Tag Archives: The Power of Good-Bye

Today in Madonna History: August 7, 2026

August 7, 2026 By in 2026, August Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

Today we remember William Orbit, whose family recently announced that he passed away on July 23, 2026, at the age of 69.

Although most fans associate Orbit with Ray of Light, his history with Madonna actually began years earlier. He first worked with her on remixes for Justify My Love in 1990 and Erotica in 1992. Those collaborations introduced Madonna to his signature electronic sound and eventually led to one of the most celebrated creative partnerships of her career.

In 1998, Orbit co-produced the Grammy Award-winning Ray of Light, helping shape the sound of songs including Frozen, Ray of Light, The Power of Good-Bye, Nothing Really Matters, and Drowned World / Substitute for Love. The album marked a bold new chapter for Madonna and remains one of the defining records of her career.

The pair reunited on Music, Beautiful Stranger, and later MDNA, where Orbit also co-produced the Golden Globe-winning Masterpiece.

Beyond Madonna, William Orbit worked with an incredible range of artists throughout his career, but for many fans, his name will always be synonymous with the sound of Ray of Light.

Thank you, William, for the music, the innovation, and for helping create one of Madonna’s most unforgettable eras. Rest in peace.

Today in Madonna History: January 2, 1999

January 2, 2026 By in 1999, January Tags: , 1 Comment

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On January 2 1999, Madonna’s The Power Of Good-Bye single peaked at #14 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart in the USA.

Your heart is not open so I must go
The spell has been broken, I loved you so
Freedom comes when you learn to let go
Creation comes when you learn to say no

You were my lesson I had to learn
I was your fortress you had to burn
Pain is a warning that something’s wrong
I pray to God that it won’t be long
Do ya wanna go higher?

Today in Madonna History: December 26, 1998

December 26, 2025 By in 1998, December Tags: , , 1 Comment

the-power-of-good-bye-single-december

On December 26 1998, the fourth single from Madonna’s Ray of Light album, The Power of Good-Bye, peaked at #2 on the United World Chart.

Billboard’s Larry Flick had this to say about the single release of The Power of Good-Bye in the September 12, 1998 issue of the magazine:

Next to the title track to Madonna’s glorious Ray of Light opus, this is the tune that radio programmers and diehard fans have long been clamoring to be released as a single. With a little help from co-producers William Orbit and Patrick Leonard, the diva brilliantly nestles a dewy love ballad within a cutting-edge electronic pop framework. You can listen to this track a dozen times and still pluck something new from the richly layered arrangement, which is anchored by a crisp shuffle beat and sweetened by occasional orchestral string flourishes and contrasting acoustic guitar strumming. All the while, Madonna performs with a confidence that allows her to flawlessly merge a widened vocal range with a considerable dose of raw emotion and soul. Although this gem would find instant success on its own, look for The Power of Good-Bye to be bolstered by its prominent play during the hotly anticipated new WB TV series Felicity.

Today in Madonna History: November 28, 1998

November 28, 2025 By in 1998, November Tags: , , , , 1 Comment

On November 28 1998, Madonna’s The Power Of Good-Bye hit #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart in the USA. The hit single from Ray Of Light was written by Madonna and Rick Nowels; produced by Madonna, William Orbit and Patrick Leonard.

Rick Nowels had this to say about his experience writing the song with Madonna:

It was a career-changing experience for me. Before that I had always done my co-writing with friends. But working with Madonna. It was the first time I had ever written one-on-one with a great artist/writer. After that I changed gears a little, and now I mostly collaborate directly with artists.

Today in Madonna History: October 10, 2025

October 10, 2025 By in 2025, October Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

On October 10, 2025, the second pressing of Madonna’s Veronica Electronica companion EP for the Ray of Light album was released — expanded beyond its original vinyl-only run to include a CD edition for the first time ever.

Originally released July 25, 2025, Veronica Electronica first appeared on silver nugget metallic vinyl, exclusive to the original 2025 pressing. Conceived by Madonna in 1998 as a companion remix project under her “Veronica Electronica” alter ego, the long-rumoured collection finally emerged nearly three decades later, featuring newly edited versions of remixes by Peter Rauhofer, William Orbit, Sasha, BT, and Victor Calderone.

Following overwhelming fan demand, the EP returned on October 10 — re-pressed on ultra-clear vinyl in a silver-printed mylar jacket, and newly issued in Deluxe CD format for the first time.

Track List:

  • Drowned World / Substitute for Love (BT & Sasha Bucklodge Ashram New Edit)
  • Ray of Light (Sasha Twilo Mix Edit)
  • Skin (Peter & Victor’s Collaboration Remix Edit)
  • Nothing Really Matters (Club 69 Speed Mix Meets the Dub)
  • Sky Fits Heaven (Victor Calderone New Edit)
  • Frozen (Widescreen Mix and Drums)
  • The Power of Good-Bye (Fabien’s Good God Mix Edit)
  • Gone, Gone, Gone (Original Demo Version)

Today in Madonna History: September 22, 1998

September 22, 2025 By in 1998, September Tags: , , , , , , , 1 Comment

tpog sleeve 550

On September 22 1998, The Power of Good-Bye was released as the third North American single from the Ray Of Light album. It was the fourth single in international markets that opted to release Drowned World/Substitute For Love as the album’s third single.

In the UK, the release was promoted as a double A-side single with Little Star.

The Power Of Good-Bye was written by Madonna & Rick Nowels and was produced by Madonna, William Orbit & Patrick Leonard. An earlier demo version of the track, believed to have been produced by Madonna & Leonard prior to Orbit’s involvement in the project, leaked in 2002.

Today in Madonna History: January 2, 1999

January 2, 2025 By in 1999, January Tags: , 1 Comment

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On January 2 1999, Madonna’s The Power of Good-Bye peaked at #14 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart in the USA. The single remained #14 for 6 non-consecutive weeks.