RAYE & Al Green, Goodbye Henry. | Dazzling Duets

In the 22^nd edition of Dazzling Duets (2026), British singer-songwriter RAYE and gospel and soul legend Al Green collaborate on “Goodbye Henry.” 

Sometimes, two is better than one! That is the case on Dazzling Duets! On Dazzling Duets, we highlight striking songs performed by two artists collaborating. These duets can be from any musical style, making Dazzling Duets a flexible, versatile column. In the 22^nd edition of Dazzling Duets (2026), RAYE and Al Green collaborate on “Goodbye Henry.”. Let the dazzle begin!

RAYE (Rachel Keen) asserts in the intro of “Goodbye Henry.” The British singer-songwriter adds, “In fact, it makes me so, so sad to sing this song / But I will sing it for you anyway.” Despite her sadness, I’m glad Keen decided to share the 10^th track from her 2026 album, THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE.  Sweetening the deal is the fact that she collaborates with a musical icon: Al Green! “Goodbye Henry.” was written by RAYE, Paul Murray, Matt Brooks, Chris Hill, Graeme Blevins, Augie Haas, Tom Richards, and Oscar Steiler. RAYE and Pete Clements produced it.

RAYE dominates most of “Goodbye Henry.” Following the intro, she performs the first verse, pre-chorus, chorus, second verse, pre-chorus, chorus, and an interlude.  In the first verse, RAYE reveals she’s writing the song about “A very lovely boy / And his name isn’t even Henry.” Oh! She adds, “In another life we could have made it / But in this one, well, we let go.” Word.  Speaking of another life, in the second pre-chorus, Keen states, “I’d wear his ring, and we’d have three beautiful children.” Ooh-wee! The chorus, varied each time, is intriguing. In its second iteration, she concludes:

“And who knows, Henry? Maybe one day we could try again

Don’t forget me (Don’t forget me) or regret me (Or regret me)

I tell him, ‘Goodbye, Henry.’

I told you this was a sad song.”

RAYE sings beautifully and playfully. The sophisticated, soulful backdrop, intact with organ, adds to the allure.  As for Al Green, he enters the mix for the first time in the third verse. Not before a proper introduction by RAYE. The Memphis soul-like cues suit him. “It’s nice to be on a microphone with a story to tell,” he says, and later sings, “Sometimes in life, we have to say goodbye / Tears falling from our eyes.” In the chorus and bridge that follow, RAYE leads the charge, with distinct, soulful contributions from Green and one significant joint moment (“Still in love, still in love, still in love with him”).  RAYE concludes with the outro: “And as I watch Henry drive out of my life / I warned you, dear listener, didn’t I.” Yep, RAYE, you sure did.  All told, “Goodbye Henry.” marks another compelling song from THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE.

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RAYE » THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE. » RAYE / Human Re Sources » 2026

RAYE & Al Green, Goodbye Henry.: Dazzling Duets No. 22 (2026) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; RAYE / Human Re Sources; ANTONI SHKRABA production from Pexels; Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Gordon Johnson from Pixabay]

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