Everytime You Go Away

Paul Young's 'Everytime You Go Away' is a poignant ballad that delves into the emotional turmoil of separation. The song, with its soulful melody and heartfelt lyrics, captures the essence of love and loss, resonating with anyone who has experienced the pain of a loved one leaving. The recurring line, 'Every time you go away, you take a piece of me with you,' encapsulates the central theme of the song – the feeling of being incomplete when separated from a significant other.

The lyrics suggest a relationship fraught with repeated departures, where one partner leaves 'when the leading man appears,' hinting at a possible cycle of abandonment or a struggle with commitment. The protagonist expresses a sense of resignation, acknowledging the pattern ('Always the same thing') but also a deep connection that makes each departure painful. The song's emotional weight is carried by the contrast between the desire for freedom ('Go on and go free') and the intimate bond that makes each parting significant ('I can feel your body move').

Paul Young's rendition of 'Everytime You Go Away,' which is actually a cover of a Hall & Oates song, became a hit in the 1980s. Young's soulful voice and the song's production, which includes a blend of pop and soul elements, helped to convey the depth of the song's message. The track remains a classic example of the power of music to articulate the complexities of human relationships, particularly the bittersweet nature of love that endures despite the challenges of distance and separation.