Don't Say Goodnight
The Isley Brothers Lyrics


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I want to love you, yeah, yeah
Over and over again
I want to see, see what your life, life can be
(Over and over)
Hey, hey, baby
Don't say goodnight when you know
It's time for love
Hey, hey, hey, hey
Don't say goodnight, oh, when you know
I gotta have your love

I want to feel you
I want to thrill you, girl
I want to caress you
Ooh, never let you go
Hey, hey, hey, hey, baby
(Don't say goodnight) Don't say goodnight, oh, when you know
I gotta have your love
And oh, baby
(Don't say goodnight) Don't say goodnight when you know
I gotta have your love

Some people say
That life is for the livin'
So let's live it, baby
Yeah
Most of the people say
That love is for the givin'
So let me love you, girl
Yeah
Hey, hey, hey, hey
(Don't say goodnight) Don't say goodnight, oh, when you know
It's time for love

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, baby
(Don't say goodnight) Don't say goodnight when you know
I gotta have your love
Some people say
That life is for the livin'
So let's live it, baby
Yeah
Most of the people say
That love is for the givin'
So let me love you, girl
Yeah

And hey baby
(Don't say goodnight) Don't say goodnight, oh, when you know
I gotta have your love
And hey baby
(Don't say goodnight) Don't you ever say goodnight, oh, when you know
I gotta have your love
And ooh-wee, baby
(Don't say goodnight) Don't ever, ever say, ever say
Don't ever, ever say




Ever, ever, ever say
Don't say goodnight

Overall Meaning

The Isley Brothers' song, "Don't Say Goodnight," is a soulful love ballad that expresses the desire for an everlasting love. The song introduces us to the singer's wish to love their partner repeatedly and experience all that life has to offer with them. The lyrics detail the singer's wish to hold on tight to their partner and never let them go. The chorus repeats the phrase "don't say goodnight" as the singer expresses their need for the love and affection of their partner.


The line "some people say that life is for the living, so let's live it, baby" suggests not taking life for granted and living it to the fullest. The song stresses that love is meant to be given and received and its importance in sustaining a relationship. The repeated phrase "don't say goodnight" embellishes the fact that there's much more to this love story that the singer wants to explore besides just sleeping.


The song's lyrics encourage being present in the current moment and seizing the time together, which resonates with many listeners. It is interpreted to be a promise of love and commitment, with a touch of vulnerability. The Isley Brothers' "Don't Say Goodnight" beautifully captures the emotions of trying to hold onto a love that feels too good to lose.


Line by Line Meaning

I want to love you, yeah, yeah
I want to express my affection towards you repeatedly.


Over and over again
Continuously and repeatedly.


I want to see, see what your life, life can be
I want to explore and discover the potential of your life.


(Over and over)
Continuously and repeatedly.


Hey, hey, baby
A term of affection towards the addressed person.


Don't say goodnight when you know
Do not bid farewell for the night because you are aware of what should come next.


It's time for love
It is the appropriate time to show love and affection.


I gotta have your love
I require and desire your affection and love.


I want to feel you
I want to experience and sense your presence and touch.


I want to thrill you, girl
I want to excite and stimulate you.


I want to caress you
I want to embrace and fondle you with love and care.


Ooh, never let you go
I want to hold onto and keep you forever.


(Don't say goodnight) Don't say goodnight, oh, when you know
Do not bid farewell for the night because you are aware of what should come next.


Some people say
There are individuals who believe or express the following sentiment.


That life is for the livin'
Life should be enjoyed to the fullest while alive.


So let's live it, baby
Therefore, we should make the most of our time together and enjoy life.


Most of the people say
There are a majority of individuals who believe or express the following sentiment.


That love is for the givin'
Love should be given freely and without reservation.


So let me love you, girl
Therefore, allow me to love and care for you as I should.


Don't you ever say goodnight, oh, when you know
Do not bid farewell for the night because you are aware of what should come next.


And ooh-wee, baby
A term of affection towards the addressed person.


Don't ever, ever say, ever say
Do not at any point express the sentiment of bidding farewell.


Don't ever, ever say
Do not at any point express the sentiment of bidding farewell.


Ever, ever, ever say
At no point whatsoever should the sentiment of bidding farewell be expressed.


Don't say goodnight
Do not bid farewell for the night because you are aware of what should come next.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Christopher Jasper, Christopher H Jasper, Ernie Isley, Marvin Isley, O'kelly Isley, Ronald Isley, Rudolph Isley

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@LU-qu4gu

I wanna love you, yeah, yeah
Over and over again
I wanna see, see what your life, life can be
(Over and over)

[Chorus]
Hey, hey, baby
Don't say goodnight when you know
It's time for love
Hey, hey, hey, hey
Don't say goodnight, oh, when you know
I gotta have your love

[Verse 2]
I wanna feel you
I wanna thrill you, girl
I want to caress you
Ooh, never let you go

[Chorus]
Hey, hey, hey, hey, baby
Don't say goodnight (Don't say goodnight), oh, when you know
I gotta have your love
And oh, baby
Don't say goodnight (Don't say goodnight) when you know
I gotta have your love


[Bridge]
Some people say
That life is for the livin'
So let's live it, baby, yeah
Most of the people say
That love is for the givin'
So let me love you, girl, yeah

[Chorus]
Hey, hey, hey, hey
Don't say goodnight (Don't say goodnight), oh, when you know
It's time for love
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, baby
Don't say goodnight (Don't say goodnight) when you know
I gotta have your love

[Bridge]
Some people say
That life is for the livin'
So let's live it, baby, yeah
Most of the people say
That love is for the givin'
So let me love you, girl, yeah

[Chorus]
And hey baby
Don't say goodnight (Don't say goodnight), oh, when you know
I gotta have your love
And hey baby
Don't say goodnight (Don't you ever say goodnight), oh, when you know
I gotta have your love

[Outro]
And ooh-wee, baby
Don't say goodnight
Don't ever, ever say, ever say
Don't ever, ever say
Ever, ever, ever say
Don't say goodnight
Don't say goodnight



All comments from YouTube:

@user-xe5cg7vy9f

The Isley Brothers are such a great group...They've made some the best love ballads of all time

@gypsydancer6477

I used to listen to this song on WBLS. I would lie in bed thinking of my boyfriend. 40 years later, I listen to this song on youtube, lying in bed, and turn over to watch him sleeping. ❤ I still love this song.

@Pygoman12

Jasmin, that's awesome. God bless!

@logicsfinest3471

Jasmin Torres Yvonne Mobley, Sunday Nights after Frankie Crocker on WBLS. This song was her mainstay 👍

@acoop30125able

Beautiful

@scroogebeats

Lying Is Not Good !

@RaymoZenitram

Ha gay!

14 More Replies...

@georgeedwards9374

How come they don't make songs like these anymore!!. Music like this just send you higher heights and loving deeper depths. 🎺🎷🎷🎻🎸🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🤗😚😙🤗

@wandahorton9549

This song is beautiful ❤

@jamescosey2346

It's artists who make love songs like this, that inspires people not to give up on love and also inspires couples to never give up on each other. Great song, by a great group of men...

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