Rhythm guitarist Dick Scoppettone had played folk music with his high school friend Dick Yount as members of a group called the Couriers until early 1964, when the British invasion hit America. Finding themselves under the spell of the Beatles et al, they joined up with drummer Ted Templeman and Ed James on lead guitar to form the Tikis in the spring of 1964. The group's sound was a mix of Merseybeat and more homegrown music, Beatles songs interspersed with surf and car songs by the Beach Boys and others. They became popular in the Santa Cruz area and, seeing the success of their neighbors the Beau Brummels on Autumn Records, began pestering the label with demos. In May of 1965, the company got interested and signed the group. They debuted with a Beatles-like single called "If I've Been Dreaming," and followed it up with "Bye Bye Bye," neither of which charted. There were four more songs left behind in the Autumn vaults by the group before the label was sold to Warner Bros. Records in early 1966.
The Tikis were never able to get a record on the charts, or played heavily outside of their own city, but they lucked out when Warner Bros. purchased Autumn and their recording contract. This started a series of events that led to the end of the group under that name, however. Warner Bros. was a relatively new label with a minimal roster of the rock 'n roll acts, and was eager to exploit the groups that it inherited from Autumn. The group was placed in the hands of Lenny Waronker, a young staff producer, who discovered a new Simon & Garfunkel song entitled "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)," which he decided to record with the Tikis.
This recording, more elaborate than anything the group had ever attempted (and involving 18 musicians backing Templeman's and Scoppettone's singing), was such a departure--and a source of concern, that it would cost them their established audience in Santa Cruz--that the group insisted on using another name for the single's artist credit. As a result, it was released credited to Harpers Bizarre. The record rose to No. 13, and suddenly the Tikis--whose four-man line-up had expanded to five with the addition of former Beau Brummels drummer John Peterson, which allowed Templeman to move over to the guitar--were history. ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide
Bye Bye Bye
The Tikis Lyrics
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Don't act too foolishly
Before long I'll be gone
You'll understand
No matter what you do
Don't fall because I'm new
There's no doubt
You'll find out just how I am
Bye bye bye
You can't be wrong
Bye bye bye
You don't need me at all
Before long I'll be gone
And then you'll know
One day you'll know it's true
I'm not the one for you
Don't cry now
I know how you feel today
Try not to feel so bad
I know I made you sad
So don't cry
You'll see why I had to say
Bye bye bye
You can't be wrong
Bye bye bye
You don't need me at all
Before long I'll be gone
And then you'll know
Don't place your trust in me
Don't act too foolishly
Before long I'll be gone
You'll understand
Bye bye bye
You can't be wrong
Bye bye bye
You don't need me at all
The Tikis’ “Bye Bye Bye” is a cautionary song about not getting too attached to someone new. The lyrics suggest that the singer is aware that their time with the person they are singing to is limited, and they caution them not to trust them too much or fall for them because they won’t be around for long. The chorus repeats the phrase “bye bye bye,” perhaps to drive home the message that this relationship is temporary and must come to an end. The singer acknowledges that their departure will be painful for the other person, but ultimately, they insist that it’s for the best.
The song employs a straightforward structure and melody that complement the lyrics. The verses are sung in a higher register, giving the impression of a warning or a plea, while the chorus is catchy and upbeat, almost like a jingle. The lyrics themselves are straightforward and easy to understand, making the song accessible to a wide audience.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't place your trust in me
I'm not trustworthy, don't count on me.
Don't act too foolishly
Don't do anything irrational on my account.
Before long I'll be gone
I won't be around for very much longer.
You'll understand
You'll see things clearly in time.
No matter what you do
Your actions won't change anything between us.
Don't fall because I'm new
Don't get too attached just because I'm a new presence in your life.
There's no doubt
This is definitely going to happen.
You'll find out just how I am
Soon, you'll learn the truth about me.
Bye bye bye
I'm leaving and saying goodbye.
You can't be wrong
You're correct in knowing that I'm not right for you.
You don't need me at all
You're better off without me.
One day you'll know it's true
Eventually, it will become clear that we're not a good match.
I'm not the one for you
I'm not the person you should be with.
Don't cry now
Don't be upset at this moment.
I know how you feel today
I understand that you're feeling emotional at the moment.
Try not to feel so bad
Do your best to not feel too upset.
I know I made you sad
I realize that I caused you pain.
So don't cry
Don't be upset by my departure.
You'll see why I had to say
You'll understand why this was the necessary choice.
Before long I'll be gone
I won't be around for very much longer.
And then you'll know
You'll understand more fully after I leave.
Contributed by Nicholas I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.