About The Song
“Bye, Bye” is a song written by Rory Bourke and Phil Vassar and recorded by American country music singer Jo Dee Messina. It was released in January 1998 as the first single from Messina’s album I’m Alright, and her first number-one single on both the U.S. and Canadian country charts, spending two weeks at number one on the former. “Bye, Bye” was certified gold by the RIAA on September 4, 1998, alongside “I’m Alright.”
Phil Vassar, who co-wrote the song, included his own rendition on his 2006 album, Greatest Hits, Vol. 1, alternating several lyrics in order to be presented from a masculine perspective in contrast to Messina’s feminine point of view. Pop singer Taylor Horn covered it in 2002 for her debut album, taylor-made.
The music video was directed by Jon Small and premiered in early 1998. It shows Messina driving around in a ’67 Pontiac GTO convertible, running away from an unfaithful lover at his house (even at one point literally leaving him in a circle of dust). She is also seen performing the song with her band on a busy city street full of traffic. Her band is dressed in all different vibrant colored clothes. While driving, she constantly tears the rear view mirror off the car. The mirror at one point reflects her street performance of the song. During the bridge, she sings on the hood of the car. It was nominated for the Country Music Association Award for Video of the Year.
“Bye, Bye” debuted at number 59 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the week of January 17, 1998.
Video
Lyrics
Boy, you sure look good there standin’ in the doorway in the sunset light
Maybe I read you wrong thinkin’ you could be my Mr. Right
I was puttin’ my heart and soul on the line
Said you needed some time, just a little more time to make up your mind
Well, it’s been long enough
Time is up
Bye bye love, I’ll catch you later
Got a lead foot down on my accelerator and the rear view mirror torn off
I ain’t never lookin’ back and that’s a fact
I’ve tried all I can imagine
I’ve begged and pleaded in true lover’s fashion
I’ve got pride I’m takin’ it for a ride
Bye bye, bye bye my baby, bye bye
Don’t think all those tears are gonna hold me here like they’ve done before
You’ll find what’s left of us in a cloud of dust on highway 4
Baby, what did you expect me to do
Just sit around and wait on you?
Well, I’m through watchin’ you just skate around the truth
And I know it sounds trite
I’ve seen the light
Bye bye love, I’ll catch you later
Got a lead foot down on my accelerator and the rear view mirror torn off
‘Cause I ain’t never lookin’ back and that’s a fact
I’ve tried all I can imagine
I’ve begged and pleaded in true lover’s fashion
I’ve got pride I’m takin’ it for a ride
Bye bye, bye bye my baby, bye bye
I’d lost the game I guess
I did my best to win the part
Now I’m leavin’ here with what’s left of my heart
Bye bye, I’ll catch you later
Got a lead foot down on my accelerator and the rear view mirror torn off
‘Cause I ain’t never lookin’ back, you can count on that
I’ve tried all I can imagine
I’ve begged and pleaded in true lover’s fashion
I’ve got pride I’m takin’ it for a ride
Bye bye, bye bye my baby, bye, bye bye
Bye bye
Oh baby
Oh
Bye bye, bye bye my baby, bye bye