Goodbye (Russ song)

"Goodbye"
Single by Russ
from the album Pink Elephant
ReleasedJanuary 23, 2014
Length4:12
LabelDiemon
Songwriter(s)Russell Vitale
Producer(s)Russ
Russ singles chronology
"Goodbye"
(2014) 		"Psycho"
(2014)
Music video
"Goodbye" on YouTube

"Goodbye" is the debut single by American rapper Russ, released on January 23, 2014, as the lead single from his eighth studio album Pink Elephant (2014). Produced by Russ himself, it contains a sample of Esther Phillips' cover of "I Wish You Love".

Background

In an interview with Forbes in April 2018, Russ spoke about the success of the song:

I remember putting my song "Goodbye" in 2014 and seeing it hit 1,000 plays in a week. To me, at that time, it was a crazy accomplishment. That was a win I celebrated. I remember putting out my first video ever and it getting 7,000 views in a week, which was nuts. When I got those small wins, I genuinely felt very accomplished. That's what the universe rewards — gratitude.[1]

Russ has revealed the woman in question in the song is the same person he talks about in his songs "I Think My Girl Caught a Body" and "Ain't Nobody Takin My Baby".[2][3]

Content

The song is about a failed romantic relationship in Russ' life,[4] and the bitterness of his heartbreak.[5]

Critical reception

Dharmic X of The Source described the song as one that "showcases Russ's excellent artistry", before adding "Going back and forth between his lyrical flow and stretching his vocals Russ provides music filled with passion and emotion."[4]

Music video

The music video was released in February 2014. It shows Russ in a hotel room,[6] where he is seen pacing and peering out his window at nighttime, as well as periodic scenes of a car following close behind another car as they drive across the city.[5]

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[7] Gold 40,000‡
United States (RIAA)[8] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ Mitchell, Julian (April 5, 2018). "The Art Of Being Self-Made: A Conversation With Russ". Forbes. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  2. ^ "- YouTube". YouTube. Archived from the original on 25 September 2023. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  3. ^ "Idk who posted this but I'm glad they did. This shit is BANANAS. From 2013 bout the same chick from Goodbye". Twitter. June 29, 2016. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Mixtape: Russ – "Pink Elephant"". The Source. January 23, 2014. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  5. ^ a b X, Dharmic (February 16, 2014). "Russ Gets Pensive in The Video For "Goodbye"". Complex. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  6. ^ "Music Video: Russ – "Goodbye"". The Source. February 12, 2014. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  7. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Russ – Goodbye". Music Canada.
  8. ^ "American single certifications – Russ – Goodbye". Recording Industry Association of America.