You must think that I'm stupid
You must think that I'm a fool
You must think that I'm new to this
But I have seen this all before
[Pre-Chorus]
I'm never gonna let you close to me
Even though you mean the most to me
'Cause every time I open up, it hurts
So I'm never gonna get too close to you
Even when I mean the most to you
In case you go and leave me in the dirt
[Chorus]
But every time you hurt me, the less that I cry
And every time you leave me, the quicker these tears dry
And every time you walk out, the less I love you
Baby, we don't stand a chance, it's sad but it's true
I'm way too good at goodbyes
(I'm way too good at goodbyes)
I'm way too good at goodbyes
(I'm way too good at goodbyes)
[Verse 2]
I know you're thinkin' I'm heartless
I know you're thinkin' I'm cold
I'm just protectin' my innocence
I'm just protectin' my soul
I'm never gonna let you close to me
Even though you mean the most to me
'Cause every time I open up, it hurts
So I'm never gonna get too close to you
Even when I mean the most to you
In case you go and leave me in the dirt
[Chorus]
But every time you hurt me, the less that I cry
And every time you leave me, the quicker these tears dry
And every time you walk out, the less l love you
Baby, we don't stand a chance, it's sad but it's true
I'm way too good at goodbyes
(I'm way too good at goodbyes)
I'm way too good at goodbyes
(I'm way too good at goodbyes)
No way that you'll see me cry
(No way that you'll see me cry)
I'm way too good at goodbyes
(I'm way too good at goodbyes)
[Bridge]
No
No, no, no, no, no
(I'm way too good at goodbyes)
No, no, no, no
No, no, no
(I'm way too good at goodbyes)
(No way that you'll see me cry)
Ah-ah, ah-ah
(I'm way too good at goodbyes)
'Cause every time you hurt me, the less that I cry
And every time you leave me, the quicker these tears dry
And every time you walk out, the less I love you
Baby, we don't stand a chance, it's sad but it's true
I'm way too good at goodbyes
About
“Too Good at Goodbyes” tells of a turbulent personal relationship, and is Sam Smith’s first solo release since their 2015 James Bond theme “Writing’s on the Wall.” The song is the lead single from their sophomore album, The Thrill of It All.
In a Beats 1 interview, Sam explained that only four songs on the album are about them, and “Too Good at Goodbyes” is one of them. They told Zane Lowe how the song was inspired by a real relationship:
[The song is] about a relationship I was in and it’s basically about getting good at getting dumped. […] I’m still very, very single. I think I’m even more single than I was when I released In the Lonely Hour.
They also said,
At the time I was trying to convince myself I was tough, to protect myself. I was gearing up for what I knew would happen. I’m really not like that at all.
In an interview with Nick Grimshaw on BBC Radio 1 on the morning the song dropped, Nick introduced Sam by saying that “the vibes around Sam have definitely changed,” and Sam agreed. They explained that the album, due in November, is a tribute to the family and friends who supported them over the years, focusing on ‘their lives — their ups and downs —, rather than Sam’s own.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
The artwork for “Too Good at Goodbyes” features a giant bouquet of dying flowers.
In their interview with Beats 1 host Zane Lowe, Zane commented that the artwork for “Too Good at Goodbyes” is dark and then jokingly mentioned:
My favorite thing that I’ve seen so far in your social roll out for this record, is you sitting there, with a big smile your face holding a picture of your artwork with dying flowers on it.
“My favorite flowers are dead flowers,” Smith explained, and then added:
I think the colors are really, really beautiful. So for my album cover shoot […] we got loads and loads of dead flowers, but it didn’t actually work out for the cover in the end. We had this beautiful picture that we made black and white and, I don’t know, it symbolizes goodbyes to me.
Soon after the release of this song Sam Smith did an interview with Beats 1 radio host Zane Lowe.
Out of the many details Sam Smith revealed, they pointed out they tried to challenge themself and address “heavier stuff” with the new album. The song, “Too Good at Goodbyes” is about a past relationship.
What I’ve been through relationship-wise the last year has made me a lot stronger and I feel like I’ve learned some lessons from it.
