Future Islands - Say Goodbye Lyrics
After we say goodnight
l smoke another twenty cigarettes
Before I close my eyes
If I’m up past midnight
Might have a chance to say, ‘good morning’
Right before I cut the light
When I wake up at dawn
I reach across the void, just hoping
We can share a moment’s time
And then the evening’s mine
And I can finally say ‘I love you’
Right before I say ‘goodnight’
——————
Oh why oh why
Do i even try?
——————
When I don’t wanna say goodnight
And every day without you
Feels one closer to goodbye
I just need to make this world seem right
You just sleep tight, til I’m on your side
Know you need to go to sleep
There’s comfort knowing that at least you can escape this heat
I’ll sit up and watch, this world burn bright
I’ll be alright
When you’re on my time
——————
They didn’t change the date
That’s another month to wait
Another month to try
To hold onto a lie
——————
Oh why oh why
Do I even try?
Every other girl
We’d just cut the line
——————
But I don’t wanna say goodnight
Cuz every day without you
Feels one closer to goodbye
I just need to make this world seem right
You can sleep tight, til I’m on your side
When you finally go to sleep
There’s comfort knowing that, at least
You can escape this heat
I’ll sit up and watch, this world’s on fire
But I’ll be alright
When you’re on my time
——————
When you’re on my time
When you’re on my time
You’re on my time
You’re on my time
I’ll be alright
When you’re on my time
Song Analysis: Future Islands - Say Goodbye
Beginning: The song opens with a sense of quiet desperation and lingering connection. The narrator smokes cigarettes after his lover's goodnight, yearning for another moment together. He anticipates dawn, hoping to say "good morning" before their inevitable separation.
Development: The chorus repeats a haunting question: "Oh why, oh why / Do I even try?" This reflects the narrator's struggle to hold onto a relationship that feels increasingly one-sided. He desires intimacy and closeness, but feels trapped in a fading connection.
The second verse reveals his internal conflict. He doesn't want to say goodnight because each day apart pushes them closer to "goodbye." He tries to make things right, assuring his lover to sleep soundly until they reunite. The line "There's comfort knowing that at least you can escape this heat" suggests he feels burdened by something unknown to his partner.
The bridge introduces a sense of hopelessness. Nothing has changed, and another month stretches before them. He's stuck in a lie, trying to maintain a connection that might be doomed. The refrain "Every other girl / We'd just cut the line" hints at past relationships that were easier to let go of.
Ending: The final chorus builds with intensity. The repeated "I'll be alright / When you're on my time" expresses a desperate hope for future connection. He imagines a time when their schedules align and they can truly be together. The song ends abruptly, leaving the listener with a sense of unresolved yearning and uncertainty.
Main Theme: The song explores the pain of a fading relationship and the desperate clinging to hope. The narrator tries to hold onto connection while facing the reality of potential separation.
Subject Analysis: The song focuses on the internal turmoil of a lover facing the decline of a relationship. It delves into feelings of loneliness, longing, and the struggle to let go.
Emotional Analysis: The song evokes a range of emotions, including sadness, desperation, hope, and resignation. The lyrics are raw and vulnerable, capturing the pain of unfulfilled love.
Imagery, Metaphors, and Techniques: The song uses vivid imagery, such as "smoke another twenty cigarettes" and "this world burn bright," to convey the narrator's emotional state. The "heat" could be a metaphor for the pressure and tension of the relationship. The repetition of "goodnight" and "goodbye" creates a sense of contrast and tension between hope and finality.
Meaning Analysis: The song speaks to the universal experience of heartbreak and the desire to hold onto love even when it's fading. It raises questions about how long to fight for a relationship and when to let go.
Dialogue Analysis: While primarily focused on the narrator's internal monologue, the song incorporates glimpses of dialogue between the lovers. However, these exchanges are one-sided, further emphasizing the narrator's loneliness and yearning for genuine connection.
Overall Message: "Say Goodbye" is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the uncertainty of human relationships. It reminds us that sometimes, letting go is the only way to find peace.
Conclusion: "Say Goodbye" is a powerful and affecting song that resonates with anyone who has ever experienced the pain of a fading relationship. Its raw emotion and insightful lyrics offer a relatable and ultimately hopeful perspective on heartbreak.
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