Written by keyboardist Don Walker and vocalist Jimmy Barnes, it was released as a single in 1978, peaking at number 65 on the Australian charts.
[2] A fast-paced rocker, lyricist Walker said the song was written because the band, "needed a set finisher.
The lyrics were originally written for a completely different song that was sung by Ian Moss before being given to Barnes to write matching music.
[2] Although included in Cold Chisel's greatest hits collections, the single received little airplay at the time of release.
"[6] Reviewed at the time of release, Roadrunner said, "Radio play is the chief objective of Cold Chisel's "Goodbye".