Released 12 December 2000 Genre Pop
trip hop Label Arista | Format CD single Length 3:44 | |
Recorded 1998; The Church Studios
(London, England) | ||
"Thank You" is a song written and performed by English singer-songwriter Dido. The song, released on her 1999 debut 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. Dido's "Thank You" first verse is notably used as the chorus in the song "Stan" by American rapper Eminem.
Contents
Song information
Dido wrote the song and it was about 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.
The song is written in the key of B major with a tempo of 80 beats per minute in common time. It follows a chord progression of G♯m – Emaj7 – F♯ – B – F♯/A♯, and Dido's vocals span from F♯3 to B4 in the song.
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.
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. 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."
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. 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. The song debuted at number 68 in the Netherlands, and then it peaked at number 29, staying there for two consecutive weeks. 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 2001.
Another music video has Dido performing the song live at one of her concerts, audio is dubbed from the soundtrack.
Track listing
- "Thank You" (Deep Dish Vocal Mix)
- "Thank You" (Deep Dish Dub Remix)
- "Thank You" (Album edit)
- "Thank You" (Deep Dish Vocal Mix)
- "Thank You" (Album edit)
- "Thank You" (Skinny Remix)
- "Thank You" (Deep Dish Vocal Mix)
- "Thank You" (Deep Dish Dub Remix)
- "Thank You" (Album edit)
- "Thank You" (Skinny Remix)
- "Thank You" (Deep Dish Vocal Mix)
- "Thank You" (Music Video)
Cover versions and other samples
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.
In 2007, it was also voted number 57 in the BBC's list of Most Annoying Pop Songs We Hate to Love.