Goodbye Cruel World (Shakespears Sister song)

"Goodbye Cruel World" is a song by the British pop act Shakespears Sister, released in 1991 as the lead single from their second album Hormonally Yours. Initially, the song had little commercial impact, reaching #59 on the UK Singles Chart.[1] Following the success of the album, the song was re-released as a single in July 1992, slightly remixed, this time reaching #32.[1]

"Goodbye Cruel World"
Single by Shakespears Sister
from the album Hormonally Yours
Released30 September 1991 (1991-09-30)
GenrePop punk
LabelLondon Records
Songwriter(s)Siobhan Fahey, Steve Ferrera, Manu Guiot
Producer(s)Chris Thomas
Shakespears Sister singles chronology
"Dirty Mind"
(1990)		 "Goodbye Cruel World"
(1991)		 "Stay"
(1992)
Alternative cover
1992 re-release cover

Critical reception

In his review of Hormonally Yours, The Daily Vaults Michael R. Smith stated that the song "sets the perfect mood as the opening track." He added, "How they got the guitars to sound like bagpipes, I'll never be able to figure out."[2] People wrote that it "blends the muted oomph of "Ruby Tuesday"-era Rolling Stones with the exoticism of the Cocteau Twins."[3] Pop Rescue commented, "This is pop with real drums and guitars and a great blend of scaling vocals."[4]

Music video

The music video for "Goodbye Cruel World" was directed by British director Sophie Muller, who had previously worked with the band on several videos for their first album. The video features Fahey and Detroit spoofing famous melodramas such as Sunset Boulevard and What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?.

Track listing
  • 1991 7" / Cassette single
  1. "Goodbye Cruel World" — 4:06
  2. "Black Sky" — 4:18
  • 1991 12" single (released with free poster)
  1. "Goodbye Cruel World" — 4:06
  2. "Black Sky" (LP Version) — 4:16
  3. "Black Sky" (The Black Widow Mix) — 5:51
  4. "Black Sky" (The Black Dub) — 4:32
  • 1991 CD single (released as a special "Magic Picture Pack")
  1. "Goodbye Cruel World" — 4:07
  2. "Black Sky" (The Black Widow Mix) — 5:51
  3. "You're History" — 4:31
  • 1992 7" / Cassette single
  1. "Goodbye Cruel World" — 4:01
  2. "Moonchild" — 4:27
  • 1992 UK Ltd. Edition CD single
  1. "Goodbye Cruel World" — 4:01
  2. "Moonchild" — 4:27
  3. "Are We in Love Yet" (Live on BBC) — 3:42
  • 1992 UK CD single
  1. "Goodbye Cruel World" — 4:01
  2. "Stay" (Acoustic) — 3:46
  3. "Black Sky" (The Green Eyed Dub) — 5:53
  4. "Break My Heart (You Really)" (Acidic Mix) — 6:23
  • 1992 European CD single
  1. "Goodbye Cruel World" — 4:01
  2. "Moonchild" — 4:27
  3. "Stay" (Acoustic) — 3:46

Charts
Chart (1991) Peak
position
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[1] 59
Chart (1992) Peak
position
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[1] 32
US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)[5] 22

References
  1. "Official Charts > Goodbye Cruel World". The Official UK Charts Company. Archived from the original on 14 October 2015. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  2. Smith, Michael R. (26 August 2007). "Hormonally Yours – Shakespear's Sister". The Daily Vault. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  3. "Picks and Pans Review: Hormonally Yours". People. 13 April 1992. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
  4. "REVIEW: "HORMONALLY YOURS" BY SHAKESPEAR'S SISTER (CD, 1992)". Pop Rescue. 13 July 2014. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  5. "Shakespear's Sister - Allmusic discography". allmusic. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
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