Don't Let Him Go

"Don't Let Him Go"
Single by REO Speedwagon
from the album Hi Infidelity
B-side "Follow My Heart"
Released 1981
Format Vinyl
Genre Rock
Length 3:47
Label Epic
Writer(s) Kevin Cronin
Producer(s) Kevin Beamish
Kevin Cronin
Alan Gratzer
Gary Richrath
REO Speedwagon singles chronology
"Take It on the Run"
(1980)		 "Don't Let Him Go"
(1981)		 "In Your Letter"
(1981)

"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]

Like the #1 single from Hi Infidelity, "Keep on Loving You," the lyrics of "Don't Let Him Go" are about breaking up with a longtime girlfriend.[3] According to Joseph Timmons of Seattle Post Intelligencer, the song is a "warning to not take the man you love for granted."[4] 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."[5] Allmusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine remarked on the song's "insistent beat."[6] He and other critics have also pointed out that the song was influenced by Bo Diddley.[6][7][8] Author Chuck Eddy described it as a "Bo Diddleyed do-si-do."[7] Armour describes the music as "a jaunty kind of hand-jive peppered with power chords."[5] Pete Bishop of The Pittsburgh Press described "Don't Let Him Go" as a "straight-ahead melodic rocker."[9] Allmusic critic Barry Weber described the song as an "underrated rocker."[10]

"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.[11]

Personnel

REO Speedwagon

Differences from the Music Video and Live Versions

Kevin plays a Fender Telecaster in the music video and in the live version he plays an Acoustic Guitar.

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1981) Peak
position
Canada (CHUM)[12] 2
Canadian RPM Singles Chart[13] 10
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[14] 27
Belgium (VRT Top 30 Flanders)[15] 22
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[16] 15
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[17] 22
US Billboard Hot 100[18] 24
US Top Rock Tracks[18] 11
US Cash Box[19] 26
US Record World[20] 22
US Radio & Records (R&R)[21][22] 20

Year-end chart

Chart (1981) Peak
position
Canada (RPM Top 100 Singles)[23] 100

References

  1. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2013). Top Pop Singles 1955-2012. Menomonee Falls, WI: Record Research, Inc. p. 703. ISBN 0-89820-205-1.
  2. ↑ "REO Speedwagon, Don't Let Him Go (Appears On)". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2015-02-18.
  3. ↑ Takiff, J. (November 14, 1982). "REO Speedwagon: Barometer for Performers". Boca Raton News. p. 26.
  4. ↑ Timmons, J. (July 7, 2011). "Music Review: REO Speedwagon - Hi Infidelity [30th Anniversary Edition]". Hearst Communications. Retrieved 2012-06-13.
  5. 1 2 Armour, Casandra. "Hi Infidelity (30th Anniversary Edition)". vintagerock.com. Retrieved 2016-09-24.
  6. 1 2 Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "Hi Infidelity". Allmusic. Retrieved 2012-06-13.
  7. 1 2 Eddy, C. (1997). The Accidental Evolution of Rock'N'Roll: A Misguided Tour Through Popular Music. Da Capo Press. p. 23. ISBN 9780306807411.
  8. ↑ Swenson, J. (1981). The Year in rock, 1981-82. Delilah Books. p. 254.
  9. ↑ "Speedwagon Back on Fast Track". The Pittsburgh Press. February 12, 1985. p. B8. Retrieved 2016-09-24.
  10. ↑ Weber, Barry. "The Hits". Allmusic. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
  11. ↑ TV Guide. Triangle Publications. 1981. p. 222.
  12. ↑ CHART NUMBER 1283 – Saturday, August 15, 1981 at the Wayback Machine (archived 7 November 2006). CHUM. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  13. ↑ "Top Singles – Volume 35, No. 6, September 5, 1981". RPM. RPM Music Publications Ltd. September 5, 1981. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  14. ↑ "Ultratop.be – REO Speedwagon – Don't Let Him Go" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  15. ↑ "REO Speedwagon – Don't Let Him Go" (in Dutch). Top 30. Retrieved 18 February 2015. Hoogste notering in de top 30 : 22
  16. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – REO Speedwagon - Don t Let Him Go search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  17. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – REO Speedwagon – Don't Let Him Go" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  18. 1 2 "Artist Chart History – REO Speedwagon". Billboard charts. Retrieved 2016-10-01.
  19. ↑ CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending AUGUST 1, 1981 at the Wayback Machine (archived 18 September 2012). Cash Box magazine. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  20. ↑ RECORD WORLD 1981 at the Wayback Machine (archived July 15, 2004). Record World. Geocities.com. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  21. ↑ REO Speedwagon
  22. ↑ Charts!
  23. ↑ "Top Singles – Volume 35, No. 22, December 26, 1981". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
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