So Long
Ricky Nelson Lyrics


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It's been so long, so very long
I wonder what did I do wrong
I've been so sad and blue
Since you said "Baby, we're all through"

If you leave me in this mood
I fear I'm bound to come unglued
Oh to hold you in my arms again
I'll be so lonely untill then

Well maybe I've been a bad boy baby
Yes and I've told my share of lies
But baby please forgive me
'Cause it's so hard to realise

You may be gone, never to return
Oh what a bitter lesson to learn
There's only one thing left to do
Baby say so long to you




Baby say so long to you
So long

Overall Meaning

Ricky Nelson's "So Long" is a lamentation of a lover's departure, and an attempt at reconciliation. The song begins with Nelson expressing his confusion about what went wrong, suggesting that he has been left without any warning or clear reason. He then proceeds to appeal to his lover to come back to him, expressing his sadness and his desire to hold her again, with the implication that her departure has left him feeling lonely and incomplete. In the second verse, Nelson acknowledges that he may have been at fault, admitting to bad behavior and lies, and asking for forgiveness. He contrasts his own imperfections with the difficulty of understanding what has happened, suggesting that it is easier to pin guilt on oneself than to understand why love can end so abruptly. The song ends with a resigned acceptance that the lover may never return, but also with a final plea for closure and a farewell.


Overall, "So Long" is a poignant meditation on the fragility and uncertainty of love, and the pain of its loss. It speaks at once to the universal experience of heartbreak and the particular world of teenage romance, reflecting the themes and tone of much of Nelson's music. At the same time, it is a testament to his talent as a songwriter and performer, with its simple yet effective melody and the emotional honesty of its lyrics.


Line by Line Meaning

It's been so long, so very long
It has been a very long time since we last saw each other


I wonder what did I do wrong
I am unsure of what mistake I made that made you leave


I've been so sad and blue
I have been depressed and unhappy since you left


Since you said 'Baby, we're all through'
I have been feeling upset and hopeless since you told me that we are over


If you leave me in this mood
If you continue to leave me feeling this way


I fear I'm bound to come unglued
I am afraid of losing control of my emotions and breaking down


Oh to hold you in my arms again
I long to be able to hold you close to me once more


I'll be so lonely until then
I will continue to feel lonely and isolated until that time comes


Well maybe I've been a bad boy baby
It is possible that I have not been the best partner


Yes and I've told my share of lies
I admit to having told some lies


But baby please forgive me
I am asking you to please forgive me for my mistakes


'Cause it's so hard to realize
It is difficult for me to fully understand the extent of my actions


You may be gone, never to return
It is possible that you will never come back


Oh what a bitter lesson to learn
It is a bitter, painful lesson for me to learn that you may be gone forever


There's only one thing left to do
The only thing left for me to do is to say goodbye


Baby say so long to you
I am saying goodbye to you, my baby


Baby say so long to you
I am saying goodbye to you, my baby


So long
Farewell




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