Never Can Say Goodbye

by The Jackson 5

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Lyrics

(N)ev er can say good bye,

no, no, no, no.

I

nev er can say good bye.

E ven (Dmaj7)though the pain and heart ache seem to (Am7)fol low me wher ev er I go, but though I (Dmaj7)tried and tried to hide my feel ings, they (Am7)al ways seem to show.

Then you (Dmaj7)try to say you’re leav ing me, and I (Am7)al ways have to say, “No, tell me (Gmaj7)why

is it so?”

(Em7)But I

(N)ev er can say good bye,

no, no, no, no.

I

nev er can say good bye.

Ev ’ry (Dmaj7)time I think I’ve had e and start (Am7)head low ing wher for na the door, but there’s a (Dmaj7)ver y strange vi bra tion that pierc ing (Am7)me right to the core.

It says, (Dmaj7)“Turn a round, you fool.

up; You and you (Am7)love her more to and more.” Tell me (Gmaj7)why

is it so?

(Em7)But I

Don’t wan na let you go.

I nev er can say good bye, girl.

I (Ebmaj7)nev er can say good (D)bye, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

Oh, I nev er can say good bye, girl.

I (Ebmaj7)nev er can say good (D)bye, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

Don’t wan na let you go.

I nev er can say good bye, girl.

I (Ebmaj7)nev er can say good (D)bye, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

I nev er can say good bye, girl.

I (Ebmaj7)nev er can say good (D)bye, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

I nev er can say good bye, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

Never Can Say Goodbye by The Jackson 5 — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Never Can Say Goodbye” by The Jackson 5 in our color-coded kid songbook view — every note is colored by pitch (red C, orange D, yellow E, green F, blue G, purple A, pink B) and the lyrics sit directly under each note, so children can sing along while they play. The song is in the key of D at 70 BPM, a comfortable easy-level arrangement perfect for first-time learners.

Tips for parents & teachers

  • Start at 50% tempo using the BPM control. Speed up only when your child can play through without stopping.
  • Turn on the metronome from the top bar to build steady rhythm.
  • Use the segmented OFF / C / 1 button to toggle note labels on the staff and keys — kids learn note names faster with letters showing.
  • Tap a measure number on the timeline to jump to a specific section for repeat practice.

Frequently asked questions

Is "Never Can Say Goodbye" good for a child learning piano?
Yes — this color-coded arrangement is designed for ages 4-12. Each note is colored by pitch so kids match colors to keys, no music reading required. Lyrics sit under every note for sing-along play.
What age can start with "Never Can Say Goodbye"?
Children as young as 4 can follow the color-coded notes. By age 6-7 most kids can play through the song themselves with light guidance. Parent help is recommended for the first few sessions.
Do we need a piano teacher to use this?
No — the color-coded format is designed to be self-explanatory. Parents with no music background can supervise. Teachers can also use it as an introductory lesson tool.
Can we print the sheet music?
Yes — tap "Download Sheet Music" above for a free printable PDF with the same color-coded notes that appear on screen.
How many chords does "Never Can Say Goodbye" use?
Just 8 chords: Am7, D, Dm7, Dmaj7, E7, Ebmaj7, Em7, Gmaj7. Take it one section at a time.
What other The Jackson 5 songs work for kids?
Try "I WANT YOU BACK/ABC/ THE LOVE YOU SAVE", "THE LOVE YOU SAVE", "MAYBE TOMORROW". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.