Review by Amy Blizzard

Though Kris Allen may have taken the top honors during the eighth season of American Idol, former contestant Danny Gokey has also proven to be a winner. He has released the album 'My Best Days', made his way onto country radio, earned a spot as an opening act for Sugarland and even signed a two-year marketing deal for eyeglasses with Wisconsin Vision as their first celebrity spokesperson. However, Gokey has not traveled down a road that was free of challenges or heartbreak.

Before auditioning for the pop culture hit show in the summer of 2008, Gokey was dealt a devastating blow when his young wife, Sophia, passed away unexpectedly during surgery to repair damage from

Buy I Will Not Say Goodbye from Danny Gokey

congenital heart disease. With his life turned upside down, Gokey followed his wife's suggestion that he audition to become an Idol contestant and a found a bit of solace during an unbelievably difficult time.

His profound loss now acts as the impetus to create a beautiful piece of art in his new single 'I Will Not Say Goodbye'. The follow-up to 'My Best Days Are Ahead of Me', the ballad focuses on the grief and anger that follow such a tragic loss. While many other ballads that tackle the same somber subject matter frequently come across as overly dramatic or theatrical, Gokey's single is laden with an honesty and sincerity that is inherently poignant.

The track starts out simply and organically, allowing Danny Gokey's signature raspy and powerful vocals to create the emotion behind the haunting lyrics. He acts as a storyteller, sharing how life can suddenly change and be taken away within an instant. Instead of pleading for relief and anodyne from his grief and overwhelming pain, he instead proclaims that he will never say goodbye and would rather deal with suffering than risk letting time wash away the memories of a passed loved one's face.

Even the swelling crescendo and blasting steel guitar near the song's end are not a match for Gokey's powerful instrument. 'I Will Not Say Goodbye' is a stand-out performance for Danny Gokey that allows him to make the transition from being a mere singer to an artist, while also providing a sense of comfort to the countless others in the world who are also dealing with such unimaginable challenges and losses in their own lives.

Buy Danny Gokey's "I Will Not Say Goodbye" on mp3 or CD

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Danny Gokey "I Will Not Say Goodbye" Lyrics

Sometimes the road just ends
It changes everything you've been
And all that's left to be
is empty, broken, lonely, hoping
I'm supposed to be strong
I'm supposed to find a way to carry on

And I don't want to feel better
And I don't wanna not remember
And I will always see your face
In the shadows of this haunted place
I will laugh
I will cry
Shake my fist at the sky
But I will not say goodbye

They keep saying time will heal
But the pain just gets more real
The sun comes up each day
Finds me waiting, fading, hating, praying
If I can keep on holding on
Maybe I can keep my heart from knowing that you're gone

And I don't wanna feel better
And I don't wanna not remember
I will always see your face
In the shadows of this haunted place
I will laugh
I will cry
Shake my fist at the sky
But I will not say goodbye

I will curse
I will pray
I‘ll relieve everyday
I will show through the blame
I'll shout out your name
I will laugh
I will cry
Shake my fist at the sky
But I will not say
I will not say goodbye
I will not say goodbye
Will not say ooooohhhhh