Thank You (Dido song)

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"Thank You"
European cover
Single by Dido
from the album No Angel
Released 12 December 2000
Format CD single
Recorded 1998; The Church Studios
(London, England)
Genre Pop, trip hop
Length 3:44
Label Arista
Writer(s) Dido Armstrong, Paul Herman
Producer(s) Dido Armstrong, Rollo
Dido singles chronology
"Stan"
(2000)
"Thank You"
(2000)
"Hunter"
(2001)
U.S. cover
U.S. cover

"Thank You" is a song written and performed by English singer-songwriter Dido. The song, released on her 1999 debut studio album, No Angel, made its first appearance in 1998, on the soundtrack of Sliding Doors, although it was not released as a single until late 2000. It was later featured on Dido's debut album, No Angel, becoming the album's biggest hit. The song's first verse is notably used as the chorus in the song "Stan" by Eminem.[1]

Song information

Dido wrote the song as a tribute to her boyfriend, entertainment lawyer Bob Page. They got engaged in 2001 but their split the following year inspired "White Flag," which features on Dido's second album Life for Rent, and is about their split. It remains Dido's biggest hit single in the US to date, and her only one to reach the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100.

Eminem's "Stan"

Eminem's critically acclaimed single "Stan" samples the first verse of the song for its chorus. Dido herself appears in the music video for "Stan" and has made appearances on Eminem's tours to perform the song. When Eminem performed "Stan" live at the 2001 Grammy Awards, Elton John sang the Dido sample as he played keyboard during the performance.

Deep Dish version

The house duo Deep Dish remixed the song. It won a Grammy Award for "Best Remixed Recording" in 2002.

Syke's "Dear Kuya"

Syke's single "Dear Kuya" samples the Thunderstorm Remix of the song for its chorus. Syke, who was formerly from the Ghetto Doggs, wrote this song & dissed Andrew E. on his anomalies.[2]

Critical reception

"Thank You" received critical acclaim from music critics, who thought the ballad was very "touching and soft" and an instant standout to the album. Jeff Burger from Allmusic had highlighted "Thank You" as an album standout.[3] Christian Ward from NME had said "'Thank You,' which, far from conjuring up images of lunatic fan-worship, is more reminiscent of The Corrs. Now that really is sick."[4] Reviewers from Sputnikmusic gave it positive reviews, who many felt the song was a "well written pop song."[5]

Chart performance

"Thank You" reached a peak position of #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in April 2001, becoming Dido's first and only top three single in the United States. In the United Kingdom, "Thank You" also reached a peak position of #3, becoming the singer's third top three single from No Angel in the United Kingdom. It was Dido's biggest single in the United Kingdom, until the release of "White Flag."

"Thank You" also performed very well in other mainstream markets. In New Zealand, the song debuted at number 47. The song later peaked at number three for three consecutive weeks. The song later re-entered at number 37, until falling at number 50, then re-entered at number 49.[6] The song was not released as single in Australia, but did receive significant radio airplay. The song debuted and peaked at number 17 in Norway, until falling at number 20.[7] The song debuted at number 68 in the Netherlands, and then it peaked at number 29, staying there for two consecutive weeks.[8] The song also reached number 16 in Switzerland and number 25 in Austria.

Since becoming her biggest hit in both countries, the song has often been recognized as Dido's signature song.

Music video

Dido recorded a music video for "Thank You." In the video, Dido has not paid her bills, and the government comes to tear down her house. The construction workers put an eviction notice on her door and move her things out. Dido, who seems oblivious to the fact that her house has been barricaded, is seen simply singing the song. In the end, she is escorted out of her home and is forced to walk the streets with a backpack and suitcases. During the first chorus of the song, Dido has a cup of tea whilst moving and demolishing all the stuff outside her house into the van.

The end of the video implies that her house is being torn down for redevelopment. (Her home is sandwiched between two large skyscrapers.) The video was directed by Dave Meyers and was released in January of 2001.

Another music video has Dido performing the song live at one of her concerts, audio is dubbed from the soundtrack.

Track listing

  • UK vinyl
  1. "Thank You" (Deep Dish Vocal Mix)
  2. "Thank You" (Deep Dish Dub Remix)
  • UK CD single
  1. "Thank You" (Album edit)
  2. "Thank You" (Deep Dish Vocal Mix)
  • US maxi CD single
  1. "Thank You" (Album edit)
  2. "Thank You" (Skinny Remix)
  3. "Thank You" (Deep Dish Vocal Mix)
  4. "Thank You" (Deep Dish Dub Remix)
  • European CD single
  1. "Thank You" (Album edit)
  2. "Thank You" (Skinny Remix)
  3. "Thank You" (Deep Dish Vocal Mix)
  4. "Thank You" (Music Video)

Charts

Charts (2001) Peak
position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[10] 15
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[11] 22
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[12] 29
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan) 10
France (SNEP)[13] 30
Germany (Official German Charts)[14] 41
Ireland (IRMA) 5
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[15] 18
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[16] 3
Norway (VG-lista)[17] 17
Scottish Singles Chart[18] 2
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[19] 9
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[20] 42
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[21] 16
UK Singles (The Official Chart Company)[22] 3
US Billboard Hot 100[23] 3
US Billboard Pop Songs 2
US Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs[24] 1
US Billboard Adult Pop Songs 1
US Billboard Adult Contemporary[25] 1

Cover versions and other samples

  • In 1999, long before the song became a hit, Mexican group Flans recorded a Spanish version entitled "Gracias." It was released as the third single from the album "Hadas."
  • In 2000, CKBE-FM David Tyler covered the selection.
  • In 2002, saxophonist Marion Meadows covered the song on his album In Deep.[26][27]
  • In 2005, Italian artist Flexter released a Euro House cover of the song.
  • In 2006, Snoop Dogg also sampled the beat of "Thank You" on his song "Round Here" from his 2006 album, Tha Blue Carpet Treatment. The song was produced by Dr. Dre.
  • In 2008, West Coast rapper The Game's song "My Life" samples the piano melody of "Thank You." This song was produced by Cool & Dre.
  • Also in 2008, Mandopop singer Jolin Tsai covered "Thank You" in her English cover album Love Exercise.
  • In 2015, Andi & Alex covered the song choice selection on The Voice (U.S. season 9).

Legacy

In an interview on BBC Radio 3 in 2005 Katharine Worsley, Duchess of Kent, who, after relinquishing royal duties, worked as a classical music teacher, chose Thank You as one of her favourite pieces.

It was also voted the 57th Most Annoying Pop Songs We Hate To Love in a recent poll on BBC.

References

External links

Preceded by
"I Hope You Dance" by Lee Ann Womack & Sons of the Desert
"There You'll Be" by Faith Hill
Billboard Adult Contemporary number-one single
June 16, 2001 (first run)
June 30, 2001 (second run)
July 14, 2001 (third run)
September 1, 2001 (fourth run)
Succeeded by
"I Hope You Dance" by Lee Ann Womack & Sons of the Desert
"There You'll Be" by Faith Hill
Preceded by
"You Set Me Free" by Abigail
Billboard Hot Dance Club Play number-one single
September 1, 2001
Succeeded by
"I Feel Loved" by Depeche Mode