Music Review: Scandal "Goodbye To You"
Scandal
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Goodbye To You
Album: Scandal
Year: 1982
Patty Smyth's boyfriend has left for another woman in the resilient "Goodbye To You."
A calm guitar opens the single, setting a resigned tone. It's been about four months since she and her boyfriend broke up. But it feels more like six years. She recalls the times when she would check her watch and wonder when he would visit her. She was aware that there was another woman, who he had talked about occansionally. She says that she let her heart get in the way of common sense. She knew it was over. However, she wasn't willing to concede that the relationship was loveless. She says it's a disappoint it didn't work out.
In the chorus, she tells him she's moving on.
In the second verse, she wonders if would've fallen in love with him again. She thinks about the Valentine Day's weekend skiing or the first time they made love. She also thinks of the tears she cried when she found out through a friend that he was cheating. She recalls the fights they had after he had forgotten her birthday. She's been clinging to the memories, debating if the relationship was worth salvaging. She's spent her afternoons not doing anything and nights awake pondering. She decides that it's best she lets go.
Album: Scandal
Year: 1982
Patty Smyth's boyfriend has left for another woman in the resilient "Goodbye To You."
A calm guitar opens the single, setting a resigned tone. It's been about four months since she and her boyfriend broke up. But it feels more like six years. She recalls the times when she would check her watch and wonder when he would visit her. She was aware that there was another woman, who he had talked about occansionally. She says that she let her heart get in the way of common sense. She knew it was over. However, she wasn't willing to concede that the relationship was loveless. She says it's a disappoint it didn't work out.
"Those times I waited for you seem so long ago/I wanted you far too much to ever let you go/You know you never got by your fear to choose/And I guess I never could stand to lose/It's such a pity to say."
In the chorus, she tells him she's moving on.
"Goodbye to you/Goodbye to you."
In the second verse, she wonders if would've fallen in love with him again. She thinks about the Valentine Day's weekend skiing or the first time they made love. She also thinks of the tears she cried when she found out through a friend that he was cheating. She recalls the fights they had after he had forgotten her birthday. She's been clinging to the memories, debating if the relationship was worth salvaging. She's spent her afternoons not doing anything and nights awake pondering. She decides that it's best she lets go.
"Could I have loved someone like the one I see in you/I remember the good times baby now, and the bad times too/These last few weeks of holding on/The days are dull, the nights are long/Guess it's better to say."
The chorus is sung twice.
In the bridge, her now former boyfriend apologizes to her and explains why he had to leave her. She tells him it's ok and nothing more has to be said. She says their relationship hadn't been right in a long time. It was eventual. She couldn't handle the stress or the misery anymore."'Cause baby it's over now/No need to talk about it/It's not the same/My love for you's just not the same/And my heart, and my heart/And my heart can't stand the strain/And my love, and my love/And my love won't stand the pain/
And my heart, and my heart/And my heart can't stand the strain/And my love, and my love/And my love."
The chorus is sung twice.
The second verse is sung again.
The chorus is sung twice.
At the end of the song, she wishes him well with an affectionate farewell."Goodbye baby/So long, darling/Goodbye to you."
Although it has taken her a while, she believes being without him is right thing for her. Her relationship with him had some ups and plenty of downs. She was devastasted at first. Not having him in her life was illogical. However, she realizes everything wasn't as wonderful as she thought.
Smyth's gritty vocals are resolute and hard-nosed. It adds some dirt to the otherwise bubblegum arrangement.
"Goodbye To You" is a deft single which aptly explores the conflicting emotions of a breakup.