Thank You (Dido song)

"Thank You"
Single by Dido
from the album No Angel
Released	December 12, 2000 (US)
Format	CD single
Recorded	1998
Genre	Pop rock, adult contemporary, folk rock
Length	3:38
Label	BMG
Writer(s)	Dido Armstrong, Paul Herman
Producer	Dido Armstrong, Rollo
Dido singles chronology
"Don't Think Of Me" (2000) "Thank You" (2000) "Hunter" (2001)

"Thank You" is a song by British singer and songwriter Dido. The song was released on her debut studio album No Angel (1999). The song made its first appearance in 1998, on the soundtrack of Sliding Doors, although it was not released as a single until late 2000. It later featured on Dido's debut album, No Angel, becoming the album's biggest hit. Samples from the track were featured in the song "Stan" by Eminem.

Song information

Dido wrote the song as a tribute to her boyfriend, entertainment lawyer Bob Page; they got engaged in 2001 but split the following year. It remains Dido's biggest hit single in the USA to date, and her only one to reach the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. "White Flag", which features on her second album Life For Rent, is about their split.

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 piano 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.

Critical reception

"Thank You" received critical acclaim from music critics, who thought the ballad was very "touching and soft" and a instant standout to the album. Jeff Burger from Allmusic had highlighted "Thank You" as a 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." Reviewers from Sputnikmusic gave it positive reviews, who many felt the song was a "well written pop song".

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 done very well in other mainstream markets. In New Zealand, the song debuted at number forty-seven. The song later peaked at number three for three consecutive weeks. The song later re-entered at number thirty-seven, until falling at number fifty, then re-entered at number forty-nine. The song did not chart in Australia. The song debuted and peaked at number seventeen in Norway, until falling at number twenty. The song debuted at number sixty-eight in the Netherlands, and then it peaked at number twenty-nine, staying there for two consecutive weeks. The song did later peaked at number sixteen in Switzerland and number twenty-five 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.

The end of the video implies that her house is being torn down for redevelopment (her pretty home is sandwiched between two large skyscrapers). The video was directed by Dave Meyers and was released in January 2001.

Track listing

• UK Vinyl

1. "Thank You" (Deep Dish Vocal Mix)
2. "Thank You" (Deep Dish Dub Remix)

• UK CD Single

1. "Thank You" (Album edit)
2. "Thank You" (Deep Dish Vocal Mix)

• US Maxi CD Single

1. "Thank You" (Album edit)
2. "Thank You" (Skinny Remix)
3. "Thank You" (Deep Dish Vocal Mix)
4. "Thank You" (Deep Dish Dub Remix)

• European CD Single

1. "Thank You" (Album edit)
2. "Thank You" (Skinny Remix)
3. "Thank You" (Deep Dish Vocal Mix)
4. "Thank You" (Music Video)

• Source:

Charts

Charts (2001)	Peak Position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 75)	15
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)	22
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)	29
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)	1
France (SNEP)	30
Ireland (IRMA)	5
Germany (Media Control AG)	17
Greek Singles Chart	3
Netherlands (Mega Single Top 100)	29
New Zealand (RIANZ)	3
Norway (VG-lista	17
Russia (Tophit)	1
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)	42
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)	16
UK Singles (The Official Chart Company)	3
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	3
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play	1
U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks	1
U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks	1
U.S. Billboard Top 40 Mainstream	1

Cover versions and other samples

• In 1999, long before the song became a hit, Mexican group Flans recorded a Spanish version entitled "Gracias". It was released as the third single from the album "Hadas".
• In 2000, CKBE-FM David Tyler.
• In 2002, saxophonist Marion Meadows covered the song from his album In Deep.
• In 2005, Italian artist Flexter released a Euro House cover of the song.
• In 2006, Snoop Dogg also sampled the beat of "Thank You" on his song "Round Here" from his 2006 album, Tha Blue Carpet Treatment. The song was produced by Dr. Dre.
• In 2008, West Coast rapper The Game's song "My Life" samples the piano melody of "Thank You". This song was produced by Cool & Dre.
• Also in 2008, Mandopop singer Jolin Tsai covered "Thank You" in her English cover album Love Exercise.

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.

It was also voted the 57th Most Annoying Pop Songs We Hate To Love in a recent poll on BBC.

References

Preceded by "I Hope You Dance" by Lee Ann Womack & Sons of the Desert "There You'll Be" by Faith Hill	Billboard Adult Contemporary number-one single June 16, 2001 (first run) June 30, 2001 (second run) July 14, 2001 (third run) September 1, 2001 (fourth run)	Succeeded by "I Hope You Dance" by Lee Ann Womack & Sons of the Desert "There You'll Be" by Faith Hill
Preceded by "You Set Me Free" by Abigail	Billboard Hot Dance Club Play number-one single September 1, 2001	Succeeded by "I Feel Loved" by Depeche Mode