"I Won't Let You Down" is a song by British band

Ph.D. A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD, Ph.D., or DPhil; Latin: or ') is the most common degree at the highest academic level awarded following a course of study. PhDs are awarded for programs across the whole breadth of academic fields. Because it is a ...

, released as the second single from their eponymous debut studio album (1981). It entered the Australian charts in October 1981 and reached number five; it entered the

UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...

in April 1982 at number 34, peaked at number three the following month. It went on to become the 23rd best-selling single of 1982 in the UK. It was the band's best known biggest selling single and indeed became one of lead singer Jim Diamond's signature songs (the song is often incorrectly credited to Diamond himself). Diamond re-recorded the song on his eponymous 1993 album '' Jim Diamond'' with a slightly different arrangement, and it remained a staple of his live shows up until his death in 2015.

Music video

The original music video for the song was set in and around the Queensway area of West London. As with the band's previous single "Little Suzi's on the Up", the video is shot in a

slapstick Slapstick is a style of humor involving exaggerated physical activity that exceeds the boundaries of normal physical comedy. Slapstick may involve both intentional violence and violence by mishap, often resulting from inept use of props such a ...

comedy style and features Jim Diamond as a well-dressed man trying to win back the affections of his lover (thus mirroring the theme of the song) using presents and taking her to upmarket bars and restaurants. Tony Hymas appears as the video's antagonist; in various scenes dressed in various disguises he makes unsuccessful attempts to assassinate, or maim Diamond's character in order to win the affections of the woman. He is finally successful when, posing as a car dealer, he lures Diamond into a second hand car, which is revealed to be on the end of a crane in a scrapyard being lifted up, whilst Hymas walks away with the girl as the camera zooms out and fades to black.

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Kate Ceberano version

In 1999, Australian singer

Kate Ceberano Catherine Yvette Ceberano ( or , born 17 November 1966) is an Australian singer and actress who performs in the soul, jazz, and pop genres, as well as in film and musicals such as '' Jesus Christ Superstar''. Her song " Pash" received a gold ...

recorded a cover version of "I Won't Let You Down", which was released in July 1999 as the first single for her first compilation album, ''

True Romantic ''True Romantic – The Best of Kate Ceberano'' is a greatest hits album released by Australian recording artist Kate Ceberano. It was a commercial success, peaking at number 9 on the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) album chart, ...

''. She performed the song on ''

Hey Hey It's Saturday ''Hey Hey It's Saturday'' was a long-running variety television program on Australian television. It initially ran for 28 years on the Nine Network from 9 October 1971 to 20 November 1999, with a recess in 1978. Its host throughout its entire ...

''.

Track listing

*CD single # "I Won't Let You Down" # "Trying Too Hard" # " Feeling Alright" (live version)

Charts

References

{{authority control 1981 songs 1981 singles 1982 singles 1999 singles Ph.D. (band) songs Kate Ceberano songs Dutch Top 40 number-one singles Number-one singles in the Netherlands Ultratop 50 Singles (Flanders) number-one singles Songs written by Jim Diamond (singer) Festival Records singles Warner Music Group singles