The end of the first teenage love, or what was thought at the time to be. This song laid dormant for years, perhaps waiting for the time to finally be done, and for the right guitar and technique, no matter how admittedly dated the lyrics (tail-end of summer '85 -- a whole 17 years old).
[ed.note: In other words, "John never had the confidence to record this one, despite literally years of pestering by Matt, 'When are we gonna record Goodbye Look'?". I seem to recall he finally surprised me about the last month of college. I strongly remember sitting behind the mixing board for this one, amazed, while we recorded it. I ran the tape next door to the girl I was dating at the time and played what I thought was the best song we'd ever done for her... yeah, I should have know then... --MS]
Lyrics
You scurried and you hurried, not even stopping
to say "Goodnight."
After seemingly patching all the wounds, after
all had gone so right.
Sometimes I wonder if the dawn will bring new
light,
and sometimes I see hope despite our love's
failing sight...
The ring around your finger and the necklace that
you wear
apparently mean little, even though I've said I
care.
Sometimes it seems to me, I dream more than
I dare;
and I spend my thoughts enchanting you, with
an imaginary flair...
And for what?
Not a kiss.
Not an embrace.
No, not even a simple
goodbye look.
I sacrifice every hard-earned dime showering with
gold
you who used to boast of me (or so I have been
told).
And with each new day that passes,
I find I've grown more cold
in fighting for and longing for a
heart that's bought and sold...
I'm too lonely to let you go, too scared to
run and hide,
when I know the only thing I want is you
close by my side.
For the short time we have together,
somehow I know it won't survive.
But I'm still fighting so goddamn hard
to keep this love alive...
And for what?
Not a kiss.
Not an embrace.
No, not even a simple
goodbye look.
