"Good Goodbye" is a promotional single by American rock band Linkin Park, featuring guest vocals from American rapper Pusha T and British rapper Stormzy.Linkin Park Teams With Pusha T, Stormzy on 'Good Goodbye' Rolling Stone April 14, 2017. Retrieved April 19, 2017. The song is a promotional single from their seventh studio album, One More Light.Linkin Park – Good Goodbye Feat. Pusha T & Stormzy / Stream New Song Hot New Hip Hop. April 13, 2017. Retrieved April 19, 2017. The song was written by Linkin Park members, with Pusha T and Stormzy writing their own verses. The song was released for download on April 13, 2017.
Background According to Mike Shinoda, the song was thought of very early in the process of creating the album. He came up with the hook and the track in a day while working alone with Jesse Shatkin. Mike originally had two verses on the song and wanted to add an electronic drop to the bridge, but it didn't sound good and he thought a third rap verse by him would be too much, so they started thinking about who they could bring in on the track for rap verses.Linkin Park talk about their collab track with Stormzy! Be Real, Be On It. Be Box. April 06, 2017. Retrieved April 19, 2017. That ended up being Pusha T (who was previously featured on DJ Vice's remix of "I'll Be Gone") and Stormzy.Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda: "If you’re expecting ESP guitars, then this album is not for you" All Things Loud April 11, 2017. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
Explaining how the collaboration with Stormzy came together, Shinoda said:
According to Chester Bennington, Stormzy had been on the band's radar for quite a while.Stormzy, Linkin Park & Pusha T collaborate on new song 'Good Goodbye' Gigwise March 27, 2017. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
Music video A lyric video for "Good Goodbye" was directed by Rafatoon and released on April 13, 2017, on Linkin Park's official YouTube channel.Linkin Park release lyric video for Good Goodbye – Metal Hammer Team Rock. April 13, 2017. Retrieved April 19, 2017. During a Facebook chat on April 2, 2017, Mike Shinoda announced Linkin Park was working on a new video for a new song that is "not super silly, but it's still not very serious," commenting that it was a change of pace for the band.Mike Shinoda live on Facebook (02.04.17) YouTube April 02, 2017. It was later revealed that the music video was for the song "Good Goodbye". It has been filmed in Los Angeles over a day, and Stormzy, who is featured on the track, flew out to be a part of it.
The official music video was later released by the band on YouTube on May 5, 2017. Featuring NBA legend and former basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the videogame-inspired visual features Chester, who has to score points in a basketball dunk contest to save his life, while having Abdul-Jabbar play as the judge keeping score. The video is intercut with shots of Bennington, Shinoda, Pusha T and Stormzy performing their verses.
Commenting on the video to Billboard for an episode of the Ballin' Out podcast, Bennington later said, "In keeping with the theme of basketball, the video we shot [for 'Good Goodbye'] features, in my opinion, the greatest player of all time is the emperor of a dunk contest to the deaths in which I have to go up against round after round of dunking on dudes to save my life. I think we're kind of known for our more serious stuff but this is a fun distraction from being so serious all the time."
Personnel Linkin Park Chester Bennington – lead vocals, backing vocals Rob Bourdon – drums, backing vocals, percussion Brad Delson – guitars, backing vocals Dave "Phoenix" Farrell – bass, backing vocals Joe Hahn ("Mr. Hahn") – samples, backing vocals, programming Mike Shinoda – rap vocals, keyboards, backing vocals
Additional musicians Pusha T – vocals Stormzy – vocals
Production Composition – Brad Delson, Mike Shinoda, Jesse Shatkin, Terrance Thornton and Michael Omari Vocal production – Andrew Bolooki Additional production – Jesse Shatkin
Notes Signifies a vocal producer Credits from streaming website.One More Light- Linkin Park–Download and listen to the album. Qobuz. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
Charts + Chart (2017)Peakposition France (SNEP) 173 New Zealand Heatseekers (RMNZ) 6 Scotland (OCC) 59 UK Singles Chart Update (Official Chart) 100
Certifications
References