Released 1967 Genre Doo-wop Label Fraternity 977 | Format 7" single Length 3:09 Writer(s) John D. Loudermilk | |
"Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye" is a song written by John D. Loudermilk. It was first released in 1962 by Don Cherry, as a country song and again as a doo-wop in 1967 by the group The Casinos on its album of the same name, and was a number 6 pop hit that year. The song has since been covered by Eddy Arnold, whose version was a number 1 country hit in 1968, and by Neal McCoy, whose version became a Top 5 country hit in 1996.
Contents
Content
The song was written by Loudermilk, who also recorded it for his 1967 album Suburban Attitudes in Country Verse. It is played as a slow 12/8 shuffle, its lyric addressing a female lover at the beginning of a relationship.
The Casinos version
The Casinos released its version in 1967 from its debut album Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye. It reached number 6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in March 1967, and was the group's only Top 40 pop hit. Musicians on the recording included Armstrong on organ Mickey Denton on guitar, Ray White on bass, and Bob Smith on drums. It also featured a brass section of trumpets and trombones... It was also a number 28 pop hit in the United Kingdom.
Eddy Arnold version
In 1968, country music artist Eddy Arnold covered "Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye" on his album Walkin' in Love Land. Arnold has said that he was inspired to record the song after hearing Loudermilk perform it. Arnold's rendition was a Number One hit on both the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles (now Hot Country Songs) charts and RPM Country Tracks charts, as well as reaching number 84 on the U.S. pop charts.
Neal McCoy version
Neal McCoy covered the song in 1996 on his self-titled album. Released in May of that year as that album's lead-off single, it reached number 4 on the U.S. Billboard country charts and number 7 on the Canadian RPM country charts, as well as number 7 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100. McCoy's cover was the seventh Top Ten country hit of his career.
Other versions
Andy Williams released a version in 1967 on his album, Born Free.
Bettye Swann recorded the song in 1969.
Glen Campbell recorded the song as a medley with Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds' "Don't Pull Your Love." This song was a number 27 pop hit and went to number 1 on the Easy Listening chart in 1976. The medley peaked at number 4 country chart.
Toby Beau included it in their second album More Than a Love Song in 1979. It reached 57 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and 7 on the Adult Contemporary list.
The 5th Dimension recorded the song in 1973, but it was not released until 2004 as a bonus track on their The Ultimate 5th Dimension album.
Joss Stone recorded a version of the song for her 2012 album "The Soul Sessions Vol. II."
Johnny Nash recorded a version in 1964 for Argo Records.
Frankie Valli recorded a cover version of this song for his 2007 solo album of covers, "Romancing The 60's".