“Goodness Gracious” is the Ellie Goulding song from Halcyon Days co-written by Nate Ruess, the lead singer of Fun. The track was written by Goulding, Ruess and producer Greg Kurstin, combining electronic pop production with a bright, radio-friendly chorus.
Halcyon Days was released in 2013 as a reissue of Goulding’s second studio album, Halcyon. “Goodness Gracious” appeared as one of the reissue’s new songs and later became its third single. It was released in the United Kingdom in February 2014 and received a colorful music video built around neon visuals and playful choreography.
Ruess was already known for Fun’s major pop hits, including “We Are Young” and “Some Nights.” His involvement is easy to confuse with a featured vocal performance, but he co-wrote the song rather than singing as a credited duet partner on the track.
The song’s title and upbeat sound can also lead listeners to confuse it with Goulding’s better-known “Burn,” another song associated with the Halcyon Days era. “Goodness Gracious” is the specific Nate Ruess collaboration asked for here.