Goodbye Angels

"Goodbye Angels" is the fourth single from The Getaway, an album by the American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers. The song was released to radio on April 4, 2017.^[1] This would be the final single the band would release with guitarist Josh Klinghoffer, as previous guitarist John Frusciante returned to the band in 2019.

"Goodbye Angels"
Single by Red Hot Chili Peppers
from the album The Getaway
Released	April 4, 2017 (2017-04-04)[1]
Recorded	2015–2016
Genre	Funk rock alternative rock progressive rock
Length	4:29
Label	Warner Bros.
Songwriter(s)	Anthony Kiedis Flea Josh Klinghoffer Chad Smith
Producer(s)	Danger Mouse
Red Hot Chili Peppers singles chronology
"Sick Love" (2016) "Goodbye Angels" (2017) "Black Summer[2]" (2022)
Music video
"Goodbye Angels" on YouTube

Music video

On April 14, 2017, Chad Smith announced on Twitter that the band would be shooting the video for the song that night at their show in Atlanta, and for fans to "wear something colorful".^[3] The video for Goodbye Angels was released on May 9, 2017, and is directed by Thoranna Sigurdardottir also known as TOTA and stars Klara Kristin.^[4]

The video switches between a storyline following a girl's night and live footage of the band. Initially, the girl is partying with friends in a parking lot, and soon she has to outrun a security guard and she steals a bike to pedal to a show. When she arrives, she steals someone's beer, and encounters Anthony Kiedis, Chad Smith, and Flea backstage. She briefly makes out with another woman in a toilet to get a pill from her pocket, then watches the rest of the show. By the end, she finds herself crying alone as crew members clear the empty arena.^[4][5]

Live performances

"Goodbye Angels" was first performed live in July 2016 at the band's T in the Park headlining set in Scotland.^[6]

In other media

"Goodbye Angels" was featured in advertisements for the second season of the television series Animal Kingdom.^[7]

Personnel

Red Hot Chili Peppers

• Anthony Kiedis – lead vocals
• Josh Klinghoffer – guitar, backing vocals
• Flea – bass
• Chad Smith – drums, percussion

Additional musicians

• Brian "Danger Mouse" Burton – synthesizers
• Beverley Chitwood – choir
• Alexx Daye – choir
• David Loucks – choir
• Kennya Ramsey – choir
• Matthew Selby – choir
• SJ Hasman – choir
• Loren Smith – choir
• Gregory Whipple – choir

Charts

Chart (2017)	Peak position
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[8]	25

References

1. "Future Releases on Alternative Radio Stations, Independent Artist Song Releases | ..." All Access. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
2. "Black Summer - YouTube". YouTube. 3 February 2022.
3. Green, Smith (2017-05-09). "In Red Hot Chili Peppers' new video, Atlanta takes center stage". Curbed. Archived from the original on 2021-08-07.
4. Blistein, Jon. "Watch Red Hot Chili Peppers' Heavy 'Goodbye Angels' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
5. Dionne, Zach. "RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS 'GOODBYE ANGELS' VIDEO IS ONE WILD AND CRAZY NIGHT". fuse. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
6. "Festivals offer further treats for Red Hot Chili Peppers fans". Southern Reporter. 2016-08-14. Archived from the original on 2021-08-07.
7. Hora, Stephanie (2021-07-03). "Trilha Sonora: 207 músicas presentes na série "Animal Kingdom"" [Soundtrack: 207 songs present in the "Animal Kingdom" series]. Nação da Música (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 2021-08-07.
8. "Red Hot Chili Peppers Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved June 20, 2017.