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How Can I Help You Say Goodbye

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Wikipedia article




{{Infobox song

| name = How Can I Help You Say Goodbye

| cover = How Can I Help You Say Goodbye.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Patty Loveless

| album = Only What I Feel

| released = March 19, 1994

| recorded = 1993

| studio =

| venue =

| genre = Country

| length = 4:59

| label = Epic

| writer =

| producer = Emory Gordy Jr.

| prev_title = You Will

| prev_year = 1993

| next_title = I Try to Think About Elvis

| next_year = 1994

| misc =

}}

"'How Can I Help You Say Goodbye'" is a song written by Karen Taylor-Good and Burton Banks Collins. It was first recorded by American country music singer Patty Loveless for her 1993 album, 'Only What I Feel' and released in March 1994 as the fourth single. A version by American singer, songwriter, and actress Laura Branigan was released later the same year on her final studio album, 'Over My Heart', also being released as a single. The song was later included on Branigan's 1995 greatest hits album, 'The Best of Branigan'.

Content



In the three verses, the narrator describes with florid imagery three experiences of loss in her life: moving away from her best friend as a young girl, separating from her husband as an adult, and her mother's death. Each time, in the repeating chorus, her mother seeks to comfort her, asking "how can I help you to say goodbye?"

Background



Loveless' album, "Only What I Feel" had sold over 650,000 copies and had been certified as an RIAA Gold Album. Sony/Epic was receiving requests from radio stations that this song be released as a single, and in March 1994 it was released. This song climbed up the charts, reaching #3 in June. It was also nominated for the 1995 Grammy Awards for Best Female Country Vocal Performance and Best Country Song. The accompanying music video was nominated by both the CMA and the ACM as 1995 Video of the Year. The song was also nominated for the Song of the Year at the 12th annual Music City News Country Songwriters Awards in 1994.

"How Can I Help You Say Goodbye" charted for 20 weeks on the 'Billboard' Hot Country Singles and Tracks chart, reaching No. 3 during the week of June 4, 1994.

Burton Collins, who was an actor at the time, had never written a song before "How Can I Help You Say Goodbye". He told 'Country Weekly' that the title was spoken to him by his grandmother shortly before her death in 1988. After being introduced to Karen Taylor-Good by a mutual friend, he wrote the song with her. Collins said that he and Taylor-Good wrote the song in three hours.

Critical reception



Patty Loveless version

Larry Flick from 'Billboard' wrote that "as she's proven time and time again, Loveless has no equal when it comes to caressing a country lyric. Put her together with a killer ballad like this, and you've got something truly special. A broken heart never sounded so good." Alanna Nash from 'Entertainment Weekly' stated that Loveless "reaches her artistic zenith on the soul-rattling ballads", noting "the enormously involving" "How Can I Help You Say Goodbye". Cyndi Hoelzle and Lisa Smith from the 'Gavin Report' noted, "Patty was apparently so moved by this song that she had a hard time getting through it in the studio. Her final performance carries all that emotion."

Laura Branigan version

After Laura Branigan released her version, Larry Flick from 'Billboard' wrote, "Hands down, the most memorable moment from Branigan's 1993 album, "'Over My Heart'", finally gets a shot at radio play. Branigan has rarely packed this kind of emotional punch without raising her voice above a melancholy tone. A tear jerking exploration of death and loss deserves instant acceptance from adult contemporary programmers." Chuck Eddy from 'Entertainment Weekly' said, "Nowadays, Branigan is beating Celine Dion at Dions own game", adding that "shes still rending hearts, especially when she remembers the day her family moved away from her best friend in a 59 station wagon." Ron Fell and Diane Rufer from the 'Gavin Report' commented, "If there's still such a thing as a "woman's song" this would certainly qualify." They stated that Branigan "takes it to heart with a delicate production that's unique to the format and to the moment."

Track listing



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Charts



Weekly charts



Year-end charts



References



Category:Songs about parting

Category:1994 singles

Category:1993 songs

Category:Patty Loveless songs

Category:Laura Branigan songs

Category:Country ballads

Category:Songs written by Karen Taylor-Good

Category:Song recordings produced by Emory Gordy Jr.

Category:Song recordings produced by Phil Ramone

Category:Epic Records singles

Category:Atlantic Records singles

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