Never Let Me Go (Johnny Ace song)
| "Never Let Me Go" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Johnny Ace | ||||
| from the album Memorial | ||||
| B-side | "Burley Cutie" (Instrumental) | |||
| Released | 1954 | |||
| Recorded | 1953 | |||
| Genre | R&B, Blues | |||
| Length | 2:55 | |||
| Label | Duke | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Joseph Scott | |||
| Producer(s) | Johnny Board, Johnny Otis | |||
| Johnny Ace singles chronology | ||||
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| Luther Vandross singles chronology | ||||
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"Never Let Me Go" is a blues ballad song by American R&B/blues singer Johnny Ace, written by Joseph Scott and released in 1954 under Duke Records. The song is featured on the albums My Songs and Memorial.[1] "Never Let Me Go" was one of his eighth consecutive top ten R&B hits in a row, including "My Song", "Cross My Heart," "Please Forgive Me," "The Clock," "Pledging My Love," "Saving My Love for You," and "Anymore". The song was R&B hit and peaked to No. 9 in October 1954 on Billboards Rhythm & Blues Records chart.[2]
Track list
US Vinyl, 10", 78 RPM Single (1954)[3]
- A1 "Never Let Me Go" - 2:48
- B1 "Burley Cutie" - 2:35
Cover versions
- Roy Hamilton released his cover of the song as a single (Epic 9398) in 1960 and included it on his 1961 album You Can Have Her.
- Aretha Franklin recorded a cover of the song on her 1967 album Aretha Arrives.
- Bob Dylan performed the song live as a duet with Joan Baez during The Rolling Thunder Revue in 1975.
- John Martyn recorded a cover of the song for his 1982 album Well Kept Secret. His version features Ronnie Scott on saxophone.
- R&B/soul singer-songwriter Luther Vandross recorded a cover of the song for his 1993 album of the same name; the saxophone solo on this version is performed by Kirk Whalum and it's the closing track of the album.
- Katie Webster recorded a cover of the song for her 1990 album "Two Fisted Mama."
Charts
| Chart (1954) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Rhythm & Blues Records | 9 |
| Chart (1993) | Peak position[4] |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot R&B Singles | 31 |
References
- ^ Memorial Album For Johnny Ace at Discogs
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 7.
- ^ "Never Let Me Go" at Discogs
- ^ Luther Vandross - Singles Chart history.Billboard.com