Introduction
“To Say Goodbye” is a poignant track by the American country duo Joey + Rory, featured on their debut album, The Life of a Song, released on October 28, 2008. The song was co-written by the duo—Rory Feek and Joey Martin Feek—along with songwriter Jamie Teachenor. It was released as the third single from the album on July 27, 2009.
The inspiration behind “To Say Goodbye” stems from deeply personal experiences and universal themes of loss and longing. The song narrates two heart-wrenching stories: the first about a woman who loses her husband in the tragic events of September 11, 2001, and the second about an elderly man whose wife suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, unable to remember their shared past. Both narratives center on the pain of not having the chance to bid farewell to a loved one.
Joey + Rory dedicated a special website to coincide with the single’s release, creating an online community where individuals could share their personal stories and find solace in expressing their unsaid goodbyes. Joey Martin Feek shared her own experience of losing her brother, Justin, in a car accident in July 1994, highlighting the personal connection and emotional depth that the song embodies.
Critically, “To Say Goodbye” received mixed reviews. Bobby Peacock of Roughstock praised Joey’s vocals, comparing them to those of Patty Loveless, and commended the song’s fresh and laid-back sound. He noted the challenge of releasing a slow, somber song during the summertime but acknowledged the strength of the music. Conversely, Stephen M. Deusner of Engine 145 critiqued the song for indulging in melodrama without a clear focus, suggesting it felt truncated, as if missing a third verse.
“To Say Goodbye” stands as a testament to Joey + Rory’s commitment to authentic storytelling in country music, addressing profound themes of love, loss, and the enduring desire for closure.
Video
Lyrics
He said I’ll call you hun when I get there
Ten minutes later he was in the air
She dropped the kids at school and headed home
Walked in and turned the front room TV on
She could tell that there was something wrong
Every channel had the same thing on
Now seven years have come and gone away
But she’s still hurtin’ like it’s yesterday
Cause she wants to put her arms around his neck
And look in his eyes so blue
And say honey I don’t regret
A single day I spent with you
She wants to tell him that she loves him so
And will until the day she dies
It ain’t that she can’t let him go
She just wants to say goodbye
He sits beside her in the nursing home
Through her silver hair he runs a comb
He hangs their wedding picture on the wall
She don’t remember who he is at all
He tells her stories bout the life they’ve lived
From their first kiss to their last grandkids
For seven months now she just sits and stares
But if she wakes up he’s gonna be right there
Cause he wants to put his arms around her neck
And look in her eyes so blue
And say honey I won’t forget
A single day I spent with you
He wants to tell her that he loves her so
And will until the day he dies
It ain’t that he can’t let her go
He just wants to say goodbye
No it ain’t that we can’t let ‘em go
We just want to say goodbye