I Won't Let You Go (James Morrison song)
Encyclopedia
"I Won't Let You Go" is a song by British singer James Morrison
. The song is the first single from his third studio album, The Awakening
. The song was released on 25 August 2011 as a Digital download
in Belgium
.
about Gill, his long term girlfriend and the mother of his daughter.
gave the song an average review stating: "His debut release on Island Records
, 'I Won't Let You Go' opens to a Coldplay
-esque piano riff as he promises to stick with his lass through thick and thin. "Take a little time to hold yourself/ Take a little time to feel around," he insists in his unmistakable gruff tones, before the lilting guitars and gentle piano riff shift gear for the swaying, '60s slow-dance chorus. Truth be told there are more adventurous songs in his catalogue, but given his situation, we'd be inclined to play it safe too." Jon O'Brien wrote for Allmusic that ""I Won't Let You Go" follows the same heartfelt, acoustic, tearjerker template as his previous two lead singles;." Pip Elwood wrote a positive review for "Entertainment Focus", stating that "The album’s lead single is a progression from Morrison’s usual sound. The stripped-back song is a heart-wrenching track with a passionate vocal from Morrison."
on 4 August 2011 at a total length of three minutes and fifty-nine seconds. The video was shot at Wimbledon Studios, and directed by Phil Griffin
. In the clip, James wakes up to an empty bed, while somewhere in the city, his loved one is lying alone in the middle of the street. When he runs into her, he quickly offers his comfort and lies beside her.
, becoming his third top-five hit and biggest hit since Broken Strings
(2008). In the second week, the song dropped only one spot, falling to number six. Elsewhere in Europe
, the song attained a lot of success. On the Austrian Singles Chart, the song was Morrison's first number-one single, surpassing his previous peak of number two, with the song Broken Strings
.
James Morrison (singer)
James Morrison is a BRIT Award-winning English singer-songwriter and guitarist from Rugby, Warwickshire. In 2006, his debut single "You Give Me Something" became a hit in Europe, Australia, and Japan, peaking in the top five in the UK and New Zealand. His debut album, Undiscovered, debuted at the...
. The song is the first single from his third studio album, The Awakening
The Awakening (James Morrison album)
Mike Diver wrote for BBC Music that "The Awakening is lacking the grandstanding moment it needs to elevate it above reserved recommendation." Diver also noted that "Morrison has a truly great album in him – he's the emotional baggage to craft it, should he let locked-away demons loose – but for the...
. The song was released on 25 August 2011 as a Digital download
Music download
A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...
in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
.
Background
According to "Songfacts", he wrote the mid-tempo balladBallad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
about Gill, his long term girlfriend and the mother of his daughter.
Critical reception
Robert Copsey of Digital SpyDigital Spy
Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website. According to Alexa Internet traffic statistics, as of February 2011, Digital Spy is the 93rd most popular website in the United Kingdom, with an overall Alexa ranking of 2,088....
gave the song an average review stating: "His debut release on Island Records
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
, 'I Won't Let You Go' opens to a Coldplay
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
-esque piano riff as he promises to stick with his lass through thick and thin. "Take a little time to hold yourself/ Take a little time to feel around," he insists in his unmistakable gruff tones, before the lilting guitars and gentle piano riff shift gear for the swaying, '60s slow-dance chorus. Truth be told there are more adventurous songs in his catalogue, but given his situation, we'd be inclined to play it safe too." Jon O'Brien wrote for Allmusic that ""I Won't Let You Go" follows the same heartfelt, acoustic, tearjerker template as his previous two lead singles;." Pip Elwood wrote a positive review for "Entertainment Focus", stating that "The album’s lead single is a progression from Morrison’s usual sound. The stripped-back song is a heart-wrenching track with a passionate vocal from Morrison."
Music video
A music video to accompany the release of "I Won't Let You Go" was first released onto YouTubeYouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
on 4 August 2011 at a total length of three minutes and fifty-nine seconds. The video was shot at Wimbledon Studios, and directed by Phil Griffin
Phil Griffin
Phil Griffin is President of United States cable news MSNBC. He was named President in July, 2008.-References:...
. In the clip, James wakes up to an empty bed, while somewhere in the city, his loved one is lying alone in the middle of the street. When he runs into her, he quickly offers his comfort and lies beside her.
Chart perfomance
The song debuted at number five on the UK Singles ChartUK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, becoming his third top-five hit and biggest hit since Broken Strings
Broken Strings
"Broken Strings" is the third single by James Morrison from his second studio album Songs for You, Truths for Me. It was released in November 2008. The song is a duet with Canadian pop/R&B singer-songwriter Nelly Furtado...
(2008). In the second week, the song dropped only one spot, falling to number six. Elsewhere in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, the song attained a lot of success. On the Austrian Singles Chart, the song was Morrison's first number-one single, surpassing his previous peak of number two, with the song Broken Strings
Broken Strings
"Broken Strings" is the third single by James Morrison from his second studio album Songs for You, Truths for Me. It was released in November 2008. The song is a duet with Canadian pop/R&B singer-songwriter Nelly Furtado...
.
Track listing
Charts
| Chart (2011) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Japan (Japan Hot 100 Japan Hot 100 The Japan Hot 100 is a music singles chart in Japan. It is compiled by Billboard and Hanshin Contents Link ever since February 2008. The chart is updated every Wednesday at billboard-japan.com and every Thursday at billboard.com .... ) |
25 |
Release history
| Country | Release date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium | August 25, 2011 | Digital download Music download A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment... |
Island Records Island Records Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group... |
| Ireland | September 16, 2011 | ||
| United Kingdom | September 18, 2011 | ||