Will Smith’s emotional reaction to G.C. Cameron’s ‘It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday’

As the highly anticipated film Bad Boys: Ride or Die hit the theaters on June 7, Will Smith sat down for an exclusive interview with Complex, alongside co-star Martin Lawrence. Discussing their latest installment in the beloved franchise, while simultaneously addressing questions about their favorite sitcoms and comedians, Smith and Lawrence shared a touching moment.
Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in a still from Bad Boys: Ride or Die | Columbia Pictures
During the interview, as Martin Lawrence read the cue card asking about their go-to song that makes them cry, Will Smith captured the hearts of millions around the world with his response. The video interview has since gone viral after Smith noted feeling overwhelmed listening to G.C. Cameron’s timeless classic, It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday.

Will Smith’s Overwhelming Response to G.C. Cameron’s Timeless Classic

Following the release of Bad Boys: Ride or Die, Will Smith and his co-star Martin Lawrence appeared for an interview with Complex to speak about their film, as well as address highly anticipated fan questions. Starting on a lighthearted note, discussing comedy and sitcoms, the interview soon captured heartfelt moments between the duo.

Midway through the interview, Martin Lawrence came across the cue card asking about their go-to song that always makes them vulnerable and tear up. As Will Smith addressed the question, the actor was quickly taken back to G.C. Cameron’s timeless masterpiece, which often brings out his emotional side.

GOAT song to cry to? Lawrence asked.

Will Smith in Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024) | Columbia Pictures

Oh, man. [Begins singing] How do I say goodbye… that one gets me every time. And as an actor you know we’ll be doing scenes sometimes and I go over and put headphones on. So I listen to Adagio for Strings, which is the theme from Platoon. And that as an actor I use that to get into the space to be able to cry on camera. Smith confessed.

Differentiating between the two songs that make him cry in general and on set, Will Smith notified fans about how G.C. Cameron’s rendition of It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday is ultimately the GOAT song that always gets him emotional and vulnerable.

G.C. Cameron’s It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday Evokes Raw Emotions

Learning about Will Smith’s affection for It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday, even Martin Lawrence expressed his heartfelt response to G.C. Cameron’s song. It seems the soulful melody and the heartfelt lyrics of the song have the power to strike a chord deep within anyone who listens to it.

It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday is indeed a timeless classic that resonates with anyone who has experienced the pain of parting ways with something or someone dear to them. G.C. Cameron’s soul-stirring performance adds an extra layer of depth to the song, making it a powerful listening experience for all who hear it.
Smith and Lawrence in Bad Boys: Ride or Die | Columbia Pictures
For Will Smith, the song perhaps evokes memories and emotions from his own life, prompting a heartfelt response that he openly shared with his audiences. Following the interview, Smith’s comments about the profound impact that G.C. Cameron’s song has on him, undoubtedly resonated with millions of fans.

Bad Boys: Ride or Die is currently running in theaters worldwide.