss me goodbye and I'll try not to cry
All the tears in the world won't change your mind
There's someone new and she's waiting for you
Soon your heart will be leaving me behind
Linger awhile, then I'll go with a smile
Like a friend who just happened to call
For the last time pretend your are mine




My darling, kiss me goodbye
My darling, kiss me goodbye

Overall Meaning

In Petula Clark's song Kiss Me Goodbye, the singer is addressing someone they have lost to another and is coming to terms with the end of their relationship. The lyrics express conflicting emotions of love and pain, acknowledging that though both chose to be in the relationship, love is unpredictable and cannot be controlled or sustained forever. The singer urges their love to move forward with someone else and not to feel guilty for leaving, stating that they are not to blame. Despite the heartbreak, the singer tries to make the best of the situation by reminiscing on their time together and sharing a final goodbye kiss. The last line, "My darling, kiss me goodbye," is especially poignant as it signals acceptance of the end of their love story and a willingness to move on.


Throughout the song, there are hints of resignation and acceptance, acknowledging that while the love may have been true and strong, it is now time to let go. The line "That girl is your tomorrow, I belong to yesterday" is a powerful declaration that they are not part of the other person's future, and though it may be difficult to accept, the singer is ready to move on without them.


Overall, the song conveys a sense of bittersweet nostalgia, capturing the complex emotions that come with the end of a relationship. Through its poignant lyrics and timeless melody, the song has become a classic that resonates with people to this day.




Line by Line Meaning

We choose it, win or lose it
Love is a choice that we make, regardless of what the outcome may be


Love is never quite the same
Love is a constantly evolving emotion, and it can change in unexpected ways


I love you, now I've lost you
Despite the fact that I still love you, our relationship has come to an end


Don't feel bad, you're not to blame
I don't blame you for our relationship ending – sometimes things just don't work out


So kiss me goodbye and I'll try not to cry
We're saying our final goodbye, and I'm going to try not to cry while we do


All the tears in the world won't change your mind
No amount of crying or begging will make you change your decision to leave


There's someone new and she's waiting for you
You've moved on to someone else, and she's eagerly waiting for you


Soon your heart will be leaving me behind
Your heart has already moved on, and now it's time for your physical presence to do the same


Linger awhile, then I'll go with a smile
Let's spend some time together before we say our final goodbye, and I'll leave with a smile on my face


Like a friend who just happened to call
We're going to pretend that we're just friends who happened to run into each other, rather than ex-lovers saying goodbye


For the last time pretend your are mine
Just for this moment, let's pretend that we're still together and enjoy each other's company one last time


My darling, kiss me goodbye
As we part ways, please give me one last kiss goodbye, my love




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BARRY MASON, LES REED

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@darrenplumpton9737

@Janett Grady I would not had known Janett if you hadn't told me.
LOL.
Petula was born in Surrey then her family moved to Wales.
There she lived with her Grandparents.
The house they lived in had no running water and a outside WC.
Poor Petula.
Have you seen the two specials that are on You Tube called Portrait Of Petula and Petula?
They are AWESOME.
They are must see's for all Petula Clark fans like you and me.
Happy New Year Janett.
I hope that this year is a good one for you.



@adabsiz2000

Great lyrics. Great arrangement. Fantastic performance. What more can you wish for !! I have listned to many covers of this song but nothing beats Ms. Clark's ( 87 / 88 years young November 2020 !) ....

We choose it, win or lose it
Love is never quite the same
I love you, now I've lost you
Don't feel bad, you're not to blame
So kiss me goodbye and I'll try not to cry
All the tears in the world won't change your mind
There's someone new and she's waiting for you
Soon your heart will be leaving me behind
Linger awhile, then I'll go with a smile
Like a friend who just happened to call
For the last time pretend you are mine
My darling, kiss me goodbye
I know now I must go now
Though my heart wants me to stay
That girl is your tomorrow
I belong to yesterday
So kiss me goodbye and I'll try not to cry
All the tears in the world won't change…



All comments from YouTube:

@berniehand5528

This song has been in and out of my life a couple of times. As a young man I was deeply in love , I ended up in the military during Vietnam, and like many young men received a letter explaining that she was having a difficult time sitting and waiting for my return, so I mutually agreed to go our senate ways and maybe we could rekindle our lives once I returned home. It never happened. I came home she gave me a hug and kiss and told me she was leaving for California with someone she had dated even though she had feelings for me. I understood even though it hurt at that time. I met someone and we got married, she was wonderful, but after 10 years she passed away from cancer. I thought my life had ended that day. 32 years old lost both women I loved . Who would want a man with 3 children. I met someone else a couple of years later through mutual friends. We have been married 38 years and my life has been wonderful with her. When I here this song it reminds me of my life and my past. In a strange way I believe I am a lucky man.

@berniehand5528

Separate ways

@josecabrera5134

YES YOU ARE A LUCKY MAN.!!!

@Utubby1970

You've lived a full life - both with the bitter and the sweet. Thanks for sharing!

@davidcarlisle7621

Good. However, I am still very sorry about the loss of your original? girlfriend when you were in Vietnam. Even though she met somebody else and skipped off to California with him, it was Her loss just as much as yours.

@juliodiaz5979

P

13 More Replies...

@fumble_brewski5410

From the mid to the later 1960’s, Petula Clark was one of the premier female vocalists in the world, charting dozens of top 40 hits. This song, released in early 1968, has a special place in the hearts of Vietnam era GI’s. Many of us were waiting on deployment orders to get shipped out to who knows where, usually Southeast Asia. And most of us were leaving behind a wife or sweetheart, not knowing when (or if) we might ever see them again. “For the last time, pretend you are mine, my darling kiss me goodbye.” Bittersweet memories.

@clydequinn4395

Thank You for your service to our Country

@fumble_brewski5410

@Çlyde Quinn 🇺🇸 🪖

@shujazaidi7111

I am glad you returned home safely. Thanks for your service

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