"Don't Let Him Go" is a song written by

Kevin Cronin Kevin Patrick Cronin (born October 6, 1951) is an American singer and songwriter, who is the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and pianist for the rock band REO Speedwagon. The band had several hits on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 throughout the ...

. It was originally released as the opening song for REO Speedwagon's #1 album ''

Hi Infidelity ''Hi Infidelity'' is the ninth studio album by American rock band REO Speedwagon, released on November 21, 1980 by Epic Records. The album became a big hit in the United States, peaking at number one on the ''Billboard 200''. It went on to be ...

''. It was also released as a single, reaching #24 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart. "Don't Let Him Go" has appeared on several REO Speedwagon greatest hits albums. Cronin recalls "Don't Let Him Go" being the first song he wrote for ''Hi Infidelity''. 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. According to Joseph Timmons of ''

Seattle Post Intelligencer The ''Seattle Post-Intelligencer'' (popularly known as the ''Seattle P-I'', the ''Post-Intelligencer'', or simply the ''P-I'') is an online newspaper and former print newspaper based in Seattle, Washington, United States. The newspaper was foun ...

'', the song is a "warning to not take the man you love for granted." 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." 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.

Allmusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databa ...

critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine remarked on the song's "insistent beat." He and other critics have also pointed out that the song was influenced by

Bo Diddley Ellas McDaniel (born Ellas Otha Bates; December 30, 1928 – June 2, 2008), known professionally as Bo Diddley, was an American guitarist who played a key role in the transition from the blues to rock and roll. He influenced many artists, inc ...

. Cronin himself has stated that it is based on a slightly modified

Bo Diddley beat The Bo Diddley beat is a syncopated musical rhythm that is widely used in rock and roll and pop music. The beat is named after rhythm and blues musician Bo Diddley, who introduced and popularized the beat with his self-titled debut single, "Bo Di ...

. Author Chuck Eddy described it as a "Bo Diddleyed

do-si-do Do-si-do is a dance move. Description It is a circular movement where two people, who are initially facing each other, walk around each other without or almost without turning, i.e., facing in the same direction (same wall) all the time. In most ca ...

." Armour describes the music as "a jaunty kind of hand-jive peppered with

power chord A power chord (also fifth chord) is a colloquial name for a chord in guitar music, especially electric guitar, that consists of the root note and the fifth, as well as possibly octaves of those notes. Power chords are commonly played on ...

s." Pete Bishop of ''

The Pittsburgh Press ''The Pittsburgh Press'' (formerly ''The Pittsburg Press'' and originally ''The Evening Penny Press'') was a major afternoon daily newspaper published in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from 1884 to 1992. At one time, the ''Press'' was the second larg ...

'' described "Don't Let Him Go" as a "straight-ahead melodic rocker."

critic Barry Weber described the song as an "underrated rocker." '' Record World'' said that "pounding drums, ringing guitars and synthesizer swooshes surround Kevin Cronin's lead vocal cry." "Don't Let Him Go" was also included on the compilation albums ''

The Hits The Hits was a music video channel broadcast in the United Kingdom and Ireland, owned by Box Television. On 15 August 2008 it was rebranded as 4Music. Overview and availability The channel showcased a range of pop centred on chart hits and cur ...

'' 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 ''America's Top 10'' (commonly abbreviated to ''AT10'') was a popular weekly syndicated music television chart show that began airing in 1980 and ran until 1992. The show was hosted by Casey Kasem throughout its run, with Charlie Tuna announcin ...

''. The band routinely opens its concerts with this song.

Personnel

REO Speedwagon *

- lead and backing vocals, rhythm guitar *

Gary Richrath Gary Dean Richrath (October 18, 1949 – September 13, 2015) was an American guitarist, best known as the lead guitarist and a songwriter for the band REO Speedwagon from 1970 until 1989. Early life Richrath was born in Peoria, Illinois, on Octob ...

- lead guitar * Bruce Hall - bass *

Neal Doughty Neal Allan Doughty (born July 29, 1946, in Evansville, Indiana) is an American keyboardist, best known as a founding member of the rock band REO Speedwagon and the only member to have played on every album. He formed the band in fall 1967, with o ...

- synthesizer *

Alan Gratzer REO Speedwagon (originally stylized as R.E.O. Speedwagon) is an American rock band from Champaign, Illinois. Formed in 1967, the band cultivated a following during the 1970s and achieved significant commercial success throughout the 1980s. T ...

- drums

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end chart

References

{{authority control REO Speedwagon songs 1980 songs 1981 singles Songs written by Kevin Cronin Epic Records singles Song recordings produced by Kevin Beamish Song recordings produced by Gary Richrath Song recordings produced by Kevin Cronin