Goodbye Marie

Kenny Rogers

About Goodbye Marie

"Goodbye Marie" is a country-pop song written by Mel McDaniel and Dennis Linde. The song is about a man who has to leave his lover to head for "the lonesome highway" back to his home in Houston, Texas. It was first released by Johnny Rodriguez on his March 1979 album, Rodriguez Was Here. In September 1979, Kenny Rogers released the song on his album, Kenny. Although the song was not issued as a single at the time, after Kenny Rogers signed to RCA Records his former label, Liberty Records, issued a newly overdubbed version on a Rogers compilation album called Short Stories and as a single in December 1985 that went to #47 in 1986. Bobby Goldsboro took a version of the song to #17 on the Billboard Country chart in December 1980. Mel McDaniel also released the song on his 1981 album, I'm Countryfied, and as the B-side of his single "I Call It Love." 


Year:
2009
2:44
101 
#1

Lyrics currently unavailable…


Kenny Rogers

Kenneth Donald "Kenny" Rogers (born August 21, 1938) is an American singer-songwriter, photographer, record producer, actor, entrepreneur and author. Though he has been most successful with country audiences, he has charted more than 120 hit singles across various music genres and topping the country and pop album charts for more than 200 individual weeks in the United States alone. more »

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10 facts about this song

Release and Response
"Goodbye Marie" was originally released by Kenny Rogers in 1980 on his album "Share Your Love". It didn't achieve much commercial success. However, when Mel McDaniel released it as a single in 1986, it charted on the Billboard Hot Country Singles, peaking at number 7.
Songwriters
"Goodbye Marie" was co-written by Mel McDaniel and Dennis Linde. Linde was an accomplished songwriter who wrote many hits for a variety of artists, including Elvis Presley's "Burning Love."
Music Video
The song has a music video which was quite popular on CMT and TNN channels. It featured scenes from Mel McDaniel's concert performances.
Plot
The song is a classic country ballad that tells the story of a man saying goodbye to his love, named Marie, and the emotional struggle that he goes through.
Song Meaning
The song expresses nostalgia and a sense of loss which strikes a chord with listeners who have experienced death of a loved one or ended a relationship.
Style of Music
Though both Rogers and McDaniel have their distinctive styles of country music, "Goodbye Marie" stayed true to its country roots with strumming guitars, rich vocals, and a classic country rhythm.
Song Endurance
Despite not being a chart topper in its original release by Kenny Rogers, the song remained in the hearts of country music fans, leading to its re-recording by Mel McDaniel and subsequent chart success.
Critical Reception
Critics considered the track one of the highlights of Kenny Rogers's "Share Your Love" album even though it was not one of the bigger hits from that album.
Impact on Career
After "Goodbye Marie" became a hit, Mel McDaniel was able to capitalize on its success and became a Country Music Association Award nominee for Male Vocalist of the Year in 1986.
Listener Interpretation
Many listeners interpret the song as a man either breaking up with his woman "Marie" or her passing away, emphasizing the emotional depth of the song.

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