Goodbye Cruel World (James Darren song)

Infobox Single
Name = Goodbye Cruel World


Artist = James Darren
from Album =
B-side = "Valerie"
Released = 1961
Format = 7" single
Recorded =
Genre =
Length = 2:20
Label = Colpix
Writer = Gloria Shayne
Producer =
Certification =
Chart position =

#3 (U.S.)

#28 (UK)

Last single = "Because They're Young"
(1960)
This single = "Goodbye Cruel World"
(1961)
Next single = "Her Royal Majesty"
(1961)"Goodbye Cruel World" is a song written by Gloria Shayne Baker, who also wrote the well-known Christmas carol, "Do You Hear What I Hear?" cite news |first=Margalit|last=Fox|title=Gloria Shayne Baker, Composer and Lyricist, Dies at 84 |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/11/arts/11baker.html?ref=arts|work= The New York Times |publisher=|date=2008-03-11 |accessdate=2008-03-23] and several songs for singer Lesley Gore. The most famous recording of this song is by James Darren. Released as a single in 1961, cite news |first=Claire|last=Noland|title=Gloria Shayne Baker, 84; helped write 'Do You Hear What I Hear?' |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-baker15mar15,1,5183413.story|work= Los Angeles Times |publisher=|date=2008-03-15 |accessdate=2008-03-23] Darren scored his first top ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100 when "Goodbye Cruel World" peaked at number three. It would prove the biggest hit of Darren's career on this chart, as well as on the UK Singles Chart.

According to disc jockeys at the time the song was released, the calliope-like riff used in the song was a synthesized recording of a woman's voice rather than a musical instrument.

References