I Can't Let Go
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- "Running Through the Night" (UK)
- "I've Got A Way Of My Own" (US)
| "I Can't Let Go" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Danish picture sleeve | ||||
| Single by the Hollies | ||||
| B-side |
| |||
| Released | 18 February 1966 | |||
| Recorded | 13 and 18 January 1966[1] | |||
| Studio | EMI, London | |||
| Genre | Power pop, beat | |||
| Length | 2:26 | |||
| Label |
| |||
| Songwriters | Chip Taylor, Al Gorgoni | |||
| Producer | Ron Richards | |||
| The Hollies singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"I Can't Let Go" is a song co-written by Al Gorgoni and Chip Taylor, who also wrote "Wild Thing". "I Can't Let Go" was originally recorded by the blue-eyed soul singer Evie Sands on George Goldner's Blue Cat label, which was popular in New York City in 1965.[2] The song became popular in 1966 for the group the Hollies, who charted at number two in the UK Singles Chart with their version. Linda Ronstadt recorded the song in 1980 and had a number 31 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Background
"I Can't Let Go" is the Hollies' first 1966 single, and their last with original bassist Eric Haydock. It peaked at number two in the UK and number 42 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US. It is ranked as the 37th biggest British hit of 1966.[3] The Hollies' version was praised by Paul McCartney, who thought Graham Nash's soaring tenor in the chorus was a trumpet.[citation needed] Billboard described the song as a "pulsating number with driving dance beat."[4] After "I Can't Let Go" was recorded, Haydock was replaced by Bernie Calvert, who played on the band's next single ("Bus Stop").[5]
Chart performance
| Chart (1966) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Finland (Soumen Virallinen)[6] | 34 |
| West Germany (GfK)[7] | 30 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[8] | 20 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[9] | 3 |
| New Zealand (Listener)[10] | 9 |
| Norway (VG-lista)[11] | 2 |
| South Africa (Springbok)[12] | 14 |
| Sweden | 10 |
| United Kingdom (Record Retailer)[13] | 2 |
| United Kingdom (NME)[14] | 1 |
| United States (Billboard Hot 100) | 42 |
| Canada (RPM)[15] | 44 |
