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Goodbye's (The Saddest Word)

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"Goodbye's (The Saddest Word)"
Single by Celine Dion
from the album A New Day Has Come
B-side"All Because of You"
Released18 November 2002 (2002-11-18)
RecordedStudio Piccolo
GenrePop
Length5:19 (album version)
4:23 (radio edit)
Label
Songwriter(s)Robert John "Mutt" Lange
Producer(s)Robert John "Mutt" Lange
Celine Dion singles chronology
"I'm Alive"
(2002) 		"Goodbye's (The Saddest Word)"
(2002) 		"I Drove All Night"
(2003)
Music video
"Goodbye's (The Saddest Word)" on YouTube

"Goodbye's (The Saddest Word)" is a song recorded by Canadian recording artist Celine Dion for her seventh English-language album A New Day Has Come (2002). The song was written and produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange, while Lange and his then-wife, country singer Shania Twain did the backing vocals. Lyrically, the song speaks about motherly love and fear of losing one's mother. It was released as the album's third and last commercial single on 18 November 2002 by Columbia Records and Epic Records.

The song received favorable reviews from music critics, who called it a "heartfelt and emotional song", while praising Dion's performance. The "Goodbye's (The Saddest Word)" music video was directed by Chris Applebaum between 12–13 October 2002 in Paris, France, and premiered in November 2002. The song performed moderately on the charts, peaking inside the top fifty in the countries that it charted, but it did not match the success of previous singles.

Background and composition

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"Goodbye's (The Saddest Word)" was written and produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange, who already worked with Dion in 1999 on "If Walls Could Talk."[1] Lange and his then-wife, country singer Shania Twain did the backing vocals.[2] The song runs to 5 minutes 19 seconds with a radio edit of 4 minutes 23 seconds.[3] It was recorded at Studio Piccolo[3] and released 18 November 2002.

Lyrically, the devastatingly emotional ballad speaks about the absolute love between a child and her mother.[4] "There is no other love like a mother's love for her child," she sings.[5] Céline first heard the Robert John "Mutt" Lange song three years ago [1999] and turn it down. "Now, being a mother, I found the strength to sing it, but it was hard," she said. Its lesson? "Never wait too long to tell someone how you feel," she answered.[4]

In October 2008, "Goodbye's (The Saddest Word)" was included on the European version of My Love: Ultimate Essential Collection greatest hits.[6]

Critical reception

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Barnes & Noble's editorial review called it "a heartfelt, country-tinged song."[5] Chuck Taylor from Billboard criticized the choice of the third single, "Goodbye's (The Saddest Word)," a ballad relegated solely to adult contemporary radio stations. He noticed that the song is "devastatingly beautiful," offering a loving tribute to one's mother at death's door and that Dion "delivers it with a heaving helping of passion, emotionally drawing one's attention to the devotional message." Although he felt that many will connect to the loss of a parent, on a commercial level, this was a disappointing decision. Mike Ross of Jam! Canoe wrote, "Celine is at her lovey-doveyest in Mutt Lange's Goodbye's (The Saddest Word), helped by not one, but two soaring key changes in the same song, which is then launched into a high Earth orbit of melodrama by an orchestra that would make John Williams blush with envy."[7] Commenting for Rolling Stone in May 2002, Rob Sheffield said of the Mutt Lange composition it is "sure to inspire many hours of dull debate with Bernie Taupin."[8] The reviewer also alluded to Dion's voice as "just furniture polish".[8] Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine commented, "It is the kind of sappy mama-lovin' tune that will leave you nauseous or in tears."[2] Christopher Smith from TalkAboutPopMusic described the song as a "beautiful Country-style pop ballad."[9]

Commercial performance

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The song performed moderately on the charts, peaking inside the top-forty in some countries. On the Belgian Flanders Singles Chart, the song debuted at number 47, on 14 December 2002.[10] The following week, the song fell to number 49, but on 28 December 2002, the song climbed to number 46.[10] In its fourth week, the song peaked at number 39.[10] On the Belgian Wallonia Singles Chart, the song debuted and peaked at number 36, leaving the charts the following week.[11] In [the Netherlands, the song debuted at number 67 on the Dutch Top 40, on 30 November 2002.[12] The following week, the song jumped to number 51.[12] The song kept fluctuating on the chart for the next two weeks, until it climbed from number 67 to number 42.[12] On 18 January 2003, the song peaked at number 38, spending 11 consecutive weeks on the chart.[12]

In Austria, the song debuted at number 50 on the Ö3 Austria Top 40.[13] The following week, the song climbed to number 49 and later, it moved to number 45, until it peaked at number 41.[13] The song spent 10 weeks on the chart.[13] In the UK, the song debuted at number 38 on the UK Singles Chart, on 7 December 2002.[14] The following week, the song dropped to number 60, spending only 2 weeks on the UK charts.[14] In Ireland, the song debuted at number 42 on the Irish Singles Chart, on 28 November 2002.[15] The following week, the song remained at the same position[16] and it dropped at number 49, spending 3 weeks on the chart.[17]

Music video

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The "Goodbye's (The Saddest Word)" music video was directed by Chris Applebaum between 12–13 October 2002 in Paris, France, and premiered in November 2002.[18] In 2006, a second version of the video leaked to the internet, including never before seen footage. This unreleased version was also directed by Chris Applebaum in October 2002 but shows more Dion sexier scenes. The radio edit of the song was used in the music video. Some lyrics near the end of the radio edit were omitted and/or altered.[19] The music video also features a black-and-white photoshoot of Dion posing for the album cover of her eighth English-language studio album "One Heart" (2003).

Live performances

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Dion performed the song for the first time at the A New Day Has Come CBS Special in March 2002.[20] She also performed the song on Star Academy, in 2002.[21] She also performed it on "World Children's Day 2002".[22] Dion also performed it on the Top of the Pops in 2002.[23]

Formats and track listings

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The European version of the single included "All Because of You," which could be found on the single and on the special limited edition of A New Day Has Come from November 2002.[12] The single featured also a duet with Anastacia on "You Shook Me All Night Long," taken from the VH1 Divas Las Vegas CD/DVD released in October 2002.[12]

Charts

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Chart (2002–2003) Peak
position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[24] 41
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[25] 39
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[26] 36
Canada Radio (Nielsen BDS)[27] 62
Canada AC (Nielsen BDS)[27] 16
Czech Republic (Rádio Top 50)[28] 12
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[29] 72
Germany (GfK)[30] 56
Hungary (Single Top 40)[31] 15
Ireland (IRMA)[32] 42
Italy (FIMI)[33] 30
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[34] 37
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[35] 38
Norway (VG-lista Airplay)[36] 32
Poland (National Airplay Chart)[37] 25
Quebec (ADISQ)[38] 17
Scotland (OCC)[39] 35
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[40] 45
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[41] 35
UK Singles (OCC)[42] 38
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[43] 27

Credits and personnel

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Recording locations
Personnel
  • Songwriting – Robert John "Mutt" Lange
  • Production – Robert John "Mutt" Lange
  • Backing Vocals - Mutt Lange, Shania Twain
  • Guitars - Mutt Lange
  • Mixing - Humberto Gatica
  • Strings - Gavin Greenaway

Credits adapted from the liner notes of A New Day Has Come, Epic Records.[3]

Release history

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Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
Denmark 25 November 2002 CD Columbia [44]
United Kingdom Epic [45]

References

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  1. ^ "Goodbye's (The Saddest Word) : Allmusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  2. ^ a b Cinquemani, Sal (16 March 2002). "Celine Dion: A New Day Has Come | Music Review | Slant Magazine". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
  3. ^ a b c A New Day Has Come (liner notes). Celine Dion. Epic Records. 2002.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  4. ^ a b "Celine Dion Music: A New Day Has Come". Celine Dion Web. Archived from the original on 20 November 2019. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  5. ^ a b "Barnes & Noble | A New Day Has Come by Sony, Celine Dion". Barnes & Noble. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
  6. ^ "My Love: Essential Collection - Celine Dion". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 15 November 2008.
  7. ^ Ross, Mike (26 March 2002). "Album Review: A New Day Has Come - 'Celine's latest CD full of bombast, melodrama and soaring ballads'". Jam! Canoe. Archived from the original on 15 January 2013. Retrieved 18 August 2012.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  8. ^ a b Sheffield, Rob (10 April 2002). "Celine Dion: A New Day Has Come : Music Reviews". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 23 October 2006. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
  9. ^ Smith, Christopher (7 December 2019). "REVIEW: 'A NEW DAY HAS COME' – CELINE DION". TalkAboutPopMusic. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  10. ^ a b c Belgian Flanders Singles Chart
  11. ^ Belgian Wallonia Singles Chart
  12. ^ a b c d e f Dutch Singles Chart
  13. ^ a b c Austrian Singles Chart
  14. ^ a b "The Official Charts Company - Celine Dion - Goodbye's (The Saddest Word)". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
  15. ^ "TOP 50 SINGLES, WEEK ENDING 28 November 2002". Irish Singles Chart. 28 November 2002. Archived from the original on 19 October 2010. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  16. ^ "TOP 50 SINGLES, WEEK ENDING 5 December 2002". Irish Singles Chart. 28 November 2002. Archived from the original on 28 December 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  17. ^ "TOP 50 SINGLES, WEEK ENDING 12 December 2002". Irish Singles Chart. 28 November 2002. Archived from the original on 28 December 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  18. ^ "Céline Dion - Goodbye's (The Saddest Word)". YouTube. 24 October 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  19. ^ "Celine Dion - Goodbye's (The Saddest Word) (Unreleased Video Clip)". YouTube. 28 June 2002. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  20. ^ "Celine Dion - Goodbye's (The Saddest Word) (Live ANDHC Special 2002)". YouTube. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  21. ^ "Celine Dion - Goodbye's The Saddest Word (Star Academy, 2002)". Star Academy (France). YouTube. Archived from the original on 14 December 2020. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  22. ^ "Celine Dion - Goodbye's (The Saddest Word) (Live World Children's Day 2002)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 4 December 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  23. ^ "Celine Dion "goodbye's the saddest word" Top of the Pops 2002". YouTube. 11 March 2009. Archived from the original on 13 December 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  24. ^ "Céline Dion – Goodbye's (The Saddest Word)" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  25. ^ "Céline Dion – Goodbye's (The Saddest Word)" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  26. ^ "Céline Dion – Goodbye's (The Saddest Word)" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  27. ^ a b Lwin, Nanda (2003). The Essential 2002 Chart Yearbook. Music Data Canada. pp. 11, 56. ISBN 1-896594-15-8.
  28. ^ "Hitparáda – Radio Top 50 Oficiální" (in Czech). IFPI Czech Republic. Archived from the original on 1 February 2003. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  29. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 21 December 2002. p. 11. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  30. ^ "Céline Dion – Goodbye's (The Saddest Word)" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  31. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  32. ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Céline Dion". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
  33. ^ "Céline Dion – Goodbye's (The Saddest Word)". Top Digital Download. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  34. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 4, 2003" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
  35. ^ "Céline Dion – Goodbye's (The Saddest Word)" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  36. ^ "Norwegian Airplay Chart". VG-lista. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  37. ^ "Polish Airplay Chart: Lista Krajowa" (in Polish). Nielsen Music Control. Archived from the original on 24 October 2007. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
  38. ^ "Palmarès de la chanson anglophone et allophone au Québec" (in French). BAnQ. Archived from the original on 9 August 2018. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  39. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 May 2015.
  40. ^ "Céline Dion – Goodbye's (The Saddest Word)". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  41. ^ "Céline Dion – Goodbye's (The Saddest Word)". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  42. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
  43. ^ "Celine Dion Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  44. ^ "Nye Udgivelser" [New Releases] (in Danish). Sony Music Denmark. Archived from the original on 15 December 2002. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  45. ^ "New Releases" (PDF). Music Week. 23 November 2002. p. 29. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
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