You say yes, I say no
You say stop and I say go go go, oh no
You say goodbye and I say hello
Hello hello
I don’t know why you say goodbye, I say hello
Hello hello
I don’t know why you say goodbye, I say hello
I say high, you say low
You say why and I say I don’t know, oh no
You say goodbye and I say hello
(Hello goodbye hello goodbye) Hello hello
(Hello goodbye) I don’t know why you say goodbye, I say hello
(Hello goodbye hello goodbye) Hello hello
(Hello goodbye) I don’t know why you say goodbye
(Hello goodbye) I say hello/goodbye
Why why why why why why do you say goodbye goodbye, oh no?
You say goodbye and I say hello
Hello hello
I don’t know why you say goodbye, I say hello
Hello hello
I don’t know why you say goodbye, I say hello
You say yes (I say yes) I say no (But I may mean no)
You say stop (I can stay) and I say go go go (Till it’s time to go), oh
Oh no
You say goodbye and I say hello
Hello hello
I don’t know why you say goodbye, I say hello
Hello hello
I don’t know why you say goodbye, I say hello
Hello hello
I don’t know why you say goodbye, I say hello hello
Hela heba helloa
Hela heba helloa, cha cha cha
Hela heba helloa, wooo
Hela heba helloa, hela
Hela heba helloa, cha cha cha
Hela heba helloa, wooo
Hela heba helloa, cha cah cah [fade out]
Exploring Contrasts and Communication
“Hello, Goodbye” by The Beatles is a vibrant pop anthem that delves into the dualities of human interaction. The lyrics are built around opposites—yes/no, stop/go, hello/goodbye—reflecting the complexities and misunderstandings that can arise in relationships. The repetitive, catchy refrain underscores how simple communication can become tangled, leading to confusion and mixed emotions. This playfulness is matched by the song’s upbeat melody, turning what could be a sad farewell into an optimistic embrace of new beginnings. The nonsensical chorus lines, such as “Hela heba helloa,” add a sense of whimsy, inviting listeners to find joy in ambiguity and change.
Song Credits
Written by Paul McCartney and John Lennon. Released in 1967 by Parlophone.