We Said Hello, Goodbye (Don't Look Back)
Phil Collins · No Jacket Required
And we packed our bags and left feeling sad
It's the only way
We said hello as we turned the key
A new roof over our heads
Gave a smile
It's the only way
Only way
Turn your head
And don't look back
Set your sails for a new horizon
Don't turn around don't look down
Oh there's life across the tracks
And you know it's really not surprising
It gets better when you get there oh
Well it really don't matter much where you are
Cos home is in your heart
It's a feeling that you wake with one day
Some people keep running all their life
And still find they haven't gone too far
They don't see it's the feeling inside - the feeling inside oh
Turn your head and don't look back
Just set your sails for a new horizon
Don't turn around don't look down
Oh there's life across the tracks
And you know it's really not surprising
It gets better when you get there
We said hello as we turned the key
A new roof over our heads
Gave a smile - it's the only way
We Said Hello, Goodbye (Don't Look Back)
Released on Phil Collins' 1985 album No Jacket Required, this track stands as a defining example of his transition from drummer to frontman. The song blends new wave and pop sensibilities with Collins' signature vocal delivery, creating an anthem of departure and reflection that resonated globally. It features the distinctive production style of the era, characterized by driving rhythms and atmospheric textures that supported the album's cohesive sound. As a staple of Collins' discography, the recording exemplifies the polished pop-rock aesthetic of mid-1980s Britain, influencing countless subsequent artists in the genre. Its enduring popularity highlights Collins' ability to craft emotionally resonant music that transcends its specific cultural moment.