"Goodbye My Lover" is a song by English singer-songwriter James Blunt, written by Blunt and British songwriter Sacha Skarbek, for Blunt's debut album, Back to Bedlam (2004). The song was produced by Tom Rothrock and recorded in the bathroom of actress Carrie Fisher's home. The single received a positive reception from music critics.
"Goodbye My Lover" was released as the fourth single in December 2005 and reached number nine in the United Kingdom, where it became Blunt's second top-10 single. It also reached number one in Sweden and entered the top five in Australia, Belgium (Flanders and Wallonia), the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands. In the United States, "Goodbye My Lover" reached number 66 on the Billboard Hot 100 due to digital downloads.
Recording While in Los Angeles, Blunt lodged with Carrie Fisher, whom he had met through the family of a former girlfriend. Fisher was very supportive of Blunt's aspirations and provided the use of a bathroom in her home that featured a piano for him to record "Goodbye My Lover". Blunt later said, "Everyone sings in the shower and everyone in Los Angeles seems to have a piano in the bathroom."
Release The single was released on three physical formats. CD1 includes an exclusive non-album recording, "Close Your Eyes", which was first written during Blunt's army days. CD2 includes a further non-album recording, "Where Is My Mind" performed live in Manchester, plus the video for "Goodbye My Lover" and behind-the-scenes "Making-Of" footage. The 7-inch vinyl includes the live version of "Where Is My Mind".Images for James Blunt – Goodbye My Lover
Chart performance In December 2005, "Goodbye My Lover" was released in the United Kingdom. The song became Blunt's second top ten single when it peaked at number nine on the singles chart, and spent a total of 14 weeks in the top 75. Outside of the UK, the song was also successful. It reached number one in Sweden and became Blunt's second number one on the singles chart.
"Goodbye My Lover" was released in Australia in December 2005 and debuted at number eight before ascending the chart to number three, remaining inside the top ten for 16 weeks, a feat rarely reached in recent years.
Due to the favourable reception of Blunt's previous single "You're Beautiful", "Goodbye My Lover" debuted on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 singles chart at number 100, even though it had not been released as a single in the U.S. The single appeared on the chart backed solely on the strength of digital sales after a re-run of an episode of Saturday Night Live that featured Blunt performing the song. It later re-entered the Billboard Hot 100, again due to digital downloads, as a result of Blunt's performance of the song on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
Music video "Goodbye My Lover" featured a music video that was directed by Sam Brown and was filmed on 28 October 2005 in Los Angeles. In the video Blunt is featured sitting in a darkened room by himself, reflecting on a past relationship. In what appears to be the same room, but in daylight, a young man and woman, the former lovers, share an intimate moment. The video was shot in the former home of Randolph Scott.Making of James Blunt's "Goodbye My Lover" Music Video, Goodbye My Lover [Single] Enhanced CD, 2005. The young woman in the video was played by Mischa Barton. The young man in the video was played by Matt Dallas.
Track listings CD1 "Goodbye My Lover" – 4:18 "Close Your Eyes" – 3:06
CD2 "Goodbye My Lover" – 4:18 "Where Is My Mind" (live in Manchester) – 4:55 "Goodbye My Lover" (the making of the video) – 3:00 "Goodbye My Lover" (video) – 4:19
7-inch vinyl "Goodbye My Lover" – 4:18 "Where Is My Mind" (live in Manchester) – 4:55
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (2005–2007)PeakpositionEurope (Eurochart Hot 100)8Greece (IFPI)9UK Airplay (Music Week)14US Pop 100 (Billboard)53
Year-end charts Chart (2006)PositionAustralia (ARIA)15Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)24Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)26Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)29France (SNEP)40Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)43Netherlands (Single Top 100)74Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)47Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)80UK Singles (OCC)94
Certifications
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Australia12 December 2005CDUnited Kingdom19 December 2005United States21 August 2006Hot adult contemporary radio20 November 2006Contemporary hit radio
References