Song Lyric Sunday was created by Helen Vahdati. For complete rules and to join in, go here.
Our theme for Song Lyric Sunday this week is “goodbye/farewell”.
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There are dozens of great ‘goodbye’ songs but none have been with me as long as 1973’s Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye) by the amazing Gladys Knight & the Pips. I was just entering my teens and of course, that meant I was ‘grown’, right?
Neither One of Us was the title cut of the last album the group would record for Motown before moving to Buddah Records in February of 1973. Lead singer Gladys Knight recalled on A&E’s Biography that she and the group were regarded as a second-string act and that “Diana (Ross) & The Supremes, The Temptations and Marvin Gaye were given all the hits, while we took the leftovers”.
Silly Motown.
On March 17, 1973, the song reached number one on the Hot Soul Singles chart, staying there for four consecutive weeks. Due to the song’s strong crossover appeal, it eventually peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100, with Vicki Lawrence’s The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia blocking it from number one. However, it went number one on the U.S. Record World and Cashbox charts. It also crossed over to the adult contemporary chart, peaking at number 15. Worldwide, it was also successful, peaking at number 9 in France, number 11 in Canada and number 31 in the UK.
On March 2, 1974, at the Grammy Awards ceremony, Gladys Knight & The Pips won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group for Neither One of Us. Previously that same night, they had won their first Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group for Midnight Train to Georgia. [Wikipedia]
The Youtube video is of a live performance on The Midnight Special. I tend to be preoccupied (OBSESSED) with group dance moves, but for me, the Pips were second to none! (Sorry, Temptations! 😜)
See my Song Lyric Sunday selection for Nesie’s Place.
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Disclaimer: I have no copyrights to the song and/or video and/or hyperlinks to songs and/or videos and/or gifs above. No copyright infringement intended.
Written by James D. Weatherly
And it’s gotten to the point where we just can’t fake it (Ooo)
For some unGodly reason we just won’t let it die (let it die)
I guess neither one of us (neither one of us)
Wants to be the first to say good byeI keep on wondering (wondering)
What I’m gonna do with out ya (do without you)
And I guess you must be wondering that same thing too (Ooo)
So we go on, go on together living a lie (living our lie)
Because neither one of us (neither one of us)
Wants to be the first to say good bye
Oooooh ev’rytime I find the nerve
Everytime I find the nerve to say I’m leavin’ (leavin’)
Oh, memories, those old memories get in my way (my way my way)
Oh (Ooo) Lord knows it’s only me only knows it’s only me
That I’m deceiving
When it comes to saying good bye
That’s a simple word that I just cannot say
There can be no way, there can be no way
This can have a happy ending (happy ending)
So we just go on (we go on) hurting and pretending
And convincing ourselves to give it just one more try (one more try)
Because neither one of us (Neither one of us)
Wants to be the first to say
Neither one of us (neither one of us) Wants to be the first to say
Neither one of us (Neither one of us) wants to be the first to say
Farewell my love, goodbye (goodbye)
Felicia Denise, Author 
Sometimes, someone just has to be the first to say goodbye, but it’s a tough position to be in. The lyrics are brilliant! Her voice is amazing, as always. Great pick! 🙂
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Thanks, Helen!
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Why oh why did you have to post this one??? This song ALWAYS brings tears to my eyes. Every. Single. Time. And Midnight Train to Georgia. Gladys was is still my mother:s favorites so you know that all the classic stuff was playing in the background growing up. Great, great choice Fel!
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LOL! Now you sound like MY kids!
When they were home last week for their grandma’s funeral, it was one long 70s/80s/90s/ retrospect because according to them, that’s all they heard growing up!
Oops! 😄😄😄
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😂
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Don’t laugh, but I actually own the entire collection of the Midnight Special (minus 1 DVD, I think)! LOL We have a lot of talent shows like The Voice and X Factor, which are great, but no programs dedicated solely to live performances by well known and beloved artists like this anymore. Now, they only play short versions on talk-shows. Just not the same.
(Of course, I’m complaining even though I don’t even have TV outside of Netflix! LMAO!)
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Midnight Special was my weekly treat! Loved that show – they had absolutely everyone pass through!
We gave up on TV long ago. (I hate talent shows! And don’t even get me started on “reality” TV!) And now that Syfy cancelled Dark Matter and TNT cancelled Major Crimes, I’m streaming Pandora and Youtube through the television or playing Moana and Mysteries at the Museum on Netflix repeat! 😄😄😄
I have so much fun! 😏😂😎
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I was still too young to remember Midnight Special when it got cancelled, but I grew up with all the songs and artists playing in the background thanks to my parents, so I got the collection for my mom and I to enjoy together.
I’m telling you, the only thing I miss about TV is being able to watch Football. Luckily, my downstairs neighbors are so loud, I always know how our team is doing on game day! LMAO 😀
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I used a couple of different apps last season but they were more trouble than they’re worth, and NO WAY am I paying a hundred bucks a year to watch games AFTER they’re over! The games are free on Verizon mobile sooooo…guess where the oldest has to be when the Packers play? LMAO! One little micro USB/HDMI cable and football is back on the TV!
I truly amuse myself. My boys…not so much! LOL!
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LMAO! 😀
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