Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight
The Spaniels Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Goodnight, sweetheart
Well, it's time to go
Goodnight, sweetheart
Well, it's time to go
I hate to leave you, but I really must say
Oh, goodnight, sweetheart, goodnight

Goodnight, sweetheart
Well, it's time to go
Goodnight, sweetheart
Well, it's time to go
I hate to leave you, but I really must say
Oh, goodnight, sweetheart, goodnight

Well it's three o'clock in the mornin'
Baby, I just can't do right
Well, I hate to leave you, baby
I don't mean maybe
Because I love you so

Goodnight, sweetheart
Well, it's time to go
Goodnight, sweetheart
Well, it's time to go
I hate to leave you, I really must say
Oh, goodnight, sweetheart, goodnight

Mother, and, oh, your father
Won't like it if I stay too long
Well, a kissing darling and I'll be going
You know I hate to go

Goodnight, sweetheart
Well, it's time to go
Goodnight, sweetheart
Well, it's time to go




I hate to leave you, I really must say
Oh, goodnight, sweetheart, goodnight

Overall Meaning

The Spaniels' song Goodnight Sweetheart, Goodnight is a classic doo-wop song that describes the farewell between a young couple at three o'clock in the morning. The repeated chorus of "Goodnight, sweetheart, well it's time to go/I hate to leave you but I really must say/Oh, goodnight, sweetheart, goodnight" emphasizes the feelings of longing and regret that both the singer and his lover feel as they part ways. The first verse and chorus establish the tone and mood of the song, with the second verse giving us a sense of why the singer must leave - he can't do right at three o'clock in the morning. The song's third verse adds a melancholic twist by mentioning the parents who won't like it if he stays too long. The song ends with the final chorus, where both the singer and his lover bid each other farewell, but not before professing their love for each other.


The song is an example of doo-wop, a style of rhythm and blues/Fifties rock and roll vocal music that was popular in the 1950s and early 1960s. It is characterized by its use of tight harmonies, nonsense syllables, and repetitive chord progressions. Goodnight Sweetheart, Goodnight was one of the early doo-wop hits that helped establish the genre. The song was released in 1954 and became a top ten hit on both the R&B and pop charts. It has since become a timeless classic, covered by many different artists and used in various movies, TV shows, commercials, and other media.


Line by Line Meaning

Goodnight, sweetheart
Saying goodbye to the person he loves


Well, it's time to go
It's getting late and he needs to leave


Goodnight, sweetheart
Repeating his farewell to emphasize his departure


Well, it's time to go
Reemphasizing his need to leave


I hate to leave you, but I really must say
Admitting his reluctance to say goodbye


Oh, goodnight, sweetheart, goodnight
Final farewell to his beloved


Well it's three o'clock in the mornin'
Indicating late hour of the night


Baby, I just can't do right
Expressing his inability to stay longer


Well, I hate to leave you, baby
Reiterating his reluctance to leave


I don't mean maybe
Asserting his sincerity


Because I love you so
Reason for his reluctance to leave


Mother, and, oh, your father
Referring to parental disapproval of his presence


Won't like it if I stay too long
Acknowledging their expectations and concerns


Well, a kissing darling and I'll be going
Hinting at a romantic farewell


You know I hate to go
Affirming his reluctance to leave


Goodnight, sweetheart
Final goodbye to the person he loves


Well, it's time to go
Reiteration of his need to leave


Goodnight, sweetheart
Final farewell to emphasize his departure


Well, it's time to go
Final reiteration of his need to leave


I hate to leave you, I really must say
Final admission of his reluctance to say goodbye


Oh, goodnight, sweetheart, goodnight
Final farewell to his beloved




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Calvin Carter, Thornton James Hudson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

Marlene Hurley

This brings back so many great memories!!! Played as the last dance of the evening too!!!! Everyone headed for the dance floor when they heard it!! 🥰🥰♥️👌

Katherine Gates

🥰 Yes so true...We all had a race to the floor.😘 The happy memories will stay in our hearts Forever....💞

Robert Degrandis

@Katherine Gates Yes they will, for ever.

Donna L. Palmer

Oh Marlene I remember those great memories the last dance always.

Elle Dubbew

I played this on Facebook. Lol

Honey_bee

Doesn't bring me good memories

Seven

Memories of when my mum sung me this to sleep just came flooding back 🥺

William Spencer

If I was a DJ I would use this as my sign off piece

Guy Karafa

Just a college radio show , but always used this to end my show at midnight! Classic

Idiot- 983

Always end with a slow dance. I won't say why. LOL

More Comments

More Versions