"Never Can Say Goodbye" is a song by American pop band The Jackson 5 released as the third track from the Maybe Tomorrow album. It was released as a single on March 16, 1971, serving as the lead single from the album.
Background[]
"Never Can Say Goodbye" was written by Clifton Davis and was originally meant for The Supremes; however, Motown decided it'd suit more for The Jackson 5 instead.
"Never Can Say Goodbye" was produced by Hal Davis and recorded in June 1970 at Hitsville West.
Live performances[]
"Never Can Say Goodbye" was first performed at The Jackson 5 First National Tour, going on to be performed at almost every world tour by the band, and every world tour by Michael Jackson. The track was integrated into the "Jackson 5 Medley" during the fifth world tour.
Lyrics[]
[Intro]
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
[Chorus]
Never can say goodbye (Never can say goodbye, girl)
No, no, no, no, I
Never can say goodbye (Never can say goodbye, girl)
[Verse 1]
Even though the pain and heartache
Seems to follow me wherever I go
Though I try and try to hide my feelings
They always seem to show
Then you try to say you're leaving me
And I always have to say no
Tell me why (Tell me why)
Is it so (Is it so)
[Chorus]
That I never can say goodbye (Never can say goodbye, girl)
No, no, no, no, I
Never can say goodbye (Never can say goodbye, girl)
[Verse 2]
Every time I think I've had enough
I start heading for the door
There's a very strange vibration
Piercin' me right to the core
It says, "Turn around, you fool
You know you love her more and more"
Tell me why (Tell me why)
Is it so (Is it so)
Don't wanna let you go
[Chorus]
I never can say goodbye, girl (Never can say goodbye, girl)
Ooh, ooh, baby (Don't wanna let you go, girl)
I never can say goodbye
No-no-no, no-no-no (No-no-no)
Ooh, oh
I never can say goodbye, girl (Never can say goodbye, girl)
Ooh-ooh (Don't wanna let you go, girl)
I never can say goodbye
No-no-no, no-no-no (No-no-no)
Ooh
Never can say goodbye (Never can say goodbye, girl)
No, no, no, no, I
Never can say goodbye (Never can say goodbye, girl)
[Verse 3]
I keep thinkin' that our problems
Soon are all gonna work out
But there's that same unhappy feeling
And there's that anguish, there's that doubt
It's the same old dizzy hang up
Can't do with you or without
Tell me why (Tell me why)
Is it so (Is it so)
Don't wanna let you go
[Chorus]
I never can say goodbye, girl (Never can say goodbye, girl)
Ooh-ooh, baby (Baby)
I never can say goodbye
No-no-no, no-no-no (No-no-no)
Ooh, oh
I never can say goodbye, girl (Never can say goodbye, girl)
Ooh, oh (Hey, baby)
I never can say goodbye
No-no-no, no-no-no (No-no-no)
Ooh, ow, girl
I never can say goodbye, girl (Never can say goodbye, girl)
Ooh-ooh, baby (Hey, baby)
I never can say goodbye
No-no-no, no-no-no (No-no-no)
Ooh-ooh
I never can say goodbye, girl (Never can say goodbye, girl)
Ooh, now, ha (Hey, baby)
Trivia[]
- Rumors started spreading that an adult solo version by Michael was planned to be featured on the scrapped compilation album, Decade. Brad Sundberg, however, debunked these rumors, since Michael decided to pass on the idea when he was approached about it.