Every Time We Say Goodbye
Rod Stewart 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 you guys above me
Who must be in the know
Say so little to 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
You see there's no love song finer
But how strange the change
From major to minor
Every time you say honey

There's no love song finer
But how strange




The change from major to minor
Every time we say goodbye

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Rod Stewart's "Every Time We Say Goodbye" convey a sense of melancholy and longing. The song explores the emotions that come with the end of a relationship or the departure of a loved one. The repeated phrase "every time we say goodbye" highlights the difficulty of letting go and the pain that comes with separation. Stewart reflects on the fleeting nature of relationships and questions why those in power seem to have so little concern for his personal pain.


The imagery in the song adds to its emotional impact. When the singer is near his loved one, there is an "air of spring" that surrounds them, a sense of renewal and hope. But this feeling is juxtaposed with the minor key that the song often shifts to, indicating the sadness and heartbreak that comes with the end of the relationship. The mention of a lark singing in the background adds to the sense of fleeting beauty, as if the beauty is only present for a moment before it disappears.


Overall, the lyrics to "Every Time We Say Goodbye" are a meditation on the complexities of human relationships and the pain that comes with their ends. The song's emotional depth and clever use of musical contrasts create a powerful listening experience.


Line by Line Meaning

Every time
On each and every occasion


We say goodbye
When we part ways


I die a little
A small part of me dies emotionally


I wonder why a little
I have a nagging curiosity about why we must say goodbye


Why you guys above me
Referring to a higher power or authority in life


Who must be in the know
Who possess the knowledge or answers


Say so little to me
Provide me with little to no explanation or understanding


They allow you to go
Permitting the other person to leave despite my desire for them to stay


When you're near
Being in close proximity to you


There's such an air
A feeling, a vibe


Of spring about it
A sense of renewal and new beginnings


I can hear
Auditory perception of something


A lark somewhere begin to sing about it
A bird beginning to vocalize, reflecting the happiness and joy of the moment


There's no love song finer
Expressing that no other song could better represent love


But how strange the change
An unusual or unexpected difference


From major to minor
Change in tone or mood from joyous and happy to gloomy and sad


Every time you say honey
Indicating that this transformation happens every time you address me by a term of endearment


There's no love song finer
Reiterating the notion that no other love song is better


But how strange
Despite this strong belief, it is still odd that the tone shifts from happy to sad


The change from major to minor
The switch from happy to sad, from upbeat to depressed, from light-hearted to dark-hearted


Every time we say goodbye
Whenever we have to part ways, this shift in mood occurs




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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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