About The Song
The song titled “Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye)” was recorded by Gladys Knight & the Pips and released on December 26, 1972, under Motown’s Soul Records imprint as S 35098. This release marked one of their most significant hit singles and served as their final release with Motown before moving to Buddah Records in February 1973.
Following the recording’s completion, Motown utilized it for promotional purposes in December 1972. However, negotiations with Motown fell through, leading the group to officially depart from the label in January 1973. Shortly after, in February 1973, they signed a contract with Buddah Records. During this transition, the song was already making its way up the pop and R&B charts, becoming the group’s most substantial hit since “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” approximately six years earlier. Motown released the group’s last contractual album, “Neither One of Us,” in March.
On March 17, 1973, the song claimed the top spot on the Hot Soul Singles chart, maintaining this position for four consecutive weeks. Despite its strong crossover appeal, it reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100, with Vicki Lawrence’s “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” preventing it from reaching number one. Nevertheless, it secured the number one position on the U.S. Record World and Cashbox charts. Additionally, the song crossed over to the adult contemporary chart, peaking at number 15. Globally, it achieved success, reaching number 9 in France, number 11 in Canada, and number 31 in the UK.
Video
Lyrics
It’s sad to think we’re not gonna make it
And it’s gotten to the point
Where we just can’t fake it
For some ungodly reason
We just won’t let it die (Let it die)
I guess neither one of us (Neither one of us)
Wants to be the first to say goodbyeI keep wondering (Wondering)
What I’m gonna do without you (Do without you)
And I guess you must be wondering the same thing too
So we go on
Go on together
Living a lie (Living a lie)
Because neither one of us (Neither one of us)
Wants to be the first to say goodbye
Everytime I find the nerve
Everytime I find the nerve to say I’m leaving (Leaving)
Old memories, those old memories get in my way (My way, my way)
Lord knows it’s only me
Oh He knows it’s only me
That I’m decieving
When it comes to saying goodbye
That’s a simple word that I just cannot sayThere can be no way
There can be no way (Be no way)
This can’t have a happy ending (Happy ending)
No, no
So we just go on (We go on)
Hurting and pretending
Convincing ourselves to give it just one more try (One more try)
Because neither one of us (Neither one of us) wants to be the first to say
Neither one of us (Neither one of us) wants to be the first to say
Neither one of us (Neither one of us) wants to be the first to say
Farewell, my love
Goodbye (Goodbye)