Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye

Roberta Flack

About Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye

"Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye" is a song by Leonard Cohen. It was first released in November 1967, in a version by Judy Collins on her album Wildflowers. The following month, Cohen's own version was issued on his debut album Songs of Leonard Cohen. Cohen wrote the song when staying at the Penn Terminal Hotel on 34th Street in New York City in 1966. He wrote:The room is too hot. I can't open the windows. I am in the midst of a bitter quarrel with a blonde woman. The song is half-written in pencil but it protects us as we manoeuvre, each of us, for unconditional victory. I am in the wrong room. I am with the wrong woman. It was covered in 1969 by Roberta Flack on her debut album First Take, and has been recorded by many other singers. Feist, Ariel Engle and Daniela Gesundheit performed the song at the 2017 Tower of Song: A Memorial Tribute to Leonard Cohen concert 


Year:
1969
4:08
229 
#1

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I loved you in the morning, our kisses deep and warm,
Your hair upon the pillow like a sleepy golden storm,
Yes, many loved before us, I know that we are not new,
In city and in forest they smiled like me and you,
But now it's come to distances and both of us must try,
Your eyes are soft with sorrow,
Hey, that's no way to say goodbye.

I'm not looking for another as I wander in my time,
Walk me to the corner, our steps will always rhyme
You know my love goes with you as your love stays with me,
It's just the way it changes, like the shoreline and the sea,
But let's not talk of love or chains and things we can't untie,
Your eyes are soft with sorrow,
Hey, that's no way to say goodbye.

I loved you in the morning, our kisses deep and warm,
Your hair upon the pillow like a sleepy golden storm,
Yes many loved before us, I know that we are not new,
In city and in forest they smiled like me and you,
But let's not talk of love or chains and things we can't untie,
Your eyes are soft with sorrow,
Hey, that's no way to say goodbye.

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Roberta Flack

Roberta Flack (born February 10, 1937) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician who is notable for jazz, soul, R&B, and folk music. Roberta Flack is best known for her Hot 100 #1 singles "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face", "Killing Me Softly with His Song" and "Feel Like Makin' Love", as well as "Where Is the Love" and "The Closer I Get to You", two of her many duets with Donny Hathaway. "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" won the 1973 Grammy Record of the Year and "Killing Me Softly with His Song" won the same award at the Grammy Awards of 1974. She and U2 are the only artists to win the award in consecutive years. more »

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Written by: Leonard Cohen

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


4 facts about this song

Leonard Cohen
"Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye" is one of Leonard Cohen's early songs, taken from his debut album "Songs of Leonard Cohen" released in 1967. - The inspiration for the song was reported to come from a brief relationship Cohen had while staying at the Penn Terminal Hotel in New York. - The song features a beautiful use of metaphors to express the nuances of a break-up or farewell.
Judy Collins
Judy Collins, an American folk singer, recorded a version of Cohen's song that appears on her album "Wildflowers". - Released in 1967, Collins' version is one of the earliest covers of the song, making it popular among a wide range of listeners. - Collins is known for her renditions of significant contemporary songs and "Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye" is one of Cohen's songs she made popular.
Roberta Flack
Roberta Flack, a renowned soul singer, released her own version of "Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye" on her 1971 album "Quiet Fire". - Roberta Flack's version is also noteworthy because of the slight touch of soul, jazz, and gospel she puts into her music, making it unique in comparison to the original. - Flack was already known for her Cohen covers and "Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye" helped maintain her popularity in this field.
Feist
Feist, a Canadian indie pop singer, included a cover of "Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye in her tribute album to Leonard Cohen titled, "Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man" in 2005. - The album was a soundtrack to a documentary of the same name featuring performances of Cohen's songs by various artists. - Feist's version is more modern but it still maintains the soulfulness and depth of Cohen's original song.

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    "Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 18 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/2761154/Roberta+Flack/Hey%2C+That%27s+No+Way+to+Say+Goodbye>.

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