McCartney later said that the lyrics take duality as their theme. The song originated when, in response to a question from Beatles aide Alistair Taylor about songwriting, McCartney sat down at a harmonium and asked Taylor to say the opposite of whatever he said. The completed song includes a musical coda, which was improvised by the Beatles when they were recording the track in October 1967. Unimpressed with the composition, Lennon pushed for "I Am the Walrus" to be the single's A-side, before reluctantly accepting that "Hello, Goodbye" was the more commercial-sounding of the two sides. The Beatles produced three promotional films for the song, one of which was shown on The Ed Sullivan Show in America. Due to the regulations against lip-syncing on British television, none of the clips were aired there.
"Hello, Goodbye" has traditionally received a varied response from music critics. While some reviewers praise the song for its classic pop qualities, others deem it unadventurous by the Beatles' standards, and inconsequential. The track was included on the expanded US release of the Magical Mystery Tour soundtrack EP, and later appeared on compilation albums such as 1967–1970 and 1. McCartney has often performed "Hello, Goodbye" in concert, beginning with his Driving World Tour in 2002. James Last, Bud Shank, Allen Toussaint, the Cure and the cast of Glee are among the acts who have also recorded the song.
Hello Goodbye
The Beatles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You say, "Stop" but I say, "Go, go, go"
Oh no
You say, "Goodbye", and I say, "Hello, hello, hello"
I don't know why you say, "Goodbye", I say, "Hello, hello, hello"
I don't know why you say, "Goodbye", I say, "Hello"
I say, "High", you say, "Low"
Oh no
You say, "Goodbye", and I say, "Hello, hello, hello" (hello, goodbye, hello, goodbye)
I don't know why you say, "Goodbye" (hello, goodbye)
I say, "Hello, hello, hello" (Hello, goodbye, hello, goodbye, hello, goodbye)
I don't know why you say, "Goodbye", I say, "Hello" (hello, goodbye)
Why, why, why, why, why, why, do you say, "Goodbye, goodbye, bye, bye"
Oh no
You say, "Goodbye", and I say, "Hello, hello, hello"
I don't know why you say, "Goodbye", I say, "Hello, hello, hello"
I don't know why you say, "Goodbye", I say, "Hello"
You say, "Yes", I say, "No" (I say, "Yes", but I may mean, "No")
You say, "Stop", I say, "Go, go, go", (I can stay still it's time to go)
Oh, oh no
You say, "Goodbye", and I say, "Hello, hello, hello"
I don't know why you say, "Goodbye", I say, "Hello, hello, hello"
I don't know why you say, "Goodbye", I say, "Hello, hello, hello"
I don't know why you say, "Goodbye", I say, "Hello-wow, oh hello"
Hela, heba, helloa hela, heba, helloa hela, heba, helloa
Hela, heba, helloa (hela) hela, heba, helloa hela, heba, helloa
Hela, heba, helloa
Hela, heba, helloa
Hela, heba
The song "Hello Goodbye" by The Beatles is a classic example of their unique style of music that combines simple yet catchy melodies with thought-provoking lyrics. The song is essentially about the conflicts and misunderstandings that arise between two people who are trying to communicate with each other. The lyrics are filled with opposites such as "yes" and "no", "stop" and "go", "high" and "low" and they convey the idea that one person saying one thing can be perceived in completely different ways by another person.
At first, it seems like a conversation between two people who are trying to make sense of each other's words. However, as the song progresses, it becomes clear that the conflicts between the two voices are not just misunderstandings but also a reflection of their personalities. One person is more impulsive and ready to take risks while the other is more cautious and measured. Despite their differences, both voices are saying hello and goodbye at the same time, suggesting a sense of confusion and detachment.
The repetitive nature of the lyrics also adds to the theme of communication breakdown, as if the two voices are locked in an endless loop of misunderstanding. The chorus, which consists of the words "hello, goodbye" repeated over and over again, is a symbol of how communication can be as simple as saying hello or goodbye, but also as complicated as the emotions and conflicts that lie beneath them.
Line by Line Meaning
You say, "Yes", I say, "No"
You and I have opposite opinions
You say, "Stop" but I say, "Go, go, go"
You are asking to stop, but I want to keep going
Oh no
Expressing concern or fear of the situation
You say, "Goodbye", and I say, "Hello, hello, hello"
You are leaving, but I am greeting you enthusiastically
I don't know why you say, "Goodbye", I say, "Hello, hello, hello"
I don't understand why you are leaving, but I am excited to see you again
I say, "High", you say, "Low"
We have different preferences or ideas
You say, "Why?" And I say, "I don't know"
You want an explanation, but I don't have one
Why, why, why, why, why, why, do you say, "Goodbye, goodbye, bye, bye"
Asking repeatedly why you are leaving
You say, "Yes", I say, "No" (I say, "Yes", but I may mean, "No")
I may say yes but disagree with you, or I may not understand what you are asking
You say, "Stop", I say, "Go, go, go", (I can stay still it's time to go)
I am eager to move or do something, even though you may be asking me to stop
Oh, oh no
Continuing to express concern or fear
Hela, heba, helloa hela, heba, helloa hela, heba, helloa
Nonsense syllables, possibly meant to emphasize the confusion or misunderstandings between the two speakers
Hela, heba, helloa (hela) hela, heba, helloa hela, heba, helloa
Continuation of nonsense syllables
Hela, heba, helloa
More nonsense syllables
Hela, heba, helloa
Continuation of nonsense syllables
Hela, heba
Final nonsense syllables
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Philip Kassabian
on Mother Nature's Son
A really great Beatles song.
Philip Kassabian
on The Night Before
A really splendid Beatles song.
Philip Kassabian
on P.S. I Love You
Now this is a really great Beatles song.
Philip Kassabian
on There's a Place
A seriously underrated Beatles song.
Philip Kassabian
on Do You Want to Know a Secret
A fantastic song by The Beatles.
Philip Kassabian
on When I'm Sixty-Four
A very tuneful Beatles song.
Philip Kassabian
on Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds
An excellent Beatles song.
Philip Kassabian
on I'm Looking Through You
A beautiful Beatles song.
Philip Kassabian
on Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
Honestly The Beatles can't stop producing good songs.
Philip Kassabian
on Michelle
A fantastic Beatles song and absolutely beautiful.