When Dwight Yoakam set out to find a duet partner for the lead-off track from his upcoming record, Brighter Days, he had one person in mind — Post Malone. The country music pioneer, 67, and the multi-genre superstar, 29, have teamed up for “I Don’t Know How To Say Goodbye (Bang Bang Boom Boom)” — a rollicking mid-tempo waltz that contemplates the troubles of bidding farewell to someone special.
Listen To “I Don’t Know How To Say Goodbye (Bang Bang Boom Boom)”
On the arrangement, both artists showcase their signature vocals, with Yoakam taking the first verse and Malone coming in for the second verse. The pinnacle moment of the heartbreak song comes during the chorus when both stars blend their voices effortlessly to make the true feeling of sadness come to life – the way some of the best sad country songs do.
“Bang, bang, boom, boom/ There’s nothing left here now, but sadness/ Bang, bang, boom, boom/ And the emptiness of all that’s gone/ Bang, bang, boom, boom/ No sounds but just sorrow and madness/ And bang, bang, boom, boom/ It’s how a broken heart beats on,” they sing.
Sonically, “I Don’t Know How To Say Goodbye (Bang Bang Boom Boom)” falls in the same vein as Yoakam’s past material with the Bakersfield Sound he has been known for well represented. The track includes a shuffling drum beat, traditional fiddle, Yoakam’s distinct yodel, and plenty of pedal/steel for good measure.
This Isn’t The Pair’s First Collaborative Effort
Yoakam enlisting Posty for the track is unique as Malone released his first-ever country album, F1-Trillion, this year. The album debuted atop the Billboard 200 and features a bevy of country A-listers. And, while Posty and Yoakam seem an unlikely collaboration, this isn’t the first time they have joined forces. Though not on an album, they previously performed together as part of Yoakam’s Greater Bakersfield episode on Sirius XM Radio, teaming up for a run of songs, including Merle Haggard’s “The Bottle Let Me Down” and Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice,” which can be found below.
Fans can soon look for a music video to match “I Don’t Know How To Say Goodbye (Bang Bang Boom Boom)” as Yoakam and Posty were confirmed to be working on the accompanying clip. The pair were also recently spotted together on a shoot in Los Angeles, decked out in rhinestones and saddled up on horses.
Dwight Yoakam’s New Album, Brighter Days
As previously shared, “I Don’t Know How To Say Goodbye (Bang Bang Boom Boom)” will be on Yoakam’s forthcoming self-produced album, Brighter Days.
The album announcement coincided with the release of the duet track, which dropped on Friday (Sept. 6.) Brighter Days, mixed by world-class engineer Chris Lord-Alge, took Yoakam three years to complete and marks his first album of nine years following Swimmin’ Pools, Movie Stars, Second Hand Heart, 3 Pears, and others. “I Don’t Know How To Say Goodbye (Bang Bang Boom Boom)” also marks Yoakam’s first song in nearly a decade and is one of twelve tracks featured on Brighter Days. Other highlighted songs on the upcoming album include covers — “Keeping On The Sunny Side” by the Carter Family and “Bound Away” by Cake.
Along with “I Don’t Know How To Say Goodbye (Bang Bang Boom Boom)” and his album announcement, Yoakam will continue to please crowds on his North American tour, with his next set of shows beginning on Sept. 13. Brighter Days is due out on Nov. 15 via Records/Thirty Tigers. Fans can pre-order/pre-save Brighter Days HERE.
Dwight Yoakam’s Brighter Days Track List
1. “Wide Open Heart”
2. “I’ll Pay The Price”
3. “Bound Away”
4. “California Sky”
5. “Can’t Be Wrong”
6. “I Spell Love”
7. “A Dream That Never Ends”
8. “Brighter Days”
9. “I Don’t Know How To Say Goodbye (Bang Bang Boom Boom)” (with Post Malone)
10. “If Only”
11. “Hand Me Down Heart”
12. “Time Between”
13. “Keep On The Sunny Side”
14. “Every Night
