"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.[2] "Don't Let Him Go" has appeared on several REO Speedwagon greatest hits albums.[3]
| "Don't Let Him Go" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by REO Speedwagon | ||||
| from the album Hi Infidelity | ||||
| B-side | "I Wish You Were There" | |||
| Released | June 1981[1] | |||
| Recorded | August 19, 1980 | |||
| Genre | Hard rock, power pop | |||
| 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.[4] 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.[5] According to Joseph Timmons of Seattle Post Intelligencer, the song is a "warning to not take the man you love for granted."[6] 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."[7] 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.[4]
Allmusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine remarked on the song's "insistent beat."[8] He and other critics have also pointed out that the song was influenced by Bo Diddley.[8][9][10] Cronin himself has stated that it is based on a slightly modified Bo Diddley beat.[4] Author Chuck Eddy described it as a "Bo Diddleyed do-si-do."[9] Armour describes the music as "a jaunty kind of hand-jive peppered with power chords."[7] Pete Bishop of The Pittsburgh Press described "Don't Let Him Go" as a "straight-ahead melodic rocker."[11] Allmusic critic Barry Weber described the song as an "underrated rocker."[12] Record World said that "pounding drums, ringing guitars and synthesizer swooshes surround Kevin Cronin's lead vocal cry."[13]
"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.[14]
The band routinely opens its concerts with this song.
Personnel
REO Speedwagon
- Kevin Cronin - lead and backing vocals, rhythm guitar
- Gary Richrath - lead guitar
- Bruce Hall - bass
- Neal Doughty - synthesizer
- Alan Gratzer - drums
Charts
Year-end chart
| Chart (1981) | Rank |
|---|---|
| Canada (RPM Top 100 Singles)[26] | 100 |
| US (Joel Whitburn's Pop Annual)[27] | 146 |