"Song to Say Goodbye" is a song by English alternative rock band Placebo from their fifth studio album, Meds (2006). It was released on 6 March 2006 as the lead single from Meds in all territories outside of the United Kingdom, where "Because I Want You" was released as the lead single instead. The song was written by Steve Hewitt, Brian Molko and Stefan Olsdal, and produced by Dimitri Tikovoi. It develops around piano notes that repeat throughout it, and deals with heroin addiction and its influence on the relationships of the parties involved. The cover art features a blurred picture of vocalist Brian Molko.

"Song to Say Goodbye"
Single by Placebo
from the album Meds
Released6 March 2006
GenreAlternative rock
Length3:36
LabelVirgin
Songwriter(s)Steve Hewitt, Brian Molko and Stefan Olsdal
Producer(s)Dimitri Tikovoi
Placebo singles chronology
"Because I Want You"
(2006)
"Song to Say Goodbye"
(2006)
"Infra-Red"
(2006)

There is a live version available of the song on the live EP Live at La Cigale.

The song reached the top ten in Finland, Greece, Italy and Spain.

Music video edit

The original video written and directed by Philippe André portrays a mentally challenged father while his son is trying to cope with his dad's condition. André made an 8-minute extended version of the music video. Placebo remixed the track for the film released on DVD by EMI. It was filmed in Los Angeles.

Track listing edit

7" edit

  • Side A - "Song to Say Goodbye" (Radio edit)
  • Side B - "Because I Want You" (Ladytron remix)

Slimline Wallet CD edit

  1. "Song to Say Goodbye" (Radio edit)
  2. "Because I Want You" (Russell Lissack Bloc Party remix)

Maxi CD edit

  1. "Song to Say Goodbye" (album version)
  2. "36 Degrees" (Live from Wembley)
  3. "Because I Want You" (Russell Lissack Bloc Party remix)
  4. "Because I Want You" (Ladytron Club mix)

Charts edit

Cover versions and remixes edit

Harakiri for the Sky version (2021) edit

"Song to Say Goodbye" was covered and released as a single by Austrian post-black metal band Harakiri for the Sky in January 2021.[12] The song closes Harakiri for the Sky's album "Mӕre" just as it closes Placebo's album Meds.[13]

References edit

  1. ^ "Placebo – Song To Say Goodbye". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  2. ^ "Placebo – Song To Say Goodbye" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  3. ^ "Placebo – Song To Say Goodbye" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  4. ^ "Placebo – Song To Say Goodbye" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  5. ^ "Placebo: Song To Say Goodbye" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
  6. ^ "Placebo – Song To Say Goodbye" (in French). Les classement single.
  7. ^ "Placebo – Song To Say Goodbye" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  8. ^ IFPI Greece Top 50 Singles
  9. ^ "Placebo – Song To Say Goodbye". Top Digital Download.
  10. ^ "Placebo – Song To Say Goodbye" Canciones Top 50.
  11. ^ "Placebo – Song To Say Goodbye". Swiss Singles Chart.
  12. ^ "Harakiri for the Sky share cover of Placebo's "Song to Say Goodbye" | Metal Insider". 28 January 2021.
  13. ^ "Harakiri for the Sky - "Song to Say Goodbye" (Placebo Cover)". 29 January 2021.

External links edit