In an era when love songs dominated the airwaves and vinyl records spun late into the night, one voice stood out for its velvet warmth and emotional honesty. That voice belonged to Engelbert Humperdinck. And among the many romantic ballads that defined his career, There’s No Good in Goodbye remains one of his most quietly devastating masterpieces.
Released in 1976, the song didn’t rely on grand production tricks or flashy arrangements. Instead, it leaned on something far more powerful: sincerity. Nearly five decades later, it still feels intimate — as though Humperdinck is standing under a single spotlight, singing directly to someone he cannot bear to lose.
A Song That Refuses to Let Go
At its core, There’s No Good in Goodbye is a meditation on separation — not the explosive kind filled with anger, but the kind soaked in regret. The lyrics capture that fragile moment when love hasn’t fully disappeared, yet circumstances push two people apart. It’s the painful in-between space where hope and heartbreak coexist.
Written by Tom Nichols and Peer Åström, the song explores the universal truth that farewells rarely offer closure. There’s no triumph in walking away. No victory in silence. Instead, there’s longing — the kind that lingers long after the final word has been spoken.
What makes the track particularly compelling is its refusal to dramatize heartbreak. There are no accusations, no bitterness. Just a quiet admission: letting go hurts because love still matters.
Engelbert’s Voice: The Emotional Centerpiece
By the mid-1970s, Engelbert Humperdinck had already built a reputation as one of the most romantic voices in popular music. With hits like Release Me and The Last Waltz, he had mastered the art of emotional storytelling. But There’s No Good in Goodbye reveals a more restrained, introspective side of the singer.
His performance is not overpowering — it’s controlled, almost conversational. He doesn’t belt; he confesses. Every note carries a soft tremor of vulnerability. It’s as though he understands that heartbreak doesn’t need volume. It needs truth.
Humperdinck’s phrasing is particularly striking. He lingers on certain words, stretching them just enough to emphasize their emotional weight. When he sings about goodbye, you don’t just hear the word — you feel the heaviness behind it.
This delicate delivery is what transforms the song from a simple ballad into an enduring classic.
The Sound of the 1970s — Yet Timeless
Musically, There’s No Good in Goodbye is unmistakably a product of its time. The orchestration is lush but never overwhelming. Gentle strings swell in the background, supporting the melody without stealing attention. The arrangement allows space — space for reflection, space for the listener’s own memories to surface.
And yet, despite its 1970s signature, the song doesn’t feel dated. Its emotional clarity transcends trends. While musical styles evolve, the experience of loving and losing someone remains constant.
That universality explains why the song continues to resonate with audiences decades after its release.
Why It Still Matters Today
In a world dominated by fast streams and short attention spans, songs like There’s No Good in Goodbye feel almost radical. They demand patience. They ask listeners to sit with their emotions rather than scroll past them.
Modern heartbreak anthems often focus on empowerment or revenge. Humperdinck’s ballad offers something different: acceptance. It acknowledges pain without masking it in bravado. It suggests that sometimes, love doesn’t end in anger — it ends in sorrow.
And that honesty is rare.
Listeners today might discover the song through nostalgia playlists or vinyl collections passed down from parents. But once they hear it, the emotional impact is immediate. The ache in the melody feels current, not historical.
A Defining Moment in Engelbert’s Legacy
While Engelbert Humperdinck’s catalog is filled with romantic staples, There’s No Good in Goodbye stands out because of its emotional restraint. It doesn’t aim to be dramatic. It aims to be real.
Throughout his career, Humperdinck became synonymous with romance. His stage presence — polished suits, charismatic charm, that unmistakable baritone — made him a global icon. But this song reminds us that beneath the glamour was an artist deeply connected to the vulnerability of love.
It also reflects why his music has endured across generations. He wasn’t just singing love songs. He was giving voice to private feelings people often struggled to express themselves.
The Enduring Appeal of Heartfelt Ballads
There’s a reason classic ballads never disappear. They become part of life’s soundtrack — played during quiet evenings, remembered after breakups, revisited in moments of reflection.
There’s No Good in Goodbye belongs firmly in that category.
It’s the kind of song you return to when you need validation for emotions that don’t have neat conclusions. When love ends without villain or hero. When goodbye feels unfinished.
And perhaps that’s the ultimate message: sometimes there truly is no good in goodbye — only the lingering echo of what once was.
Final Thoughts
Nearly fifty years after its release, There’s No Good in Goodbye remains a testament to Engelbert Humperdinck’s artistry. It showcases not just his vocal ability, but his emotional intelligence as a performer.
The song reminds us that heartbreak doesn’t always scream. Sometimes it whispers.
For longtime fans, it’s a cherished memory from a golden era of romantic music. For new listeners, it’s a powerful introduction to an artist who understood that love — in all its beauty and pain — deserves to be sung with honesty.
In a music landscape that constantly reinvents itself, this ballad stands still — and that stillness is precisely what makes it timeless.
If you appreciate songs that speak softly yet leave a lasting mark, There’s No Good in Goodbye deserves a permanent place in your playlist. Not because it promises comfort, but because it offers something even more valuable: understanding.