Avril Lavigne - Goodbye Lullaby Track By Track Album Review

3. Push

Push is much more representative of the record, from a pop perspective, in a way that What The Hell failed. Avril showcases her vocal range, hitting higher notes with ease and dipping into a lower range for the verses, which works tremendously, differentiating the chorus from the verses (the frantic acoustic strumming doesn't change at any point in the song). Avril sings about working to make a relationship work, possibly an attack on Whibley, or a lesson she plans to put into practice in her next relationship (now Chad Kroeger of Nickelback).

4. Wish You Were Here

This the first song of the album which openly addresses her split from Whibley and is packed with emotion. The opening verse sees Avril admit that the person she is singing about has an extreme effect on her, causing her to let down her defences for them. She describes herself as "a girl who gives a s**t" which contradicts the image she has offered until this point in her career, so the song is instantly memorable. This is possibly the first time Avril has let her guard down publicly, adding to the sadness that the song is tinged with. The hook is simple but effective, as Avril pours her heart into it, with devastating results. The chorus becomes a little repetitive, although Avril is still able to hold the listener's attention, adding twists with every new take and maintaining her melancholic state.

5. Smile

Here, Avril tries to go back to her punk-rock roots, yet falls short somehow. The track uses heavy guitars and frenzied drum beats which make the song seem quite spontaneous, like an indie band jamming in a garage. The chorus is rather uplifting but the song is dragged down by cringe-worthy verses. Again, Avril contradicts herself, claiming to be "a crazy bitch" lessening the emotional impact of Wish You Were Here. Avril shouts the verses yet carefully sings the choruses, making the song seem a little disjointed, although the catchy melody is welcome after the hard-hitting previous track.