Good Grief (song)

"Good Grief" is a song by English indie pop band Bastille. It was released on 16 June 2016 as the lead single from their second studio album, Wild World (2016).[1] The song was written by Dan Smith, who handled the production along with Mark Crew. It is their first single released to feature new touring member Charlie Barnes.

"Good Grief"
Single by Bastille
from the album Wild World
Released	16 June 2016
Recorded	2016
Genre	Alternative dance synth-pop
Length	3:26
Label	Virgin
Songwriter(s)	Dan Smith
Producer(s)	Dan Smith Mark Crew
Bastille singles chronology
"Torn Apart" (2014) "Good Grief" (2016) "Send Them Off!" (2016)

The song topped a 2020 NME poll of millennials for what song they would like to be played at their funeral ahead of Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth's song 'See You Again'.[2]

Background

On 16 June 2016, Annie Mac debuted "Good Grief" on her BBC Radio 1 show as the "hottest track." Following the debut, the band released the single to radio and as a digital download.[3]

Critical reception

Georgia Ivey of Clash said that the song was "surprisingly upbeat considering its reflection on the grieving process."[4] Sarah Jamieson of DIY called the track a tone-appropriate album opener, saying that its "pomp and grandeur juxtaposed perfectly with Dan Smith’s dark-tinged tale of coping with life after death."[5] NME writer Charlotte Gunn described it as "a euphoric pop track about death and funerals and being sad, but done Bastille-style, with a massive chorus and an X Factor-worthy key change."[6] In his review of the album, Andy Baber of musicOMH felt the song was a "misleading introduction" to the record's various political themes, but said that it establishes the band's "move towards the more eclectic approach favoured on their mixtapes – as evidenced by the sampling of Kelly Le Brock from ‘80s movie Weird Science."[7]

Music video

The video for "Good Grief" debuted on 22 June 2016. In addition to Smith's disembodied head, the video also features a burning house, a bank robbery, a running man, a teddy bear, rollerskating girls, a red car, a payphone, a game show, and scenes depicting nudity.[8] A censored version was added, deleting or blurring some of the more offensive scenes. The clean version has gained over 8.5 million views as of June 2020.[9] The original video has gained over 16 million views as of June 2020.[10]

Track listing

Digital download[1]

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Good Grief"	3:26

7" vinyl[11]

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Good Grief"	3:26
2.	"Good Grief" (Acoustic)	3:26

Bunker Sessions[12]

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Good Grief" (Bunker Sessions)	3:28

Autograf Remix[13]

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Good Grief" (Autograf Remix)	3:50

Don Diablo Remix[14]

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Good Grief" (Don Diablo Remix)	3:59

MK Remix[15]

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Good Grief" (MK Remix)	5:36

Covers and remixes

The song has received covers by upcoming artists such as, Aaron Fleming,[16] Chris Brenner,[17] Connor Everitt,[18] Felicia Lu,[19] and Phoebe Whalley.[20] Don Diablo and Autograf released official remixes for the song via iTunes, respectively on 8 July[21] and 22 July 2016.

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2016) Peak position Argentina (Monitor Latino)[22] 10 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[23] 33 Canada Rock (Billboard)[24] 18 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[25] 20 Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)[26] 12 Euro Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[27] 11 Germany (Official German Charts)[28] 46 Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[29] 8 Ireland (IRMA)[30] 53 Italy (FIMI)[31] 34 Japan (Japan Hot 100)[32] 86 Mexico Airplay (Billboard)[33] 48 Mexico Ingles Airplay (Billboard)[34] 2 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[35] 13 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[36] 47 Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[37] 13 Portugal (AFP)[38] 84 Scotland (OCC)[39] 6 Slovenia (SloTop50)[40] 23 UK Singles (OCC)[41] 13 US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[42] 12 US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[43] 4 US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[44] 23 US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[45] 2 US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[46] 10 US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[47] 9 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[48] 40 US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[49] 4

Year-end charts Chart (2016) Position Argentina (Monitor Latino)[50] 37 Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)[51] 69 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[52] 49 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[53] 66 US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[54] 16 US Alternative Songs (Billboard)[55] 13 US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[56] 28 US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[57] 14

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Germany (BVMI)[58]	Gold	200,000
Italy (FIMI)[59]	Platinum	50,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[60]	Platinum	600,000
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region	Date	Format	Label	Ref.
Worldwide	16 June 2016	Digital download	Virgin	[1]
United Kingdom	23 June 2016	Contemporary hit radio		[61]
United States	12 September 2016	Adult contemporary radio	Capitol	[62]
	13 September 2016	Top 40 radio		[63]
	7 October 2016	7" vinyl	Virgin	[11]

References

1. Worldwide digital release of "Good Grief":
   • "Good Grief - Single by Bastille on Apple Music". iTunes Store (US). 16 June 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
   • "Good Grief - Single by Bastille on iTunes". iTunes Store (UK). 16 June 2016. Archived from the original on 20 June 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
   • "Good Grief - Microsoft Store". Microsoft Store AU. 16 June 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
2. Reilly, Nick (2020-01-23). "Bastille's 'Good Grief' tops list of songs millennials want played at their funerals". NME. Retrieved 2020-12-16.
3. "BASTILLE on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2016-06-16.
4. Ivey, Georgia (6 October 2016). "Bastille - Wild World". Clash. Music Republic. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
5. Jamieson, Sarah (9 September 2016). "Bastille - Wild World". DIY. Sonic Media Group. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
6. Gunn, Charlotte (7 September 2016). "Bastille - 'Wild World' Review". NME. IPC Media. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
7. Baber, Andy (9 September 2016). "Bastille – Wild World". musicOMH. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
8. "Watch the (NSFW) video for Bastille's 'Good Grief'". Gigwise. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
9. Good Grief (Clean Version)
10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWCB3hpJDXM
11. "Bastille - Official Store - Good Grief 7" single including Slipcase for Singles Club". Bastille Official Store. 7 October 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
12. "Good Grief (Bunker Sessions) - Single by Bastille on Apple Music". iTunes Store (US). 15 July 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
13. "Good Grief (Autograf Remix) - Single by Bastille on Apple Music". iTunes Store (US). 22 July 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
14. "Good Grief (Don Diablo Remix) - Single by Bastille on Apple Music". iTunes Store (US). 8 July 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
15. "Good Grief (MK Remix) - Single by Bastille on Apple Music". iTunes Store (US). 5 August 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
16. Aaron Fleming Acoustic (21 June 2016). "Bastille - Good Grief (Cover by Aaron Fleming)" – via YouTube.
17. ChrisBrennerMusic (3 July 2016). "Good Grief - Bastille (cover) Chris Brenner" – via YouTube.
18. Connor Everitt (27 June 2016). "Bastille - Good Grief (cover)" – via YouTube.
19. Felicia Lu (15 July 2016). "Good Grief / Bastille / Cover By Felicia Lu" – via YouTube.
20. Phoebe Whalley (22 June 2016). "Good Grief (Bastille) - Cover by Phoebe Whalley" – via YouTube.
21. Makwana, Harsh (12 July 2016). "Bastille - Good Grief (Don Diablo Remix)". Archived from the original on 17 July 2016.
22. "Top 20 Argentina – Del 31 de Octubre al 6 de Noviembre, 2016" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. 31 October 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
23. "Austriancharts.at – Bastille – Good Grief" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
24. "Bastille Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
25. "Ultratop.be – Bastille – Good Grief" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
26. "Ultratop.be – Bastille – Good Grief" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
27. "Bastille Chart History (Euro Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
28. "Offiziellecharts.de – Bastille – Good Grief". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
29. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
30. "Chart Track: Week 31, 2016". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
31. "Italiancharts.com – Bastille – Good Grief". Top Digital Download. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
32. "Bastille Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
33. "Mexico Airplay". Billboard. 16 July 2016. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
34. "Mexico Ingles Airplay". Billboard. 9 July 2016. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
35. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Bastille" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
36. "Dutchcharts.nl – Bastille – Good Grief" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
37. "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
38. "Portuguesecharts.com – Bastille – Good Grief". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
39. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
40. "SloTop50 – Slovenian official singles chart". slotop50.si. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
41. "Bastille: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
42. "Bastille Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
43. "Bastille Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
44. "Bastille Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
45. "Bastille Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
46. "Bastille Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
47. "Bastille Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
48. "Bastille Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
49. "Bastille Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
50. "Top 100 Anual 2016". Monitor Latino. Archived from the original on 22 August 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2017.
51. "Jaaroverzichten 2016". Hung Medien. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
52. "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2016". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
53. "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2016". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
54. "Adult Alternative Songs – Year-End 2016". Billboard. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
55. "Alternative Songs – Year-End 2016". Billboard. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
56. "Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2016". Billboard. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
57. "Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2016". Billboard. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
58. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Bastille; 'Good Grief')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
59. "Italian single certifications – Bastille – Good Grief" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 7 December 2017. Select "2016" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Good Grief" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli online" under "Sezione".
60. "British single certifications – Bastille – Good Grief". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
61. "BBC - Radio 1 - Playlist". BBC Radio 1. 23 June 2016. Archived from the original on 27 June 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
62. "Hot/Modern/AC Future Releases - Hot Adult Contemporary Rock Songs and Release Dates". AllAccess Music Group. 11 September 2016. Archived from the original on 10 September 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
63. "Top 40/M Future Releases - Mainstream Hit Songs Being Released and Their Release Dates". AllAccess Music Group. 13 September 2016. Archived from the original on 13 September 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2016.