Led by brothers Willy (vocals/guitar) and Cody Braun (vocals/fiddle/mandolin/harmonica), the alternative country-rock outfit Reckless Kelly formed in Bend Oregon in February 1996 before moving to Austin, Texas. The Brauns had previously toured with their father in Muzzie Braun & the Boys, a Western swing band, and were joined in their own group by the lead guitarist Casey Pollock, the bass guitarist Chris Schelske and the drummer Jay Nazz.
With their younger brothers Micky and Gary, Cody and Willy were raised in central Idaho near the Sawtooth Mountains, between Clayton and Challis in Custer County, and were homeschooled by their mother. Originally they were "Muzzie Braun & the Little Braun Brothers", as Muzzie and his brothers Gary and Billy were the "Braun Brothers" from Twin Falls in the 1970s and early 1980s, sons of the musician Eustaceus "Mustie" Braun (1917–1981). From North Dakota, Mustie was a neighbor and relative of the bandleader Lawrence Welk, and was a keyboard player during the last days of legalized gambling in Idaho at Weiser in the early 1950s. He then moved to the new Club 93 in Jackpot, Nevada, on the Idaho border, and moved his family to Twin Falls, about fifty miles (80 km) north. In February 1981, Mustie and wife Marian (née Beckman) were involved in a head-on collision north of Jackpot, and both died from their injuries.
In 1989, Muzzie and his sons appeared on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show twice.
Reckless Kelly played locally on the historic Sixth Street in Austin. They turned Lucy's Retired Surfers Bar, a small bar and restaurant, into a noted music venue. From November 1996 to May 1998, they filled the venue with their Monday night show. During this period, other music venues in Austin invited them to play, including the Continental Club, the Saxon pub, Stubb's barbecue, and Antone's home of the blues.
Reckless Kelly's first album, Millican, appeared in fall 1997 and was officially released in 1998. Acoustic: Live at Stubb's and The Day followed two years later, after which David Abeyta replaced Pollock on lead guitar. Under the Table & Above the Sun in 2003 began the band's relationship with the high-profile Sugar Hill label and won the hearts of the music press and the honky tonkin' legend Joe Ely, who sang the band's praises in interviews. Wicked Twisted Road was released in 2005, and the next year the live album Reckless Kelly Was Here captured the band's stage presence. Bulletproof was released in summer 2008 on a new label, Yep Roc Records, and includes tracks critical of and reflecting on recent sociopolitical unfoldings, such as the Iraq War and Hurricane Katrina. In 2010, Reckless released an album of songs by one of their musical heroes, Pinto Bennett. Somewhere in Time, in the band's own words, highlighted their love of "straight-up honky tonk". The band regularly returns to Austin to play before capacity crowds at venues like Nutty Brown Cafe & Amphitheatre.
Younger brothers Micky and Gary Braun front their own band, Micky & The Motorcars. Both bands play at the annual Braun Brothers Reunion in Challis, Idaho, in August.
Don't Say Goodbye
Reckless Kelly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you're headed for the door
With your head hanging down staring at the floor
And even though I can't see 'em
I can still feel that latent look in your eye
Oh you don't have to say it cause I've heard it before
And anyway I don't think I can take it anymore
But baby it would break my heart if you said goodbye
So don't say goodbye
I'm not ready to let you go
You think we've run out of love
But I've got so much more
Say anything else that comes to your mind
Baby don't you say goodbye
Well now you don't feel like talking
Like there's nothing else to say
And anyhow I know your going to have it your way
You've got me where you want me
And I can feel it when your smiling that crooked little smile
Oh and I don't think its funny that you're treating me this way
And even though I know it'll get better someday
Baby it would break my heart if you said goodbye
[Chorus]
So don't say goodbye
I'm not ready to let you go
You think we've run out of love
But I've got so much more
Say anything else that comes to your mind
Baby don't you say goodbye
Oh baby it would break my heart if you said goodbye
(Bridge)
Baby take a hold of my hand
I swear I can make a better man
Darling you know I'll lay it right on the line
[Chorus]
The lyrics of "Don't Say Goodbye" by Reckless Kelly express the desperation of a person who is on the brink of a breakup and is trying to save their relationship by appealing to their partner not to leave. The singer is aware that their significant other is ready to walk out of the door, with their head bowed, feeling dejected. The singer is trying to read the latent look in their partner's eyes, which betrays disappointment and apathy. The singer pleads with their partner not to say the fatal words, as they won't be able to handle it. Despite the fact that the singer knows what their partner is thinking, they still hope to change their mind and that they can rekindle the love that they share.
The second stanza of the song shows the singer's frustration with their partner's communication. The narrative suggests that there is very little that the singer can do to prevent their significant other from leaving. They feel powerless, knowing that their lover has them right where they want them. They also express their displeasure about the way they are being treated, as it seems unfair. The singer implies that they will be able to fix things at some point in the future, but they will not be able to handle their lover saying goodbye.
The song shows how difficult it can be to keep a relationship alive, especially when it comes to avoiding a breakup. The lyrics describe the emotions that both parties can experience, and the desperate desire to try and salvage a once-thriving relationship. The song also acknowledges that relationships can grow stale over time, and one of the partners might want to move on, even if this causes significant pain to the other partner.
Line by Line Meaning
Well now where do you think your going?
As you head towards the door, can we talk about what's really bothering you?
When you're headed for the door
You seem to be ready to walk away from us.
With your head hanging down staring at the floor
You can't even look up to avoid this conversation.
And even though I can't see 'em
I sense you carrying some unspoken words or feelings.
I can still feel that latent look in your eye
I can sense the pain behind those eyes.
Oh you don't have to say it cause I've heard it before
You don't need to say it, I already know what you are going to say.
And anyway I don't think I can take it anymore
I'm not sure if I can handle the news.
But baby it would break my heart if you said goodbye
It would devastate me if you walked away from us.
So don't say goodbye
Please don't leave me.
I'm not ready to let you go
I still have more love to give us.
You think we've run out of love
You may feel like our love is gone, but I still have more.
But I've got so much more
There's still so much love left between us.
Say anything else that comes to your mind
Please open up to me and let's work towards a solution.
Well now you don't feel like talking
It seems like you don't want to discuss what's going on.
Like there's nothing else to say
You don't have anything else to add to this conversation.
And anyhow I know your going to have it your way
Regardless, I know you'll do whatever you want.
You've got me where you want me
You know you have power over me and my emotions.
And I can feel it when your smiling that crooked little smile
I can sense that there's something more behind that smile.
Oh and I don't think its funny that you're treating me this way
I'm not amused by how you are treating us.
And even though I know it'll get better someday
I have faith that we can work through this and come out stronger.
Baby it would break my heart if you said goodbye
I can't bear the thought of losing you.
Baby take a hold of my hand
Let's work through this together.
I swear I can make a better man
I promise to be a better partner to you.
Darling you know I'll lay it right on the line
I will be honest and clear about my feelings towards you.
Oh baby it would break my heart if you said goodbye
I love you too much to let you go.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MICKY BRAUN, WILLY BRAUN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nathanmastersroofing9080
How does this song not have any comments. One of my favorite songs by RK
@steveng1624
This song needs to be released over and over again until it gets played on the radio. It's a hit without a doubt...
@steveng1624
I absolutely love this song, a wonderful country song. Wrote very well and sung very well. Just hold on to what you got it will come in time, I promise you
@christinadeaton1205
To my man Kenny d gay...I know we had ups n downs I know I done you wrong but u accepted that n forgave me n downs when u ask me questions bout past baby IM NOT READY TOO SAY GOOD BYE....BABY I LOVE YOU..YOUR MY FOREVER N EVER LOVE...LETS STAY STRONG N GROW OLD TOGETHER...I WANT NOONE BUT YOU I LOVE YOU BABY...N NEED YAH