The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
This is our last goodbye
I hate to feel the love between us die
But it's over
Just hear this and then I'll go
You gave me more to live for
More than you'll ever know
This is our last embrace
Must I dream and always see your face?
Why can't we overcome this wall?
Baby, maybe its just because you didn't know you at all
Kiss me, please, kiss me
But kiss me out of desire, babe, not consolation
Oh, you know it makes me so angry
'Cause I know that in time, I'll only make you cry
This is our last goodbye
Oh, oh, oh, ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Ih, ih, ih, ah
Did you say, "no, this can't happen to me"
Did you rush to the phone to call
Was there a voice unkind in the back of your mind
Saying, "maybe you didn't know him at all"
You didn't know him at all, oh oh, you didn't know
Ooh, didn't know
Well, the bells out in the church tower chime
Burning clues into this heart of mine
Thinking so hard on her soft eyes
And the memories offer signs that it's over, oh-oh
It's over
I hate to feel the love between us die
But it's over
Just hear this and then I'll go
You gave me more to live for
More than you'll ever know
This is our last embrace
Must I dream and always see your face?
Why can't we overcome this wall?
Baby, maybe its just because you didn't know you at all
Kiss me, please, kiss me
But kiss me out of desire, babe, not consolation
Oh, you know it makes me so angry
'Cause I know that in time, I'll only make you cry
This is our last goodbye
Oh, oh, oh, ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Ih, ih, ih, ah
Did you say, "no, this can't happen to me"
Did you rush to the phone to call
Was there a voice unkind in the back of your mind
Saying, "maybe you didn't know him at all"
You didn't know him at all, oh oh, you didn't know
Ooh, didn't know
Well, the bells out in the church tower chime
Burning clues into this heart of mine
Thinking so hard on her soft eyes
And the memories offer signs that it's over, oh-oh
It's over
Lyrics submitted by fallen_crow05
Last Goodbye Lyrics as written by Jeffery Buckley
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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Great version of a great song,
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Is this the greatest break-up song or what? When he cries "kiss me, please kiss me", well, it is just crazy. The whole song is just, it's just heart breaking.
I agree with Rowley. The thing I love about Jeff Buckley is his songs are so beautiful. I mean, the beginning can start out mellow and he extends into this intense bit where he'll use all his vocal power to make the lyrics more powerful and his voice is so amazing that you don't even barely recognize the music which is also beautiful but ugh... i can't say enough good things about this man.
ive been listening to this song for years - and it has ALWAYS been one of my favorites
it does, however, take on a new dimension after youve broken up with someone you thought you'd never break up with - for me, this song conjures up some crazy feelings
so honest - so vulnerable
ill echo the sentiments of quite a few of the comments: emotions simply well up when that beat hits and jeff belts out: "did you say, 'no, this can't happen to me'?..."
incredible - and yes, heart breaking
heres to jeff - wherever you are...
Beautiful song from an amazing artist...just makes me think about the records he may have had in him if he'd still lived. Personal highlight is his voice when he sings:
"But kiss me out of desire, babe, and not consolation You know it makes me so angry 'cause i know that in time I'll only make you cry, this is our last goodbye"
Just that emotion that's smothered all over the vocals...great stuff
this song is so beautiful and full of emotion. jeff buckley was such a great lyricist. i can only imagine all the great songs he had left in him when he tragically died so young. sigh.
although this song is about the ending of a realtionship that has obvioulsy meant a lot to the person singning, i always find myself feeling incredibley happy afterwards, it seems as if they are both happy with it. my favourite line, "you gave me more to live for more than you'll ever know."
A bloody shame he died. That fat bitch from X Factor ruined Hallelujah, and he is a great lyricist. Greatly missed.
live, he introduced this as "another twisted love song."
When Jeff lived in LA he had an relationship with an older german woman, this song is about that break up. But as anyone that ever have experienced heartache will testify, it is poetry that many of us can relate to, but none of us is capable of writing. I find "Forget her" even more touching due to my own personal failures.
It can't be about Rebecca Moore, because the first recorded version of it as 'Unforgiven' is from 1990, before he met her. The solo version on the WFMU 1992, 10-11 session is my favourite.