Don't Let Me Go Explained

"Don't Let Me Go" is a song by American power pop band The Click Five, released on November 16, 2010, as the third single taken from their third studio album TCV.

Background and composition

The song was written by bassist Ethan Mentzer, which he wrote while the band was in tour in Asia.^[1] The song was performed during tours and shows in 2008 by lead vocalist Kyle Patrick and Ethan, with Ethan on guitar and Kyle singing. The group did a campaign in Southeast Asia to help fight human trafficking and exploitation, as well as performing songs during their trip. According to keyboardist Ben Romans, "Don't Let Me Go" was a song that stood out to them.^[1] Romans also said that the lyric "you try to hide your scars, and all the while... don't let me go, don't turn away" was "one of most powerful" lyrics they wrote and in general, the song is about hanging on.^[1] The song is a slower tempo track, much like the band's previous single "Empty",^[2] opening up with an acoustic sound.^[3]

Chart performance

"Don't Let Me Go" reached a peak of number 5 on the weekly Top 20 charts on Singapore radio station 987FM.^[4] It stayed on the chart for nine weeks. At the end of the year 2011, it ranked number 55 in the best songs of 2011.^[5]

Music video

MTV EXIT picked up the song to help raise awareness about human trafficking.^[6] The band worked with MTV EXIT to produce a music video, which was released on April 15, 2011.^[7] Kyle Patrick said of the song and video, "I've always seen music as an escape from reality and that became even more apparent when we performed at the Somaly Mam shelter for victims of trafficking in Cambodia. For those few hours, we were able to give the victims a chance to forget what they had been through. That is what music is all about and if it can be helpful in a situation like this, we're very happy to be able to do that."^[8] The video was nominated at the 2011 Asian Television Award for Best Music Program.^[9]

Personnel

Credits for "Don't Let Me Go" adapted from album's liner notes.^[10]

The Click Five

• Kyle Patrick – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
• Joe Guese – lead guitar, backing vocals
• Ben Romans – synthesizers, backing vocals
• Ethan Mentzer – bass, acoustic guitar, backing vocals
• Joey Zehr – drums, percussion, backing vocals

Additional musicians

• Trevor Jarvis – cello

Notes and References

1. Web site: The Click Five's Ben Romans. Songfacts. March 6, 2009. Shawna Ortega. https://web.archive.org/web/20091125125652/http://www.songfacts.com/int/2009/07/click-fives-ben-romans.html. November 25, 2009. December 3, 2024.
2. Web site: Five stars with The Click Five. The Urbanwire. Clarissa Chiang. August 17, 2010. December 3, 2024.
3. Web site: Single of The Day: The Click Five - Don't Let Me Go. Creative Disc. June 15, 2011. December 3, 2024. Indonesian.
4. 31555690464022528. clickfive. "Don't Let Me Go" has entered the TOP 10 on 987FM in Singapore. January 29, 2011.
5. http://s1.zetaboards.com/Media_Chat/topic/4632533/1/ End Of Year (2011) Top 100 Songs Countdown On (987 FM, 91.3FM & Power 98 FM)
6. Web site: The Click Five + Jesse Ruben + Alexis Babini. Patch.com. Patch Media. April 21, 2011. December 3, 2024.
7. Web site: The Click Five / MTV Exit – Don’t Let Me Go. Lojinx. April 15, 2011. December 3, 2024.
8. Web site: The Click Five at Showcase Live. Patch.com. Patch Media. Amy Nachbar. May 17, 2011. December 3, 2024.
9. 137194104672108544. clickfive. We've been nominated for a 2011 Asian Television Award! Very cool - thanks to those who "nominated". November 17, 2011.
10. TCV. 2011. album liner notes. Lojinx.