"Kiss and Say Goodbye" is a song recorded by American R&B group The Manhattans and released in 1976. The song was written by Winfred "Blue" Lovett, the bass singer of the group, and it tells the story of a man who is reluctantly ending a relationship. The lyrics of the song describe a situation where the man has fallen out of love with his partner and realizes that there is no future for them together. He knows it will be difficult to break up, but he believes it's better to end things now rather than prolong the inevitable pain. The chorus of the song, which is the most well-known part, goes like this: "Kiss and say goodbye Please, don't you cry We both know I'm not what you need." The man acknowledges that his partner may be hurt by the breakup but insists that staying together would only lead to more heartache. He asks for a final kiss and says his goodbyes, hoping that they can part as amicably as possible. Throughout the song, the man reflects on the good times they shared, expressing gratitude for the love they once had. He also acknowledges his own faults and shortcomings, indicating that he takes responsibility for the end of the relationship. Overall, "Kiss and Say Goodbye" is a poignant and bittersweet song about the end of a love affair. It emphasizes the necessity of letting go when a relationship has run its course and the difficulty of saying goodbye to someone you once cared deeply about.
