Never Can Say Goodbye
"Never Can Say Goodbye" is a song written by Clifton Davis and originally recorded by the Jackson 5. The song was originally written and intended for the Supremes; however, Motown decided it would be better for the Jackson 5. It was the first single released from the group's 1971 album Maybe Tomorrow, and was one of the group's most successful records. It has been covered numerous times, most notably in 1974 by Gloria Gaynor and in 1987 by British pop group the Communards.
This article is about the song. For the album by Gloria Gaynor, see Never Can Say Goodbye (Gloria Gaynor album). For the album by Joey DeFrancesco, see Never Can Say Goodbye: The Music of Michael Jackson."Never Can Say Goodbye"
"Never Can Say Goodbye"
April 1971 (U.S.)
1971
- 5:07 (original album version)
- 3:32 (7-inch single version)
Clifton Davis
Isaac Hayes
"We Just Can't Make It"
October 27, 1974 (U.S.)
1974
- 6:19 (original album version)
- 2:58 (7-inch single version)
Clifton Davis
- Jay Ellis
- Meco Monardo
- Tony Bongiovi
- Harold Wheeler
- "'77, The Great Escape" (7-inch)
- "Tomorrow" (Remix) (U.S. 12-inch)
26 October 1987[33]
1987
- 4:30 (7-inch 45 RPM)
- 4:53 (Album Version)
- 7:50 (12-inch single)
- London (UK)
- MCA Records (U.S.)
- Metronome (Germany)
Clifton Davis
Stephen Hague (Remix and additional production by Shep Pettibone)
Other artists who have covered the song include:
Samples and remixes[edit]
The Neptunes remixed "Never Can Say Goodbye" on the 2009 Michael Jackson remix album The Remix Suite.[72]
Astro rapped over the song on a 2011 episode of The X Factor USA.
In 2012, Wu-Tang Clan rapper Raekwon released his cover version of the song in which he raps over the instrumental.[73]
In popular culture[edit]
While appearing on The Hollywood Squares Clifton Davis sang a bit of the song a capella and then was asked who wrote the song. His answer was "I did" to which the contestant agreed (and was correct).