Chris Brown

Lyrics

[Intro]
Ah, look, we gotta talk
Dang, I know, I know but it's, it's just, it's just
Some things I gotta get off my chest, aight
Yeah, woah, woah-woah
Listen

[Verse 1]
Baby, come here and sit down, let's talk
I got a lot to say so I guess I'll start by
Saying that I love you
But you know, this thing ain't been no walk in the park for us
I swear it'll only take a minute
You'll understand when I finish, yeah
And I don't wanna see you cry
But I don't wanna be the one to tell you a lie so

[Pre-Chorus]
How do you let it go when you, you just don't know
What's on the other side of the door when you're walking out? Talk about it
And everything I tried to remember to say just went out my head
So I'ma do the best I can to get you to understand 'cause I know

[Chorus]
There's never a right time to say goodbye (Yeah)
But I gotta make the first move
'Cause if I don't you gonna start hating me
'Cause I really don't feel the way I once felt about you
Girl, it's not you, it's me, I
Kinda gotta figure out what I need, oh
There's never a right time to say goodbye
But we know that we gotta go our separate ways
And I know it's hard but I gotta do it and it's killing me
'Cause there's never a right time, right time to say goodbye
[Verse 2]
Girl, I know your heart is breaking
And a thousand times I found myself asking, "Why? Why?"
Why am I taking so long to say this?
But trust me, girl, I never
Meant to crush your world and I never
Thought I would see the day we grew apart
And I wanna know

[Pre-Chorus]
How do you let it go when you, you just don't know
What's on the other side of the door when you're walking out? Talk about it
Girl, I hope you understand what I'm tryna say, we just can't go on
Pretending that we get along, girl, how you not gon' see it? (Oh, oh, yeah)

[Chorus]
There's never a right time to say goodbye
But I gotta make the first move
'Cause if I don't you gonna start hating me
'Cause I really don't feel the way I once felt about you
Girl, it's not you, it's me, I
Kinda gotta figure out what I need, oh
There's never a right time to say goodbye
But we know that we gotta go our separate ways
And I know it's hard but I gotta do it and it's killing me
'Cause there's never a right time, right time to say goodbye
[Bridge]
Listen to your heart, girl, you know
We should be apart, baby, I
I just can't do it, I, I just can't do it
Listen to your heart, girl, you know
We should be apart, baby, I
I just can't do it and sometimes it makes me wanna cry
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Do you hear me crying?
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh (Oh, oh)
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
There's never a right

[Chorus]
There's never a right time to say goodbye (Oh yeah)
But I gotta make the first move
'Cause if I don't you gonna start hating me (You gonna start hating me, baby)
'Cause I really don't feel the way I once felt about you (No more)
Girl, it's not you, it's me, I (It's me, yeah)
Kinda gotta figure out what I need, oh (About you and me)
There's never a right time to say goodbye (Oh, no it ain't)
But we know that we gotta go our separate ways (Yeah, yeah, yeah)
And I know it's hard but I gotta do it and it's killing me
'Cause there's never a right time, right time to say goodbye (Right time)
There's never a right time to say goodbye
But I gotta make the first move
'Cause if I don't you gonna start hating me
'Cause I really don't feel the way I once felt about you
Girl, it's not you, it's me, I
Kinda gotta figure out what I need, oh
There's never a right time to say goodbye
But we know that we gotta go our separate ways
And I know it's hard but I gotta do it and it's killing me
'Cause there's never a right time, right time to say...

If you are looking for a heartfelt ballad about ending a relationship, Chris Brown’s “Say Goodbye” is definitely a song worth listening to. Released as the fourth single from his eponymous debut album, this track showcases Brown’s vocal range and his ability to convey intense emotions through music.

The song’s lyrics revolve around Brown trying to find the perfect time to break up with his partner. He struggles with the decision and the pain of saying goodbye, but ultimately concludes that it’s for the best. The track has resonated with listeners across the world who have experienced heartbreak or difficult breakups and is widely regarded as one of Brown’s best works.

About Say Goodbye

“Say Goodbye” was released in August 2006 and represents the third top 10 single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for Brown, with a peak position at #10 on October 31, 2006. The song also earned the accolade of being the second single of his career to top the R&B charts.

The popularity of the song can be attributed to its emotional resonance among the listeners, its engaging and memorable melody, and the well-crafted lyrics that many people can relate to. Moreover, the song’s inclusion in the movie “Step Up” and the appearance on the soundtrack for the picture further contributed to its popularity.

Chris Brown's performance of the song live on The Today Show in 2005 showcases his unwavering vocal talent as he effortlessly sings the heartfelt lyrics that speak to the human experience of love and loss.

The song’s production is smooth and polished, led by a gentle piano melody that perfectly captures the song’s emotional essence. The sparse, yet effective, instrumentation enables Brown's vocals to take center stage and evoke a range of emotions in the listener.

The lyrics are powerful and emotionally resonant, with Brown unmistakably singing about the pain that comes with breaking up with someone you care about. The song features lines such as "There's never a right time to say goodbye" and "I gotta make the first move 'cause if I don't, you're gonna start hating me." These lines encapsulate the emotional complexity of breaking up with someone you still care about, creating a powerful and relatable narrative.

Final thoughts

Overall, Chris Brown’s “Say Goodbye” is a touching and powerful ballad that has stood the test of time. It’s a song that speaks to the emotional complexity of ending a relationship with someone you care about, and the pain that comes with it. Combined with Brown’s pitch-perfect vocal delivery and compelling lyrics, the song is a testament to his versatility and range as an artist. It's no wonder the track remains a favorite among Brown’s fans and other music enthusiasts, even years after its initial release.

• Release Date: November 29, 2005
• Artist: Chris Brown