About the Song
“Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye)” by Gladys Knight & the Pips isn’t just a soulful song; it’s a timeless ballad that captures the bittersweet emotions of a strained relationship. Released in 1973, the song became a major hit, topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart and winning a Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group.
The song’s beauty lies in its raw honesty. The lyrics, penned by Charlene Holloway, paint a picture of a love on the brink. Both partners are hesitant to take the first step towards ending the relationship, dreading the final goodbye. Lines like “There’s something wrong, I don’t know why / But there’s a tear in your eye” and “We both just sit and stare / Pretending that we don’t care” convey the unspoken tension and the unspoken desire to salvage the relationship.
“Neither One Of Us” doesn’t delve into blame or accusations. It focuses on the shared desire to avoid the inevitable heartbreak. The song acknowledges the fading spark but lingers on the remnants of affection. Lines like “Maybe if we hold on tight / We can make it through the night” express a flicker of hope, a desperate plea to find a way to mend what’s broken.
Musically, the song is a masterclass in soulful balladry. Gladys Knight’s powerful vocals are the centerpiece, conveying the emotional turmoil with heart-wrenching sincerity. The arrangement, featuring a lush backdrop of strings and piano, perfectly complements the emotional weight of the lyrics. The soulful backing vocals by The Pips add another layer of depth and texture, creating a sense of shared vulnerability.
“Neither One Of Us” transcends its genre and era. It’s a song that anyone who has experienced a failing relationship can relate to. The song captures the complex emotions of wanting to hold on while knowing it might be over. This relatable theme, coupled with Gladys Knight’s powerhouse vocals, ensures that “Neither One Of Us” remains a timeless classic.
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Lyrics: Neither One Of Us
It’s sad to think we’re not gonna be here
And it’s gotten to the point
Where we just can’t fake it
For some forgotten reason
We just won’t let it beI guess neither one of us
Neither one of us wants to be the first to say good-byeI keep wondering
Wondering
What I’m gonna do without you
And I guess you must be wondering the same thing too
So we go on
Go on together
Living a lieEvery time I find the nerve
Every time I find the nerve to say I’m leaving
MemoriesThose old memories get in my way
Lord knows it’s only me
Only know it’s me
That I’m missing you
When it comes to saying good-bye
That a simple word that I just cannot say
There can be no way
There can be no way
This can have a happy ending
No, no
So we just go on
Hurting and pretending
Convincing ourselves to give it just one more tryNeither one of us wants to be the first to say
Neither one of us wants to be the first to say
Farewell my love
Goodbye