To Say Goodbye

"To Say Goodbye" is the title of a song written and recorded by American country duo Joey + Rory. It was released in July 2009 as the third single from their debut album, The Life of a Song.^[1] Both members of Joey + Rory wrote the song along with Jamie Teachenor.

Content

"To Say Goodbye" is a piano ballad. In the first verse, the song describes a woman who's husband was killed in 9/11, and in the second an old man whose wife has Alzheimer’s and cannot remember who he is. The chorus finds both realizing they didn't get the chance "to say goodbye".

'Cause she wants to put her arms around his neck, and look in his eyes so blue

And say "Honey I don't regret a single day I spent with you"

She wants to tell him that she loves him so, and will until the day she dies

It ain't that she can't let him go, she just wants to say goodbye

Joey + Rory dedicated a special website to coencide with the single's release.^[2] Joey Martin uploaded a video of her talking about how she herself didn't get the chance "to say goodbye" to her brother Justin, who died in a car crash in July 1994.^[3] Additionally, Joey + Rory's MySpace features an edited version of the song, which includes a spoken intro from Joey describing her emotional connection to the song.

The title-track of Joey Martin's solo record, Strong Enough to Cry, was similar in that it was influenced by the death of her brother.

Reception

The song has received mixed reception from critics.

TenPoundHammer of Roughstock reviewed the song positively, and compared Joey's vocals to Patty Loveless. "The production and melody are a bit more mainstream leaning than the duo's first two singles (plenty of piano), but it still sounds as fresh and laid-back as the rest of the duo's releases. Not unlike with Sugarland's "Joey" (hmm, I see a pattern here), Joey + Rory find themselves faced with the challenge of releasing a slow, sad song in the summertime. But it's certainly a challenge worth facing, especially with music this strong."^[4] However, Stephen M. Deusner of The 9513 gave the song a thumbs down. "National tragedies and personal illnesses are certainly legitimate concerns for musicians and artists to address, but this song indulges melodrama with no real focus or point." He also added that the song felt "weirdly truncated, as if there’s a third verse missing".^[5]

Chart performance

References