Prince
Prince
Prince
Prince
Prince & Nona Gaye
The New Power Generation
Prince
Prince
Prince
Prince & Carmen Electra
Prince
Prince
Prince
Prince
Prince
Prince
Prince
Prince
Prince
Prince
Prince
Prince
Prince
Prince
Prince
Prince
Prince
Prince
Prince
Prince
[Verse 1]
Last night when I left you fast a sleeping
I should have contemplated suicide
For the smile upon your face that's well worth keeping
By morning smears for every tear you cry
I could manage a week or two without those kisses
It'd be hard, but something tells me I could try
[Chorus]
For that matter, whatever to make you reconsider
Is there truth when you make love to a lie?
Excuse me, but is this really goodbye?
[Verse 2]
Why did I ever let you in this morning?
Why didI let you come inside my door?
I should have known without that smile adorning your face
A kiss was not what you came for
That's when your hand reached out to touch me gently
At least that's how it happened in my mind
[Chorus]
For that matter, whatever to make you reconsider
Is there truth when you make love to a lie?
Excuse me, but is this really goodbye?
[Bridge]
You can't begin to understand how I think about you
(Everything)
Everything I want to do, I cannot do without you
However wrong you want, I'll be
Just please don't leave
(Don't leave)
If it means this life without you, baby
I swear I'll spend it on my knees
Excuse me, but is this really goodbye?
[Verse 3]
Last night when I left you I was so sure
We'd be together forever and four days
And now my shade of blue couldn't get no bluer
I don't even know what I did to make you go away
I could possibly stage a front and play the cool one
(Cool one)
Heart in my hand trying to hold back every cry
But who would applaud me when it's you, my one and only
Who ever gave me a good reason not to die
[Chorus]
Excuse me, but is this really...
(Goodbye)
Excuse me, but is this really...
(Goodbye)
Excuse me, but is this really goodbye?
[Outro]
(Goodbye)
Goodbye, goodbye
(Goodbye)
Goodbye
(Goodbye)
Goodbye was written by Prince.
Goodbye was produced by Prince.
It’s a tricky question. The song was originally recorded in December of 1991– which was right when things were heating up between Prince and Mayte which was causing his relationship with Carmen Electra to fall apart. My hunch would be: it’s a bittersweet ode to the ending of that relationship. Also...
In 1998, Prince created virtual liner notes for the Crystal Ball collection. Here’s what he said about
“Goodbye”:
Parting with the moon and the rain and looking 4 the sun.
Intended 4 Emancipation and replaced by “The Holy River”.
Orchestration by the everbeautiful Claire Fischer. [sic]