"Thank You" is a song written and performed by English singer-songwriter Dido. The song made its first appearance in 1998 on the soundtrack of the movie Sliding Doors. It was later included on Dido's 1999 debut album, No Angel, and was released in September 2000. The same year, American rapper Eminem sampled the track for his hit single "Stan", which helped propel "Thank You" and No Angel to mainstream success.
Entering the Billboard Hot 100 at number 80 in January 2001,[1] "Thank You" peaked at number three in April 2001. It held that spot for three weeks[2][3] and became Dido's first and only top-10 single in the United States. Additionally, the song reached number one on the BillboardAdult Contemporary, Adult Top 40, and Dance Club Play charts. In the United Kingdom, "Thank You" reached number three, becoming the singer's third top-five single in the United Kingdom.
Dido wrote the song about the down times of depression and about how she lost her house.[citation needed] It remains Dido's biggest hit single in the United States to date, and her only one to reach the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. "Thank You" was one of the biggest sleeper hits in 2001, debuting in January and remaining on the chart until the end of September. It spent 40 weeks on the chart, and in November Billboard published that "Thank You" finished as the seventh biggest song of the year.
The song's verses are written in the key of G♯ minor 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.[4]
"Thank You" received widespread 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.[5] Christian Ward from NME wrote, "'Thank You', which, far from conjuring up images of lunatic fan-worship, is more reminiscent of the Corrs. Now that really is sick."[6]
In the music video, Dido has not paid her bills, and the government comes to tear down her house. The police put an eviction notice on her door and movers start moving her furniture out. Dido is seen singing the song.
During the first chorus of the song, Dido has a cup of tea whilst movers pile her belongings by an outside wall, and a mover steps on flowers in her front yard. In the end, she is escorted out of her home, her home is demolished, she leaves behind most of her belongings, and walks away with just her shoulder bag, an umbrella, and a hair dryer.
The end of the video implies that her house is actually being torn down for redevelopment, as her home is sandwiched between two large skyscrapers. The video was directed by Dave Meyers, and was released in January 2001. VEVO released an acoustic version of the song in December 2012, and a live concert version was released in August 2016.[7]
Eminem's critically acclaimed number-one single "Stan" samples the first verse of the song for its chorus. Dido herself appears in the music video for "Stan" (alongside Devon Sawa) as the pregnant girlfriend of the titular obsessed, suicidal and homicidal Eminem fan, 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. The sampling usage helped bring mainstream attention to "Thank You" and its parent album.[69]
In 2016, Barbadian singer Rihanna interpolated "Thank You" on her song "Never Ending" from her eighth album Anti.[71]
In 2016, Puerto Rican singers Kendo Kaponi and Anuel AA released the single "Me contagié", which covers the chorus of "Thank You" and partially adapted the lyrics in Spanish, sung by Anuel AA.[72]
In 2022, Peruvian DJ Tito Silva Music and singer Tefi C. released a parody of "Thank You" and "Stan" called "Mi Bebito Fiu Fiu", related to an alleged case of infidelity of former President Martín Vizcarra.[73] On 8 July 2022, Tito Silva took down his parody from his YouTube channel and streaming platforms at the behest of the copyright owners due to its political tone.[74][75]
On 18 May 2023, American singer Jason Derulo released the single "When Love Sucks", which heavily samples "Thank You", and includes a feature credit for Dido.[76]
In an interview on BBC Radio 3 in 2005, The Duchess of Kent, who worked as a classical music teacher after relinquishing royal duties, chose "Thank You" as one of her favourite pieces.
In April 2007, it was also voted number 57 in the BBC's list of the "Most Annoying Pop Songs We Hate to Love".[78]
In January 2024, "Thank You" was featured as one of the final DLC tracks for the rhythm gameRock Band 4.
^Thank You (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Dido. Arista Records, BMG, Cheeky Records. 2001. 74321 853041.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Thank You (US 12-inch vinyl disc). Dido. Arista Records, Cheeky Records. 2001. 07822-13996-1 RE-1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Thank You (UK cassette single sleeve). Dido. Arista Records, BMG, Cheeky Records. 2001. 74321 853044.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Thank You (European CD single liner notes). Dido. Arista Records, BMG, Cheeky Records. 2001. 74321 85891 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Thank You (European maxi-CD single liner notes). Dido. Arista Records, BMG, Cheeky Records. 2001. 74321 85890 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Thank You (US CD single liner notes). Dido. Arista Records, Cheeky Records. 2002. 07822-13996-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^No Angel (US CD album booklet). Dido. Arista Records, Cheeky Records. 1999. 07822-19025-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
