Our top 10 Goodbye June songs list digs deep into the music of an American outfit revered for its southern rock sound often tinged with hard rock licks. Goodbye June was formed in 2009 by lead vocalist Landon Milbourn, lead guitarist Tyler Baker, and bassist/rhythm guitarist Brandon Qualkenbush, a trio that happens to be cousins. The band’s name is an honor to the late brother to lead guitarist Tyler Baker.
Growing up in a religious environment restricted the band members to country hymns which might explain why southern rock felt like the optimal sound to take on for a professional music career. However, Tyler Baker’s love for blues rock and southern rock was partly inspired by ZZ Top and Creedence Clearwater Revival records spun by his dad. As a band, Goodbye June has its blues rock/southern rock sound inspired by acts/artists such as The Black Keys and Jimi Hendrix, with Led Zeppelin serving as the band’s bridge to AC/DC-Esque blistering hard rock sounds.
Goodbye June’s Career Beginnings and Breakthrough
After its formation, Goodbye June spent several years working on establishing solid musicianship. Three years later, the band issued its independent album Nor the Wild Music Flow. The record featured musical gems such as “Out of Your Mind,” “Moonshine,” “Lady Luck,” “Microscope,” and “Shreds of Lightning.” Goodbye June went on to be featured in the 2013 Rockpalast Crossroads Festival where the band played eighteen tracks.
Goodbye June’s Album Releases over the Years
In 2017, the band issued its debut extended play Danger in the Morning. The five-track EP was quite a momentous record, with all of its hits proving to be fan-favorite tracks. Danger in the Morning’s track list includes the hits “Oh No,” “Darlin’,” “Daisy,” “Danger in the Morning,” and “Man of the Moment.” The songs “Oh No,” “Darlin’,” and “Daisy” went on to be featured on the band’s official debut studio album, Magic Valley.
Despite not making it to the mainstream charts, Magic Valley was quite an impressive album. Nevertheless, the single “Oh No” proved to be a mainstream success, rising to the thirtieth spot on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Singles Chart. Goodbye June returned in 2018 with its sophomore extended play Secrets in the Sunset. Like Dancing in the Morning, Secret in the Sunset is a five-track EP. Standout tracks from Secrets in the Sunset include “Live in the Now,” “Get Happy,” and the title track to the EP.
In 2019, Goodbye June issued its sophomore studio album Community Inn through Earache Records. Other artists who have issued record(s) through Earache Records include The Haunted, Cathedral, Decapitated, Napalm Death, Blackberry Smoke, At the Gates, Rival Sons, and The White Buffalo. All songs, except “Get Happy,” were featured on Community Inn. Other best Goodbye June songs from Community Inn include “Anywhere the Wind Blows” and “Universal Mega Love.” Working with Goodbye June on Community Inn is Ted Jensen, a mastering engineer known for his work with James Taylor, Green Day, Ricky Martin, and Norah Jones.
See Where the Night Goes, issued in 2022, marked the band’s third studio album. The album was a success, rising to position thirty-three on the UK Albums Chart. See Where the Night Goes topped the UK Rock Chart, peaking at number one hundred and twenty-eight on the Billboard 200. Working on this record as the producer was Paul Moak, who is best known for his work with Third Day, House of Heroes, and Mat Kearney among others. “What I Need,” “Step Aside,” and “Three Chords” are the best Goodbye June songs from the album.
Goodbye June’s Accolades and Legacy
For more than a decade, Goodbye June has been serving us with its signature hard rock-tinged blues/southern rock songs. In a pack of many, Goodbye June has distinguished itself by issuing catchy and timeless anthemic rock ballads often oozing power and intensity in the song’s delivery. Over the years, the band has shared stages with other rock contemporaries including Greta Van Fleet, ZZ Top, Whiskey Myers, Blackberry Smoke, and Halestorm. Here we present the ten best Goodbye June songs of all time.
#10– Live in the Now
Opening our top ten best Goodbye June songs list is the energetic hit “Live in the Now.” The song was issued by the band on the five-track EP Secrets in the Sunset. “Live in the Now” is delivered with overflowing energy that captures the attention of its listeners. This atmospheric yet catchy track has succeeded in becoming a fan-favorite track thanks to its harmonious yet hard-hitting feel.
The band members revealed that the hit “Live in the Now” served as Goodbye June’s answer to their personal struggles, both musically and in real life. In addition to this, the band called songs like “Live in the Now” and “Get Happy” to be a perfect substitute for going to therapy. “Live in the Now” has its lyrics alluding to embracing the current moment.
#9– Danger in the Morning
“Danger in the Morning” introduces us to the solid musicianship of the Goodbye June trio. The song serves as the album title track to the band’s debut extended play. “Danger in the Morning” is the one song that ooze southern rock/blues rock influences albeit with substantial hard rock allure. Other than the prominent hard rock-tinged southern rock vibes, this riff-laden stomper serves as a perfect start to Goodbye June’s impeccable songwriting skills.
#8– Three Chords
Coming in at number eight on our top ten Goodbye June songs list is the incredible hit “Three Chords.” The song is among the standout tracks off Goodbye June’s third studio album, See Where the Night Goes. “Three Chords” is one of the archetypical hard rock-oriented hits off the band’s third studio album. Thanks to its hard-rocking groove that “Three Chords” ooze the classic AC/DC vibe.
However, the song’s hard-hitting groove is not the only thing that brands “Three Chords” an AC/DC-Esque hit. Landon’s vocal delivery is evocative of the late AC/DC lead vocalist Bon Scott. “Three Chords” went on to peak at number thirty-eight on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart.
#7– Secrets in the Sunset
“Secrets in the Sunset” is yet another alluring hit off the band’s sophomore extended play of the same name. The song sets the pace for the EP with its southern blues-influenced groove, albeit tinged with some mild AC/DC-Esque hard rock vibes. “Secret in the Sunset” is the epitome of outstanding vocals on this album, and probably the most compelling reason we rank this song above “Live in the Now.”
However, there is more to the outstanding vocal delivery by Landon Milbourn! The melodious guitar riffs and alluring rhythmic pulse also add to the reasons why “Secret in the Sunset” is one of the most revered tracks by the band. Thanks to the quality of songs like “Secret in the Sunset” the band earned a spot touring with Greta Van Fleet in Europe at the end of 2018.
#6- Liberty Mother
Number six on our ten best Goodbye June songs list is the rip-roaring hit “Liberty Mother.” The song was issued as a bonus track on the band’s debut album, Magic Valley. “Liberty Mother” among the heavily used hits by the band having been adopted for an illustrious ad campaign for Budweiser. The song was also featured on the soundtrack of the 2017 video game Need for Speed Payback.
#5- Step Aside
We return to the band’s most recent studio album See Where the Night Goes where we find the fifth pick of our ten best Goodbye June songs, “Step Aside.” “Step Aside” is yet another hit that makes Goodbye June feel like the current age AC/DC. Once again, the Bon Scott-Esque vocal delivery by Landon and driving hard-hitting riffs in this song make AC/DC an indispensable influence on Goodbye June’s musical pursuits.
This pulsating guitar strums add to the song’s spirit-lifting nature! “Step Aside” is a beautifully composed hit with its lyrics alluding to enjoying the moment after quite a tormenting past. In this context, the band members pays homage to the musically restricted youthful days at their religious homes.
#4- Daisy
“Daisy” is one of the best Goodbye June songs from the band’s debut studio album Magic Valley. The song was initially featured on the band’s five-track extended play Danger in the Morning. “Daisy” was penned by the band in conjunction with producer Paul Moak. “Daisy” is a southern rock-oriented hit that is not afraid to bring out the band’s love for crunchy guitar riffs.
The song finds Goodbye June members exploring themes of love, with the singer crooning about how a lady named Daisy drives him crazy. “Daisy” guided Goodbye June to winning the grand prize in the 2014 Unsigned Only Music Competition. Among the judges evaluating over eight thousand entries globally were musicians Dustin Lynch, Rosanne Cash, John Oates of Hall & Oates, and Mike Posner.
#3- Man of the Moment
The third pick of our ten best Goodbye June songs list is the impressive “Man of the Moment.” “Man of the Moment” is yet another imposing hit off the band’s debut extended play Danger in the Morning. Hard rock-inspired riffs still flood this hit which finds Landon giving us a fascinating and energetic vocal delivery. The music accompanying video to this hit was directed by Tyler Dunning Evans. Tyler has also directed music videos for Steve Aoki, Savannah Conley, and Max Frost to name a few.
#2- Darlin’
“Darlin’” is yet another impressive hit off the band’s debut studio album Magic Valley. Initially, the song was issued on Goodbye June’s debut extended play Dancing in the Morning. “Darlin’” is by far the most emotional song ever released by Goodbye June. The song features a poignant slow-tempo groove that seems to match the heartache depicted in Landon’s vocal delivery.
The southern rock-inspired laid-back guitar riffs reinforce the sad mood of this song. “Daisy” has its lyrics communicate the end of a relationship which leaves the singer heartbroken. The heartfelt lyrical content, slow tempo, and tempestuous vocal delivery by Landon find us exploring Goodbye June’s soft musical side.
#1- Oh No
Number one on our ten best Goodbye June songs list is the alluring hit “Oh No.” The song was first issued on the band’s debut extended play Danger in the Morning. “Oh No” would later be featured on the band’s debut studio album Magic Valley. The song is by far one of the hard-rocking ballads ever issued by Goodbye June.
In this song, Goodbye June almost trashes all its southern rock influences that made tender bluesy songs like “Daisy” and “Darlin’” quite popular. The energetic delivery points Goodbye June’s admiration of AC/DC-Esque hard rock vibes. “Oh No” is the embodiment of the band’s shift and success in issuing hard-rocking music. The song was a mainstream success, rising to the thirtieth spot on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Singles Chart
Top 10 Goodbye June Songs article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2022
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