Kiss and Say Goodbye

"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 intoned the song's spoken introduction. The song was recorded for the album The Manhattans, released in 1976 by Columbia Records,[2] 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,[3] Belgium,[4] Netherlands,[5] New Zealand,[6] and in Europe (European Hot 100 Singles).[7] With the exception of Adult Contemporary Chart,[8] "Kiss and Say Goodbye" was ranked number 1 in US on all Pop Singles Charts and on all R&B Singles Charts. The song was one of the biggest hits of 1976 and of the 1970s.

This article is about The Manhattans song. For the song of the same title by Kate & Anna McGarrigle, see Kate & Anna McGarrigle (album).

"Kiss and Say Goodbye"
Single by The Manhattans
from the album The Manhattans
B-side"Wonderful World of Love"[1]
ReleasedMarch 1976[1]
Recorded1975
StudioSigma Sound Studios)[2]
GenreR&B
Length4:28 (Album full version)[2]
3:29 (Single edited version)[1]
LabelColumbia 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

Background and recording

The song was written by Manhattans bass singer Winfred "Blue" Lovett, who also provided the spoken introduction heard in the full-length version of the original recording. 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."[9]

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.[2] 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."[9]

Track listing
Side Song Length Interpreters Writer/composer Producers Original album Release Year
A-side "Kiss and Say Goodbye"[1] 3:29[1] The Manhattans[1] Winfred Lovett[1] Bobby Martin,
The Manhattans[1]		 The Manhattans[2] 1976[2]
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[2] 1976[2]
  • The full length of "Kiss and Say Goodbye" on the album The Manhattans is 4:28.[2] The length of 3:29 on the 7" single is an edited version of the song.[1]

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.[2] It was written by Robert S. Riley Sr.,[1] songwriter and producer/promotion man of the group, who wrote several songs (lyrics) for them.[10] 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,[11][12] and also on the Billboard R&B chart for one week.[13] The single reaching number 4 on the UK,[14] (where received Silver certification),[15] and number 7 on the Canada,[16] (where received Gold certification).[17] 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,[18] 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.[19] Billboard ranked the song as the No. 6 Pop Singles for 1976 and No. 3 Soul Singles for 1976.[20]

Besides being the first and 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).[3] "Kiss and Say Goodbye" ended the decade at No. 83 on the Billboard Top 100 Songs of the 1970s.[21]

Personnel
  • Written by Winfred Lovett[22]
  • Arranged by Bobby Martin[22]
  • Spoken voice on intro – Winfred Lovett
  • Lead vocal – Gerald Alston
  • Music played (uncredited) – MFSB
  • Background vocals (uncredited) – The Manhattans, Barbara Ingram, Evette Benton, Carla Benson

Credits

  • Producer – Bobby Martin and The Manhattans[22]
  • Recording – Kenny Present[22]
  • Mastering – Stuart J. Romaine (SJR)[23]
  • Engineer – Kenny Present[2]

Companies

Charts

Certifications and sales
Country (1976) Certification Sales
Canada (CRIA)[17] Gold 75,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[15] Silver 250,000*
United States (RIAA)[18] Platinum 2,500,000[19]
* Sales figures based on certification alone.

See also

References
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  2. Discogs. "The Manhattans – The Manhattans (1976)". Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  3. Billboard. "THE MANHATTANS – The Hot 100 Songs". Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  4. "THE MANHATTANS – KISS AND SAY GOODBYE". ultratop.be. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  5. "THE MANHATTANS – KISS AND SAY GOODBYE". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  6. "THE MANHATTANS – KISS AND SAY GOODBYE (SONG)". charts.nz. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  7. Rate Your Music. "Europarade: Number One Singles". Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  8. Billboard. "THE MANHATTANS – Adult Contemporary Songs". Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  9. ""Kiss and Say Goodbye" – The Manhattans". Superseventies.com. July 24, 1976. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
  10. Discogs. "Robert Stantley Riley Sr". Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  11. Billboard (July 24, 1976). "The Hot 100". Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  12. Billboard (July 31, 1976). "The Hot 100". Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  13. Billboard (May 22, 1976). "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Retrieved March 26, 2018.
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  15. BPI. "Manhattans – Kiss And Say Goodbye". Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  16. Library and Archives Canada. "RPM Top Singles" (PDF). Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  17. MUSIC CANADA. "Gold/Platinum – The Manhattans". Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  18. RIAA. "THE MANHATTANS – KISS & SAY GOODBYE". Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  19. 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.
  20. AmericanRadioHistory (December 25, 1976). "Billboard: December 25, 1976" (PDF). Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  21. "The Billboard Top 100 Songs of the 1970's". Billboard on YouTube. April 16, 2015. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
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