Smokey Robinson and the Miracles was the performing and recording name from… Read Full Bio ↴Smokey Robinson and the Miracles was the performing and recording name from 1965 to 1972 of renowned American R&B/soul group The Miracles. From Detroit, Michigan, the band Miracles remain notable as the first successful group act for Berry Gordy's Motown Records. Over their career across the 1960s, 70s and 80s, the Miracles were one of Motown's signature acts with over forty top 40 R&B hits. Over the same time period, their original lead singer and founding member Smokey Robinson became one of the most successful songwriters and record producers of all time.

The hit songs "Do It Baby" and Love Machine (written by Billy Griffin & Pete Moore) were performed by Billy Griffin as the lead singer after the departure of original founder member Smokey Robinson.
http://myspace.com/billygriffinthemiracles

What's So Good About Good Bye
Smokey Robinson and The Miracles Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

What's so goood about goodbye
All it does is make you cry
Well if leaving causes grieve
And depart can break your heart tell me
What is so good about
You could've done with out it
Since you said goodbye to me
All I've known

Is misery
Well if everything goes wrong
Wouldn't stay so long
Tell me whats so good about it
Could have done with out it
Whats so good about goodbye
How can goodbye good to a lover
Who really cares
And another thing I'd like to clarify
Is how can fair well really be fair
How could you say this is goodbye
Girl it makes me so sad
When things go so bad

Baby tell me why
Whats so good about goodbye

Overall Meaning

In "What's So Good About Goodbye," Smokey Robinson and the Miracles express their confusion and pain about the concept of separation. The lyrics question why the act of leaving, saying goodbye, and moving on always bring such devastation and tears. The singer suggests that goodbyes only serve to cause heartbreak and pain, leading them to question why goodbyes are even necessary or considered good in any sense. The artist also clarifies that saying goodbye does not seem fair or appropriate, especially to someone who genuinely cares. The repetition of the question, "what's so good about goodbye," implies that there may be no good in it at all, but rather, it only brings misery and hurt.

The song is a powerful expression of the human experience of attachment and detachment. It highlights the emotional consequences of the end of a relationship, where one person is left behind, feeling hurt and confused. The artist's insight into the pain that follows after someone leaves is apparent in the heart-wrenching lyrics and soulful delivery. Listeners can undoubtedly empathize with the pain and confusion expressed by the singer.

Line by Line Meaning

What's so goood about goodbye
What is the positive aspect of saying goodbye?

All it does is make you cry
Goodbyes only cause sadness and tears.

Well if leaving causes grieve
If departing makes you feel pain

And depart can break your heart tell me
If parting can shatter your heart, then

What is so good about
What is the benefit of

You could've done with out it
You can live without it.

Since you said goodbye to me
After you said goodbye to me,

All I've known
I have only experienced

Is misery
Suffering and pain.

Well if everything goes wrong
If everything does not go as planned,

Wouldn't stay so long
I would not remain any longer.

Tell me whats so good about it
Please explain the benefits of staying in such a situation.

How can goodbye good to a lover
How can parting be good for those in love?

Who really cares
With genuine feelings for one another.

And another thing I'd like to clarify
Moreover, I would like to point out that

Is how can fair well really be fair
How can a farewell be considered fair?

How could you say this is goodbye
Why would you say 'this is goodbye?'

Girl it makes me so sad
It makes me deeply unhappy

When things go so bad
During this difficult time,

Baby tell me why
Please explain to me why.

Whats so good about goodbye
What is the benefit of saying goodbye?

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SMOKEY ROBINSON, WILLIAM ROBINSON JR.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

Mae Kae

3y↑5

Thanks for posting. I ❤ The Miracles. Hadn't heard, Father Dear too many times, I almost forgot about it. Claudette has a beautiful voice.

Motown Deep Cuts, PAMS Jingles & More with Tomovox

Claudette was the voice that cemented my love for the Miracles. I was just absolutely fixated and fascinated by her voice on all those Miracles songs.

Cecilie M

5y↑2

AMAZING & ICONIC MUSIC!! Love Smokey, so much!!🎶🎹🎶❤ ❤ ❤

Motown Deep Cuts, PAMS Jingles & More with Tomovox

Me too! The group always put out such amazing music!

Motown Deep Cuts, PAMS Jingles & More with Tomovox

11y↑3

Hi Jeremiah! Early on in my Motown education, it was the early songs like these that I found a lot of fun to discover. Having only known the hits like "My Girl," "Don't Mess With Bill" and such, it was a complete surprise to hear how the groups and Motown sounded in the beginning. The early Miracles songs fast became some big favorites of mine. My folks bought me an album advertised on t.v. from Imperial House. It had nearly everything from the start and I played it endlessly. Still have it!

Cecilie M

5y↑3

Smokey wrote this song as a teenager! An amazing song that I love!! ❤ (I'll Try Something New)🎶🎹🎶❤

Diane's Music ROLLINS

2y↑1

I fell hard for Smokey and the Miracles as a pre teen tween lol. His voice is so Beautiful and the songs he sings can break your heart ❤️ But he is my favorite love song writer and I Singer He's SMOKEY 💗❣️❤️💞

Motown Deep Cuts, PAMS Jingles & More with Tomovox

Well said! I was around 12 when I saw a TV commercial for "SMOKEY ROBINSON AND THE MIRACLES!" The spokesman sounded so excited about every song on this double album and I thought they sounded cool so I begged my folks to buy it for me. When it came there was a picture of Claudette in the group and I fell in LOVE with her and in love with music!

Jacquelyn Webb

2y↑1

I love this song

Motown Deep Cuts, PAMS Jingles & More with Tomovox

One or all three?

Sheila Palmer

8y↑8

this is my jam

Lena Chavez

3y↑3

This is one of my favorite song so romantic and elegant classy like love should be! Congratulations those that are still together and much love Joy peace happiness to you and everyone.

ralph candelario

7y↑5

All time favorite group. Met them on a couple of occasions in the 60's thanks to Lee Allen (Detroit DJ-WXYZ Radio )

renaissanceman165

3y↑2

Wow! That's great. Always great to hear stories like this. I imagine that, even back then, you could sense that you were witnessing history in the making. Thanks for sharing! Check it Out! Ciao!!!

Moi Free

10y↑6

I also really enjoyed your visuals and how you used them. Thanks!

Motown Deep Cuts, PAMS Jingles & More with Tomovox

10y↑2

Hi, Moi! That makes me feel really good about putting in the extra bit of time on these! It's always fun to come up with different visuals for each song and I'm so happy you appreciate it!

Motown Deep Cuts, PAMS Jingles & More with Tomovox

11y↑1

That's the word for the Miracles, indeed!

Sandra Dee Lawson.

That song puts me back in time when Weber's Loaf of Bread were still
alive. I don't know. I just love this song

sauquoit13456

7y↑5

On this day in 1962 {May 28th} the Miracles performed "I'll Try Something New" on the Dick Clark ABC-TV network weekday-afternoon program 'American Bandstand'...
At the time the song was at #78 on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; four weeks later it would peak at #39 {for 1 week} and it spent 10 weeks on the Top 100...
It just missed making Billboard's Hot R&B Singles' Top 10 when it peaked at #11...
Seven years later on April 6th, 1969 the Supremes/Temptations' covered version of the song peaked at #25 {for 2 weeks} on the Hot Top 100 chart & at #8 on the Hot R&B Singles chart...
And in 1982 Taste of Honey would cover the song, their version reached #41 {for 3 weeks} on April 11th and reached #9 on the Hot R&B Singles chart...
Two of the original members of the Miracle have passed away, Ronnie White on August 26th, 1995 at age 56 and guitarist Marv Tarplin died on September 30th, 2011 at age 70...
May they both R.I.P.

Robert Pea

Wish there was footage of the Miracles performing this song. One of my favorites

1 More Replies...

jeremiah warren

11y↑4

Awesome !!!!!!! <3

Sheila Palmer

8y↑3

this is my jam

Motown Deep Cuts, PAMS Jingles & More with Tomovox

+Sheila Palmer Hi Sheila! I'm glad you like this!

Rica Yohan

3y↑1

Me like 👍 this tune!

marsha baum

3y↑1

Beautiful

Liz Wright

3y↑1

Smokey Robinson and the miracles I'll try something new!

DJ GB1

5y↑1

AWESOME!!

Motown Deep Cuts, PAMS Jingles & More with Tomovox

Glad you like!

Michelle Watts

3y↑1

I will take you away with me as far as I can, to Venus or Mars, there we will walk with your hand in my hand, you'll be queen of the stars....Wow residing in Heavenly places....I'll bring you a flower from the floor of the sea, ( this guy is too incredible . He's soaring majestically on the wings of Love, he could create love in a deep dark cave and make it magical and mystical ) to wear in your hair (simplistic adoration ) This song is a timeless classic ❤, its just like what he sang, i will gather melodies from birdies that fly and composed you a tune..No one can listen to this song , and not be transported to a place of beauty, enchantment, and of course Love.
What's so good about goodbye. EMPLOYING HIS LYRICAL GENIUS. Leaving causes grievin, and depart can break your heart ❤, I LOVE it
Last but not least, I never heard this song before, "Father Dear", it is always so refreshing to hear Claudette, her voice is so amazing, and strong, it was a nice change to hear her singing solo, or having the lead sometimes , I really like the other song she sang as well, "After All".

Motown Deep Cuts, PAMS Jingles & More with Tomovox

Loving your breakdown of these songs. Sometimes, Smokey's lyrics are so amazing, no matter how many times I listen to them, it's almost like my brain can't wrap itself around the sheer brilliance of what he comes up with. So I really appreciate what you did here because it actually IS making me absorb all that greatness. I've played these songs and my brain just gets scrambled. It's like being hit with a tidal wave of great writing- it's a sort of sensory overload. But you broke these up in a way where I thought "OH YEAH! Now I can fully digest all of this." You should do these writing more often!