Share this 80's hit

“Never Say Goodbye” by Bon Jovi is a heartfelt power ballad from their 1986 breakthrough album Slippery When Wet. Though it wasn’t released as a commercial single in the U.S., it became a fan favorite and a staple at concerts, particularly for those who connected with its nostalgic and emotional lyrics.

The song is a sentimental reflection on young love, looking back at a relationship that defined a moment in time. It’s filled with vivid imagery—high school dances, first kisses, and promises made under streetlights—and it carries a bittersweet tone, honoring the intensity of love that may not last forever but never really fades in memory. The chorus pleads, “Never say goodbye, never say goodbye / You and me and my old friends, hoping it would never end.”

Bon Jovi - Never Say Goodbye - Official Music Video

Musically, it’s classic ’80s Bon Jovi—soaring guitar solos from Richie Sambora, lush backing, and Jon Bon Jovi’s earnest vocals, all wrapped in a dramatic build that makes the emotions hit hard. It doesn’t lean as heavily into glam rock as some of their other hits; instead, it goes for emotional depth and tenderness.

Even without a big chart push, “Never Say Goodbye” reached No. 11 on Billboard Mainstream Rock chart, received heavy radio play and became something of a slow-dance anthem, especially for high school sweethearts and prom nights in the late ’80s. It’s remembered not just as a love song, but as a nostalgic snapshot of youth, friendship, and first heartbreak.

Bon Jovi – Never Say Goodbye – Lyrics