The group, The Duntinos, quickly made a name for themselves performing regularly at local Beale Street and area venues. "Red" taught the guys to perform, and they learned to entertain under the tutelage of Rufus "Walking The Dog" Thomas, while working the "Chittlin Circuit" with him and his band, The Bearcats. After Curtis and Eliehue graduated, the Duntinos moved to Buffalo, New York with Curtis' relatives, looking, for the "Bright Lights" of New York, but found that Buffalo was very cold, and a long way from "The Big Apple". After working a few jobs in Buffalo, the group return to Memphis to do some backup vocals for Carla and Rufus Thomas and other artist recording at a new studio, then called Satellite Records.
In 1961 the group recorded their first release "You Make Me Feel So Good"(Curtis -lead), a song that Curtis wrote b/w "As You Can See"(Eliehue-lead), written by Eliehue Stanback. The group's name was changed to The Chips for this release, named after producer, Chips Moman. In 1961, Curtis joined the Air Force, but continued to record when on leave from the Military. In 1963 the group's name was changed again to The Astors for the next release, written by guitarist, Larry Lee who played with Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock and later played with Al Green for years. That record was " What Can It Be" b/w "Just Enough To Hurt Me"(Curtis-lead). "What Can It Be is my favorite of all the songs we recorded", says Curtis.
In 1965, Stax Records, formerly Satellite, released a song on the group "Candy" that was recorded while Curtis was on leave.
"Candy"(Curtis-lead), written by Booker T & MG's guitarist Steve Cropper and Isaac Hayes, was their biggest record. The song b/w "I Found Out" , written by Eliehue, climbed to #12 on the Billboard Top 100 R&B charts, and #63 on the Top 100 Pop charts. As "Candy" moved up the charts, The Astors performed on shows at the Uptown Theater in Philly, the Howard Theater in D.C., The Regal Theater in Chicago, and The Apollo Theater in New York. The other performers on these shows included The O'Jays, The Coasters, Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions, and Redd Foxx to name a few. The Astors also spent 2 1/2 months performing on tour with The James Brown Review.
In late Summer of 1965, the group traveled to Los Angeles, CA with the first Stax Review to perform in Watts, and spent 13 days their filming TV shows during the day ("Where the Action Is" a Dick Clark production, and "Hollywood A-Go-Go", a syndicated dance show and Shivaree, another dance TV show). Nights, the group performed at nightclubs on The Strip in Hollywood. A 2-night stand at the 5/4 Ballroom Club in Watts was the climax of this tour, and was recorded live.
The complete Stax Review included Carla and Rufus Thomas, Booker T. and The MG's, William Bell, The Mad Lads, Wilson Pickett, and The Mar-Keys. These shows were recorded and can be heard on "Funky Broadway: Stax Live At The 5/4 Ballroom" (SCD-8567-2). The 1965 "Watts Riot" started about this time. "We could see the smoke from the riot while we were flying out of LA." says Curtis.
The follow-up record to "Candy" was "In The Twilight Zone" (Curtis-lead) written by Isaac Hayes, David Porter, and Sidney Bailey b/w "Mystery Woman" written by Cropper & Hayes.
Later, Richard decided to leave the group to spend more time with his family, and Curtis' brother, Harold Johnson, joined the group. In 1967 the group recorded and released a song written by Booker T. Jones and William Bell, "Daddy Didn't Tell Me" b/w More Power To You" written by David Porter and Curtis. Eliehue and Sam were drafted into the military thereafter, and the group broke up.
In 1992, Fantasy Records, who took over the Stax catalogue, after Stax closed it's doors for good, released a Box Set of 9 CDs that included 5 Astors songs, and in 1995 reissued The Astors music on the CD " The Astors Meet the Newcomers: Sweet Soul from Memphis" that include 11 songs by the group. Many compilation CDs have been released over the past 8 years that also include songs the Astors recorded at Stax, some of them were never released before.
Too Much Going To Say Goodbye
The Astors Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I should be happy or sad.
Should I break down and cry,
Or should I smile and be glad?
I love you,
But we just can't get along.
Would leaving you be right?
Would staying be wrong? Heaven knows, it's hard to walk away yeah, yeah, yeah!!
And God knows, it ain't easy to stay!
When there's, (too little)
Too little in common,
(to be lovers)
To be lovers.
(too much)
And there's too much going, going
(to say goodbye)
Oh to say goodbye.
Physically we're together,
But mentally we're apart.
The fussing and fighting starts,
As soon as the love-making stops, say hey.
If you were me, tell me what would you do.
She's too difficult to understand,
And far too precious to lose!
Would you hang on in there,
And try, and try to make the best of it?
Or would you throw up both of your hands,
And just call it quit?
(too little, in common)
Too little, in common
(to be lovers)
To be lovers, (too much)
And there too much going, going
(to say good bye)
Oh to say goodbye, can't say bye
I can't say bye baby, no no.
(too much, in common)
(to be lovers)
To be lovers!
(too much)
And there too much going going,
(to say goodbye)
Oh to say goodbye, say goodbye.
Bye baby!!
I don't wanna say goodbye baby,
No no no no.
We got too much going, going
(to say goodbye)
I don't want you to cry.
How can you love me so good, so good,
And turn around and make me feel so bad, baby!
How can you make me so happy,
And turn right around and make me feel so sad!
So sad baby,
Oh oh oooh!!
I don't know what to do!
No no, no no.
I know I love you.
(Too little in common, to be lovers)
There's too much going, going,
I don' t wanna say good bye!
Sometimes, sometimes I wanna to leave!
Sometimes, sometimes I wanna stay baby!
Hey hey, hey hey!
I love you, I love you from the bottom of my heart!
We can't get along!
I don't understand it baby!
I don't understand it!
Oh I, I love you, I love you baby, I love you!
Oh I don't want to see us part now,
No no no no
Baby I need you,
You're part of my heart!
Too little in common,
To be lovers, well well.
And there's too much going going,
Oh to say goodbye, to say goodbye.
I don't know whether to stay, or leave you baby
The Astors' "Too Much Going To Say Goodbye" explores the complicated feelings of a couple who are struggling to maintain their relationship. The singer is torn between being happy or sad, between breaking down and crying or smiling and being glad. They love their partner, but the couple just can't seem to get along. The song masterfully captures the complex emotions involved in deciding whether to leave someone or stay with them.
The lyrics paint a picture of a relationship that is physically together but mentally apart. The couple fights and argues as soon as the love-making stops. The singer is trying to figure out whether to hold on and try to make the best of it or just end things altogether. The chorus repeatedly emphasizes how difficult it is to either leave or stay, as there is too little in common to be lovers, yet too much going on to say goodbye.
The song is a poignant reminder of how complicated relationships can be, and how difficult it is to make a decision between staying and walking away.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know whether,
Uncertainty about what to do in a difficult situation.
I should be happy or sad.
Confusion about feeling content or upset.
Should I break down and cry,
Questioning whether emotional expression is appropriate.
Or should I smile and be glad?
Wondering if putting on a positive front is better.
I love you,
Expressing affection for someone.
But we just can't get along.
Acknowledging that the relationship is struggling.
Would leaving you be right?
Considering if ending the relationship is the best choice.
Would staying be wrong?
Questioning if continuing the relationship is a mistake.
Heaven knows, it's hard to walk away yeah, yeah, yeah!!
Admitting how difficult it is to end things.
And God knows, it ain't easy to stay!
Realizing how challenging it is to keep trying.
When there's, (too little)
Pointing out a mismatch or inadequacy.
Too little in common,
Not having enough shared interests or values.
(to be lovers)
Unable to maintain a romantic relationship.
(too much)
Facing too many issues and problems.
And there's too much going, going
Being overwhelmed by events and situations.
(to say goodbye)
Difficult to end things, even if it may be necessary.
Physically we're together,
Being in the same physical location.
But mentally we're apart.
Feeling disconnected or distant emotionally.
The fussing and fighting starts,
Having arguments or disagreements.
As soon as the love-making stops, say hey.
Intimacy leading to conflict instead of closeness.
If you were me, tell me what would you do.
Seeking advice or input from others.
She's too difficult to understand,
Having trouble comprehending or relating to the other person.
And far too precious to lose!
Valuing the relationship despite the struggles.
Would you hang on in there,
Trying to persevere and overcome difficulties.
And try, and try to make the best of it?
Making an effort to keep working on it and improving things.
Or would you throw up both of your hands,
Giving up entirely on the relationship.
To be lovers,
Desiring to have a romantic relationship.
And there too much going, going,
Being unable to cope with everything that's happening.
(to say good bye)
Being unable to end things even if it's necessary.
Oh to say goodbye, can't say bye
Feeling conflicted and unable to make a clear decision.
I don't wanna say goodbye baby,
Resisting the idea of ending the relationship.
We got too much going, going
Feeling overwhelmed by all the issues and problems.
I don't want you to cry.
Not wanting to cause pain or sadness to the other person.
How can you love me so good, so good,
Acknowledging the positive aspects of the relationship.
And turn around and make me feel so bad, baby!
Feeling hurt or upset by the negative aspects of the relationship.
How can you make me so happy,
Experiencing moments of joy and satisfaction in the relationship.
And turn right around and make me feel so sad!
Feeling hurt, upset, or disappointed by a sudden change in the relationship.
Too little in common, to be lovers
Not having enough shared interests or values to have a romantic relationship.
And there too much going going,
Being unable to keep up with everything that's happening.
(to say goodbye)
Difficult to end things, even if it may be necessary.
Sometimes, sometimes I wanna to leave!
Feeling conflicted and uncertain about the relationship.
Sometimes, sometimes I wanna stay baby!
Feeling attached and wanting to continue in the relationship.
Hey hey, hey hey!
An exclamation to emphasize the emotional gravity of the situation.
I love you, I love you from the bottom of my heart!
Expressing deep affection for the other person.
We can't get along!
Acknowledging the difficulty in maintaining the relationship.
I don't understand it baby!
Feeling confused and unsure about the relationship.
Oh I, I love you, I love you baby, I love you!
Expressing intense feelings of love and affection.
Oh I don't want to see us part now,
Expressing reluctance to end the relationship.
Baby I need you,
Feeling that the other person is important and necessary.
You're part of my heart!
Feeling emotionally connected to the other person.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind