About The Song
After the release of George Strait’s “Beyond The Blue Neon” album in 1989, he told interviewer Bob Allen of Country Music Magazine, “I think it’s the best I’ve ever done. I felt excited when I came out of the studio, like I’d accomplished something I wanted to accomplish for a long, long time.”
If that was good news for George, it was less than ideal for his friend, songwriter Dean Dillon, even though Dean was involved with the album’s first single. Strait, still searching for material, had Dillon visit his Nashville office to play some of his latest songs. In the process, Dean also brought out “Baby’s Gotten Good At Goodbye.” That song’s writers, Tony & Troy Martin, were new, although their father, Glenn Martin, had a lengthy history in the music business. “Baby’s Gotten Good At Goodbye” was the last song recorded for the album, and it had a direct effect on the only Dillon song tabbed for the project.
Strait recorded Dean’s song at that last session, but George felt he just didn’t “hook it” the way that he wanted. Additionally, the tune didn’t really fit well with the rest of the album, he thought. The session was quickly timing out so, instead of trying again, Dillon’s tune was thrown off the album and replaced with “Baby’s Gotten Good At Goodbye,” which George easily and effortlessly completed in the allotted time.
Strait remembers that Dean’s song was a good one, but sometimes, in the studio, they simply don’t come off the way that you would like, and this particular one just didn’t. Dillon was a bit miffed about the whole thing, especially since it was him that introduced George to “Baby’s Gotten Good At Goodbye.” But, in time, he understood.
Dean and George were longtime personal friends and the song-bumping incident didn’t end the friendship. Strait had already had hits with eight Dillon songs (including five number ones) and he continued to record more of Dean’s tunes in later years.
“Baby’s Gotten Good At Goodbye” got off to a good, healthy start by debuting at #50 on the Billboard country singles chart dated January 21, 1989. Ten weeks later, the record tipped in at number one on April 1st, marking George’s 16th of his record-setting 44 chart-toppers – the official, accurate and authentic Billboard count.
Video
Lyrics
What a rotten day this turned out to be
I still can’t believe she’d leave so easily
She just got all her things, threw ’em into a pile
Then she loaded her car and said after a while
She’d done this before, but this time she didn’t cry
That’s why I’m sittin’ on the front steps, starin’ down the road
Wondering if she’ll come back this time, I don’t know
After she packed when she looked back
There were no tears in her eyes, and that’s got me worried
Thinkin’ maybe my baby’s gotten good at goodbye
All the times before she’d break down and cry
She’d make her threats, but her heart wasn’t set on goodbye
She just wanted me to hear what she had to say
Now I’m lost for words, saying she went away
She may not return for this time she didn’t cry
That’s why I’m sittin’ on the front steps, starin’ down the road
Wondering if she’ll come back this time, I don’t know
After she packed when she looked back
There were no tears in her eyes, and that’s got me worried
Thinkin’ maybe my baby’s gotten good at goodbye
That’s why I’m sittin’ on the front steps, starin’ down the road
Wondering if she’ll come back this time, I don’t know
After she packed when she looked back
There were no tears in her eyes, and that’s got me worried
Thinkin’ maybe my baby’s gotten good at goodbye