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Never Can Say Goodbye by The Jackson 5 is featured in Michael, the eleventh episode of Season Three. It is sung by Quinn.

She sings this song reflecting on her ex-boyfriends; Finn, Puck, and Sam. Following this performance, she reveals to the New Directions that she was accepted to Yale and that she would never have dreamed of attending such a well-known university if it hadn't been for them because it was them who gave her love and support throughout her rough times over the past few years. Everyone congratulates her for her acceptance as Rachel stares back at her for the touching words she stated.

Lyrics[]

WinnerBadge

New Directions Girls:
Ooh-ooh, ooh

Quinn:
Never can say goodbye (New Directions Girls: Say goodbye boy)
No, no, no, no, now
Never can say goodbye (New Directions Girls: Say goodbye boy)
Even though the pain and heartache
Seems to follow me wherever I go,
Though I try and try to hide my feelings,
They always seems to show
Then you try to say you're leaving me
And I always have to say no,
Tell me why (New Directions Girls: Tell me why) is it so (New Directions Girls: Is it so)
That I, Never can say goodbye (New Directions Girls: Say goodbye boy)
No, no, no, no, now
Never can say goodbye (New Directions Girls: Say goodbye boy)
Every time I think I've had enough,
I start heading for the door.
There's a very strange vibration,
Piercing me right through the core.
It says turn around you fool,
You know you love him more and more.
Tell me why (New Directions Girls: Tell me why) is it so (New Directions Girls: Is it so)
Don't wanna let you go!
I never can say goodbye boy (New Directions Girls: Never can say goodbye boy)
Ooh Baby (New Directions Girls: Don't wanna let you go)
I never can say goodbye

Quinn with New Directions Girls:
No no, no, (New Directions Girls: No no) (Quinn: Ooh)

Quinn:
Oh, I never can say goodbye boy (New Directions Girls: I never can say goodbye boy)
Ohh Baby, (New Directions Girls: Don't wanna let you go)
I never can say goodbye

Quinn with New Directions Girls:
No no, no, (New Directions Girls: No no) (Quinn: Ooh)

Quinn:
Never can say goodbye (New Directions Girls: Say goodbye boy)
No, no, no, no, now
Never can say goodbye (New Directions Girls: Say goodbye boy)
I keep thinking that our problems
Soon are all gonna work out.
But there's that same unhappy feeling,
There's that anguish, there's that doubt.
It's the same old dizzy hangup,
Can't do with you or without.
Tell me why (New Directions Girls: Tell me why) is it so (New Directions Girls: Is it so)
Don't wanna let you go!
I never can say goodbye boy (New Directions Girls: I never can say goodbye boy)
Ooh Baby (New Directions Girls: Hey baby)
I never can say goodbye

Quinn with New Directions Girls:
No no, no, (New Directions Girls: No no) (Quinn: Ooh)

Quinn:
Oh, I never can say goodbye boy (New Directions Girls: I never can say goodbye boy)
Ooh (New Directions Girls: Hey baby)
I never can say goodbye

Quinn with New Directions Girls:
No no, no, (New Directions Girls: No no) (Quinn: Ohhh Yeah)

Quinn:
I never can say goodbye boy (New Directions Girls: I never can say goodbye boy)
Ohh Baby (New Directions Girls: Hey baby)
I never can say goodbye

Quinn with New Directions Girls:
No no, no, (New Directions Girls: No no) (Quinn: Ooh)

Quinn:
Oh, I never can say goodbye boy (New Directions Girls: I never can say goodbye boy)
Ohh baby (New Directions Girls: Hey baby)
I never can say goodbye

Quinn with New Directions Girls:
No no, no, (New Directions Girls: No no) (Quinn: Ooh)
Never, never, never, never, never, never, never

Quinn:
I never can say goodbye boy
I got to have you
I never can say goodbye to you

Quinn with New Directions Girls:
Never, never, never, never, never, never, never

Quinn:
I never can say goodbye boy
I got to have you
I never can say goodbye to you
Ahhhh

Quinn with New Directions Girls:
Yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeah

Trivia[]

  • This is Quinn's first full solo number since Funk, 34 episodes prior, where she sang "It's a Man's Man's Man's World". This makes it her first solo since Season One.
    • Coincidentally, this can also be considered her last solo if one were to count "Come See About Me" from Thanksgiving as a trio instead of a solo, since Santana and Brittany also sing in it. It is the last song Quinn sings in which she shares no solo lines with another singer.
  • The song is also, in a way, directed towards Rachel, since it follows a conversation in which Quinn tells Rachel that she will "have to say goodbye" to Finn in order for her dreams to come true.
    • It comes full circle as in Goodbye Finn sets Rachel free to follow her dream in New York City and tragic irony during "The Quarterback" Rachel does have to say goodbye to Finn since he's dead. 
  • The only Glee Club members not seen on a picture hanging in Quinn's locker are Kurt, Sugar, Mike, Blaine, Rory, and former members; Lauren and Matt.
  • This is the only non-Michael Jackson song to be performed in the episode in specific terms. It would have been one of the two featured if I Want You Back was included.
  • Quinn's sparkly black dress is inspired by the jacket Michael Jackson wore when he performed this song on the Motown 25th Anniversary, and during his performances of Billie Jean.
  • This song is featured in chapter 7 on Glee Forever!.

Gallery[]

Videos[]

Michael_Jackson_Never_Can_Say_Goodbye

Michael Jackson Never Can Say Goodbye

GLEE_-_Never_Can_Say_Goodbye_(Full_Performance)_(Official_Music_Video)_HD

GLEE - Never Can Say Goodbye (Full Performance) (Official Music Video) HD

Never_Can_Say_Goodbye_Glee_HD_FULL_STUDIO

Never Can Say Goodbye Glee HD FULL STUDIO

Glee_-_Never_Can_Say_Goodbye_(Acapella)

Glee - Never Can Say Goodbye (Acapella)

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