Fitzsimmons was raised in the outskirts of the steel city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the youngest child of two blind parents. Due to the family's inability to communicate through normal visual means, Fitzsimmons' childhood home was filled with a myriad of sounds to replace what eyes could not see. The house was suffused with pianos, guitars, trombones, talking birds, classical records, family sing-a-longs, bedtime stories, and the bellowing of a pipe organ, which his father built into the house with his own hands.
When his father's orchestral records were not resonating through the walls, his mother would educate him on the folk stylings of James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, and Simon & Garfunkel. By the completion of his youth and schooling, Fitzsimmons had become well-versed at a variety of instruments, at the minor expense of social standing, interactional skills, and a knowledge of proper shaving technique.
Fitzsimmons' path into music was likewise unusual, forsaking the hobby for many years to work with the mentally ill and pursue an education in the field of mental health. It was during his last semester of graduate school that William pooled money from past birthdays, holidays, and snow shoveling outings, and bought cheap home recording equipment to begin creating songs again (the first collection of which eventually became his debut album).
After finally achieving his goal of becoming a practicing therapist, William left, and returned again to his love of crafting and playing songs. He felt that is where he most belonged. Somewhere between a singing therapist, and a counselor who writes songs, is where Fitzsimmons endeavors to be. Using songs to address matters that he believes need to be addressed.
William draws from those early folks stylings of his mother's music, and the embellished instrumentation of his father's. He is often compared to contemporaries Sufjan Stevens, Iron & Wine, and the late Elliott Smith, not only for his unique style and skill in writing and proclivity to deal with substantive and evocative subject matter, but also for his use of organic and colorful melodies and arrangements.
His first two records were completely self-produced, Until When We Are Ghosts and Goodnight. Fitzsimmons' friend Ingrid Michaelson joined him with vocals on Goodnight.
The Sparrow And The Crow, was his first studio recorded work, released in September 2008. The album debuted extremely well at #56 on the iTunes Top Albums Chart, and #1 on the iTunes Folk Chart.
While his lyricism deals often with darker undertones (The Sparrow and The Crow album was written following his divorce), a measure of hopefulness is always carefully blended in.
William candidly expresses the process of making The Sparrow And The Crow as follows: “I wrote it first and foremost as a confession and apology to my former wife. It was a way to say things that I needed her to hear that I didn't know how else to say. Second, as a way to exercise the pain from what I'd easily call the worst year of my life. And third, as a way to let others in pain have a way to express and deal with their trouble, and perhaps find some hope at the end of it. It's not a divorce record, or even a “break up" record in the traditional sense, although certainly it contains elements of both. Instead, it's a record about messing up everything, and trying to find a way back home." - AllAboutJazz.com 9/2008His latest album, Derivatives, a novel remix of The Sparrow and The Crow, was released in May 2010 through Mercer Street Records to strong reviews. Pink Ganter's remix of the song So This Is Goodbye is a critic favorite. Also of note, Fitzsimmons covers Kate Perry's I Kissed A Girl, called "a brave move, but a move that completely pays off." by TheFourOhFive.com's Leah Henson. More from Henson's review:
Before a second of music is played, Derivatives is already a fascinating album. The very idea of the delicate, heartfelt and evocative melodies of the previous album from William Fitzsimmons, The Sparrow and the Crow, being re-imagined and remixed to give them a positive spin is an idea that could possibly have terrible repercussions. Fortunately, the remixes are tastefully done and don’t squeeze every bit of essence from the original songs. Instead of unrecognisable songs being created, as so often is the way with remixes, Derivatives is an assembly of songs developed beautifully, creating a continuation from the songs on The Sparrow and the Crow. Electro blips, synths and heavy basslines now accompany Fitzsimmons’ mournful voice, adding to the songs rather than removing key elements from them. ... The intriguing thing about this album is the fact that the songs can be enjoyed on various levels. For a William Fitzsimmons fan who has listened to The Sparrow and the Crow and knows every little nuance of each song, Derivatives is a continuation, welcomed with open arms. - TheFourOhFive.com 5/2010With his expanding tenure as a songwriter, William has received mentions in noted publications such as Billboard, Paste Magazine, Pitchfork, Performing Songwriter Magazine, AllAboutJazz.com, among others. Fitzsimmons' music has been featured on several television programs such as Grey's Anatomy and Army Wives.
Fitzsimmons' music is available on iTunes and from his web store and myspace page.
So This Is Goodbye
William Fitzsimmons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
will be gone and I won't see you anymore
You left my love on the line
And said that you were leaving
And you won't come home again
And you won't come home again
And I'll miss you like you're dead
Cause I saw you
In the arms of someone else
So your phantom follows me
Like a child would his mother
Or a lover who never said goodbye
It's only saying goodbye
And I cry myself to sleep
And you thought I was happy
I was lonely
Had nowhere to go
And I heard that you moved on
Found a brand new family
And changed your married name
And everything has changed
And I'll miss you like you're dead
And find a way to grieve you
Cause I need to
Try and start again
And your ghost will have to leave
Like a child would his mother
Or a lover
Who has to say goodbye
So this is goodbye
So this is goodbye
So this is goodbye
Goodbye
So this is goodbye
So this is goodbye
So this is goodbye
So this is goodgoodgood
The lyrics of William Fitzsimmons's "So This Is Goodbye" paint a picture of heartbreak, loss, and moving on. The song starts with the singer processing the sudden departure of a loved one who has left without explanation. The person's departure creates a void, and the singer struggles to come to terms with the fact that they will never see their loved one again. The finality of the situation is emphasized when the singer says, "And you won't come home again."
The second verse of the song reveals that the loved one has moved on and started a new life. The singer experiences a sense of rejection when they realize that their loved one has found happiness without them. The pain of this realization causes the singer to cry themselves to sleep, highlighting the sense of loneliness and despair they feel.
However, the song concludes on a note of resolution, as the singer begins to heal from their heartbreak. The loved one becomes a phantom that follows them like a child would their mother or a lover who never said goodbye. The singer recognizes that they need to grieve and find a way to start again. The repeated refrain of "So this is goodbye" emphasizes the finality of the situation and suggests that the singer is ready to move on.
Overall, "So This Is Goodbye" is a poignant reflection on the pain of letting go of someone you once loved deeply. The song captures the sense of heartbreak, rejection, and eventually, resolution that comes with the end of a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Within half an hour you
will be gone and I won't see you anymore
The singer is acknowledging that their loved one is leaving very soon and expressing their sadness because they won't be able to see them again.
You left my love on the line
And said that you were leaving
And you won't come home again
And you won't come home again
The singer's loved one has broken up with them, expressed their decision to leave and won't come back home again. The singer is feeling lost and heartbroken.
And I'll miss you like you're dead
But I never got to grieve you
Cause I saw you
In the arms of someone else
The singer is expressing their sadness that they won't be able to see their loved one again and compares it to grieving a death. The singer's loved one is seen with someone else, adding to their heartbreak and confusion.
So your phantom follows me
Like a child would his mother
Or a lover who never said goodbye
It's only saying goodbye
The artist's loved one is gone, but their memory still haunts the artist like a phantom. The artist compares their attachment to their loved one to that of a young child for their mother or a lover who didn't have the chance to say goodbye before parting. The separation isn't goodbye, but a pause in their relationship.
And I cry myself to sleep
And you thought I was happy
I was lonely
Had nowhere to go
The artist is expressing their loneliness and sorrow after their loved one left. The person who left thought the artist was happy, but they were hiding their pain and had nowhere to turn to.
And I heard that you moved on
Found a brand new family
And changed your married name
And everything has changed
The singer discovers that their loved one has moved on and started a new family with someone else. The singer feels like they've been left behind as everything in their life has changed.
And I'll miss you like you're dead
And find a way to grieve you
Cause I need to
Try and start again
The singer acknowledges that their loved one is gone and they have to find a way to grieve them. The singer recognizes that they need to move on and try to start over again.
And your ghost will have to leave
Like a child would his mother
Or a lover
Who has to say goodbye
So this is goodbye
So this is goodbye
So this is goodbye
Goodbye
So this is goodbye
So this is goodbye
So this is goodbye
So this is goodgoodgood
The artist acknowledges that their loved one's memory will have to fade away from their mind, like the way a child leaves their mother. The separation isn't a true goodbye, but a pause to their relationship. The artist is experiencing a lot of emotions and repeats goodbye multiple times to solidify their feelings.
Contributed by Declan E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Inherful
Within half an hour you
will be gone and I won't see you anymore
You left my love on the line
And said that you were leaving
And you won't come home again
And you won't come home again
And I'll miss you like you're dead
But I never got to grieve you
Cause I saw you
In the arms of someone else
So your phantom follows me
Like a child would his mother
Or a lover who never said goodbye
It's only saying goodbye
And I cry myself to sleep
And you thought I was happy
I was lonely
Had nowhere to go
And I heard that you moved on
Found a brand new family
And changed your married name
And everything has changed
And I'll miss you like you're dead
And find a way to grieve you
Cause I need to
Try and start again
And your ghost will have to leave
Like a child would his mother
Or a lover
Who has to say goodbye
So this is goodbye
So this is goodbye
So this is goodbye
Goodbye
So this is goodbye
So this is goodbye
So this is goodbye
So this is goodgoodgood
@NicoleRaquel91
I lost your music in life's story, I use to listen to you when I was 19 years old and now listening to you again as a 32 year old. I feel your music in my heart , my mind. I can't explain it but I am happy to have found you again as I find myself in this different stage of life. Happy to see you have a beautiful family as well.
@kjasmin257
This Song Is So Ahead Of It’s Time. Masterpiece I never get tired of it.
@acousticat3647
Agree with you wholeheartedly. I always come back and enjoy it just as much as back then.
@ginarae1764
Amazing
@geneperez1359
No real words to express how this song makes me feel. I heard this song recently on Pandora, and it just stuck. It reminds me of a happier time. When the world seemed both infinite and attainable at the same time. I met you on February 12, 1992. And I loved you immediately. Foolishly. It took a whole Summer before you and I became a couple. And our 2 year relationship seemed neverending. Then I moved. But we swore we'd make it last. In less than 6 months, I found out you were with another who would later marry you and make you his wife. It's been over 20 yrs since then. We both went in different directions, but I still remember you on your birthday, and of course, the day we met. I hope you and your family are doing well.
@colla0sha0sha
I will never get tired of this song. Ever.
@kevinramon2680
How about now? Just wondering...
@MonteCarloHeroo
play it again <3
@CeciliaCessseeezyCornejo
This song makes me cry .. "And I'll miss you like you're dead and find a way to grieve you 'cause I need to try and start again..." Hits home completely ..
@CeciliaCessseeezyCornejo
smallp0x thank you , I appreciate it . I'm getting better little by little I'll be okk in the end :) gotta stay positive . But I do love this song .