Category Archives: music

♫ Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love For You ♫

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This song, written by composers Michael Masser and Gerry Goffin, was first recorded by George Benson in 1984 and released in 1985.  This original version was produced by its own author Michael Masser, and was released as a single only in Europe in 1985. The song was not released as a single in the United States, but nevertheless, Benson recorded two video clips in the U.S. the same year, which were displayed on television programs. Two years later, the song became even more well known for a re-recording by Hawaiian singer Glenn Medeiros, whose 1987 cover eventually topped the charts in several countries.

I like both versions, but am partial to George Benson.  However, since they are both worthy, I am posting both so that you can choose your preference.

Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love For You
George Benson

If I had to live my life without you near me
The days would all be empty
The nights would seem so long
With you I see forever, oh, so clearly
I might have been in love before
But it never felt this strong

Our dreams are young and we both know
They’ll take us where we want to go
Hold me now, touch me now
I don’t want to live without you

Nothing’s gonna change my love for you
You oughta know by now how much I love you
One thing you can be sure of
I’ll never ask for more than your love

Nothing’s gonna change my love for you
You oughta know by now how much I love you
The world may change my whole life through
But nothing’s gonna change my love for you

If the road ahead is not so easy
Our love will lead the way for us
Like a guiding star
I’ll be there for you if you should need me
You don’t have to change a thing
I love you just the way you are

So come with me and share the view
I’ll help you see forever too
Hold me now, touch me now
I don’t want to live without you

Nothing’s gonna change my love for you
You oughta know by now how much I love you
One thing you can be sure of
I’ll never ask for more than your love

Nothing’s gonna change my love for you
You oughta know by now how much I love you
The world may change my whole life through
But nothing’s gonna change my love for

Nothing’s gonna change my love for you
You oughta know by now how much I love you
One thing you can be sure of
I’ll never ask for more than your love

Nothing’s gonna change my love for you
You oughta know by now how much I love you
The world may change my whole life through
But nothing’s gonna change my love for

Nothing’s gonna change my love for you
You oughta know by now how much I love you
One thing you can be sure of
I’ll never ask for more than your love

Nothing’s gonna change my love for you
You oughta know by now how much I love you
The world may change my whole life through
But nothing’s gonna change my love for
Nothing’s gonna change my love for you

Songwriters: Gerry Goffin / Michael Masser
Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love For You lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group

♫ All By Myself ♫

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Alright … so, last night I tried an upbeat song to try to get your toes tapping, and only a few liked it.  I’ve therefore concluded that you guys prefer sad, depressing songs, and so tonight, I went in search of and found one that I have always liked, despite the mournfulness of it.

Now, I have to admit my own cultural ignorance yet again, for I have never heard of, to the best of my knowledge, The Raspberries.  They only hung around from 1970-1975, after which Eric Carmen, their vocalist/guitarist/bassist/pianist, struck out on his own, and this song, All By Myself, was his first solo hit.

There’s a bit of an interesting backstory to this one.  According to Carmen …

“The song started with the solo. It started 4 bars at a time. Eventually, over a period of 2 months, that entire interlude had been written. Then my quest was to put this in the middle of an actual song. Then it was a matter of trying to figure out what kind of song and how could I do it. I was listening to Rachmaninoff’s 2nd piano concerto (written in 1901) and I heard the melody which I used for the verse. Then I needed a chorus. I went back and listened to a song that I had written in 1973 called ‘Let’s Pretend’ for the Raspberries. I just took those notes and took it from there. I thought, ”Let’s Pretend’ was a nice melody.’ The song didn’t go quite as far as I thought it should have. I’ll go back and steal from myself for this.”

Turns out, it wasn’t himself he would be accused of stealing from, but Rachmaninoff.  Rachmaninoff’s music was in the public domain in the United States and Carmen thought no copyright existed on it, but it was still protected outside the U.S. Subsequent to the release of the album, he was contacted by the Rachmaninoff estate and informed otherwise. An agreement was reached in which the estate would receive 12 percent of the royalties from All by Myself as well as from another, Never Gonna Fall in Love Again, which was based on the third movement from Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2.

“There’s not nearly as much fuel in being happy as there is in being miserable. Being miserable is a great catalyst for songwriting, for me anyway. I’m constantly amazed at the amount of wonderful work that Mozart did during periods when he was fairly happy. His music during those periods reflects the happiness. On the other hand, I can’t imagine that Rachmaninoff was happy when he was writing the second symphony and second piano concerto. I don’t think the anguish and angst of those melodies comes out of being peachy keen.”

All By Myself
Eric Carmen

When I was young
I never needed anyone
And makin’ love was just for fun
Those days are gone

Livin’ alone
I think of all the friends I’ve known
But when I dial the telephone
Nobody’s home

All by myself
Don’t want to be, all by myself anymore
All by myself
Don’t want to live, all by myself anymore

Hard to be sure
Some times I feel so insecure
And love so distant and obscure
Remains the cure

All by myself
Don’t want to be, all by myself anymore
All by myself
Don’t want to live, all by myself anymore

When I was young
I never needed anyone
And makin’ love was just for fun
Those days are gone

All by myself
Don’t want to be, all by myself anymore
All by myself
Don’t want to live, all by myself anymore

All by myself
Don’t want to be, all by myself anymore
All by myself
Don’t want to live, all by myself anymore

All by myself
Don’t want to be, all by myself anymore

Songwriters: Eric Carmen / Sergei Rachmaninoff
All By Myself lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Round Hill Music Big Loud Songs

♫ Uptown Girl ♫

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Once again, I have been ever-so-gently chided by dear Ellen for my music choice yesterday.  It wasn’t that she didn’t like Stevie Wonder, for she did, but apparently I missed the 70th birthday of Billy Joel.

I have mentioned before that Ellen is a walking encyclopedia when it comes to all things pertaining to music, and she continues to prove me right.  She gave me many facts that I was completely unaware of, such as that Billy Joel had attempted suicide by furniture polish in 1970.  Now, Ellen was very gentle, knowing that I’ve been in a state of angst of late, and she made the chiding nearly painless.  Fortunately, I do like some, though not all of Joel’s music.  However, though she mentioned several songs, I picked a different one, one that I like because it has a beat that makes the toes start tap-tap-tapping and stays in your mind for a while after it’s done.

Released in 1983, Uptown Girl was conceived on an occasion when he was surrounded by Christie Brinkley, Whitney Houston and his then girlfriend Elle Macpherson.

“The song was originally called ‘Uptown Girls’ not ‘Uptown Girl.’ I know its associated with Christie but when I started to write that song I had recently divorced prior to meeting her, all of the sudden I’m a rock star and divorced. All these women were going to go out with me.”

He married supermodel Christie Brinkley less than two years after this song was released, but he wasn’t even dating her when he started writing the song.  Joel also said that the song was inspired by the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.  He and Christie divorced after just nine years.

Apologies to Mr. Joel for the belated birthday tribute.  And sorry, Ellen, that I chose a different song … I’ll make it up to you!

Uptown Girl
Billy Joel

Uptown girl
She’s been living in her uptown world
I bet she’s never had a backstreet guy
I bet her mama never told her why

I’m gonna try for an uptown girl
She’s been living in her white bread world
As long as anyone with hot blood can
And now she’s looking for a downtown man
That’s what I am

And when she knows
What she wants from her time
And when she wakes up
And makes up her mind

She’ll see I’m not so tough
Just because
I’m in love with an uptown girl
You know I’ve seen her in her uptown world
She’s getting tired of her high class toys
And all her presents from her uptown boys
She’s got a choice

Uptown girl
You know I can’t afford to buy her pearls
But maybe someday when my ship comes in
She’ll understand what kind of guy I’ve been
And then I’ll win

And when she’s walking
She’s looking so fine
And when she’s talking
She’ll say that she’s mine

She’ll say I’m not so tough
Just because
I’m in love
With an uptown girl
She’s been living in her white bread world
As long as anyone with hot blood can
And now she’s looking for a downtown man
That’s what I am

Uptown girl
She’s my uptown girl
You know I’m in love
With an uptown girl
My uptown girl
You know I’m in love
With an uptown girl
My uptown girl
You know I’m in love
With an uptown girl
My uptown girl
You know I’m in love
With an uptown girl

Songwriters: Billy Joel
Uptown Girl lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

♫ A Place In The Sun ♫

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Last night (Tuesday), I couldn’t seem to find a song in my heart, thus there was no song in yesterday’s lineup … yesterday’s non-existent line-up.  Tonight, I was folding laundry, and I asked myself if there was a song in my heart, and … the only one that came was Louie, Louie by Paul Revere and the Raiders, but alas … I played that one already back in, I think November.  So, I went on with my a.m. post, trolling the news, responding to emails, and suddenly I caught myself whistling Stevie Wonder’s A Place in the Sun.  BINGO!  It was not only the fact that I love the tune, always love to hear Stevie, but the lyrics seemed apropos of … something.  They speak to the way my own heart feels this week.

There isn’t a lot of background on this song, at least not that I could find in a quick search.  Released in 1966, it was written by Ronald Miller and Bryan Wells, and was one of Wonder’s first songs to contain social commentary.  This was Stevie’s third Top Ten hit since 1963 and hit #9 on the Billboard pop singles chart and # 3 on the R&B charts.

A Place In The Sun
Stevie Wonder

Like a long lonely stream
I keep runnin’ towards a dream
Movin’ on, movin’ on
Like a branch on a tree
I keep reachin’ to be free
Movin’ on, movin’ on

‘Cause there’s a place in the sun
Where there’s hope for ev’ryone
Where my poor restless heart’s gotta run
There’s a place in the sun
And before my life is done
Got to find me a place in the sun

Like an old dusty road
I get weary from the load
Movin’ on, movin’ on
Like this tired troubled earth
I’ve been rollin’ since my birth
Movin’ on, movin’ on

There’s a place in the sun
Where there’s hope for ev’ryone
Where my poor restless heart’s gotta run
There’s a place in the sun
And before my life is done
Got to find me a place in the sun

You know when times are bad
And you’re feeling sad
I want you to always remember

Yes, there’s a place in the sun
Where there’s hope for ev’ryone
Where my poor restless heart’s gotta run
There’s a place in the sun
Where there’s hope for ev’ryone
Where my poor restless heart’s gotta run
There’s a place in the sun
Where there’s hope for ev’ryone…

Songwriters: CLARENCE PAUL / RONALD MILLER / BRYAN WELLS
A Place In The Sun lyrics © Almo Music Corp., Emi Music Publishing France, JOBETE MUSIC CO INC, STONE DIAMOND MUSIC CORP

♫ Dust In The Wind ♫

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Given the current status of our world, our environment, the health of our planet, this song kept popping in and out of my head today.

According to SongFacts …

Kansas guitarist Kerry Livgren wrote this after reading a book of Native American poetry. The line that caught his attention was “For All We Are Is Dust In The Wind.”

This got him thinking about the true value of material things and the meaning of success. The band was doing well and making money, but Kerry realized that in the end, he would eventually die just like everyone else. No matter our possessions or accomplishments, we all end up back in the ground.

Kansas was almost done writing and rehearsing the Point of Know Return album when their producer, Jeff Glixman, asked if they had any more songs. Livgren reluctantly played this song for his bandmates on acoustic guitar, insisting they wouldn’t like it because it was not Kansas. To his surprise, they loved the song and insisted they record it. Livgren then fought against his own song, but was overruled. “Dust In The Wind” became their biggest hit, but Livgren never did think very highly of it. “I tend to like the more bombastic things, like ‘The Wall,’ he told us.

The song peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 the week of April 22, 1978, making it Kansas’s only top ten Billboard Hot 100 charting single.

Dust in the Wind
Kansas

I close my eyes, only for a moment, and the moment’s gone
All my dreams pass before my eyes, a curiosity
Dust in the wind
All they are is dust in the wind

Same old song, just a drop of water in an endless sea
All we do crumbles to the ground though we refuse to see
Dust in the wind
All we are is dust in the wind
Oh, ho, ho

Now, don’t hang on, nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky
It slips away
And all your money won’t another minute buy
Dust in the wind
All we are is dust in the wind
All we are is dust in the wind
Dust in the wind
Everything is dust in the wind
Everything is dust in the wind
The wind

Songwriters: Kerry Livgren / Kerry A Livgren
Dust in the Wind lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

♫ The Power of Love ♫

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There are two distinctly different songs by this name … one, by Jennifer Rush, I played just about a month ago, April 10th.  The one I’ve selected for tonight is by Huey Lewis and the News, and was written for and featured in the 1985 blockbuster film Back to the Future. It gave the band their first number-one hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and their second number-one hit on the U.S. Top Rock Tracks chart and as a Double-A side was just outside the top ten on the British Singles Chart, where it appeared on UK editions of the band’s fourth studio album, Fore!.

The film’s director Robert Zemeckis wanted Lewis to do the song – Huey Lewis & the News were rising stars with a modern sound that worked well in the movie, which takes place in both 1955 and 1985. Lewis had never done film work and hesitated at first, since he didn’t want to write a song called “Back to the Future.” When Zemeckis told him that the song didn’t have to be about the movie, Lewis accepted the challenge.

The song has a very universal message that works very well outside of the film. Lewis was newly married and had two young children when he wrote it with his bandmates Johnny Colla and Chris Hayes. His family provided inspiration for the lyrics.
Lewis was working on this song while the movie was in post production. By the time Lewis delivered the song, most of the scenes were mixed; the only place the song worked was the scene where Marty is on his skateboard going to school. This scene has nothing to do with the power of love, but music fits the vibe and works in context.

An early scene in the film has Marty McFly and his band The Pinheads auditioning for the high school dance. Lewis has an uncredited cameo in this scene, where he plays a teacher who is judging the auditions. The group plays the beginning of “The Power of Love,” but before Marty can sing a note, Lewis cuts them off, telling them, “I’m afraid you’re just too darn loud.”

The Power of Love
Huey Lewis and the News

The power of love is a curious thing
Make a one man weep, make another man sing
Change a heart to a little white dove
More than a feeling, that’s the power of love

Tougher than diamonds, whips like cream
Stronger and harder than a bad girls dream
Make a bad one good, mmm make a wrong right
Power of love will keep you home at night

Don’t need money, don’t take fame
Don’t need no credit card to ride this train
It’s strong and it’s sudden and it’s cruel sometimes
But it might just save your life
That’s the power of love
That’s the power of love

First time you feed it might make you sad
Next time you feed it might make you mad
But you’ll be glad baby when you’ve found
That’s the power that makes the world go round

Don’t need money, don’t take fame
Don’t need no credit card to ride this train
It’s strong and it’s sudden and it’s cruel sometimes
But it might just save your life

They say that all in love is fair
Yeah but you don’t care
But you know what to do
When it gets hold of you
And with a little help from above
You feel the power of love
You feel the power of love
Can you feel it?

Don’t take money, don’t take fame
Don’t need no credit card to ride this train
Tougher than diamonds and stronger than steel
You won’t feel it until you feel
You feel the power, feel the power of love
That’s the power, that’s the power of love
You feel the power of love
You feel the power of love
You feel the power of love

Songwriters: Huey Lewis / Chris Hayes / John Colla
The Power of Love lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc

♫ Serenade To A Sweet Lady ♫

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I must admit to having let the ball drop on this one.  Back in November, rawgod noted that I hadn’t played any instrumentals and asked if I would consider this song, Serenade to a Sweet Lady, for a quiet Sunday.  I listened to it for the first time, liked it, and told him that yes, I would like to play it.  And then, I promptly forgot.  My oversight is doubly embarrassing, since he asked me to consider it his dedication to me!  And still I forgot.  I am old and losing my memory.  Anyway, moving on …

This song by Eric Burdon & The Animals was never released as a single, but only on their album Every One of Us, released in 1968.

Every One of Us was the second of three albums released by the band in the United States in that year (the album was not released in the United Kingdom). The single from the album was White Houses, which charted in the United States and Canada. The album was described by reviewer Bruce Eder of Allmusic as “a good psychedelic blues album, filled with excellent musicianship.”

Thank you, rawgod, for both the suggestion and the dedication.  😊

♫ On My Own ♫

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I thought I had already played this song, but it was still on my list.  I looked back through my archives and couldn’t find where I had played it, so if I did already play it, my apologies.  I’m old and forgetful, you know.  👵

Sayer-BacharachReleased in 1986, this was written by Carole Bayer Sager and Burt Bacharach, who were married (to each other) at the time. They promised the song to Patti LaBelle, but LaBelle’s producer Richard Perry was less than impressed, and agreed to let Sager and Bacharach produce it instead. They cut their own backing track, which Patti LaBelle recorded on her own (pun unintended) but it wasn’t until Michael McDonald was persuaded to contribute that the song came together.

The duo recorded their parts separately. Patti LaBelle filmed the video in New York and recorded her part in Philadelphia. Michael McDonald did both in LA. The video used a split screen effect to show them each on their own.  According to Ms. LaBelle …

“The success of ‘On My Own’ came as a shock. I don’t record for commercial value. With ‘On My Own’ I went into the Studio thinking, I’m gonna record something I love. Usually if I love it, it bubbles under. And I was surprised it made a hit.”

The song became the biggest hit single ever for both McDonald and LaBelle as it reached number one on the Billboard chart for 3 weeks and number two on the UK Singles chart.

On My Own
Patti LaBelle, Michael McDonald

So many times
Said it was forever
Said our love would always be true
Something in my heart always knew
I’d be lying here beside you
On my own
On my own
On my own

So many promises never should be spoken
Now I know what loving you cost
Now we’re up to talking divorce
And we weren’t even married
On my own
Once again now
One more time
By myself

No one said it was easy
But it once was so easy
Well I believed, I believed in love
Now here I stand
I wonder why

I’m on my own
Why did it end this way
On my own
This wasn’t how it was supposed to be
On my own
I wish that we could do it all again

So many times
I know I could have told you
Losing you it cut like a knife, hey
You walked out and there went my life
I don’t want to live without you
On my own
This wasn’t how it was supposed to end
On my own
I wish that we could do it all again
On my own
I never dreamed I’d spend one night alone

By myself
On my own, I’ve got to find where I belong again
On my own
I’ve got to learn how to be strong again
On my own
I never dreamed I’d spend one night alone
By myself by myself, by myself
I’ve got to find out what was mine again
On my own
My heart is saying that it’s my time again
On my own
And I have faith that I will shine again
On my own
I (on my own) have faith (on my own) in me

Songwriters: Carole Bayer Sager / Burt Bacharach
On My Own lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc, BMG Rights Management

♫ Build Me Up Buttercup ♫

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As I mentioned earlier in the week, while I’m not exactly opening up a request line, I am attuned to your suggestions, and if I like what you suggest, I will play it.  When I played  a song on the last day of April by Brenton Wood, it prompted a mention by friend and soul-sister Patty of a song I haven’t heard in years, Build Me Up Buttercup.

Released in 1968, this was written by Mike D’Abo and Tony Macaulay. D’Abo was lead singer of Manfred Mann, and Macaulay was a successful songwriter who also wrote The Foundations hit Baby Now That I’ve Found You as well as songs by The Hollies, Andy Williams and The New Seekers.

Just for you, Patty …

Build Me Up Buttercup
The Foundations

Why do you build me up (build me up) buttercup, baby
Just to let me down (let me down) and mess me around?
And then worst of all (worst of all) you never call, baby
When you say you will (say you will) but I love you still
I need you (I need you) more than anyone, darlin’
You know that I have from the start
So build me up (build me up) buttercup, don’t break my heart

“I’ll be over at ten, ” you told me time and again
But you’re late, I wait around and then (bah dah dah)
I went to the door, I can’t take any more
It’s not you, you let me down again

baby, baby, try to find
(Hey, hey, hey) a little time and I’ll make you mine
(Hey, hey, hey) I’ll be home
I’ll be beside the phone waiting for you
Ooh ooh ooh, ooh ooh ooh

Why do you build me up (build me up) buttercup, baby
Just to let me down (let me down) and mess me around?
And then worst of all (worst of all) you never call, baby
When you say you will (say you will) but I love you still
I need you (I need you) more than anyone, darlin’
You know that I have from the start
So build me up (build me up) buttercup, don’t break my heart

You were my toy but I could be the boy you adore
If you’d just let me know (bah dah dah)
Although you’re untrue, I’m attracted to you all the more
Why do I need you so?

baby, baby, try to find
(Hey, hey, hey) a little time and I’ll make you mine
(Hey, hey, hey) I’ll be home
I’ll be beside the phone waiting for you
Ooh ooh ooh, ooh ooh ooh

Why do you build me up (build me up) buttercup, baby
Just to let me down (let me down) and mess me around?
And then worst of all (worst of all) you never call, baby
When you say you will (say you will) but I love you still
I need you (I need you) more than anyone, darlin’
You know that I have from the start
So build me up (build me up) buttercup, don’t break my heart

I, I, I need you more than anyone, baby
You know that I have from the start
So build me up (build me up) buttercup

Songwriters: Tony Macauley / Mike D’Abo
Build Me Up Buttercup lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc

♫ Kiss And Say Goodbye ♫

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This song by The Manhattans is among the saddest I think I’ve ever heard.  That said, I’ve always liked the song, just maybe not the premise, for it makes me feel sad.  I had neither heard nor thought of this song in ages, but when I asked our friend David for some suggestions, this was one of his.  Since I also like it, I am playing it!

The Manhattans are a rhythm and blues vocal group from Jersey City who first formed in 1962 and have performed with changing membership since then. This moving song is about the end of a longtime love due to “obligations” and “ties.” He asks the woman he’s breaking up with to be stoic and remember him with love rather than falling apart and trying to stay together.

The song became The Manhattans biggest hit, reaching the top of the charts in the US and staying there for two weeks.  The song was written by group member Winfred Lovett, the bass singer and songwriter of the group.  He said in an interview that he envisaged Glen Campbell singing his tune …

“Back then I was into listening a lot to country things. Lionel Richie jumped the gun on me, but I had been listening for three or four years. I liked a lot of things Glen Campbell was doing… and Charley Pride.”

The lyrics and melody came to him late one night. As he later recalled …

“Everything was there. I got up about three o’clock in the morning and jotted down the things I wanted to say. I just put the words together on my tape recorder and little piano. I’ve always thought that when you write slow songs, they have to have meaning. In this case, it’s the love triangle situation we’ve all been through. I figured anyone who’s been in love could relate to it. And it seemed to touch home for a lot of folks.”

I have to admit that I was in tears by about the 2:40 point and had to turn it off.  I have enough worries right now without uber-sad songs … 😥

Kiss and Say Goodbye
The Manhattans

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 any more
Because of my obligations
And the ties that you have
We’ve been meeting here every day
And since this is our last date together
I want to hold you just one more time
When you turn and walk away
Don’t look back I want to 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 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 can’t lie
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 another guy
Understand me won’t you try, try, try
Let’s just kiss and say goodbye

Songwriters: Winfred Lovett
Kiss and Say Goodbye lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC