The Carpenters - Goodbye to Love - Lyrics Meaning

Goodbye to Love was composed by Richard Carpenter and John Bettis, and released by the Carpenters singing group in 1972. No less than the fabulous tones of lead singers Karen Carpenter, the song also stands out by the brilliant guitar solo performed by session player, Tony Peluso.

As was the routine with the Carpenters, Richard Carpenter composed the melodies and Bettis added the lyrics, with Karen being involved in certain aspects of production. This was a winning formula and Goodbye to Love made it to number seven in the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972, the first of much collaboration to do so

The song's brilliantly crafted lyrics describe the end of love in a young woman's eyes and how she realizes she will have to cope with it. She states that no-one ever cares if I shall live or do, which is especially profound when considering Karen Carpenter's premature death as a result of Anorexia Nervosa eleven years later at the age of 33.

Whether by accident or design, most of the Carpenter's songs were of a heavy nature, and "Goodbye to Love" is no exception. However there is a glimmer of hope when Karen sings.

"What lies in the future is a mystery to us all, there may come a time when I admit that I was wrong, but for now this is my song."