Con te partirò explained

Con te partirò
Cover:Con te partirò.png
Caption:One of artworks for European release, also used for Japanese mini CD release under different pressing
Type:single
Artist:Andrea Bocelli
Album:Bocelli
B-Side:Vivere
Released:21 February 1995
Genre:Operatic pop
Length:4:09
Label:Polydor
Composer:Francesco Sartori
Lyricist:Lucio Quarantotto
Chronology:Andrea Bocelli
Prev Title:Il mare calmo della sera
Prev Year:1995
Next Title:Macchine da guerra
Next Year:1995

"Con te partirò" (pronounced as /it/; "With You I Shall Depart") is an Italian song written by Francesco Sartori (music) and Lucio Quarantotto (lyrics). It was first performed by Andrea Bocelli at the 1995 Sanremo Music Festival and recorded on his album of the same year, Bocelli. The single was first released as an A-side single with "Vivere" in 1995, topping the charts, first in France, where it became one of the best-selling singles of all-time, and then in Belgium, breaking the all-time record sales there.

A second version of the song, sung partly in English, released in 1996 as "Time to Say Goodbye", paired Bocelli with British soprano Sarah Brightman, and achieved even greater success, topping charts all across Europe, including Germany, where it became the biggest-selling single in history. Brightman and Bocelli produced a version with Brightman singing in German and Bocelli in Italian, with this version being available on the CD Time to Say Goodbye.[1] [2] That version alone has now sold more than 12 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling singles of all time.[3]

Background

The song's original single release by Polydor Records was not commercially successful in Italy, and received little radio airplay there. Elsewhere it was a massive hit. In France and Switzerland, the single topped the charts for six weeks, earning a triple Gold sales award. In Belgium, it became the biggest hit of all-time, spending 12 weeks at No. 1.[4]

Critical reception

Pan-European magazine Music & Media wrote about the song, "The Benelux triumph of poppy tenor Andrea Bocelli continues with this excellent seasonal anthem, which wisely leaves the singers classically trained voice in the spotlight. The orchestral arrangements take a back seat, as they should in Bocelli's case."[5] After Sarah Brightman released her version, Larry Flick from Billboard stated that she "has one of the truly glorious voices in musical theater". He described the song as a "lushly orchestral piece".[6] British magazine Music Week rated the duet version five out of five, picking it as Single of the Week. They added, "Mostly sung in Italian, it has a beautiful, soaring melody that gives it true Nessun Dorma potential."[7]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1996–1997)!scope="col"
Peak
position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[8] 10

Year-end charts

Chart (1996)!scope="col"
Position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[9] 1
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[10] 2
Chart (1997)!scope="col"
Position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[11] 30
France (SNEP)[12] 4

Decade-end charts

Chart (1990s)!scope="col"
Position
Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)[13] 16

Duet version

Time to Say Goodbye
Cover:Time To Say Goodbye.jpg
Caption:Artwork for European release
Type:single
Artist:Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli
Album:Romanza,,
Fly Time to Say Goodbye / Timeless
Genre:Operatic pop
Label:East West
Composer:Francesco Sartori
Lyricist:Lucio Quarantotto
Producer:Frank Peterson
Chronology:Andrea Bocelli
Prev Title:Vivo por ella
Prev Year:1996
Next Title:Ich lebe für sie
Next Year:1997

In Germany, East West Records, in conjunction with Polydor, marketed a lyrically changed version of "Con te partirò", retitled "Time to Say Goodbye", as the theme song for the final match of boxer Henry Maske (then the light-heavyweight champion of the International Boxing Federation), having seen previous success when Vangelis's "Conquest of Paradise" was also promoted via Maske's fights. "Time to Say Goodbye" was also turned into a duet with Sarah Brightman, who had performed "A Question of Honour" for one of Maske's previous fights. German producer Frank Peterson, who has worked with Brightman since 1991, opted to give the song an English title rather than the German title "Mit dir werde ich fortgehen".[14] Recording of the song took place at Peterson's Nemo Studio, in Hamburg.[15]

The match took place on 23 November 1996, pitting Maske against American Virgil Hill, and drew a television broadcast audience of over 21 million. Bocelli and Brightman performed the song to open the match, and it was used again during Maske's exit, poignantly, as Hill had won the match by split decision. It was the only loss of Maske's career.

By December, the "Time to Say Goodbye" single, released on 15 November 1996 through East West, had reached number one on the German singles chart, with sales estimated at 40,000–60,000 per day and projected for at least one million by the end of the year. Both singers' albums also received a boost in sales. Airplay on German radio stations such as Norddeutscher Rundfunk was well received by listeners. By February of the following year, the single had broken the all-time sales record in Germany with 1.65 million sales,[16] and would eventually get certified 11x Gold for selling over 2,750,000 copies.

"Time to Say Goodbye" reached number two on the UK Singles Chart upon its release there in May 1997, and was certified gold.[17] It remained in the top 30 for another two months, helped by steady radio airplay on BBC Radio 2, which was overtaking Radio 1 in popularity with an MOR-orientated playlist.[18]

The duet was included on Brightman's 1997 album Timeless, re-titled as Time to Say Goodbye in the U.S. with the song itself moved to the start of the album. Brightman has also recorded a solo version, which was released on the duet single as well as later albums including Classics and Diva: The Singles Collection. A live version was released on CD as well as her various tour DVDs. Bocelli and Brightman have performed the duet together publicly several times including Bocelli's "Statue of Liberty concert" held in New York City, and "Live in Tuscany" concerts.[19] [20]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1996–1997)!scope="col"
Peak
position
Czech Republic (IFPI CR)[21] 9
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[22] 1
Quebec (ADISQ)[23] 4

Year-end charts

Chart (1997)!scope="col"
Position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[24] 3
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)7
Germany (Official German Charts)[25] 1
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[26] 7
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[27] 40
Romania (Romanian Top 100)[28] 100
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[29] 1
UK Singles (OCC)[30] 23

Release history

Region!scope="col"
DateFormat(s)Label(s)
GermanyCDEast West
United Kingdom[31]

Donna Summer version

I Will Go with You (Con te partirò)
Cover:I_Will_Go_With_You_(Con_Te_Partiró).jpg
Type:single
Artist:Donna Summer
Released:1999
Genre:House
Length:3:58
Label:Epic
Composer:Francesco Sartori
Lyricist:Lucio Quarantotto
Producer:Hex Hector
Prev Title:Whenever There Is Love
Prev Year:1996
Next Title:Love Is the Healer
Next Year:1999

"I Will Go with You (Con te partirò)", is a dance version performed by American singer Donna Summer, which went to number one on the US dance chart.[32] Her version also peaked at number two on the Spanish singles charts and number three on the Spanish Radio chart.[33] As of 1999, it has sold over 221,000 units in the United States.[34]

Critical reception

Chuck Taylor from Billboard wrote that the song is a "deliciously grand interpretation of the smash Andrea Bocelli/Sarah Brightman ballad "Time To Say Goodbye"-replete with romantic new lyrics. Summer is in peak vocal form, alternating between technically sharp note-scaling and warmly soulful vamping." He also added that she is "complemented by clubland hero Hex Hector's well-measured production, which couples melodramatic faux-classical string flourishes with time-sensitive dance beats."[35]

Charts

Chart (1999)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[36] 97
US Billboard Hot 10079

Other cover versions

Since its release, the song has spawned numerous other versions and been performed by numerous other singers. Notable alternative versions include "Por ti volaré", a Spanish version with significantly modified lyrics.

Sampling

The song has been sampled or interpolated in the following:

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Andrea Bocelli - Decca Records . https://web.archive.org/web/20110430171029/http://www.decca.com/artists/andrea-bocelli-192 . 30 April 2011 . . dead.
  2. Web site: Andrea Bocelli Biography . 22 August 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090208203702/http://www.classicsandjazz.co.uk/plink/Andrea+Bocelli . 8 February 2009 . dead .
  3. Web site: Angel records.
  4. http://abmusica.com/ctp.htm Con Te Partiro
  5. New Releases: Singles. Music & Media. 13. 49. 10. 7 December 1996. 4 December 2019.
  6. Larry. Flick. Single Reviews. Billboard. 109. 39. 93. 27 September 1997. 6 February 2020. Larry Flick.
  7. Reviews: Singles. Music Week. 3 May 1997. 25. 17 May 2022.
  8. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. Music & Media. 14. 11. 13. 15 March 1997. 4 February 2020.
  9. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 1996. Ultratop. nl. 31 January 2019.
  10. Web site: Rapports annuels 1996. Ultratop. fr. 31 January 2019.
  11. 1997 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. Music & Media. 14. 52. 7. 27 December 1996. 20 December 2019.
  12. Web site: Tops de L'année Top Singles 1997. SNEP. fr. 12 October 2020.
  13. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20180612145841/https://www.ultratop.be/nl/ultratop_nineties_500.asp?page=1. 12 June 2018. Ultratop Nineties 500: 1-50. nl. Ultratop. 5 May 2022.
  14. Spahr . Wolfgang . 21 December 1996 . Boxer's song proves a knockout for EastWest in Germany . . 108 . 51 . 38–39 . 0006-2510 .
  15. Web site: van Geffen, Jos . 12 December 2006 . Sarah Brightman — Timeless / Time to say goodbye . Home Page of Jos van Geffen . 5 March 2007 .
  16. Dezzani . Mark . 22 February 1997 . Italy's Bocelli breaks Euro sales records . . 109 . 8 . 1–2 . 0006-2510 .
  17. Web site: Zywietz, Tobias . 22 March 2005 . Chart Log UK: Billy Bragg — David Byrne . Chart Log UK . The Official Zobbel Website . 5 March 2007 .
  18. News: Jackson . Alan . 18 July 1997 . As Huey Lewis once said, it's hip to be square . . 35 . 0140-0460 .
  19. Web site: sarah brightman & Andrea Bocelli Time to say goodbye live . https://web.archive.org/web/20130503105741/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIe2MV8fhwA&gl=US&hl=en . 2013-05-03 . dead. YouTube . 8 August 2009 . 10 February 2012.
  20. Web site: van Geffen, Jos . 11 December 2006 . Sarah Brightman & Andrea Bocelli — Time to say goodbye . Home Page of Jos van Geffen . 5 March 2007.
  21. Top National Sellers. Music & Media. 14. 6. 23. 8 February 1997. 25 June 2018.
  22. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. Music & Media. 14. 23. 17. 7 June 1997. 4 February 2020.
  23. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20151129063315/http://bibnum2.banq.qc.ca/bna/palmares/2010-Anglo-Allophone/Anglo-Compilation_succes_ordre_alpha_interpretes.pdf. Palmarès de la chanson anglophone et allophone au Québec. BAnQ. fr. September 11, 2019. November 29, 2015. dead.
  24. Web site: Jahreshitparade Singles 1997. de. 31 January 2019.
  25. Web site: Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1997. GfK Entertainment. de. 17 April 2018.
  26. Web site: Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1997. Dutch Top 40. 6 March 2020.
  27. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Single 1997. MegaCharts. nl. 31 January 2019.
  28. Web site: Romanian Top 100: Top of the Year 1997. Romanian Top 100. ro. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20050922001105/http://www.rt100.ro/topul-anului-1997.html. 22 September 2005. 19 September 2017.
  29. Web site: Swiss Year-End Charts 1997. de. 31 January 2019.
  30. Top 100 Singles 1997. Music Week. 27. 17 January 1998.
  31. New Releases: Singles. Music Week. 46. 10 May 1997.
  32. Book: Whitburn, Joel . Hot Dance/Disco: 1974-2003. Joel Whitburn . 2004 . Record Research . 249.
  33. Book: Fernando Salaverri. Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002. 1st. September 2005. Fundación Autor-SGAE. Spain. 84-8048-639-2.
  34. Web site: Billboard. 25 December 1999 – 1 January 2000.
  35. Chuck. Taylor. Single Reviews. Billboard. 111. 23. 20. 5 June 1999. 10 February 2020. Chuck Taylor (music journalist).
  36. 271.
  37. Web site: [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r709152|pure_url=yes}} When I Fall in Love overview]. Allmusic.com.
  38. Web site: Gigi D'Agostino – Some Experiments (CD) . 17 March 2006 . Discogs . 6 June 2012.
  39. Web site: What Song Does Will Ferrell Sing In Step Brothers. Henry. Ladd. 20 May 2023. ScreenRant.
  40. http://joemcelderryofficial.com/#/videos Joe McElderry videos
  41. Web site: Sweetheart>Tracklist. Sweetheartalbum.com. Concord Music Group, Parabola, WordPress. 4 February 2014. 22 February 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140222062040/http://www.sweetheartalbum.com/about/tracklist/. dead.
  42. Web site: I Hired a Professional Singer to fool my chat . . 29 December 2023.
  43. Web site: Ludwig - Con te partiró (Official Music Video) . . 23 December 2023.
  44. Web site: WOUB Public Media: Twenty One Pilots Interview . woub.org . 30 July 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141020073108/http://woub.org/2012/03/14/interview-twenty-one-pilots . 20 October 2014.