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Don't Let Him Go

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"Don't Let Him Go"
Song
B-side"Follow My Heart"

"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]

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

Charts

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. ^ a b c Wardlaw, Matt (November 21, 2017). "The History of REO Speedwagon's 'Hi Infidelity': Interview". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 2017-11-25.
  4. ^ Takiff, J. (November 14, 1982). "REO Speedwagon: Barometer for Performers". Boca Raton News. p. 26.
  5. ^ Timmons, J. (July 7, 2011). "Music Review: REO Speedwagon - Hi Infidelity [30th Anniversary Edition]". Hearst Communications. Retrieved 2012-06-13.
  6. ^ a b Armour, Casandra. "Hi Infidelity (30th Anniversary Edition)". vintagerock.com. Retrieved 2016-09-24.
  7. ^ a b Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "Hi Infidelity". Allmusic. Retrieved 2012-06-13.
  8. ^ a b Eddy, C. (1997). The Accidental Evolution of Rock'N'Roll: A Misguided Tour Through Popular Music. Da Capo Press. p. 23. ISBN 9780306807411.
  9. ^ Swenson, J. (1981). The Year in rock, 1981-82. Delilah Books. p. 254.
  10. ^ "Speedwagon Back on Fast Track". The Pittsburgh Press. February 12, 1985. p. B8. Retrieved 2016-09-24.
  11. ^ Weber, Barry. "The Hits". Allmusic. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
  12. ^ TV Guide. Triangle Publications. 1981. p. 222.
  13. ^ "CHART NUMBER 1283 – Saturday, August 15, 1981". Archived from the original on 7 November 2006. Retrieved 2015-02-18. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help). CHUM. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  14. ^ "Top Singles – Volume 35, No. 6, September 5, 1981". RPM. RPM Music Publications Ltd. September 5, 1981. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  15. ^ "REO Speedwagon – Don't Let Him Go" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  16. ^ "REO Speedwagon – Don't Let Him Go" (in Dutch). Top 30. Retrieved 18 February 2015. Hoogste notering in de top 30 : 22
  17. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – REO Speedwagon - Don t Let Him Go" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  18. ^ "REO Speedwagon – Don't Let Him Go" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  19. ^ a b "Artist Chart History – REO Speedwagon". Billboard charts. Retrieved 2016-10-01.
  20. ^ "CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending AUGUST 1, 1981". Archived from the original on 18 September 2012. Retrieved 2015-02-18. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help). Cash Box magazine. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  21. ^ "Song artist 607 - REO Speedwagon". TsorT. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  22. ^ REO Speedwagon
  23. ^ Charts!
  24. ^ "Top Singles – Volume 35, No. 22, December 26, 1981". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  25. ^ Whitburn, Joel (1999). Pop Annual. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. ISBN 0-89820-142-X.
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