"Kiss and Say Goodbye" | |
---|---|
Single by The Manhattans | |
from the album The Manhattans | |
B-side | "Wonderful World of Love" |
Released | April 1976 |
Format | 7" 45 RPM |
Recorded | 1975 |
Genre | Rhythm and blues, soul |
Length |
4:27 (full version) |
Label | Columbia |
Writer(s) | Winfred Lovett |
Producer | Bobby Martin |
"Kiss and Say Goodbye" is a song recorded by the American R&B vocal group The Manhattans. The song was written by Manhattans member Winfred "Blue" Lovett. The original demo of the song was recorded with The Manhattans backing band, "Little Harlem." After hearing a tape of the recording, producer/arranger Bobby Martin decided to re-record the song with MFSB at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia. Released as a single, in both a version that included a mid-song rap spoken part (aimed toward the R&B market) and one that omitted it (aimed toward the pop market), over a year later, the song became a worldwide hit for the group, spending two weeks at number one on the U.S. Pop and U.S. R&B charts.[1] and reaching number four on the UK Singles Chart in the summer of 1976. In the U.S., the song was the 400th #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart. It also became just the second single to earn double-platinum certification status, after the RIAA established the designation in 1976. (Johnnie Taylor's "Disco Lady" had been the first a few months earlier.) Hong Kong Pop Diva Anita Mui's rendition of this song, "Cherish When We Meet Again" (珍惜再會時), was the final song she performed before her death from Cervical Cancer in December 2003.
Preceded by "Love Hangover" by Diana Ross |
Billboard Hot Soul Singles number-one single May 22, 1976 |
Succeeded by "I Want You" by Marvin Gaye |
Preceded by "Afternoon Delight" by Starland Vocal Band |
Billboard Hot 100 number-one single July 24–31, 1976 |
Succeeded by "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" by Elton John & Kiki Dee |