The Power Of Goodbye

Album: Ray Of Light (1998)
Charted: 6 11
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The lyrics of this electronic ballad, written by Madonna and Rick Nowels, are supposedly about the singer's ex-husband, actor Sean Penn. Their tumultuous marriage lasted from 1985 - 1989.
  • Croatian-born actor Goran Visnjic, who appears in this video as Madonna's boyfriend, went on to play Dr. Luka Kovac on the TV series ER. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Jet - Seatown, ST
  • The music video for this song took some inspiration from classic film. The chess-playing scene was modeled after a famous sequence from The Thomas Crown Affair, a 1968 crime thriller starring Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway, while the introspective stroll on the beach was taken from the 1946 drama Humoresque, starring Joan Crawford.
  • This song was used in TV ads to promote the WB series Felicity, which began its four-year run in 1998.

Comments: 7

  • Sony Amin from Bangalore, IndiaOne of her finest vocal moments. If only she could have sustained this :(
  • Ethan from CanadaThe best song EVER!
  • Nancy from Cleveland, OhOne of Madonna's best songs. I also believe this song is about Sean Penn about finally being able to let him go and move on.
  • Edward from Miami Beach, FlThis is the most beautiful look for Madonna! The beat and duration of the music reminds me of what it was like to be in Miami when she had a home here- very quiet nights at the beach and with the beat you easily fell into a beach somber mood.
  • Theresa from Murfreesboro, TnGorgeous ballad. Ray of Light is her best album and this song has the best music, loops but with acoustic guitars.
  • Linc from Beaumont, TxI really like this song and this album. It's very powerful, and relaxing and it's a wonderful concept album in a time when no one would probably notice or care.
  • Andrew from West Covina, CaI really really love this song. My grandpa had past away and a member of my family had developed this CD with old family pictures filled with memories including my aunt and grandma who also past away. So when I listen to this song, it reminds me of my grandpa because he used to play a guitar also and my aunt resembles a beauty queen madonna, but prettier...So in Life there is no greater power than the power of good-bye...I really miss them!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Mick Jones of Foreigner

Mick Jones of ForeignerSongwriter Interviews

Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.

Colin Hay

Colin HaySongwriter Interviews

Established as a redoubtable singer-songwriter, the Men At Work frontman explains how religion, sobriety and Jack Nicholson play into his songwriting.

90s Metal

90s MetalFact or Fiction

Test your metal - Priest, Maiden, and Beavis and Butt-head show up in this one.

Psychedelic Lyrics

Psychedelic LyricsMusic Quiz

Whoa man! Do you know which band came up with these cosmic lyrics?

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat WorldSongwriter Interviews

Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

Rob Halford of Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford dives into some of his Judas Priest lyrics, talking about his most personal songs and the message behind "You've Got Another Thing Comin'."