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Goodbye Lullaby
Standard artwork. Special Edition changes the colour of the leaves and flowers to blue.[1]
Studio album by
Avril Lavigne
Released2 March 2011 (2011-03-02)
RecordedNovember 2008 – October 2010
Studio
  • Big Evil Corp. (Los Angeles, CA)
  • Maratone Studios (Stockholm, Sweden)
  • Mr. Biz Studio (Los Angeles, CA)
  • Ruby Red Productions (Santa Monica, CA)
Genre
Length52:17
LabelRCA[4]
Producer
Avril Lavigne chronology
The Best Damn Thing
(2007) 		Goodbye Lullaby
(2011) 		Avril Lavigne
(2013)
Singles from Goodbye Lullaby
  1. "What the Hell"
    Released: 10 January 2011
  2. "Smile"
    Released: 11 April 2011
  3. "Wish You Were Here"
    Released: 9 September 2011

Goodbye Lullaby is the fourth studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Avril Lavigne, released worldwide on 2 March 2011 through RCA Records. Recording sessions for the album began in November 2008 and continued over a period of nearly two years, concluding in October 2010. Goodbye Lullaby is primarily a pop rock and pop album, more introspective than Lavigne's previous material. It consists mainly of stripped down instruments such as the piano and acoustic guitar. Lavigne assumed an integral role in the album's production, co-writing every original, as well as collaborating with several producers including Max Martin, Shellback, Butch Walker, and her ex-husband Deryck Whibley. Goodbye Lullaby is Lavigne's third and final studio album with RCA, following The Best Damn Thing (2007) and Under My Skin (2004).

Upon its release, Goodbye Lullaby received generally mixed reviews from music critics, with some naming it her most personal and introspective album while others took issue with its subdued sound and Lavigne's lyrical content. The album debuted inside the top five in over 15 countries such as the United States and Canada (where it has since been certified gold) and topping the charts in over eight countries, such as Australia, Greece, Hong Kong and Japan.

Goodbye Lullaby has sold 1.5 million copies worldwide as of 2013.[5] Three singles were released from Goodbye Lullaby. "What the Hell" was released as the lead single in January 2011 and achieved worldwide chart success, reaching the top 20 in the United States and United Kingdom, the top ten in Europe and Australia and the top five in Asia. The following singles, "Smile" and "Wish You Were Here", had moderate chart success worldwide. The album also includes an extended version of the soundtrack single for Alice in Wonderland (2010), titled "Alice". Lavigne promoted the album with a series of live performances and later embarked on the Black Star Tour (2011).

Background and release

[edit]

"My record company was being a typical record company and trying to give me their version of how it should be – trying to get me to go in a different direction. I had to fight with them over and over. I was like, 'No, this is a really special record to me and this is what I'm doing'."

—Lavigne, Digital Spy[6]

Lavigne's third studio album, The Best Damn Thing (2007), was a great commercial success, mainly due to its lead-single, "Girlfriend" (a number-one hit in over six countries)[7] and its successful worldwide tour, the Best Damn World Tour (2008). In September 2009, it was reported that Lavigne and husband Deryck Whibley were separating. The same day, MTV News reported that he was working with her on the follow-up album to The Best Damn Thing.[8] They used their home studio to produce eight of the nine tracks she initially recorded for the album. "I think this is taking the spirit of what she's done on previous records so much further," he said. "It's way more meaningful, has more of an impact, more emotional. It makes me feel something more than the other stuff. And I wanted to match that musically with the track."[9]

The album and lead single's release dates had been pushed back several times. The album was originally scheduled for release on 17 November 2009.[9] Later, in January 2010, Lavigne stated that the album cover had been photographed and the first single would be released in April followed by the album in June.[10] In May, Lavigne said that she considered the album too serious and "mellow" and would return to the studio to balance the album out, "With an album, I don't want to rush it out.... I have a very serious record, so I think I need to put a couple upbeat, fun songs on it."[11] In August 2010, Lavigne returned to Henson Recording Studios[12] with producer Alex da Kid. During these sessions, Lavigne had strep throat, and the people involved were required to wear surgical masks.[13] Despite her doctor's warning, Lavigne recorded vocals, "I wasn't able to sing for the last forty-eight hours because I could do permanent damage to the vocal cords."[12] She revealed that she had been "trying new stuff" and that she was "exploring". Lavigne added that she had enough material for two records.[13]

In October 2010, Lavigne was featured in Maxim for the November issue. During the interview she revealed that she had finished Goodbye Lullaby after two and a half years.[14] However, in November, Lavigne announced that her album had been completed for a year, citing her record company as the reason for the album's delays.[15] Lavigne stated that her record company wanted something more upbeat to keep up with mainstream radio, "Radio's very rhythmic and urban and dance today. I think they wanted me to do something more like that, but that's not what my vision was for this album".[6] The entire track listing for the album was revealed on 21 December 2010,[16] after some were announced in early December.[17][18]

Recording

[edit]

Lavigne began recording in her home studio in November 2008 with the song "Black Star", only a month after completing the Best Damn World Tour.[9] To help promote her first fragrance, Black Star, Lavigne needed a short theme that would be used for the TV spots. "Black Star" was composed in a Malaysian hotel during her tour. The jingle was eventually expanded into a short introduction to the album. Recording began with minimal instruments, usually starting with Lavigne singing only to acoustic guitar, with additional instruments added later. Lavigne stated that her vocals were the most important instrument to her during the album's recording, "Typically the lead vocal gets buried in the track and you can't always hear the quality, character, or emotion after a certain point. I wanted my voice to be the main instrument."[17]

Lavigne described the process: "It's stripped down. I love performing that way, so I really felt like it was time to make a record like that. To just make it all about the vocal and the performance, and the vibe, and the emotion." Because she has a studio in her home, Lavigne was able to compose and record at her leisure. She also used the piano to compose the majority of the songs. "The piano is more of an emotional instrument. It stirs up different emotions for me and moves me in a different way than the guitar can."[19] By July 2009, nine tracks had been recorded,[9] including the songs "Fine", "Everybody Hurts" and "Darlin'", the latter being the second song Lavigne wrote as a 15-year-old while living in Napanee, Ontario.[20] Lavigne stated that this album would be different from her previous work, "The other albums I've done, the songs are all over the place. This is the most consistent album all the way through."[21]

In addition to working with Deryck Whibley in the majority of the songs, Lavigne also produced two songs on her own and worked with Max Martin and Shellback. "What was really great about working with Max was, I flew out to Sweden for a couple weeks, sat down, played him my record, got to know each other, wrote some songs together, and then I was out," she told MTV News. "It switched it up for me. It was a new creative space, a new relationship, and we got a lot done. He's very talented."[22] Lavigne's longtime collaborators Evan Taubenfield and Butch Walker co-wrote and produced some of the tracks as well.[20] In November 2010, British producer Alex da Kid, who worked with Lavigne beginning in August 2010, stated that some songs on the album will have a hip-hop sound, "We've got some things that are hip-hop leaning, and we've got some things that are more pop/rock leaning".[23] In December, it was announced that the songs produced by Alex da Kid would not be on the album but Lavigne stated, "we're gonna do something with that stuff, I'm just not sure what yet".[24]

Composition and themes

[edit]
Lavigne during the Tampa Bay Rays post-game concert at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, May 2011.

"Goodbye Lullaby" deals with themes of heartbreak and was heavily influenced on Lavigne's relationship with her ex-husband Deryck Whibley. Lavigne described the album as being about how we all go through difficult experiences, whether it's ending a relationship, losing a job, or just missing someone.[17] She stated, "It's so easy for me to do a boy-bashing pop song, but to sit down and write honestly about something that's really close to me, something I've been through, it's a totally different thing."[25] The album serves as a return to Lavigne's older musical style and is largely acoustic.[20] With the exception of the album's lead single, Lavigne describes the songs on the album as different from her earlier material, "I'm older now, so I think that comes across in my music, it's not as pop-rock and it's a little more mellow and it's deep".[26] She said, "[For] this record, I just really, really wanted to sing.... I just wanna have silence around me, and have these acoustic songs and really deliver."[25] For Adam R. Holz of Plugged In (publication), "these mellow acoustic songs paint a mournful, lamenting picture of a woman trying to sort through why her marriage failed."[27]

The album opens with the intro "Black Star", which lasts for 1 minute and 34 seconds, and was described by Rolling Stone as "an ethereal lullaby that turns epic with tinkling Coldplay-like pianos and soaring strings."[25] The second track and first single off the album, "What the Hell", was described by Lavigne herself as "a broad message about personal freedom",[28] calling it her "most pop track on the record", the least personal song from the album[15] and the song most reminiscent of her previous work.[24] In "Push", she forcefully tells a guy to stop complaining about how hard it can be to make a relationship work,[27] while the power ballad "Wish You Were Here"[29] shows Lavigne's vulnerable side,[30] and according to Spin's Mikael Wood, "talks about her recent divorce from Deryck Whibley".[31] The other upbeat, pop rock track "Smile", finds Lavigne referring to herself as a "crazy bitch"[32] and expressing her gratitude for special people in her life.[30] The sixth track "Stop Standing There", written only by herself, has been described as having an "early- '50s girl-group feel", while lyrically it finds Lavigne imploring a hesitant suitor to confess his affection.[27]

The seventh track "I Love You" fondly reminisces about how Avril loved getting drunk with her ex, among other things, while "Everybody Hurts" ponders why things turned out as they have and longs for a second chance.[27] For Andy Greenwald of Entertainment Weekly, "Not Enough" is a raw confessional track,[33] while "4 Real", written and produced by herself, concerns about authenticity in a lover, with Lavigne insisting that her partner be "4 real," because everything feels right.[34] Acoustic guitar and piano, as well as an orchestra are used in "Darlin'", "Remember When" and "Goodbye". "Darlin'" was written when Lavigne was 14 years old.[35] "Whenever I hear 'Darlin,' I think of the family room I wrote it in and playing it for my mom," she says. "So it's really special for me to have it on the album."[17] "Remember When" realizes that the breaking of what's supposed to be an eternal bond has serious emotional consequences as it captures the ache of post-divorce loneliness.[27] The final track "Goodbye" talks about finding the strength to close one chapter of her life and move on to the next.[30] Lavigne stated that it was the most personal song she has ever wrote and was the inspiration for the album's title.[24] The hidden track "Alice" was made for Tim Burton's film fantasy Alice in Wonderland, which was included on the compilation album Almost Alice.[17] The album's version differs lyrically from the soundtrack's.[27]

Promotion

[edit]
Lavigne during a performance in Belo Horizonte, August 2011

To promote the album, Lavigne went to a lot of TV shows, such as Today, on 8 March 2011, The View, on 9 March 2011. The singer also went to The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, on 14 March 2011, and Jimmy Kimmel Live, on 15 March 2011. In all TV shows, she performed the single "What the Hell". She also went to Chelsea Lately for an interview, on 21 March 2011.[36] She also promoted the album in Australia, performing at the World Famous Rooftop.[37] Lavigne also travelled to the United Kingdom to perform on the BBC'S Radio 1 Live Lounge, singing "What the Hell" and Kesha's "Tik Tok".[38]

Furthermore, Lavigne embarked on her fourth worldwide concert tour, Black Star Tour, in April 2011, starting in Asia. Lavigne completed the tour in February 2012, bringing the Goodbye Lullaby album cycle to a close.[39]

Singles

[edit]

Lavigne premiered the lead single, "What the Hell", on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve on 31 December 2010[18] during a pre-taped segment along with a performance of "Girlfriend".[24] Lavigne said the song is "a really fun, upbeat party song, so it worked out really well to play it for the first time on New Year's Rockin' Eve."[40] The following day, "What the Hell" was available as a free download for 48 hours from Lavigne's official Facebook page.[41] The video for the single was released in January 2011.[15] The song was a success in Australia, Canada and New Zealand, reaching the top-ten, while it reached the top-twenty in France, the United Kingdom and the United States.[42]

Lavigne asked her fans via Twitter what the next single should be, giving the choices between "Push" and "Smile",[43][44] with "Smile" ultimately being chosen as the second release.[44] It was released worldwide on 6 May 2011[45] and its music video features scenes of Avril on a studio set which she decorated herself with color spray bombs, posters and a few props, while she goes around picking up the pieces of broken hearts in people who are otherwise unhappy.[46] The song was a very moderate success on the charts, only reaching the top-forty in Australia, Austria, Germany and New Zealand. In the U.S., it only reached number 68.[47]

Lavigne confirmed in July 2011 that "Wish You Were Here" would become the third and final single from Goodbye Lullaby, released on 9 September 2011.[48] Previously charting in the US and Canada through downloads alone, when the album was released in March 2011, the song performed very modestly as a single, only reaching number 64 on the Canadian Hot 100 chart and number 65 on the Billboard Hot 100.[49] The song's music video, directed by Marc Webb, features Avril very emotional in a room, looking sad, lighting flora on fire and dunking her head underwater in a bathtub.[50]

"Push" was released on 20 February 2012, exclusively in Japan, reaching a peak of 35 on the Japan Hot 100.[51]

Other songs

[edit]

On 1 March 2012, Lavigne released an exclusive music video for the closing track of the album "Goodbye". The video was directed by Mark Liddell, and was released as a thank you towards her fans. It was filmed at the Chateau Marmont in Hollywood.[52]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic58/100[53]
Review scores
SourceRating
About.comStarStarStar[34]
AllMusicStarStarStar[54]
The A.V. Club(C−)[55]
Digital SpyStarStarStarStar[2]
Entertainment WeeklyB-[33]
The Globe and MailStarHalf star[56]
PopMatters(5/10)[57]
Rolling StoneStarStarStar[29]
Slant MagazineStarStarHalf star[32]
Spin(5/10)[31]

Goodbye Lullaby received mixed reviews from music critics,[58][59] based on aggregate score of 58 from Metacritic.[60] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic compared Goodbye Lullaby to Under My Skin, citing the divorce from Deryck Whibley as "the occasion for introspection". However, he noticed that Lavigne "seems to be grappling with emotions just beyond her reach, never articulating her angst or crafting a melancholy melody, making Goodbye Lullaby feel affected, not genuine."[54] Likewise, Andy Greenwald of Entertainment Weekly thought that the album "seeks a balance," since "the first half is loaded with glossy confections, while the second consists of quieter reflections clearly inspired by Deryck Whibley, her ex-husband." Giving a grade of B−, Greenwald found out that the singer "seems to be desperate to share her artistic interior, which is far from fully formed."[33] Bill Lamb from About.com echoed the same thought, writing that the album is "very downbeat and subdued," praising the two songs produced by herself, but ultimately calling it "a bit like a wasted moment in time."[34] Jonathan Keefe of Slant Magazine gave the album 2.5 out of 5 stars, calling it "a strident, ineffectual attempt at a serious pop record."[32] Josh Langhoff of PopMatters found problems with its lyrics, pointing out that "she's an artist who benefits from collaboration."[57] Writing for the Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail Robert Everett-Green also criticized the lyrics, writing that, "The songs contain little to catch the ear of anyone who isn't already a fan. This is disposable, industrial pop, short on invention and buffed to a high gloss."[56]

In contrast to the mixed reviews, Robert Copsey of Digital Spy gave the album 4 out of 5 stars, highlighting its production, calling it "a solid collection of tunes that neatly ties together the sounds of her last three records: the angst of 'Let Go', the raw emotion of 'Under My Skin' and the pop hooks of 'The Best Damn Thing'."[2] Billboard Magazine was also favorable, naming the album "the songstress' most intimate and soul-baring set to date."[61] Jon Pareles from The New York Times was also positive, expressing that "on Goodbye Lullaby, she's trying to be a little more expansive, vocally and emotionally, without leaving pop territory". Pareles positively pointed out that, "It's the pop-factory material, not Ms. Lavigne's own presumably more personal songs, that offers details, humor and a sense of letting go. Her grown-up seriousness could use a little more of them".[62] Giving 3 stars out of 5, Jody Rosen of Rolling Stone was impressed that the album "is lovelorn and introspective, full of gusty tunes with a surprising message: Avril cares".[29] Margaret Wappler of Los Angeles Times found issues "when Lavigne compartmentalizes her softer side, to the point where it eclipses her finger-jabbing cheekiness."[63]

Accolades

[edit]
Award Year Category Result Ref.
Japan Gold Disc Awards 2012 Best 3 Albums Won [64]
Juno Award 2012 Album of the Year Nominated [65]
Pop Album of the Year Nominated

Commercial performance

[edit]

In the United States, Goodbye Lullaby debuted at number four on the US Billboard 200 chart, with first-week sales of over 87,000.[66] It eventually became her first studio album to not peak inside the top two.[66] In its second week, the album dropped to number seven on the chart selling over 32,000 copies.[67] In its third week, the album dropped to number 24.[68] The album spent a total of 26 weeks on the Billboard 200,[69] and has sold 394,000 copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan, as of September 2015.[70] In 2018 it was certified gold by RIAA for selling 500,000 equivalent units.[71] In Lavigne's native Canada, the album ended her streak of consecutive number-one albums, debuting at number two with sales of 13,000 copies. It was certified platinum in Canada denoting 80,000 units sold.[72]

In the United Kingdom, where all of her three consecutive albums debuted at the top of the UK Albums Chart, Goodbye Lullaby only managed to debut at number nine with 22,000 units sold, remaining on the chart for only nine weeks; her longest was Let Go with 67 weeks. The album was eventually certified gold in the UK for sales of over 100,000 units. In neighboring Scotland and Ireland, the album peaked at numbers nine and 12 respectively, becoming Lavigne's first to miss the top two in the former and her first to miss the top spot in the latter. Elsewhere in Europe, the album reached the top five in each of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, by peaking at numbers four, three, and two respectively. It also made the top five in both France and Italy by peaking at numbers four and five. In Portugal the album became her best album on the charts since Under My Skin by peaking at number five. In Spain, the album also performed well, debuting at number four and becoming her highest charting-album there.[73]

In Australia, the album topped the ARIA Albums Chart, becoming her third non-consecutive number-one album and her first since Under My Skin, after three months the album was certified Gold in Australia ARIA reaching 35,000 copies.[74][75] In New Zealand the album peaked at number seven, marking Lavigne's fourth consecutive top ten album. Goodbye Lullaby earned its greatest success in Japan, where it debuted at number two on the Japanese Oricon Albums Chart with sales of 130,000 copies in its opening week[76] – the largest opening of the album in a particular country. This was particularly impressive since it was released during the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, which cut off all promo. During the first three months, the album sold over 250,000 copies in Japan, receiving Platinum certification. As of June 2011, the album had sold over 336,000 copies.[77] In Japan the album had sold 410,000 copies as of November 2013.[78] As of 2013, Goodbye Lullaby had sold 1.5 million copies worldwide.[5]

Track listing

[edit]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Black Star"Avril LavigneDeryck Whibley1:34
2."What the Hell"
  • Max Martin
  • Shellback
3:40
3."Push"
Whibley3:01
4."Wish You Were Here"
  • Lavigne
  • Martin
  • Shellback
  • Martin
  • Shellback
3:45
5."Smile"
  • Lavigne
  • Martin
  • Shellback
  • Martin
  • Shellback
3:29
6."Stop Standing There"LavigneButch Walker3:27
7."I Love You"
  • Lavigne
  • Martin
  • Shellback
  • Martin
  • Shellback
4:01
8."Everybody Hurts"
  • Lavigne
  • Taubenfeld
Whibley3:41
9."Not Enough"
  • Lavigne
  • Taubenfeld
Whibley4:18
10."4 Real"LavigneLavigne3:28
11."Darlin"LavigneWhibley3:50
12."Remember When"LavigneWhibley3:29
13."Goodbye"LavigneLavigne4:32
14."Alice" (extended version; hidden track)LavigneWalker5:00
Total length:52:17
Japanese edition bonus tracks[79]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
12."Alice" (extended version)LavigneWalker5:00
13."Remember When"LavigneWhibley3:29
14."Goodbye"LavigneLavigne4:32
15."Knockin' on Heaven's Door"Bob DylanLavigne2:52
Total length:54:07
Deluxe edition bonus tracks[80]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
15."What the Hell" (acoustic)
  • Lavigne
  • Martin
  • Shellback
Shellback3:40
16."Push" (acoustic)
  • Lavigne
  • Taubenfeld
Whibley2:46
17."Wish You Were Here" (acoustic)
  • Lavigne
  • Martin
  • Shellback
Shellback3:45
18."Bad Reputation"Joan JettWhibley2:42
Total length:64:08
Japanese deluxe edition bonus tracks[81]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
18."Knockin' on Heaven's Door"DylanLavigne2:52
19."Bad Reputation"JettWhibley2:42
Total length:67:00
iTunes Store deluxe edition bonus content[82]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
19."What the Hell" (Bimbo Jones remix)
  • Lavigne
  • Martin
  • Shellback
4:09
20."The Making of Goodbye Lullaby" (video) 28:14
Total length:96:41
Special edition bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
20."What the Hell" (instrumental)
  • Lavigne
  • Martin
  • Shellback
  • Martin
  • Shellback
3:39
21."Wish You Were Here" (instrumental)
  • Lavigne
  • Martin
  • Shellback
  • Martin
  • Shellback
3:45
Total length:75:51
Deluxe edition bonus DVD[83]
No.TitleLength
1."Introduction" 
2."Avril Talks About the Making of Goodbye Lullaby" 
3."Avril in the Studio" 
4."Goodbye Lullaby... The Songs" 
5."First Band Rehearsals for 'What the Hell'" 
6."Acoustic Studio Session" 
7."Album Cover Photo Shoot" 
Special edition bonus DVD[84]
No.TitleLength
1."Making of Goodbye Lullaby" 
2."What the Hell" (4Music live performance) 
3."Smile" (4Music live performance) 
4."Push" (4Music live performance) 
5."Wish You Were Here" (4Music live performance) 
6."Girlfriend" (4Music live performance) 
7."What the Hell" (music video) 
8."Smile" (music video) 
9."Wish You Were Here" (music video) 
10."What the Hell" (making of the video) 
11."Smile" (making of the video) 

Notes

  • Song lengths, writing credits and producing credits taken from the Goodbye Lullaby liner notes and AllMusic.[85][54]
  • Co-writer and friend of Lavigne, Evan Taubenfeld provided the bridge vocals on "Push".

Personnel

[edit]

Credits for Goodbye Lullaby adapted from AllMusic.[86]

Charts

[edit]

Certifications and sales

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[75] Gold 35,000^
Canada (Music Canada)[72] Platinum 80,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[125] Gold 30,000*
Japan (RIAJ)[126] Platinum 250,000^
Mexico (AMPROFON)[127] Gold 30,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[128] Gold 7,500‡
Russia (NFPF)[129] Gold 5,000*
South Korea — 10,242[130]
Spain — 2,950[a]
Taiwan (RIT)[132] 5× Platinum 50,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[133] Gold 100,000‡
United States (RIAA)[71] Gold 500,000‡
Summaries
Worldwide — 1,500,000[134]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Date Region Label
2 March 2011 Japan[135][136] Sony Music Japan
4 March 2011 Australia[137] Sony Music
Germany[138]
Ireland[139]
Netherlands[140]
Sweden[141]
7 March 2011 Brazil[142] Sony Music
Russia[143]
United Kingdom[144] Columbia Records
8 March 2011 Canada[145] RCA Records
Indonesia Sony Music
Mexico[146]
South Korea[147]
Taiwan[148]
United States[149] RCA Records
15 March 2011 Philippines[150] Sony Music
Ivory Music and Video
Chile Sony Music

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Goodbye Lullaby

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Goodbye Lullaby is the fourth studio album by Canadian , released on March 8, 2011, by . The album marks a departure from the energy of her prior releases, embracing a more introspective and acoustic style influenced by Lavigne's personal experiences, including her divorce from frontman . It includes 13 tracks on the standard edition, such as the lead single "," a track co-written with and Shellback, alongside ballads like "Wish You Were Here" and "." Lavigne began recording Goodbye Lullaby in 2008, collaborating with producers including , her ex-husband Whibley, and , amid tensions with her label over the album's subdued tone. She described the project as a return to her roots, focusing on emotional vulnerability rather than commercial pop hooks, with sessions spanning and other locations over three years. The expanded edition, released in December 2011, adds bonus tracks including acoustic versions of singles and remixes, extending the runtime to 21 songs and incorporating more electronic elements in select cuts. A vinyl edition of the expanded version was released in June 2024. Upon release, Goodbye Lullaby debuted at number four on the , selling 87,000 copies in its first week in the United States, and achieved top-ten status in multiple countries including , , and the . Critics noted its mature, heartfelt approach, praising tracks like the power "Wish You Were Here" for their raw emotion, though some critiqued its slower pace as less energetic than Lavigne's earlier work. The album has been certified platinum in and gold in several markets, solidifying Lavigne's evolution as an artist while spawning three singles that collectively charted on the .

Development

Background

Avril Lavigne's divorce from frontman , which she filed for in October 2009 and finalized in November 2010, profoundly influenced the emotional core of Goodbye Lullaby. The album emerged from a period of personal turmoil, marking a departure from the high-energy, vibe of her third record, (2007), toward something more vulnerable and reflective. Lavigne sought to capture a sense of maturity in her music, stating, "I'm older now. I've done the whole pop-rock, aggressive, bratty," as she aimed to evolve beyond her earlier image. In late , amid these personal changes, Lavigne announced the title Goodbye Lullaby, framing the project as an intimate exploration of her inner world. She described it as a stripped-down effort centered on raw emotion, saying, "It’s a very personal and stripped-down record." This conception reflected her intention to create that felt like a gentle, confessional outlet, contrasting her previous upbeat material. Songwriting for the album began as early as 2008, with Lavigne experimenting in acoustic and piano-based demos at her home studio. She drew from both new compositions and older, unfinished pieces, including one written at age 14, to build a collection that prioritized authenticity. "It is a more emotional, more raw record... It’s different this record for me, but it’s very me," Lavigne explained, highlighting her solo-driven process during initial sessions.

Recording

Recording sessions for Goodbye Lullaby commenced in late 2008, shortly after the success of Avril Lavigne's previous album , and extended over nearly two years, wrapping up in October 2010. This prolonged timeline allowed for iterative development amid creative adjustments, with sessions primarily held in studios such as Henson Recording Studios, Mr. Biz Studio, and Big Evil Corp., as well as in , . The extended period was partly due to challenges including disputes with her over the album's introspective direction and the need for multiple song revisions to refine the sound. The production team featured prominent collaborators, including producers and Shellback, who contributed to upbeat tracks like "What the Hell" and "Push," bringing polished pop elements to the mix. handled production on more organic songs such as "Stop Standing There" and "4 Real," emphasizing acoustic textures, while , Lavigne's ex-husband, produced and mixed several cuts, including playing guitar and bass on multiple recordings. Lavigne herself played a significant hands-on role, co-producing approximately half the album alongside Whibley and arranging elements to capture raw emotion. Initial tracking often started with stripped-down acoustic sessions, featuring Lavigne's vocals accompanied by guitar, before layering in additional instrumentation. Orchestral components, including strings arranged by David Campbell, were incorporated in phases to foster a soothing, lullaby-esque atmosphere across the record, aligning with the album's conceptual intimacy. These technical choices addressed production hurdles by evolving basic demos into fuller arrangements over time.

Music and lyrics

Composition

Goodbye Lullaby represents a shift toward a more subdued and introspective sound in Avril Lavigne's , blending elements of pop, , and acoustic ballads. The album emphasizes stripped-down instrumentation, with , , and strings forming the core sonic palette to create an intimate atmosphere. This contrasts sharply with the high-energy punk-pop and rock-driven arrangements of her previous releases, such as Let Go (2002) and (2007), where faster tempos and riffs dominated; here, the overall pace slows considerably, prioritizing emotional depth through orchestral swells and minimalistic builds. Production techniques highlight Lavigne's vocals as the focal point, employing layered harmonies and subtle builds from sparse arrangements to fuller string-backed crescendos, fostering a sense of vulnerability and closeness. The album's structure unfolds across 13 tracks in its standard edition, totaling approximately 52 minutes, with a progression from brief, atmospheric openers to extended closers that linger on and acoustic elements. Key tracks illustrate this compositional approach: "Black Star," a minimalist 1:34 opener driven solely by haunting piano notes, sets a contemplative tone without percussion or additional layers. In contrast, "" (3:40) serves as the album's pop outlier, featuring an upbeat mid-tempo groove with riffs and a driving drum beat that echoes Lavigne's earlier pop-rock style. Ballads like "Wish You Were Here" (3:45) employ jangling acoustic guitars and swelling strings for a power arrangement, while "Push" (3:01) and "" (3:29) maintain mid-tempos with simple guitar-piano frameworks and harmonious vocal overlays. Later tracks, such as "I Love You" (4:01) and the closing "Goodbye" (5:29), extend into fuller orchestrations with prominent strings and piano, building gradually to emphasize emotional resonance over rhythmic drive.

Themes

Goodbye Lullaby explores central themes of , heartbreak, , and closure, drawing directly from Lavigne's personal experiences, particularly her 2010 divorce from musician . The album's lyrical content reveals a deepened , with songs grappling with the aftermath of relational dissolution and the process of moving forward, often through introspective narratives that balance pain with tentative hope. Lavigne's songwriting on the record demonstrates an evolution toward a more confessional style, marked by vulnerability and maturity that contrasts her earlier, more rebellious work. She described the album as "more emotional, more raw," highlighting a shift to direct, personal phrasing that exposes inner turmoil without aggression. For instance, in "Wish You Were Here," Lavigne conveys profound loss and nostalgia, focusing on reminiscing about shared joys amid separation, as she explained the song captures "looking back and remembering all the good times and missing somebody." Similarly, "Goodbye" embodies closure through its tender farewell to a past love, using simple yet poignant lines to express regret and the inevitability of parting. Recurring motifs such as lullabies, , and dreams weave through the , symbolizing fleeting comfort and in the face of emotional . The album's title itself evokes a lullaby's soothing quality, applied paradoxically to themes of goodbye and letting go, enhancing the sense of quiet resilience amid . In "Stop Standing There," these elements underscore unspoken romantic feelings, portraying the ache of hesitation and the dreamlike idealization of potential love. This poetic layering contributes to the album's overall confessional tone, prioritizing raw honesty over polished narratives.

Release and promotion

Editions

Goodbye Lullaby was originally released on March 2, 2011, by in both standard and deluxe editions. The standard edition features 13 tracks in a traditional jewel case packaging, while the deluxe edition expands to 17 tracks with four bonus recordings—"", "Push (acoustic version)", "Wish You Were Here (acoustic version)", and a cover of "Bad Reputation"—and includes a bonus DVD with acoustic studio sessions, an album cover photo shoot, and a music video for "". A for the Japanese market followed on December 21, 2011, via , incorporating the deluxe content plus exclusive bonus tracks such as " (Bimbo Jones remix)", " (instrumental)", and "Stop Standing There (instrumental)", packaged as a CD+DVD set with an obi strip and lyric booklet. An expanded edition comprising 21 tracks, incorporating the original album alongside additional bonus songs including remixes and acoustic versions of "", "Push", and "Wish You Were Here", became available digitally in 2011 prior to physical reissues and was first released on vinyl in 2024 as a limited-edition white 2LP via . Both physical and digital formats have been offered since the original release, with streaming availability on platforms like and downloads via , though early editions emphasized CD jewel cases and digipaks for physical copies.

Marketing

Pre-release promotion for Goodbye Lullaby commenced in 2010 through teaser campaigns on Lavigne's official website, where she revealed the album title and solicited fan input via contests for elements of the album art, fostering a sense of with her audience. Partnerships with brands like Canon were established to support and live performances, integrating the company's products into promotional content to broaden exposure. The Black Star Tour was announced in 2011 as the primary live promotion for the album, featuring performances of new tracks across , , , , and from May 2011 to March 2012, with over 40 dates and grossing more than $5 million. Lavigne's media appearances, such as her April 8, 2011, interview on , emphasized the album's personal and emotional depth, while platforms were used for ongoing rollout, sharing updates and engaging fans directly. The lead single "What the Hell" launch was briefly teased on these platforms to kick off the promotional cycle.

Singles

The lead single from Goodbye Lullaby, "", was released on January 10, 2011, as a pop-dance track produced by and Shellback. It debuted at number 13 on the and peaked at number 11, marking Lavigne's highest-charting single since "" in 2007. In the UK, it reached number 16 on the Official Singles Chart. The music video, directed by , features Lavigne performing in various urban settings and premiered on January 23, 2011. Critics praised its energetic vibe as a return to Lavigne's roots, though some noted its formulaic production. The second single, "Smile", followed on May 6, 2011, as an upbeat pop-rock song co-written by Lavigne, , and Shellback. It peaked at number 68 on the but fared better internationally, reaching number 25 on the Australian Singles Chart. The accompanying , directed by Shane Drake and released on May 18, 2011, depicts Lavigne dealing with a through mischievous acts, emphasizing themes. Reception highlighted its catchy chorus and relatable lyrics, with some reviewers calling it a standout for its blend of vulnerability and defiance. "Wish You Were Here" served as the third single, released to radio on September 13, 2011, as an emotional ballad reflecting on loss and nostalgia. It debuted at number 64 on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at number 65, while reaching number 32 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart. Directed by Dave Meyers, the video premiered on September 8, 2011, showing Lavigne reminiscing in a serene, woodland setting. The track received acclaim for its heartfelt delivery, often cited as one of the album's most poignant moments. In select international markets, "Stop Standing There" was issued as a single in 2011, peaking at number 3 on the Italian Singles Chart and gaining airplay in . "Goodbye" received radio-only promotion in regions like and parts of but did not chart prominently. Remix versions, such as the DJ Wes & Abel Ramos of "What the Hell," appeared on promotional EPs, while B-sides like "Alice (Extended Version)" were bundled with early single releases.

Reception

Critical response

Goodbye Lullaby received mixed reviews from critics, earning a Metascore of 58 out of 100 on based on 14 reviews, indicating average or mixed reception. AllMusic's praised the album's emotional depth, noting that it focuses on the singer's self-examination as much as her relationships, marking a more introspective turn in Lavigne's work. highlighted the maturity in its ballads, describing the collection as lovelorn and introspective with gusty tunes that convey genuine care, particularly in tracks exploring longing. Critics offered negative feedback as well, with criticizing its affected introspection, as Lavigne's softer side overshadows her usual cheekiness, resulting in a lack of spiky fun. Slant Magazine echoed concerns about generic pop elements, calling it a strident but ineffectual attempt at a serious pop record that fails to elevate beyond superficial angst. Retrospective analyses in 2021 have noted the album's underrated vulnerability, viewing its sonic divergence from Lavigne's earlier punk-pop as a bold progression that houses emotional gems amid the mixed initial response. Reviewers frequently singled out "Wish You Were Here" as a standout, with commending its jangling power ballad structure and heartfelt lyrics about absence, such as "The night is so long when you're not by my side," which exemplify the album's introspective strengths.

Accolades

Goodbye Lullaby earned nominations at the 2012 , including for Pop Album of the Year and Album of the Year. The album's , "What the Hell," received a nomination for International Video of the Year by a Canadian at the 2011 MuchMusic Video Awards. In retrospective honors, a 2024 fan poll by Alternative Press ranked Goodbye Lullaby fourth among Avril Lavigne's best albums.

Commercial performance

Charts

Goodbye Lullaby debuted at number four on the US Billboard 200, selling 87,000 copies in its first week as reported by Nielsen SoundScan. The album achieved number one positions on the Canadian Albums Chart, the ARIA Albums Chart in Australia, and the Billboard Japan Hot Albums chart. It entered the top five in more than 15 countries worldwide, including top ten placements in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Italy. The lead single "What the Hell" peaked at number 11 on the and number eight on the , while reaching the top ten in and several European countries. The track appeared on year-end charts in (number 63) and other regions, reflecting its sustained radio and digital performance.
Country/RegionChartPeak PositionSource
4Billboard
Canadian Albums1Billboard
UK Albums9Official Charts
Albums1ARIA
Albums2Oricon
Hot Albums1Billboard Japan
The album demonstrated notable longevity on several charts, including 26 weeks on the US Billboard 200 and approximately 20 weeks on the , with intermittent re-entries driven by streaming activity. In the post-2020 era, increased streaming consumption led to modern re-entries, such as a brief return to the Official Albums Chart in March 2021 coinciding with the album's 10th anniversary.

Sales and certifications

Goodbye Lullaby achieved significant commercial success, selling over 1.65 million pure copies worldwide. Including digital track sales and streaming equivalents, the album has generated more than 3.6 million equivalent album units globally. The album received several certifications across various markets, reflecting its strong performance in key regions. In the United States, it was certified Gold by the (RIAA) on March 26, 2018, denoting shipments of 500,000 units. In , it earned Platinum certification from the (RIAJ) for 250,000 copies shipped, contributing to over 300,000 units sold in the region by the mid-2010s. awarded it Gold status by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for 35,000 units, while granted Gold certification by the (FIMI) for 30,000 copies. In the , the (BPI) certified it Gold for sales exceeding 100,000 units. recognized it with Platinum certification from , equivalent to 80,000 units.
RegionCertificationUnits CertifiedCertifying BodyDate
Gold35,000ARIA-
Platinum80,000Music Canada-
Gold30,000FIMI-
Platinum250,000RIAJNovember 2012
United KingdomGold100,000BPI-
Gold500,000RIAAMarch 26, 2018
Digital sales played a major role in the album's longevity, with lead single "What the Hell" alone accounting for over 6 million digital downloads worldwide, bolstering post-2011 revenue. In 2024, an expanded edition featuring nine bonus tracks was released on vinyl for the first time, alongside enhanced streaming availability, sparking renewed commercial interest.

Credits

Standard edition

The standard edition of Goodbye Lullaby, released on March 8, 2011, in the United States and March 2, 2011, internationally, features 13 tracks. Some physical copies include a , "Alice", following "Goodbye". The track listing is as follows:
No.TitleLengthWriter(s)
1"Black Star"1:34,
23:40, , Shellback
3"Push"3:01,
4"Wish You Were Here"3:45, , Shellback
53:29, , Shellback
6"Stop Standing There"3:27
7"I Love You"4:01, , Shellback
83:41,
9"Not Enough"4:18
10"4 Real"3:28,
11"Darlin'"3:50
12"Remember When"3:29
13"Goodbye"5:30,
"Alice" (hidden track, 5:00; writers: , ) appears on select physical releases.

Deluxe edition

The deluxe edition includes the standard 13 tracks plus a bonus DVD with content such as live performances of "", "", and "Push", and behind-the-scenes footage from the "Goodbye Lullaby Sessions". Some regional deluxe versions add acoustic versions as bonus audio tracks:
No.TitleLengthWriter(s)
14"Alice" (extended version)5:00,
15"" (acoustic)3:32, , Shellback
16"Push" (acoustic)3:00,
17"Wish You Were Here" (acoustic)3:58, , Shellback
The DVD content varies by region, with European editions featuring live performances.

Expanded edition (2021/2024)

The expanded edition, released digitally in 2011 and on vinyl in 2024, expands to 21 tracks, incorporating the standard tracks, acoustic versions, remixes, instrumentals, and the cover "Bad Reputation". This version is available on streaming platforms and as a limited-edition 2LP vinyl. The track listing is as follows:
No.TitleLengthWriter(s)
1"Black Star"1:34,
2""3:40, , Shellback
3"Push"3:01,
4"Wish You Were Here"3:45, , Shellback
5""3:29, , Shellback
6"Stop Standing There"3:27
7"I Love You"4:01, , Shellback
8""3:41,
9"Not Enough"4:18
10"4 Real"3:28,
11"Darlin'"3:50
12"Alice" (extended version)5:00,
13"Remember When"3:29
14"Goodbye"5:30,
15"" (acoustic version)3:32, , Shellback
16"Push" (acoustic version)3:00,
17"Wish You Were Here" (acoustic version)3:58, , Shellback
18"Bad Reputation"2:21, , , Scott Anderson
19"" (Bimbo Jones remix)3:18, , Shellback
20"" (instrumental)3:40N/A
21"Wish You Were Here" (instrumental)3:45N/A
This edition is a digital exclusive on platforms like and , with the vinyl reissue limited to 5,000 copies worldwide. International variants, such as the Japanese edition, include "Alice" as track 12 in the standard release, shifting subsequent tracks.

Personnel

performed lead vocals on all tracks of Goodbye Lullaby, in addition to playing piano on "Stop Standing There", "Goodbye", and "Alice", and on "4 Real". She also co-produced track 10 ("4 Real"). The album's production was handled by multiple collaborators. served as producer, engineer, mixer, and performer of all instruments on tracks 1 ("Black Star"), 3 ("Push"), 8 ("Everybody Hurts"), and 9 ("Not Enough"). and Shellback co-produced tracks 2 ("What the Hell"), 4 ("Wish You Were Here"), 5 ("Smile"), and 7 ("I Love You"), with Martin contributing keyboards and both handling recording engineering. produced, engineered, and played instruments on tracks 6 ("Stop Standing There") and bonus track "Alice" in some editions. Additional musicians included , who provided backing vocals on track 3, engineering on select tracks, and instruments on tracks 3 and 10. David Campbell arranged strings on track 13 ("Goodbye"). Engineering credits featured John Hanes as recording engineer on the Martin/Shellback-produced tracks, assisted by Tim Roberts. Mixing was shared among (on several tracks), (his productions), and (additional tracks), with assistants including Keith Armstrong and Nik Karpen. Ghenea also handled mastering at Sterling Sound. Dan Chase contributed digital engineering, programming, and editing throughout the album.

References

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