"never can say goodbye" is a song written by clifton davis and originally recorded by the jackson 5. the song was originally written and intended for the supremes, however, motown decided it would be better for the jackson 5. it was the first single released from the group's 1971 album "maybe tomorrow", and was one of the group's most successful records. it has been covered numerous times, most notably in 1974 by gloria gaynor and in 1987 by british pop group the communards.