Long Goodbye

OVERVIEW, VIDEO, LYRICS, COMPOSERS, AND REVIEWS

LYRICS

He walks the streets in the same clothes
He wore the day he left his old life behind
He walks the streets
His heart tucked beneath his sleeve
To hide away from his past and all his dreams

Your days are far behind you
Don’t look back keep moving on
Long gone, those days are over
Don’t look back keep moving on
The man who once had it all

He often sees his reflection
But doesn’t recognise the man
who’s walking by
He holds on to the love inside him
But that’s another wound
Another long goodbye

Your days are far behind you
Don’t look back keep moving on
Long gone, those days are over
Don’t look back keep moving on

Your days are far behind you
Don’t look back keep moving on
Long gone those days are over
Don’t look back keep moving on

Long gone keep moving on
Long gone keep moving on
Long gone keep moving on
Long gone keep moving on
The man who once had it all

OVERVIEW

Composer	Role
Daniel Woodgate	Music & Words

EDITORS REVIEW

It starts off with the ethereal tones of Tingsha-Tibetan Chimes, instantly conjuring memories of John Lennon's iconic ‘(Just Like) Starting Over’. At first blush, it seems like the tale might belong to Johnny the Horse, who faced similar existential quandaries. However, what follows feels like a departure from the nuanced storytelling we’ve come to expect from Madness.

One can't help but wonder, after a storied 45-year career, why Madness felt the need to resort to coarse language. The band, once celebrated for their ability to evoke deep emotion without a single expletive, now punctuates their lyrics with “Fuck this, fuck that, piss off, and it’s a large one, isn’t it" It feels jarring and out of place, detracting from the message rather than enhancing it. Even trying to smooth things with a "Happy Christmas" feels irrelevant and disconnected.

Woody's effort to convey the emotional weight of moving on from the past is palpable, yet the lyrical execution falls flat. Instead of the expected poignant reflection, we're left with profanity and half-hearted sentiment. The production, too, fails to lift the song from the mire of mediocrity. It’s a far cry from the polished, evocative tracks that once defined their legacy.

Ultimately, this track is a stark reminder that even legends can falter. Instead, what should have been a stirring ode to renewal and perseverance comes across as a cacophony of misplaced elements. Sadly, this one earns a dismal 1/10

TRACK RATING: 1/10

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1 Comment

Richard Mack on August 19, 2024 at 9:01 pm

I love this song, in a quite disturbing way. Very different to most Madness stuff and I was surprised to see Woody wrote it. I’m probably biased though because I wouldn’t give any song on the album below a 9.
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Representation	Company	Notes
Record Label	BMG Rights Management (UK)
Publisher	CTUN LLP

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