KISS and Say Goodbye - wikipedia KISS and Say Goodbye This article is about The Manhattans song. For the song of the same title by Kate & Anna McGarrigle, see Kate & Anna McGarrigle ( album ). `` Kiss and Say Goodbye '' Single by The Manhattans from the album The Manhattans B - side `` Wonderful World of Love '' Released March 1976 Format 7 '' single Recorded ( at Sigma Sound Studios ) Genre Soul R&B Length 4 : 28 ( Album full version ) 3 : 29 ( Single edited version ) Label Columbia Records Songwriter ( s ) Winfred Lovett Producer ( s ) Bobby Martin Manhattans The Manhattans singles chronology `` Hurt '' ( 1975 ) `` Kiss and Say Goodbye '' ( 1976 ) `` I Kinda Miss You '' ( 1976 ) `` Hurt '' ( 1975 ) `` Kiss and Say Goodbye '' ( 1976 ) `` I Kinda Miss You '' ( 1976 ) Music video `` Kiss and Say Goodbye '' by The Manhattans ( Official Music Video ) on YouTube `` Kiss and Say Goodbye '' is a 1976 hit song worldwide, by popular American R&B vocal group The Manhattans. It was written by group member Winfred Lovett, the bass singer and songwriter of the group, interpreter of the famous spoken voice on the song intro. The song was recorded for the album The Manhattans, released in 1976 by Columbia Records, and was released as a single in March of the same year. `` Kiss and Say Goodbye '' became a worldwide success, appearing in the musical charts of countless countries, reaching excellent positions. The song was ranked number 1 in US, Belgium, Netherlands, New Zealand, and in Europe ( European Hot 100 Singles ). With the exception of Adult Contemporary Chart, `` Kiss and Say Goodbye '' was ranked number 1 in US on all Pop Singles Charts and on all R&B Singles Charts. The song was one of the biggest hits of 1976 and the 1970s. Contents 1 Background and recording 2 Track listing 3 B - side 4 Chart performance 4.1 Weekly charts 4.2 Year - end charts 4.3 End - of - decade charts 4.4 Certifications and sales 5 Personnel 6 See also 7 References 8 External links Background and recording The song was written by Manhattans bass singer Winfred `` Blue '' Lovett, who also provided the spoken introduction heard in the full - length version of the original recording. The lyrics and melody came to him late one night. As he later recalled, `` Everything was there. I got up about three o'clock in the morning and jotted down the things I wanted to say. I just put the words together on my tape recorder and little piano. I 've always thought that when you write slow songs, they have to have meaning. In this case, it 's the love triangle situation we 've all been through. I figured anyone who 's been in love could relate to it. And it seemed to touch home for a lot of folks. '' Lovett originally considered the song a country tune more appropriate to be sung by Glen Campbell or Charley Pride. He decided to do it with his group. The Manhattans lead singer Gerald Alston is featured in the song starting to sing after Lovett 's spoken introduction. 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. Recorded in early 1975, Columbia Records officials withheld releasing the song until 14 months later. Winfred `` Blue '' Lovett had his concerns over when the record came out as well as the record itself. `` I was critical, a perfectionist in the studio, and there are still parts of it that make my skin crawl. For example, in one place, the background vocals go off pitch. Somehow, though, that did n't seem to bother anyone else. '' Track listing Side Song Length Interpreters Writer / composer Producers Original album Release Year A-side `` Kiss and Say Goodbye '' 3 : 29 The Manhattans Winfred Lovett Bobby Martin, The Manhattans The Manhattans 1976 B - side `` Wonderful World of Love '' 2 : 47 The Manhattans Robert S. Riley Sr. Bobby Martin, The Manhattans The Manhattans 1976 The full length of `` Kiss and Say Goodbye '' on the album The Manhattans is 4 : 28. The length of 3 : 29 on the 7 '' single is an edited version of the song. B - side The B - side of the 7 '' single contains the song `` Wonderful World of Love '', which was also recorded by The Manhattans for the album The Manhattans. It was written by Robert S. Riley Sr., songwriter and producer / promotion man of the group, who wrote several songs ( lyrics ) for them. The song was produced by Bobby Martin and The Manhattans. Chart performance Released as a single, the song became a worldwide hit for the group, ranked number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks, and also on the Billboard R&B chart for one week. The single reaching number 4 on the UK, ( where received Silver certification ), and number 7 on the Canada, ( where received Gold certification ). On the U.S., the song was the 400th # 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. It also became just the second single to earn Platinum certification status, after the RIAA established the designation in 1976. ( Johnnie Taylor 's `` Disco Lady '' had been the first a few months earlier. ) Billboard ranked the song as the No. 6 Pop Singles for 1976 and No. 3 Soul Singles for 1976. Besides being the first and only No. 1 pop hit for The Manhattans, `` Kiss and Say Goodbye '' marked 11 years since the group made their first appearance on the Billboard in 1965, with the song `` I Wanna Be ( Your Everything ) '' ( No. 68 on the Hot 100 ). `` Kiss and Say Goodbye '' ended the decade at No. 83 on the Billboard Top 100 Songs of the 1970s. Weekly charts Chart ( 1976 ) Peak position Australia ( Kent Music Report ) Austria ( Ö3 Austria Top 40 ) Belgium ( Ultratop ) Canada Adult Contemporary ( RPM ) 26 Canada Top Singles ( RPM ) 7 Europe ( Europarade ) France ( IFOP ) 30 Germany ( Offizielle Deutsche Charts ) 10 Ireland ( Irish Charts ) 7 Netherlands ( Dutch Single Tip ) 8 Netherlands ( Dutch Top 40 ) Netherlands ( Single Top 100 ) New Zealand ( Recorded Music NZ ) Norway ( VG - lista ) 11 South Africa ( Springbok Radio ) 12 Sweden ( Sverigetopplistan ) 7 Switzerland ( Swiss Hitparade ) 7 UK Singles ( Official Charts ) US Adult Contemporary ( Billboard ) 12 US R&B Chart ( Billboard ) US Top 100 R&B ( Cash Box ) US The R&B Singles ( Record World ) US The Hot 100 ( Billboard ) US The Singles Chart ( Record World ) US Top 100 Singles ( Cash Box ) Year - end charts Chart ( 1976 ) Position Australia ( Kent Music Report ) 33 Austria ( Ö3 Austria Top 40 ) 17 Belgium ( Ultratop ) 21 Brazil ( Top Hits ) 34 Canada Top 200 Singles ( RPM ) 88 Germany ( GfK Entertainment ) 40 Netherlands ( Dutch Top 40 ) 5 Netherlands ( MegaCharts ) New Zealand ( Recorded Music ) 7 UK Best - Selling ( Music Week ) 25 UK Top 100 ( UK Music Charts ) 33 US 100 R&B Singles ( Cash Box ) US 100 Singles ( Cash Box ) US Pop Singles ( Billboard ) 6 US Soul Singles ( Billboard ) US Top R&B Singles Group ( RW ) US Top Singles Group ( RW ) End - of - decade charts End of decade ( 1970 -- 1979 ) Position Billboard 100 Songs of the 1970s 83 Greatest Soul Songs of the 1970s 57 Certifications and sales Country ( 1976 ) Certification Sales Canada ( CRIA ) Gold 75.000 * United Kingdom ( BPI ) Silver 250.000 * United States ( RIAA ) Platinum 1,000,000 Total available sales : 1.325. 000 * * Sales figures based on certification alone. Personnel Written by -- Winfred Lovett Arranged by -- Bobby Martin Spoken voice on intro -- Winfred Lovett Lead Vocal -- Gerald Alston Music played ( uncredited ) -- MFSB Background Vocals ( uncredited ) -- The Manhattans, Barbara Ingram, Evette Benton, Carla Benson Credits Producer -- Bobby Martin and The Manhattans Recorded by -- Kenny Present Mastered by -- Stuart J. Romaine ( SJR ) Engineer -- Kenny Present Companies Manufactured by -- Columbia Records Phonographic Copyright ℗ -- CBS Inc. Copyright -- CBS Inc. Recorded at -- Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia, PA Pressed by -- Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Terre Haute Mastered at -- Frankford / Wayne Mastering Labs Notes ℗ 1975, 1976 CBS Inc. 1976, CBS Inc. Taken from the Columbia Records LP The Manhattans, PC 33820 See also List of Billboard Hot 100 number - one singles of 1976 List of number - one R&B singles of 1976 ( U.S. ) List of Cash Box Top 100 number - one singles of 1976 List of Radio & Records number - one singles of the 1970s List of European number - one hits of 1976 List of Dutch Top 40 number - one singles of 1976 List of number - one singles in 1976 ( New Zealand ) List of Billboard Year - End Hot 100 singles of 1976 List of number - one singles and best - selling singles of 1976 ( U.K. ) References ^ Jump up to : 45cat. `` The Manhattans -- Kiss And Say Goodbye / Wonderful World of Love 7 '' ( 1976 ) ``. Retrieved March 14, 2018. ^ Jump up to : Discogs. `` The Manhattans -- The Manhattans ( 1976 ) ''. Retrieved March 14, 2018. ^ Jump up to : Billboard. `` THE MANHATTANS -- The Hot 100 Songs ''. Retrieved March 14, 2018. ^ Jump up to : `` THE MANHATTANS -- KISS AND SAY GOODBYE ''. ultratop.be. Retrieved March 14, 2018. ^ Jump up to : `` THE MANHATTANS -- KISS AND SAY GOODBYE ''. dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved March 14, 2018. ^ Jump up to : `` THE MANHATTANS -- KISS AND SAY GOODBYE ( SONG ) ''. charts.org.nz. Retrieved March 14, 2018. ^ Jump up to : Rate Your Music. `` Europarade : Number One Singles ''. Retrieved March 15, 2018. ^ Jump up to : Billboard. `` THE MANHATTANS -- Adult Contemporary Songs ''. Retrieved March 14, 2018. ^ Jump up to : `` '' Kiss and Say Goodbye '' -- The Manhattans ``. Superseventies.com. July 24, 1976. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 11. Jump up ^ Discogs. `` Robert Stantley Riley Sr ''. Retrieved March 16, 2018. Jump up ^ Billboard ( July 24, 1976 ). `` The Hot 100 ''. Retrieved March 26, 2018. Jump up ^ Billboard ( July 31, 1976 ). `` The Hot 100 ''. Retrieved March 26, 2018. Jump up ^ Billboard ( May 22, 1976 ). `` Hot R&B / Hip - Hop Songs ''. Retrieved March 26, 2018. ^ Jump up to : The Official UK Charts Company. `` MANHATTANS -- Chart History ( UK Charts Songs ) ''. Retrieved March 14, 2018. ^ Jump up to : BPI. `` Manhattans -- Kiss And Say Goodbye ''. Retrieved March 20, 2018. ^ Jump up to : Library and Archives Canada. `` RPM Top Singles '' ( PDF ). Retrieved March 14, 2018. ^ Jump up to : MUSIC CANADA. `` Gold / Platinum -- The Manhattans ''. Retrieved March 20, 2018. ^ Jump up to : RIAA. `` THE MANHATTANS -- KISS & SAY GOODBYE ''. Retrieved March 20, 2018. ^ Jump up to : AmericanRadioHistory ( December 25, 1976 ). `` Billboard : December 25, 1976 '' ( PDF ). Retrieved March 21, 2018. Jump up ^ `` The Billboard Top 100 Songs of the 1970 's ''. Billboard on YouTube. April 16, 2015. Retrieved 2018 - 03 - 23. Jump up ^ `` AUSTRALIA 'S ( DAVID KENT ) WEEKLY SINGLE CHARTS FROM 1976 ''. hitsofalldecades.com. Retrieved March 16, 2018. Jump up ^ `` THE MANHATTANS -- KISS AND SAY GOODBYE ''. austriancharts.at. Retrieved March 14, 2018. Jump up ^ Library and Archives Canada. `` RPM Adult Contemporary '' ( PDF ). Retrieved March 14, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Le Détail par Artiste '' ( in French ). InfoDisc. Select `` MANHATTANS '' from the artist drop - down menu. Retrieved March 14, 2018. Jump up ^ `` THE MANHATTANS -- KISS AND SAY GOODBYE ''. offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved March 14, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Title : KISS AND SAY GOODBYE -- Artist : THE MANHATTANS ''. irishcharts.ie. Retrieved March 14, 2018. Jump up ^ `` DUTCH SINGLE TIP -- 10 / 07 / 1976 ''. dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved March 21, 2018. Jump up ^ `` The Manhattans -- Top 40 - hits ''. Top 40. Retrieved March 14, 2018. Jump up ^ `` THE MANHATTANS -- KISS AND SAY GOODBYE ( SONG ) ''. norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved March 14, 2018. Jump up ^ `` South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 -- 1989 Acts ( M ) ''. Rock.co.za. Retrieved March 14, 2018. Jump up ^ `` THE MANHATTANS -- KISS AND SAY GOODBYE ( SONG ) ''. swedishcharts.com. Retrieved March 14, 2018. Jump up ^ `` THE MANHATTAN -- KISS AND SAY GOODBYE ''. hitparade.ch. Retrieved March 14, 2018. Jump up ^ Billboard. `` THE MANHATTANS -- Hot R&B / Hip - Hop Songs ''. Retrieved March 14, 2018. Jump up ^ Cash Box Magazine. `` CASH BOX Top 100 R&B '' ( PDF ). Retrieved March 14, 2018. Jump up ^ AmericanRadioHistory. `` Record World The R&B Singles '' ( PDF ). Retrieved March 14, 2018. Jump up ^ AmericanRadioHistory. `` Record World The Singles Chart '' ( PDF ). Retrieved March 14, 2018. Jump up ^ Cash Box Magazine. `` CASH BOX Top 100 Singles '' ( PDF ). Retrieved March 14, 2018. Jump up ^ `` AUSTRALIAN TOP 20 BOOK 'S ( DAVID KENT ) TOP SINGLES FOR 1976 ''. hitsofalldecades.com. Retrieved March 21, 2018. Jump up ^ `` JAHRESHITPARADE 1976 ''. austriancharts.at. Retrieved March 21, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Jaaroverzichten 1976 ''. ultratop.be. Retrieved March 21, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Mofolândia - > Músicas e Cantores - > As músicas mais tocadas. - > 1976 ''. Mofolândia. Retrieved March 21, 2018. Jump up ^ Library and Archives Canada ( January 8, 1977 ). `` RPM Top 200 Singles of 1976 '' ( PDF ). Retrieved March 21, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Jahrescharts Deutschland -- Hits 1976 ( Top 100 Auswertung ) ''. chartsurfer.de. Retrieved March 21, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Top 100 - Jaaroverzicht van 1976 ''. Top 40. Retrieved March 21, 2018. Jump up ^ `` JAAROVERZICHTEN -- SINGLE 1976 ''. dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved March 21, 2018. Jump up ^ `` END OF YEAR CHARTS 1976 ''. The Official New Zealand Music Chart. Retrieved March 22, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Top 50 Singles of 1976 ''. Music Week. London, England : Spotlight Publications : 25. December 25, 1976. Jump up ^ Hunter, Nigel, ed. ( 1977 ). `` Top 100 Singles 1976 ''. BPI Year Book 1977 ( 2nd ed. ). London, England : The British Phonographic Industry Ltd. pp. 216 -- 18. ISBN 0 - 906154 - 00 - 6. Jump up ^ UK Music Charts. `` Top 100 1976 ''. Retrieved March 22, 2018. ^ Jump up to : AmericanRadioHistory ( December 25, 1976 ). `` Cash Box : December 25, 1976 '' ( PDF ). Retrieved March 21, 2018. ^ Jump up to : AmericanRadioHistory. `` Record World : December 25, 1976 '' ( PDF ). Retrieved March 21, 2018. Jump up ^ `` The Billboard Top 100 Songs of the 1970 's ''. Billboard on YouTube. April 16, 2015. Retrieved 2018 - 03 - 23. Jump up ^ `` The 100 Greatest Soul Songs of the 70s ''. SoulTracks. Retrieved 2018 - 03 - 23. ^ Jump up to : Discogs. `` Kiss And Say Goodbye : The Best Of The Manhattans ''. Retrieved March 16, 2018. ^ Jump up to : Discogs. `` Kiss And Say Goodbye / Wonderful World of Love ( 1976 ) ''. Retrieved March 16, 2018. External links Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics `` Kiss and Say Goodbye '' by The Manhattans ( Official Music Video ) on YouTube `` Kiss and Say Goodbye '' song review. Allmusic.com. The Manhattans Studio albums There 's No Me Without You That 's How Much I Love You The Manhattans It Feels So Good There 's No Good in Goodbye Love Talk After Midnight Black Tie Forever by Your Side Singles `` Hurt '' `` Kiss and Say Goodbye '' `` The Way We Were '' / `` Memories '' ( medley ) `` Shining Star '' `` Crazy '' `` Forever by Your Side '' `` You Send Me '' Related articles Gerald Alston Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kiss_and_Say_Goodbye&oldid=847142928 '' Categories : 1976 songs 1976 singles The Manhattans songs 1970s ballads Number - one singles in the United States European Hot 100 Singles number - one singles Billboard Hot R&B / Hip - Hop Songs number - one singles Billboard Hot 100 number - one singles Number - one singles in Belgium Number - one singles in the Netherlands Number - one singles in New Zealand Dutch Top 40 number - one singles Single Top 100 number - one singles Soul ballads Rhythm and blues ballads Columbia Records singles Hidden categories : CS1 French - language sources ( fr ) Use mdy dates from May 2018 Music infoboxes with deprecated parameters Articles with hAudio microformats Talk Contents About Wikipedia Português Edit links This page was last edited on 23 June 2018, at 06 : 44 ( UTC ). 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Question: who sings the song kiss and say goodbye
Answer: popular American R&B vocal group The Manhattans