Peter Gunn
Farewell Jazz: Joe Jackson's Musical Goodbye to a Swinging Past
Lyrics
Every night your line is busy
Expressing frustration with the constant occupied phone line
All that buzzin' makes me dizzy
The buzzing sound from the busy line is causing dizziness
Couldn't count on all my fingers
Highlighting the numerous dates the person has had with swingers
All the dates you had with swingers
Emphasizing the extensive social engagements with a specific group
Bye, bye, bye, baby
Announcing the decision to part ways
I'm gonna kiss you goodbye and go right through that doorway
Expressing the intention to leave through a doorway after saying goodbye
So long, I'm leaving
Confirming the departure and stating that it's the last meeting on the street
This is the last time we'll meet on the street going your way
Indicating that this is the final encounter while going in the person's direction
Don't look surprised, you know you've buttered your bread
Asserting that consequences are deserved for actions taken
Now it's fair, you should stare at the back of my head
Suggesting that now it's appropriate for the person to look at the speaker's departure
If you write a letter to me
Discussing the possibility of receiving a letter from the person
My former friend, don't you end with an R.S.V.P.
Advising the person not to conclude the letter with an RSVP
Bye, bye, bye, baby
Repeating the decision to leave and say goodbye
I'm gonna kiss you goodbye and go right through that doorway
Reiterating the plan to leave through a doorway after bidding farewell
So long, I'm leaving
Confirming the departure and emphasizing it's the final meeting on the street
This is the last time we'll meet on the street going your way
Stating that this is the last encounter while going in the person's direction
Don't look surprised, you know you've buttered your bread
Emphasizing that consequences are deserved for actions taken
Now it's fair, you should stare at the back of my head
Suggesting that now it's appropriate for the person to look at the speaker's departure
If you write a letter to me
Discussing the possibility of receiving a letter from the person
My former friend, don't you end with an R.S.V.P.
Advising the person not to conclude the letter with an RSVP
Bye, bye, bye, baby
Repeating the decision to leave and say goodbye
Tomorrow I may be splittin' to Britain or Norway
Expressing the possibility of leaving for Britain or Norway the next day
I'm saying bye, bye, bye baby
Reiterating the farewell and stating that the speaker has had enough
Now that I heard all that jazzing whereas I have had it, I've had it
Indicating frustration after hearing a lot of jazzing or empty talk
I'm through now with you now
Declaring the end of the relationship and expressing finality
So baby it's au revouir
Using French to say goodbye, emphasizing the departure
Adios, ciao, ciao, goodbye
Using various languages to say goodbye and emphasize the final departure
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