Kiss and Say Goodbye

Last updated

"Kiss and Say Goodbye"
Kiss and Say Goodbye - The Manhattans.jpg
Single by The Manhattans
from the album The Manhattans
B-side "Wonderful World of Love" [1]
ReleasedMarch 1976 [1]
Recorded1975
Studio Sigma Sound, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania [2]
Genre
Length4:28 (Album full version) [4]
3:29 (Single edited version) [1]
Label Columbia Records [1]
Songwriter(s) Winfred Lovett [1]
Producer(s)
The Manhattans singles chronology
"Hurt"
(1975)		"Kiss and Say Goodbye"
(1976)		"I Kinda Miss You"
(1976)
Music video
"Kiss and Say Goodbye" by The Manhattans (Official Music Video) on YouTube

"Kiss and Say Goodbye" is a 1976 song by American R&B vocal group the Manhattans. It was written by group member Winfred Lovett, [1] the bass singer and songwriter of the group, who did the song's spoken introduction. The song was recorded for the album The Manhattans , released in 1976 by Columbia Records, [4] and was released as a single in March of the same year. [1] "Kiss and Say Goodbye" became a worldwide success, appearing in the musical charts of countless countries, a Top 10 hit in many countries, including No. 1 in the US, [5] Belgium, [6] Netherlands, [7] New Zealand, [8] and in Europe (European Hot 100 Singles). [9] [ deprecated source ] With the exception of the Adult Contemporary Chart, [10] "Kiss and Say Goodbye" was ranked number 1 in the US on all pop and R&B singles charts. The song was one of the biggest hits of 1976 and of the 1970s.

Contents

Background and recording

The song was written by Manhattans bass singer Winfred "Blue" Lovett, who also provided the spoken introduction heard in both the full-length LP version and the commercial single (but edited out of the DJ 45). The lyrics and melody came to him late one night. As he later recalled, "Everything was there. I got up about three o'clock in the morning and jotted down the things I wanted to say. I just put the words together on my tape recorder and little piano. I've always thought that when you write slow songs, they have to have meaning. In this case, it's the love triangle situation we've all been through. I figured anyone who's been in love could relate to it. And it seemed to touch home for a lot of folks." [11]

Lovett originally considered the song a country tune more appropriate to be sung by Glen Campbell or Charley Pride. He decided to do it with his group. The Manhattans lead singer Gerald Alston is featured in the song starting to sing after Lovett's spoken introduction.

The original demo of the song was recorded with The Manhattans backing band, "Little Harlem." After hearing a tape of the recording, producer/arranger Bobby Martin decided to re-record the song with backing by MFSB at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia. [4] Recorded in early 1975, Columbia Records officials withheld releasing the song until 14 months later. Winfred "Blue" Lovett had his concerns over when the record came out as well as the record itself. "I was critical, a perfectionist in the studio, and there are still parts of it that make my skin crawl. For example, in one place, the background vocals go off pitch. Somehow, though, that didn't seem to bother anyone else." [11]

Track listing

SideSongLengthInterpretersWriter/composerProducersOriginal albumRelease Year
A-side "Kiss and Say Goodbye" [1] 3:29 [1] The Manhattans [1] Winfred Lovett [1] Bobby Martin,
The Manhattans [1] 		The Manhattans [4] 1976 [4]
B-side "Wonderful World of Love" [1] 2:47 [1] The Manhattans [1] Robert S. Riley Sr. [1] Bobby Martin,
The Manhattans [1] 		The Manhattans [4] 1976 [4]

B-side

The B-side of the 7" single contains the song "Wonderful World of Love", [1] which was also recorded by The Manhattans for the album The Manhattans . [4] It was written by Robert S. Riley Sr., [1] songwriter and producer/promotion man of the group, who wrote several songs (lyrics) for them. [12] The song was produced by Bobby Martin and The Manhattans. [1]

Chart performance

Released as a single, the song became a worldwide hit for the group, ranked number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks, [13] [14] and also on the Billboard R&B chart for one week. [15] The single reaching number 4 on the UK, [16] (where it received Silver certification), [17] and number 7 on the Canada, [18] (where it received Gold certification). [19] In the U.S., the song was the 400th #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. It also became just the second single to earn Platinum certification status, [20] after the RIAA established the designation in 1976. (Johnnie Taylor's "Disco Lady" had been the first a few months earlier.) The single ultimately sold 2.5 million copies. [21] Billboard ranked the song as the No. 6 Pop Singles for 1976 and No. 3 Soul Singles for 1976. [22]

Besides being the only No. 1 pop hit for The Manhattans, "Kiss and Say Goodbye" marked 11 years since the group made their first appearance on the Billboard in 1965, with the song "I Wanna Be (Your Everything)" (No. 68 on the Hot 100). [5] "Kiss and Say Goodbye" ended the decade at No. 83 on the Billboard Top 100 Songs of the 1970s. [23]

Personnel

Credits

Companies

Charts

Certifications and sales

Country (1976)CertificationSales
Canada (CRIA) [19] Gold75,000*
United Kingdom (BPI) [17] Silver250,000*
United States (RIAA) [20] Platinum2,500,000 [21]
* Sales figures based on certification alone.

Other versions

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Manhattans</span> American R&B vocal group

The Manhattans are an American R&B vocal group. Their songs "Kiss and Say Goodbye", recorded in 1976, and 1980's "Shining Star", both sold millions of copies. The Manhattans have recorded 45 hits on the Billboard R&B Chart, including twelve top-10 R&B hits in the United States, starting in 1965. Sixteen of their songs have reached the Billboard Hot 100, including two top 10s and a number-one hit with their song "Kiss and Say Goodbye". They also charted eight U.S. R&B top 20 Albums, three of which were RIAA certified gold. The Manhattans were inducted into The Atlantic City Walk of Fame in September of 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Girl (The Temptations song)</span> 1964 single by the Temptations

"My Girl" is a song recorded by the Temptations for the Gordy (Motown) record label. Written and produced by the Miracles members Smokey Robinson and Ronald White, it became the Temptations' first U.S. number 1 single, and is considered their signature song. Robinson's inspiration for writing "My Girl" was his wife, Miracles member Claudette Rogers Robinson. The song was included on the Temptations 1965 album The Temptations Sing Smokey. In 2017, the song was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Never Can Say Goodbye</span> 1971 song by Clifton Davis, first recorded by The Jackson 5

"Never Can Say Goodbye" is a song written by Clifton Davis and originally recorded by the Jackson 5. The song was originally written and intended for the Supremes; however, Motown decided it would be better for the Jackson 5. It was the first single released from the group's 1971 album Maybe Tomorrow, and was one of the group's most successful records. It has been covered numerous times, most notably in 1974 by Gloria Gaynor and in 1987 by British pop group the Communards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turn the Beat Around</span> 1976 single by Vicki Sue Robinson

"Turn the Beat Around" is a disco song written by Gerald Jackson and Peter Jackson, and performed by American actress and singer Vicki Sue Robinson in 1976, originally appearing on her debut album, Never Gonna Let You Go (1976). Released as a single, the song went to #10 on the Billboard pop charts, and #73 on the Billboard soul chart. The song earned Robinson a Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. The track also went to number one on the Billboard disco chart for four weeks. "Turn the Beat Around" is considered a disco classic and is featured on many compilation albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye</span> 1969 single by Steam

"Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye" is a 1969 song written and recorded by Paul Leka, Gary DeCarlo and Dale Frashuer, attributed to a then-fictitious band Steam. It was released under the Mercury subsidiary label Fontana and became a number-one pop single on the Billboard Hot 100 in late 1969, and remained on the charts in early 1970.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stand by Your Man</span> 1968 Tammy Wynette song

"Stand by Your Man" is a song recorded by American country music artist Tammy Wynette, co-written by Wynette and Billy Sherrill. It was released on September 20, 1968, as the first single and title track from the album Stand by Your Man. It proved to be the most successful record of Wynette's career, and is one of the most familiar songs in country music. The song was placed at number one on CMT's list of the Top 100 Country Music Songs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Will You Love Me Tomorrow</span> 1960 single by the Shirelles

"Will You Love Me Tomorrow", sometimes known as "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow", is a song written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King. It was first recorded in 1960 by the Shirelles; released as a single that November, it became the first song by an African-American girl group to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It has since been recorded by many other artists, including King on her 1971 album Tapestry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Send Me</span> 1957 single by Sam Cooke

"You Send Me" is a song written and originally recorded by American singer Sam Cooke, released as a single in 1957 by Keen Records. Produced by Bumps Blackwell and arranged and conducted by René Hall. The song, Cooke's debut single, was a massive commercial success, becoming a No. 1 hit on both Billboard's Rhythm & Blues Records chart and the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chain Gang (song)</span> 1960 single by Sam Cooke

"Chain Gang" is a song by American singer-songwriter Sam Cooke, released as a single on July 26, 1960.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Pull Your Love</span> 1971 single by Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds

"Don't Pull Your Love" is the debut single by Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds which became a top ten hit single in 1971. The song was written by Brian Potter and Dennis Lambert.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Boss (Diana Ross song)</span> 1979 song by Diana Ross

"The Boss" is a 1979 song written and produced by Ashford & Simpson and recorded by American singer Diana Ross, who released it as a single on the Motown label. It was the first release from the album of the same title (1979). The song was released on May 22, 1979, a day before the album release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">He Will Break Your Heart</span> 1960 song by Jerry Butler

"He Will Break Your Heart", is a song originally performed and co-written by Jerry Butler. It was a top-ten hit in 1960.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love So Right</span> 1976 single by the Bee Gees

"Love So Right" is an R&B ballad recorded by the Bee Gees. It was the second single released on the album Children of the World.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gerald Alston</span> American singer

Gerald Alston is an American soul/R&B singer, and the lead singer of the Manhattans. Between late 1970 and 1988, the group had 25 top 40 R&B and 12 Hot 100 hit singles. Alston was lead singer on their most successful 1976 platinum song "Kiss and Say Goodbye", which topped the U.S. Pop and R&B charts and was number one in four countries. Alston left the group in 1988 to pursue a solo career and recorded five albums and ten singles, including the hit singles "Take Me Where You Want To", "Slow Motion" and "Getting Back into Love". He also recorded a remake of Atlantic Starr's "Send for Me", most of which was for Motown Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Always and Forever (Heatwave song)</span> 1977 single by Heatwave

"Always and Forever" is an R&B song written by Rod Temperton and produced by Barry Blue. It was first recorded by the British-based multinational funk-disco band Heatwave in 1976. Released as a single on 3 December 1977, the song is included on Heatwave's debut album Too Hot to Handle (1976) and has been covered by numerous artists, becoming something of a standard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kiss Me Goodbye (Petula Clark song)</span> 1968 single by Petula Clark

"Kiss Me Goodbye" is a Les Reed/ Barry Mason composition recorded in 1968 by Petula Clark.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Is Alive (Gary Wright song)</span> 1976 single by Gary Wright

"Love Is Alive" is a song by Gary Wright taken from the 1975 album The Dream Weaver. It features Wright on vocals and keyboards and Andy Newmark on drums, with all music except for the drums produced on the keyboards. The album's title cut and "Love Is Alive" both peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. "Love Is Alive" spent 27 weeks on the chart, seven weeks longer than "Dream Weaver". Billboard ranked "Love Is Alive" as the No. 9 song of 1976.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shining Star (The Manhattans song)</span> 1980 single by The Manhattans

"Shining Star" is a popular song written by the American songwriters and music producers Leo Graham and Paul Richmond. The song was recorded in 1980 by popular American R&B vocal group The Manhattans and released the same year on the album After Midnight. "Shining Star" was released as a single in 1980 and peaked at number 4 on the US Billboard R&B chart, and number 5 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. The song was most successful in New Zealand, where it reached position number 2; the same position that it also reached in the Black Oriented Singles of the Record World magazine in the USA. Although it did not reach the number-one on any chart, "Shining Star" was The Manhattans's highest-charting hit since the worldwide hit "Kiss and Say Goodbye" released in 1976.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye (song)</span> 1983 single by Dionne Warwick and Luther Vandross

"How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye" is a 1983 song by Dionne Warwick and Luther Vandross. The ballad was issued as the lead single of Warwick's album How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye, later appearing on Vandross' album Busy Body, both of which were released in 1983.

"Crazy" is a song written and produced by the Americans songwriters and music producers John V. Anderson, Steve Williams and Steve Horton. The song was recorded in 1983 by popular American R&B vocal group The Manhattans and released the same year on the album Forever by Your Side by Columbia Records. "Crazy" was released as a single in June 1983, reaching No. 4 on the R&B chart, and No. 72 on the Billboard Hot 100. Besides the United States, "Crazy" peaked at No. 63 on the UK Singles chart. Two formats were released for the single of "Crazy". The first was 7" single, where "Crazy" was only 3:55 in length and containing the song "Love Is Gonna Find You" on B-side. The second was 12" single, containing the instrumental version of "Crazy" on B-side.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 45cat. "The Manhattans – Kiss And Say Goodbye / Wonderful World of Love 7" (1976)" . Retrieved March 14, 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. ↑ "Sigma Sound Studios: Singles 1968-1978". Billboard. September 16, 1978. p. SS-11. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  3. ↑ Breihan, Tom (September 9, 2019). "The Number Ones: The Manhattans' "Kiss And Say Goodbye"". Stereogum . Retrieved June 30, 2023. And the song's silken drip is straight out of the Philly soul playbook.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Discogs. "The Manhattans – The Manhattans (1976)". Discogs . Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  5. 1 2 3 Billboard. "THE MANHATTANS – The Hot 100 Songs". Billboard . Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  6. 1 2 "THE MANHATTANS – KISS AND SAY GOODBYE". ultratop.be. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  7. 1 2 "THE MANHATTANS – KISS AND SAY GOODBYE". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  8. 1 2 "THE MANHATTANS – KISS AND SAY GOODBYE (SONG)". charts.nz. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  9. 1 2 Rate Your Music. "Europarade: Number One Singles" . Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  10. 1 2 Billboard. "THE MANHATTANS – Adult Contemporary Songs". Billboard . Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  11. 1 2 ""Kiss and Say Goodbye" – The Manhattans". Superseventies.com. July 24, 1976. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
  12. ↑ Discogs. "Robert Stantley Riley Sr". Discogs . Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  13. ↑ Billboard (July 24, 1976). "The Hot 100". Billboard . Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  14. ↑ Billboard (July 31, 1976). "The Hot 100". Billboard . Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  15. ↑ Billboard (May 22, 1976). "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard . Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  16. 1 2 The Official UK Charts Company. "MANHATTANS – Chart History (UK Charts Songs)". Official Charts . Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  17. 1 2 BPI. "Manhattans – Kiss And Say Goodbye" . Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  18. 1 2 Library and Archives Canada. "RPM Top Singles" (PDF). Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  19. 1 2 MUSIC CANADA. "Gold/Platinum – The Manhattans" . Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  20. 1 2 RIAA. "THE MANHATTANS – KISS & SAY GOODBYE". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  21. 1 2 Sanjek, David (2002). "Tell Me Something I Don't Already Know: The Harvard Report on Soul Music Revisited". In Kelley, Norman (ed.). R&B (Rhythm and Business): The Political Economy of Black Music. New York, NY: Akashic Books. p. 77. ISBN   1-888451-68-8 . Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  22. 1 2 3 AmericanRadioHistory (December 25, 1976). "Billboard: December 25, 1976" (PDF). Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  23. ↑ "The Billboard Top 100 Songs of the 1970's". Billboard on YouTube. April 16, 2015. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  24. 1 2 3 4 Discogs (1995). "Kiss And Say Goodbye: The Best Of The Manhattans". Discogs . Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  25. 1 2 3 Discogs (1976). "Kiss And Say Goodbye / Wonderful World of Love (1976)". Discogs . Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  26. 1 2 "National Top 100 Singles for 1976". Kent Music Report. December 27, 1976. Retrieved January 11, 2022– via Imgur.
  27. ↑ "AUSTRALIA'S (DAVID KENT) WEEKLY SINGLE CHARTS FROM 1976". hitsofalldecades.com. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  28. ↑ "THE MANHATTANS – KISS AND SAY GOODBYE". austriancharts.at. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  29. ↑ Library and Archives Canada. "RPM Adult Contemporary" (PDF). Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  30. ↑ "Le Détail par Artiste" (in French). InfoDisc. Select "MANHATTANS" from the artist drop-down menu. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  31. ↑ "THE MANHATTANS – KISS AND SAY GOODBYE". offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  32. ↑ "Title: KISS AND SAY GOODBYE – Artist: THE MANHATTANS". irishcharts.ie. Archived from the original on March 15, 2018. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  33. ↑ "The Manhattans – Top 40-hits". Top 40. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  34. ↑ "THE MANHATTANS – KISS AND SAY GOODBYE (SONG)". norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  35. ↑ "South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (M)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  36. ↑ "THE MANHATTANS – KISS AND SAY GOODBYE (SONG)". swedishcharts.com. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  37. ↑ "THE MANHATTAN – KISS AND SAY GOODBYE". hitparade.ch. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  38. ↑ Billboard. "THE MANHATTANS – Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard . Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  39. ↑ Cash Box Magazine. "CASH BOX Top 100 R&B" (PDF). Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  40. ↑ AmericanRadioHistory. "Record World The R&B Singles" (PDF). Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  41. ↑ AmericanRadioHistory. "Record World The Singles Chart" (PDF). Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  42. ↑ Cash Box Magazine. "CASH BOX Top 100 Singles" (PDF). Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  43. ↑ "JAHRESHITPARADE 1976". austriancharts.at. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  44. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1976". ultratop.be. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  45. ↑ Library and Archives Canada (January 8, 1977). "RPM Top 200 Singles of 1976" (PDF). Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  46. ↑ "Jahrescharts Deutschland – Hits 1976 (Top 100 Auswertung)". chartsurfer.de. Archived from the original on May 26, 2018. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  47. ↑ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1976". Top 40. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  48. ↑ "JAAROVERZICHTEN – SINGLE 1976". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  49. ↑ "END OF YEAR CHARTS 1976". The Official New Zealand Music Chart. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  50. ↑ "Top 50 Singles of 1976". Music Week . London, England: Spotlight Publications: 25. December 25, 1976.
  51. ↑ Hunter, Nigel, ed. (1977). "Top 100 Singles 1976". BPI Year Book 1977 (2nd ed.). London, England: The British Phonographic Industry Ltd. pp. 216–18. ISBN   0-906154-00-6.
  52. ↑ UK Music Charts. "Top 100 1976" . Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  53. 1 2 AmericanRadioHistory (December 25, 1976). "Cash Box: December 25, 1976" (PDF). Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  54. 1 2 AmericanRadioHistory. "Record World: December 25, 1976" (PDF). Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  55. ↑ "The Billboard Top 100 Songs of the 1970's". Billboard on YouTube. April 16, 2015. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  56. ↑ "Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart". Billboard. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  57. ↑ "Official Charts - UB40". Official Charts . Retrieved September 6, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.