Don't Let Him Go
"Don't Let Him Go" is a song written by Kevin Cronin. It was originally released as the opening song for REO Speedwagon's #1 album Hi Infidelity. It was also released as a single, reaching #24 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[1] "Don't Let Him Go" has appeared on several REO Speedwagon greatest hits albums.[2]
"Don't Let Him Go" | ||||
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Single by REO Speedwagon | ||||
from the album Hi Infidelity | ||||
B-side | "I Wish You Were There" | |||
Released | June 1981 | |||
Recorded | August 19, 1980 | |||
Genre | Hard Rock | |||
Length | 3:47 | |||
Label | Epic | |||
Songwriter(s) | Kevin Cronin | |||
Producer(s) | Kevin Beamish Kevin Cronin Alan Gratzer Gary Richrath | |||
REO Speedwagon singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Don't Let Him Go" on YouTube |
Cronin recalls "Don't Let Him Go" being the first song he wrote for Hi Infidelity.[3] Like the #1 single from the album, "Keep on Loving You," the lyrics of "Don't Let Him Go" are about breaking up with a longtime girlfriend.[4] According to Joseph Timmons of Seattle Post Intelligencer, the song is a "warning to not take the man you love for granted."[5] Casandra Armour of vintagerock.com described the lyrics as having the singer pleading on behalf of a friend who has "a lot of swag but not much substance" but "just needs a chance to grow."[6] Cronin has said that the song is based on the experiences of all the band members and is basically a plea to all their girlfriends to have patience with them.[3]
Allmusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine remarked on the song's "insistent beat."[7] He and other critics have also pointed out that the song was influenced by Bo Diddley.[7][8][9] Cronin himself has stated that it is based on a slightly modified Bo Diddley beat.[3] Author Chuck Eddy described it as a "Bo Diddleyed do-si-do."[8] Armour describes the music as "a jaunty kind of hand-jive peppered with power chords."[6] Pete Bishop of The Pittsburgh Press described "Don't Let Him Go" as a "straight-ahead melodic rocker."[10] Allmusic critic Barry Weber described the song as an "underrated rocker."[11]
"Don't Let Him Go" was also included on the compilation albums The Hits and The Essential REO Speedwagon. A live version was included on The Second Decade of Rock and Roll, 1981-1991, Arch Allies: Live at Riverport, and Setlist: The Very Best of REO Speedwagon Live. In 1981, the band performed the song on the television show America's Top 10.[12]
Personnel
REO Speedwagon
- Kevin Cronin - lead vocals, rhythm guitar
- Gary Richrath - lead guitar
- Bruce Hall - bass, backing vocals
- Neal Doughty - keyboards
- Alan Gratzer - drums, backing vocals
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end chart
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References
- Whitburn, Joel (2013). Top Pop Singles 1955-2012. Menomonee Falls, WI: Record Research, Inc. p. 703. ISBN 0-89820-205-1.
- "REO Speedwagon, Don't Let Him Go (Appears On)". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2015-02-18.
- Wardlaw, Matt (November 21, 2017). "The History of REO Speedwagon's 'Hi Infidelity': Interview". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 2017-11-25.
- Takiff, J. (November 14, 1982). "REO Speedwagon: Barometer for Performers". Boca Raton News. p. 26.
- Timmons, J. (July 7, 2011). "Music Review: REO Speedwagon - Hi Infidelity [30th Anniversary Edition]". Hearst Communications. Retrieved 2012-06-13.
- Armour, Casandra. "Hi Infidelity (30th Anniversary Edition)". vintagerock.com. Retrieved 2016-09-24.
- Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "Hi Infidelity". Allmusic. Retrieved 2012-06-13.
- Eddy, C. (1997). The Accidental Evolution of Rock'N'Roll: A Misguided Tour Through Popular Music. Da Capo Press. p. 23. ISBN 9780306807411.
- Swenson, J. (1981). The Year in rock, 1981-82. Delilah Books. p. 254.
- "Speedwagon Back on Fast Track". The Pittsburgh Press. February 12, 1985. p. B8. Retrieved 2016-09-24.
- Weber, Barry. "The Hits". Allmusic. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
- TV Guide. Triangle Publications. 1981. p. 222.
- "CHART NUMBER 1283 – Saturday, August 15, 1981". Archived from the original on 7 November 2006. Retrieved 2015-02-18.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link). CHUM. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
- "Top Singles – Volume 35, No. 6, September 5, 1981". RPM. RPM Music Publications Ltd. September 5, 1981. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
- "Ultratop.be – REO Speedwagon – Don't Let Him Go" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
- "REO Speedwagon – Don't Let Him Go" (in Dutch). Top 30. Archived from the original on 13 February 2015. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
Hoogste notering in de top 30 : 22
- "Nederlandse Top 40 – REO Speedwagon - Don t Let Him Go" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
- "Dutchcharts.nl – REO Speedwagon – Don't Let Him Go" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
- "Artist Chart History – REO Speedwagon". Billboard charts. Retrieved 2016-10-01.
- "CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending AUGUST 1, 1981". Archived from the original on 18 September 2012. Retrieved 2015-02-18.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link). Cash Box magazine. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
- "Song artist 607 - REO Speedwagon". TsorT. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
- REO Speedwagon
- Charts!
- "Top Singles – Volume 35, No. 22, December 26, 1981". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Archived from the original on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
- Whitburn, Joel (1999). Pop Annual. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. ISBN 0-89820-142-X.