The Manhattans – Kiss and Say Goodbye

Introduction

“Kiss and Say Goodbye” is a 1976 song by the American R&B vocal group The Manhattans, written by group member Winfred Lovett. Lovett, the bass singer and songwriter, provided the spoken introduction heard in both the full-length LP version and the commercial single.

The song was recorded for the 1976 album “The Manhattans,” released by Columbia Records. In March of the same year, it was released as a single and became a worldwide success. “Kiss and Say Goodbye” achieved Top 10 status in numerous countries, reaching No. 1 in the US, Belgium, Netherlands, New Zealand, and on the European Hot 100 Singles chart. The song topped both Pop and R&B singles charts in the US, making it one of the biggest hits of 1976 and the 1970s.

Winfred “Blue” Lovett initially considered the song more suitable for country singers like Glen Campbell or Charley Pride but decided to record it with The Manhattans. The song’s lyrics and melody came to Lovett late one night, capturing a love triangle situation. The original demo was recorded with The Manhattans’ backing band, “Little Harlem,” but producer/arranger Bobby Martin chose to re-record it with backing by MFSB at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia in early 1975. Despite Lovett’s perfectionism and concerns about certain elements, the song resonated with listeners and became a timeless classic.

Video

Lyrics

This has got to be the saddest day of my life
I called you here today for a bit of bad news
I won’t be able to see you anymore
Because of my obligations, and the ties that you have
We’ve been meeting here everyday
And since this is our last day together
I wanna hold you just one more time
When you turn and walk away, don’t look back
I wanna remember you just like this
Let’s just kiss and say goodbye

I had to meet you here today
There’s just so many things to say
Please don’t stop me ’till I’m through
This is something I hate to do
We’ve been meeting here so long
I guess what we done, oh was wrong
Please darling, don’t you cry
Let’s just kiss and say goodbye

Many months have passed us by
(I’m gonna miss you)
I’m gonna miss you, I can’t lie
(I’m gonna miss you)
I’ve got ties, and so do you
I just think this is the thing to do
It’s gonna hurt me, I can’t lie
Maybe you’ll meet, you’ll meet another guy
Understand me, won’t you try, try, try, try, try, try, try
Let’s just kiss and say goodbye

(I’m gonna miss you)
I’m gonna miss you, I can’t lie
(I’m gonna miss you)
Understand me, won’t you try
(I’m gonna miss you)
It’s gonna hurt me, I can’t lie
(I’m gonna miss you)
Take my handkerchief, wipe your eyes
(I’m gonna miss you)
Maybe you’ll find, you’ll find another guy
(I’m gonna miss you)
Let’s kiss and say goodbye, pretty baby
(I’m gonna miss you)
Please, don’t you cry
(I’m gonna miss you)
Understand me, won’t you try
(I’m gonna miss you)
Let’s just kiss
And say goodbye