50 Ways to Say Goodbye
"50 Ways to Say Goodbye" is a song by American pop rock band Train. It is the second single from their sixth studio album, California 37 and is the fifth track on the album. It officially impacted adult contemporary and pop radio in the United States on June 11, 2012. It peaked at number 20 on the Hot 100. It was certified gold by the RIAA on September 20, 2012.[1]
"50 Ways to Say Goodbye" | ||||
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Single by Train | ||||
from the album California 37 | ||||
B-side | "Brand New Book" | |||
Released | June 11, 2012 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 4:08 | |||
Label |
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Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | ||||
Train singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"50 Ways to Say Goodbye" on YouTube |
Composition
"50 Ways to Say Goodbye" is a pop rock song in the key of E♭ minor. It is in common time with a tempo of 140 beats per minute. It utilizes electric guitars and a mariachi influenced brass section and acoustic guitar.
The lyrics are a tongue-in-cheek narrative where, to save face, the singer claims he will say his girlfriend died in a variety of outlandish ways rather than admit she dumped him. The song had some inspiration from Paul Simon's "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" and was originally going to be titled "50 Ways to Kill Your Lover". That title was tossed as it could attract controversy.[2]
Critical reception
Nick Bassett of The Re-View compared "50 Ways to Say Goodbye" to its predecessor, saying that "whilst it lacks that Summery carefree vibe [of "Drive By"], this newbie is still buoyed by a jaunty radio-friendly chorus".[3]
Music video
The music video was directed by Marc Klasfeld and features David Hasselhoff, Taryn Manning, Jonathan Lipnicki, and a Mariachi trio. It is set in a supermarket (Jimmy portrays the checker and Scott plays the butcher), with cutaways to the various excuses Pat makes for his girlfriend's absence and the band performing onstage.
Track listing
- Digital download
- "50 Ways to Say Goodbye" – 4:08
- CD single[4]
- "50 Ways to Say Goodbye" – 4:08
- "Brand New Book" – 3:47
Credits
- Pat Monahan - songwriter, lead vocals
- Espen Lind - songwriter, producer, additional guitars, bass, keyboards, backing vocals, programming
- Amund Bjorklund - songwriter, producer, programming
- Jimmy Stafford - guitar
- Scott Underwood - drums
- Hector Maldonado - bass
- Jerry Becker - keyboards
- Brad Magers - horns
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Release history
Country | Date | Format | Label |
---|---|---|---|
United States | June 11, 2012[29] | Adult contemporary radio airplay | Columbia Records, Sony Music |
July 31, 2012[30] | Mainstream radio airplay |
References
- "Gold & Platinum - RIAA".
- "Train Frontman Reveals Original Gruesome Title of "50 Ways to Say Goodbye"". September 27, 2012. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
- "Train: 50 Ways To Say Goodbye (Official Music Video)". Archived from the original on December 10, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
- "Train - 50 Ways to Say Goodbye" (in German). Sony Music Entertainment Germany GmbH. Archived from the original on February 17, 2013. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
- "Australian-charts.com – Train – 50 Ways To Say Goodbye". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
- "Ultratop.be – Train – 50 Ways To Say Goodbye" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
- "Train Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
- "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 201250 into search.
- "Train: 50 Ways to Say Goodbye" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
- "Icelandic Singles Chart". Tonlist.is. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
- "Train – 50 Ways To Say Goodbye Media Forest". Israeli Airplay Chart. Media Forest.
- "The Official Lebanese Top 20 - Train". The Official Lebanese Top 20. July 1, 2012. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
- "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 34, 2012" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40
- "Dutchcharts.nl – Train – 50 Ways To Say Goodbye" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
- "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- "Train Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- "Train Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard.
- "Train Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
- "Train Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard.
- "Train Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
- "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2012". Billboard. Retrieved August 4, 2018.
- "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2012". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
- "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2012" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved August 4, 2018.
- "Best of 2012 - Hot 100 Songs". Billboard.com. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
- "Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 2012". Billboard. Retrieved August 4, 2018.
- "Adult Pop Songs – Year-End 2012". Billboard. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
- "Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved August 4, 2018.
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