1.) The Channels form… Read Full Bio ↴Two bands have gone by the name The Channels.
1.) The Channels formed in 1955 around the singers Larry Hampden, Billy Morris, and Edward Doulphin; they started as a quintet with two additional part-time members, but soon after they permanently added Earl Michael Lewis and Clifton Wright, formerly of The Lotharios. Lewis was the group's main songwriter, writing (among others) their regional hit "The Closer You Are".
The Channels recorded for record labels Gone, Fury, Port, Hit, Enjoy, and Groove. The lineup changed several times over the course of the band's lifetime. They enjoyed significant regional success on the East Coast but never charted a major nationwide hit
2.) The Channels are an indie pop band from Cambridge Massachusetts. Their work is cheery and thoughtful with catchy, creative, relatable lyrics, inspired by early sixties pop songs and garage rock.
Bye Bye Baby
The Channels Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bye, bye, baby
Oh, I really love you so
Bye, bye, baby
No, I′ll never, never let you go
Bye, bye, baby
Oh, I really love you so (really love you so)
Bye, bye, baby
I hate to see you go
I guess you must leave me
'Cause I don′t love you anymore
I hope someday you'll need me
Then you'll come and give your heart back to me
You told me that you loved me
I believed your love was true
Now I see that you have used me
To do what you could do
I guess I′ll always love you
I′ll always be a fool for you
I gave you my house (bye, bye, baby)
I gave you my home (bye, bye, baby)
I gave you everything I ever owned (bye, bye, baby)
I gave you my heart (bye, bye, baby)
I gave you my hand (bye, bye, baby)
I even went as far as to give you my name
Now you say bye, bye, baby
I really love you so
I guess you must leave me
'Cause you don′t love me anymore
I hope someday you'll need me
Then you′ll come and give your heart back to me
Oh, bye, bye, baby
Oh, I really love you so
Bye, bye, baby
No, I'll never, never let you go
Bye, bye, baby
Oh, I really love you so (really love you so)
The lyrics to The Channels' "Bye Bye Baby" express a mix of heartbreak, betrayal, and the lingering hope of reconciliation. The song tells the story of a person who deeply loves their partner but realizes that the love is no longer reciprocated. The repetition of "bye bye" emphasizes the pain of saying goodbye and letting go.
The lyrics convey the singer's intense love for their partner, stating, "Oh, I really love you so." Despite this love, the partner has made the decision to leave, and the singer regrets the loss, saying, "I hate to see you go." The singer acknowledges that their partner no longer loves them and accepts their departure, but holds onto the hope that someday their partner may realize their mistake and return, suggesting, "Then you'll come and give your heart back to me."
In the second verse, the singer reflects on being deceived by their partner, who claimed to love them. The realization that they have been used adds to the pain, as they admit, "Now I see that you have used me to do what you could do." Despite the betrayal, the singer still proclaims their eternal love and acknowledges that they will always be a fool for their partner.
The chorus repeats the sentiments of the initial verse, emphasizing the love the singer feels, the pain of letting go, and the hope for reconciliation. The song is filled with raw emotion and showcases the complex feelings experienced in a relationship on the brink of ending.
Line by Line Meaning
Bye, bye, bye, bye
Saying goodbye multiple times, emphasizing the finality
Bye, bye, baby
Farewell, my love
Oh, I really love you so
Expressing deep love and affection
No, I'll never, never let you go
Promise to hold onto the relationship and not let it end
I hate to see you go
Feeling sad about the departure
I guess you must leave me
Assuming that the person has reasons to leave
'Cause I don't love you anymore
Admitting that the love has faded
I hope someday you'll need me
Wishing for a future where the person realizes their need for companionship
Then you'll come and give your heart back to me
Anticipating a reconciliation where they return their love
You told me that you loved me
Recalling the past declaration of love
I believed your love was true
Having faith in the authenticity of their love
Now I see that you have used me
Realizing that they were taken advantage of
To do what you could do
Exploited for the other person's benefit
I guess I'll always love you
Accepting that their love will persist
I'll always be a fool for you
Acknowledging their own vulnerability and tendency to be deceived
I gave you my house (bye, bye, baby)
Symbolically, gave their home and security to the person
I gave you my home (bye, bye, baby)
Gave their living space and sanctuary to the person
I gave you everything I ever owned (bye, bye, baby)
Sacrificed all their possessions and belongings
I gave you my heart (bye, bye, baby)
Gave their love and emotional attachment
I gave you my hand (bye, bye, baby)
Offered their support and partnership
I even went as far as to give you my name
Went to the extent of sharing their identity and reputation
Now you say bye, bye, baby
The other person initiating the goodbye
I guess you must leave me
Assuming the reason behind their departure
'Cause you don't love me anymore
Concluding that the love between them has vanished
I hope someday you'll need me
Desiring to be indispensable in the future
Then you'll come and give your heart back to me
Expecting a time when they will return their love
Oh, bye, bye, baby
Repeating the farewell
Writer(s): Morris Levy, Clarence L Lewis, Earl Lewis
Contributed by Callie E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@robertflynn9091
unbelievable. one of the most underated groups of all time.
@deanslist101
One of the absolute best songs to come out of that great era. It just simply doesn't get any better than this. No one could duplicate or improve on it. This is as good as it gets. No competition. I could play this song a hundred times in a row or a thousand and never get tired of it. These guys were the bomb! I love it!!!
@TheJOKEY-bk5gc
Nobody cares, shut up.
@mugabebakulu5817
Wow the saxophone was incredible 😊
@lakewoodil
Yes it was. Love the sax, especially with doo wop songs.
@248tomhunter
One of the 1st songs I heard back in the 50's Earl Lewis is the best!
@paulburek7530
Earl Lewis unmatched doo wop fast or slow...he is one for the ages...
@doowopbruce
The epitome of what "doo wop" is all about. Just beautiful.
@coffeeicecream1
This is really fabulous. I cannot believe the beginning of the song, it is superb.
Great voices and harmony. Thanks.
@venetianlucifer
Yes! One of the best song intros ever.