"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 Judd. 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 Judd
from the album No Time to Kill
B-side"The Hard Way"
ReleasedMay 3, 1993
GenreCountry
Length3:39
LabelRCA Nashville
Songwriter(s)Clint Black
Producer(s)Clint Black and James Stroud
Clint Black singles chronology
"When My Ship Comes In"
(1993)
"A Bad Goodbye"
(1993)
"No Time to Kill"
(1993)
Wynonna singles chronology
"Tell Me Why"
(1993)
"A Bad Goodbye"
(1993)
"Only Love"
(1993)

The song was also nominated for Vocal Event of the Year at the 1993 Academy of Country Music awards.[3]

Critical reception

edit

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

edit

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.

Chart positions

edit

"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

edit
Chart (1993) Position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[10] 14
US Country Songs (Billboard)[11] 19

References

edit
  1. ^ Billboard
  2. ^ Billboard
  3. ^ Edwards, Joe (1993-08-13). "Country music star Vince Gill is nominated for eight awards". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2008-09-06.
  4. ^ Farley, Christopher John (1993-08-23). "A Bluer Shade of Black". Time. Archived from the original on January 13, 2005. Retrieved 2008-09-06.
  5. ^ Billboard, May 8, 1993
  6. ^ Buttars, Lon (1993-09-25). ""Black & Wy" give 2 great shows in 1". Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 2008-09-06.
  7. ^ "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 2205." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. August 14, 1993. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  8. ^ "Clint Black Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  9. ^ "Clint Black Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  10. ^ "RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1993". RPM. December 18, 1993. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  11. ^ "Best of 1993: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 1993. Retrieved August 5, 2013.