The song was written by Manhattans bass singer Winfred "Blue" Lovett, who also provided the spoken introduction heard in both the full-length LP version and the commercial single (but edited out of the DJ 45).

"[11] Lovett originally considered the song a country tune more appropriate to be sung by Glen Campbell or Charley Pride.

The Manhattans lead singer Gerald Alston is featured in the song starting to sing after Lovett's spoken introduction.

The original demo of the song was recorded with The Manhattans backing band, "Little Harlem."

After hearing a tape of the recording, producer/arranger Bobby Martin decided to re-record the song with backing by MFSB at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia.

[4] It was written by Robert S. Riley Sr.,[1] songwriter and producer/promotion man of the group, who wrote several songs (lyrics) for them.

It also became just the second single to earn Platinum certification status,[20] after the RIAA established the designation in 1976.

1 pop hit for The Manhattans, "Kiss and Say Goodbye" marked 11 years since the group made their first appearance on the Billboard in 1965, with the song "I Wanna Be (Your Everything)" (No.