Every Time We Say Goodbye
Ray Charles Lyrics


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Every time we say goodbye,
I die a little,
Every time we say goodbye,
I wonder why a little,
Why the god's 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 from major to minor,
Every time we say goodbye.

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.

Overall Meaning

Ray Charles's song "Every Time We Say Goodbye" is a melancholic love song that captures the emotions of the singer every time he says goodbye to his loved one. The lyrics themselves convey a sense of sadness and loss, as the singer notes that he feels weakened every time he must part from his beloved. The opening lines of the song, "Every time we say goodbye, I die a little," demonstrate the depth of the singer's emotions and the pain he feels when he must bid farewell to his partner. He goes on to question why the gods seem to care so little about his feelings, allowing him to be parted from his loved one.


Despite the sorrowful tone of the song, there is a sense of optimism in the lyrics as well. When the singer is near his partner, there is a newfound energy and life in the world around them. The air feels fresher, and the sound of a lark chirping in the distance signals the coming of springtime. It is clear to the singer that there is no love finer than the one he shares with his partner, yet every time they must say goodbye, there is a shift in the music that underscores the sadness and melancholia of the separation. The song shifts from major to minor, indicating the sudden alteration of mood and the sadness that the singer feels.


One interesting fact about "Every Time We Say Goodbye" is that it was written by the legendary composer Cole Porter. Porter was known for his witty, sophisticated lyrics and his ability to capture the essence of love and longing in his music. Another interesting fact is that the song has been covered by countless artists, including Ella Fitzgerald, Annie Lennox, and Paul McCartney. It has become a classic love song and a standard in the American Songbook. Additionally, the song was featured in the films "De-Lovely" and "Green Book," further cementing its place in popular culture.


Chords:
Verse: Bbm7 Eb9 Abmaj7 C79
Chorus: Fm Bbm7 Ebsus4 Eb Fm


Line by Line Meaning

Every time we say goodbye,
Saying goodbye to you every time we part feels like a little part of me dies inside.


Every time we say goodbye,
Whenever we say goodbye, I can't help but wonder why we can't stay together.


Why the god's above me, who must be in the know.
I can't help but question why the gods must know something that I don't.


Think so little of me, they allow you to go.
It seems that the gods don't have high regard for me since they allow you to leave me.


When you're near,
Being close to you creates a feeling of optimism and renewal.


There's such an air of spring about it,
Your presence evokes a sense of rebirth and rejuvenation.


I can hear a lark somewhere,
I sense a bird's newfound joy and freedom from the happiness of being with you.


Begin to sing about it,
I hear the bird express its newfound life and appreciation for the world around it.


There's no love song finer,
I know of no other love song that captures the feeling of being together with you so completely.


But how strange the change from major to minor,
It's amazing how quickly my joy can turn to sadness when we must say goodbye.


Every time we say goodbye.
Each and every time we must separate, the joy of being with you fades away, leaving me feeling empty and sad.




Lyrics ยฉ Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cole Porter

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@steps222

This is sublime. Both Charles and Carter sing from their hearts, and the result make me want to hear them over and over--which I've done. Carmen McRae said, "There's really only one jazz singerโ€”only one: Betty Carter." It was Miles Davis who suggested her pairing with Charles. The suggestion was inspired.

@charleschapman473

Miles Davis knew great talent

@roxannemoore3045

After all these years, this duet is still wonderful.

@jamesfeldman4234

If I'm hearing the ending of this Ray Charles and Betty Carter version of the song correctly, the key changes from minor to major, which would make this arrangement unique. I think the change to major at the close is a stroke of genius because instead of ending on a sad note with finality to the goodbye, it ends with a touch of hope of meeting again.

@eugenesedita

No, itโ€™s an expression of a vain hope that will never happen like a dream that ends in desperation.

@andreturner2321

Itโ€™s also in the lyrics! At the end of Rayโ€™s first verse. I think thatโ€™s so cool lol โ€œhow strange the change from major to minor, every time we say goodbyeโ€

@ithajean

@@eugeneseditaOMG Beautiful

@murph3001

Timeless beauty. What a great ballad !! Betty is magnificent and Ray well Ray remains the best there ever was. Thanks to both for the greatest ballad ever recorded

@murph5438

The most beautiful duet ever --- two great artists recorded a piece that will live forever

@sheiladubin6559

Amen

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