never can say goodbye
Sarah Jane Morris/The Communards Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

(Woo hoo, woo hoo, hoo)

No, no, no, never say
Never say, say goodbye
No no no no I

I never can say goodbye
No no no no I
I never can say goodbye

Every time I think I've had enough
I start heading for the door
There's a very strange vibration
Piercing me right through the core
It says "turn around you fool, you know you love her more and more"
Tell me why (tell me why)
Is it so?
Don't want to let you go

No never can say goodbye boy, ooh
No, no I never can say goodbye
No no no, no no no, no no no ooh, ooh
Ay, I never can say goodbye boy, ooh baby
I never can say goodbye, no no no, no no no, ooh

I never can say goodbye, no no no no no I
I never can say goodbye (never say goodbye boy)
I keep thinkin' that our problems soon are all gonna work out
But there's that same unhappy feelin', there's that anguish, there's that doubt
It's that same ol' dizzy hang up
I can't get by without you
Tell me why (tell me why)
Is it so?
Don't want to let you go

No, I never can say goodbye boy, ooh
No, no
I never can say goodbye
No no no, no no no, no no no ooh, ooh
Hey I never can say goodbye boy
Ooh, no baby
I never can say goodbye
No no no, no no no, no no no ooh, ooh

Never say goodbye boy
Never say goodbye boy (ooh)

Every time I think I've had enough
I start heading for the door
It's that same ol' dizzy feeling
Piercing me right through the core
It says "turn around you fool, you know you love her more and more"
Tell me why (tell me why)
Is it so?
I don't want to let you go, no no

Let you go, no no
Let you go, go
Don't ever let you go
No no no, no no no, no no no ooh, ooh (no no no baby)

I never can say goodbye
Ooh, no baby
I never can say goodbye
No no no, no no no, no no no ooh, ooh
Hey
I never can say goodbye boy
Say goodbye boy, say goodbye boy
No never can say goodbye




No no no, no no no, no no no ooh, ooh
Hey, I never can say goodbye boy

Overall Meaning

The song "Never Can Say Goodbye" is a classic that has been covered by a plethora of artists. The lyrics express a sentiment that is relatable for many people who have experienced the painful outcome of a relationship breakup. The singer admits that despite the pain and heartache they experience in a relationship, they can never bring themselves to say goodbye. Even when their significant other has tried to leave and end things, the singer can't seem to let go.


The verses highlight the push and pull that the singer feels towards their love interest. They want to leave and think they've had enough of the pain, but there's something that pulls them back. The pre-chorus adds to the tension with a suggestion that something strange is happening. The chorus brings back the main idea, that the singer can never say goodbye, no matter how much they want to.


The song's melody and the drums' rhythm add to the emotional resonance of the lyrics. The high notes of the chorus and the vocal adlibs show the singer's desperation, while the drums and bass create a pulsing, almost frenzied sense of conflict. It's a catchy tune with irresistible hooks that make it clear why it has been covered so often.


Line by Line Meaning

Never can say goodbye, no no no no I
I am unable to bid farewell


Never can stay goodbye
I am incapable of leaving


Even though the pain and heartache seem to follow me wherever I go
My sadness and suffering continue to pursue me


Though I try and tried to hide my feelings, they always seem to show
Although I attempt to conceal my emotions, they inevitably come to light


Then you try to say you're leaving me and I always have to say no
When you declare your intentions to depart, I always protest


Tell me why, is it so?
Please explain to me why this is the case


Every time I think I've had enough, I start heading for the door
Every time I believe I have reached my limit, I prepare to depart


There's a very strange vibration-a piercing me right through the core
There is a peculiar sensation coursing through me


It says "turn around you fool, you know you love her more and more"
It communicates, "You fool, return to her, as your fondness for her intensifies with each passing moment"


I keep thinkin' that our problems soon are all gonna work out
I maintain the belief that our issues will resolve themselves shortly


But there's that same unhappy feelin', a-there's that anguish, there's that doubt
Yet I experience the identical feeling of discontent, accompanied by the anguish of uncertainty


It's the same ol' dizzy hang up, can't do with you or without
It's the same familiar predicament, in which I am indecisive about whether or not to continue our relationship


I never can say goodbye boy, ooh ooh baby
I am incapable of bidding you farewell, my dear


I never can say-a goodbye boy, ooh ooh, ooh
I am never able to bid you adieu, my darling


I never can say goodbye, no no no, no no no, ooh, oh
I cannot bring myself to say goodbye, no matter how hard I try


I never can say goodbye boy, ooh baby
I am incapable of bidding you farewell, my dear


I never can say goodbye, no no no no no no no
I am unable to say goodbye under any circumstances, no matter how many times I try




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Clifton Davis

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@gdragonstan

This is a timeless song, Jimmy's voice really shines in this song.🎵

@kencampbell2359

Dancing in my living room in Sept. 2020...I'm 74!!

@rafaelcalderongranja8066

You're cool

@jameskelvin6720

Go Ken! I am too! This song makes you dance.

@johnnyryan7939

@@coffeehead68 Keep on going!

@glynismcgourlick

Good on ya Ken, I dance in my kitchen 😊

@dawnkiernan1585

So is my dad and he's 76.

155 More Replies...

@susanq6398

They all look like they’re having a blast. Gorgeous girls and fabulous fashion. Wish I was there.

@JimmySomerville0fficial.

hello, how are you doing it is nice meeting you here.

@petrastroenreuther9538

i am 65 but i must dancing if i hear this song

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