The Jackson 5 - Never Can Say Goodbye

Written by Clifton Davis originally intended for the Supremes, recorded by the Jackson 5 for their album, Maybe Tomorrow, issued in April 1971 in the US and October 1971 in the UK.

It hit no.1 on the R&B singles chart and no.2 on the Hot 100 in the US, but stalled at no.33 in the UK.

Early American copies were released with a special picture sleeve carrying the inscription: 'See The Jackson 5 on ABC-TV Special Diana! April 18th 1971'.

It was promoted on the group's TV special and The Flip Wilson Show in the US in 1971, and performed by the Jackson 5 on The Tonight Show (hosted by Johnny Carson) in April 1974, and by the Jacksons on their own TV series in 1976. It also featured in 'The Rare Pearl' episode of the new Jackson 5 cartoon series in 1971.

Cited by Michael, in the early 1970s, as one of his three favourite songs he had recorded for Motown, along with ABC and I'll Be There.

An adult solo version by Michael was scheduled to feature on the shelved compilation, Decade 1980-1990 - remains unreleased.


Never Can Say Goodbye - Lyrics

Never can say goodbye
No, no, no, no, I never can say goodbye

Even though the pain and heartache
Seem to follow me wherever I go
Though I tried, tried to hide my feelings
They always seem to show
Then you try to say you’re leaving me
And I always have to say no
Tell me why is it so
That I never can say goodbye
No, no, no, no, no, I never can say goodbye

Every time I think I’ve had enough
And start heading for the door
There’s a very strange vibration
That piercing me right to the core
It says turn around you fool
You know you love her more and more
Tell me why is it so
Don’t wanna let you go

I never can say you goodbye, girl
(Never can say goodbye, girl)
Ooh ooh baby
(Don’t wanna let you go, girl)
I never can say goodbye
No, no, no, no, no, no
I never can say you goodbye, girl
(Never can say goodbye, girl)
Ooh ooh
(Don’t wanna let you go, girl)
I never can say goodbye
No, no, no, no, no, no

Never can say goodbye
No, no, no, no, I never can say goodbye

I keep thinking that our problems
Soon are all gonna work out
But there’s that same unhappy feeling
And there’s that anguish, there’s that doubt
It’s the same old dizzy hang up
Can’t do with you or without
Tell me why is it so
Don’t wanna let you go

I never can say you goodbye, girl
(Hey babe)
Ooh ooh baby
(Don’t wanna let you go, girl)
I never can say goodbye
No, no, no, no, no, no
I never can say you goodbye, girl
(Never can say goodbye, girl)
Ooh
(Hey babe)
I never can say goodbye
No, no, no, no, no, no