Michelle Branch and Maren Morris reimagine Goodbye to You in Laguna Beach
Pop royalty Michelle Branch is proving that some classics deserve a fresh spin, and this time, she brought a new voice to the table. Branch has teamed up with country powerhouse Maren Morris to reimagine her iconic 2002 hit, Goodbye to You, transforming it into a heartfelt duet.
The collaboration is more than just a re-recording; it’s an invitation to explore themes of change, independence, and letting go. Branch and Morris traded lines about these universal truths, creating a version that feels both nostalgic and incredibly current. Branch shared her delight, stating that while she loved the original, she was beyond thrilled to join Morris on her rendition.
Morris, who has long admired Branch’s songwriting, echoed this sentiment, noting that Branch’s work had been instrumental in encouraging her to develop her own unique sound. “Michelle was really encouraging to let me make it my own… Her songwriting has always been ahead of its time,” Morris said.
The project comes with a distinct visual flair, pairing the musical magic with a nod to early-2000s nostalgia. The accompanying music video leans heavily into the aesthetic of MTV’s Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County, recreating the iconic prom scene. Reality star Kristin Cavallari joins Branch and Morris in the video, lending a fun, full-circle energy to the production.
Cavallari reflected on the experience, calling the shoot a “fun, full-circle experience,” noting how the song immediately transported her back to a very specific, cherished time in her life.
This musical pairing is part of Branch’s ongoing project, Everywhere and Back Again, an EP marking 25 years in music. This new track continues the theme of revisiting her catalog, with previous projects like the reworked “The Game of Love” with Gregg Alexander already showing Branch’s willingness to collaborate across genres.
Branch’s career is built on a foundation of enduring hits. “Goodbye to You” originally appeared on her 2001 debut album The Spirit Room, which was a massive success, selling three million copies worldwide and achieving double-platinum certification in the U.S. It remains one of her most defining achievements.
The song itself charted successfully, peaking at No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2002. This success cemented Branch’s status among a new generation of artists who confidently write and perform their own stories, setting the stage for the exciting tour opportunities that followed.
Buy on Amazon
Credit
