Goodbye To You

You know that phenomenon where a much-beloved song from the past comes on the radio and you start humming along, mumbling a word here and there if you don't know it well or belting out the lyrics like you're three sheets to the wind at a karaoke bar? And then suddenly the message of the song hits you like a ton of bricks and you realize that the song is ABOUT YOU. It perfectly encapsultes a time, a place, a feeling, a relationship in your life in a succint, eerily perfect manner. That pile of bricks hit me as I flipped the radio dial to Jack FM yesterday afternoon in the car and what comes on but the classic "Goodbye To You" by Scandal, a 1982 gem featuring frontwoman Patty Smyth and a gaggle of backup musicians sporting Flock of Seagulls hairdos. Without going into any "excuse me while I go be awesome" details (if you need that one explained, just ask) -- I realized that this exceptionally awesome tune perfectly captures the last few months of my late (read: recently deceased) relationship:

These last few weeks of holdin' on
The days are dull, the nights are long
Guess it's better to say Goodbye to you
Goodbye to you
Goodbye to you
Goodbye to you

Cause baby it's over now
No need to talk about it
It's not the same
My love for you's just not the same


It's funny how relationships change over time -- people grow apart, feelings change, sometimes without warning or explanation. There may be love left but it's not the same (thank you Scandal), and when that happens... it's usually best to say Goodbye.


Also, check out the Miami Vice-looking dude with the white blazer and scrunched sleeves. Classic.