Goodbye Cruel World (James Darren song)
Encyclopedia
"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?
" and several songs for singer Lesley Gore
. The most famous recording of this song is by James Darren
. Released as a single in 1961
, 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
(#28).
Darren, playing pop idol "Kip Dennis," performed the song on a late 1961 episode of "The Donna Reed Show." (He had previously played a different character in a 1959 episode of the sitcom.) The song was also used in a film on Pop Art
directed by Ken Russell
for the BBC TV series Monitor
which aired in March 1962; its context here was the escape from the dying culture of the British Empire
.
According to disc jockeys at the time the song was released, the calliope (music)
-like riff used in the song was a synthesized recording of a woman's voice rather than a musical instrument. edit
Gloria Shayne Baker
Gloria Shayne Baker was an American composer and songwriter best known for composing the "Do You Hear What I Hear?" Christmas carol in 1962 with her then husband, Noël Regney.-Early life:...
, who also wrote the well-known Christmas carol
Christmas carol
A Christmas carol is a carol whose lyrics are on the theme of Christmas or the winter season in general and which are traditionally sung in the period before Christmas.-History:...
, "Do You Hear What I Hear?
Do You Hear What I Hear?
"Do You Hear What I Hear?" is a Christmas song written in October 1962 with lyrics by Noël Regney and music by Gloria Shayne Baker. The pair were married at the time, and wrote it as a plea for peace during the Cuban Missile Crisis...
" and several songs for singer Lesley Gore
Lesley Gore
Lesley Gore is an American singer. She is perhaps best known for her 1963 pop hit "It's My Party", which she recorded at the age of 16. Following the hit, she became one of the most recognized teen pop singers of the 1960s.- Biography :Gore was born in New York City, New York. She was raised in...
. The most famous recording of this song is by James Darren
James Darren
James William Ercolani , known by his stage name James Darren, is an American television and film actor, television director, and singer.-Career:...
. Released as a single in 1961
1961 in music
-Events:*January 15 – Motown Records signs The Supremes.*January 20 – Francis Poulenc's Gloria receives its premiėre in Boston, USA.*February 12 – The Miracles' "Shop Around" becomes Motown's first million-selling single....
, Darren scored his first top ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
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
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
(#28).
Darren, playing pop idol "Kip Dennis," performed the song on a late 1961 episode of "The Donna Reed Show." (He had previously played a different character in a 1959 episode of the sitcom.) The song was also used in a film on Pop Art
Pop art
Pop art is an art movement that emerged in the mid 1950s in Britain and in the late 1950s in the United States. Pop art challenged tradition by asserting that an artist's use of the mass-produced visual commodities of popular culture is contiguous with the perspective of fine art...
directed by Ken Russell
Ken Russell
Henry Kenneth Alfred "Ken" Russell was an English film director, known for his pioneering work in television and film and for his flamboyant and controversial style. He attracted criticism as being obsessed with sexuality and the church...
for the BBC TV series Monitor
Monitor (TV series)
Monitor was a BBC arts programme that was launched on 1 September 1958 and ran until 1965.Huw Wheldon was the first editor from 1958 to 1964. He was also the principal interviewer and anchor...
which aired in March 1962; its context here was the escape from the dying culture of the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
.
According to disc jockeys at the time the song was released, the calliope (music)
Calliope (music)
A calliope is a musical instrument that produces sound by sending a gas, originally steam or more recently compressed air, through large whistles, originally locomotive whistles....
-like riff used in the song was a synthesized recording of a woman's voice rather than a musical instrument. edit