"A Bad Goodbye" is a song written by American country music artist Clint Black, and recorded by him as a duet with fellow country music artist Wynonna. The song was recorded after the two toured together during their "Black and Wy" tour in 1993. It was released in May 1993 as the first single from Black's album No Time to Kill. It peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs) chart, behind "Chattahoochee" by Alan Jackson.[1] In addition, it was Black's first appearance on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 43 there.[2]
| "A Bad Goodbye" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Clint Black with Wynonna | ||||
| from the album No Time to Kill | ||||
| B-side | "The Hard Way" | |||
| Released | May 3, 1993 | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 3:39 | |||
| Label | RCA Nashville | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Clint Black | |||
| Producer(s) | Clint Black and James Stroud | |||
| Clint Black singles chronology | ||||
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| Wynonna singles chronology | ||||
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The song was also nominated for Vocal Event of the Year at the 1993 Academy of Country Music awards.[3]
Critical reception
In his review of Black's album, Time magazine reviewer Christopher John Farley noted that Judd's voice "draws out an emotional edge" in Black's voice. Overall, he thought that the collaboration added an edge to No Time to Kill that Black's first three albums lacked.[4] Deborah Evans Price, of Billboard magazine reviewed the song favorably, calling the lyrics "direct, moving and majestic." She goes on to say that the song has "'single of the year' written all over it."[5]
The song followed a "Black & Wy" tour, which featured Black and Judd touring together.[6]
Music video
The music video was directed by Peter Nydrle and produced by Paul Flattery. It was shot in Arizona during their "Black & Wy" tour and premiered in May 1993.
Personnel
- Clint Black — lead vocals
- Larry Byrom — acoustic guitar
- Larry Corbett — cello
- Brian Dembow — viola
- Steve Dorff — string arrangements
- Bonnie Douglas — violin
- Paul Franklin — pedal steel guitar
- Beri Garabedian — violin
- James Getzoff — violin
- Dann Huff — electric guitar
- Wynonna Judd — lead vocals
- Dennis Karmazyn — cello
- Jan Kelley — cello
- Ezra Kliger — violin
- Brian Leonard — violin
- Joy Lyle — violin
- Buell Neidlinger — double bass
- Maria Newman — violin
- Barbra Porter — violin
- Matt Rollings — piano
- Harry Shirinian — viola
- Harry Shlutz — cello
- Paul Shure — violin
- Leland Sklar — bass guitar
- Spiro Stamos — violin
- James Stroud — percussion
- Raymond Tischer — viola
- John Wittenberg — violin
- Tibor Zelig — violin
- Mihail Zinovyev — viola
Chart positions
"A Bad Goodbye" debuted at number 55 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the week of May 15, 1993.
| Chart (1993) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[7] | 1 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[8] | 43 |
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[9] | 2 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (1993) | Position |
|---|---|
| Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[10] | 14 |
| US Country Songs (Billboard)[11] | 19 |
References
- ^ Billboard
- ^ Billboard
- ^ Edwards, Joe (1993-08-13). "Country music star Vince Gill is nominated for eight awards". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2008-09-06.
- ^ Farley, Christopher John (1993-08-23). "A Bluer Shade of Black". Time. Retrieved 2008-09-06.
- ^ Billboard, May 8, 1993
- ^ Buttars, Lon (1993-09-25). ""Black & Wy" give 2 great shows in 1". Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 2008-09-06.
- ^ "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 2205." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. August 14, 1993. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
- ^ "Clint Black Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Clint Black Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1993". RPM. December 18, 1993. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
- ^ "Best of 1993: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 1993. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
