Template:Infobox single
"Never Let You Go" is a song performed by Canadian recording artist Justin Bieber. It was originally released as a promo single from latter half of Bieber's debut album, My World 2.0 on March 2, 2010. The accompanying music video features Bieber and Paige Hurd at the Atlantis Resort in The Bahamas, including scenes at the resort, an aquarium, and on the coast. Bieber performed the song a number of times, including on BET's SOS: Saving Ourselves - Help for Haiti Telethon, which benefited victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake.
Composition and critical reception
"Never Let You Go" published in common time with moderate tempo. "Never Let You Go" written in D minor key with the chord progression B♭-Dm-C. Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly noted similarities between "Never Let You Go" and Chris Brown's "Forever", calling the previous a "fraternal twin" to the latter.[1] Jody Rosen of Rolling Stone, using "Never Let You Go" and "Stuck in the Moment" as examples said that "the ballads — often a weak spot on pop/R&B records — are fully realized, mixing love-struck lyrics with big, lovable choruses."[2] Lauren Carter of The Boston Herald stated that, "While it’s hard to buy into so much angst coming from a 16-year-old, the promises of forever (see “Never Let You Go” for starters) will undoubtedly delight the young girls who dream of spending eternity with pop’s newest heartthrob."
Chart performance
"Never Let You Go" debuted and peaked at number twenty-one in the United States on the Billboard Hot 100. It was listed on the chart for two weeks before dropping off. The song, like previous digital-only singles of Bieber's, had limited stays on the charts, and holds the record for the second all-time biggest week-to-week descent in Hot 100 history, behind Justin Timberlake's cover of "Hallelujah" and the Jonas Brothers' "Pushin' Me Away". It debuted and peaked at fourteen in Canada, after spending four weeks on the Canadian Hot 100 it dropped off. Internationally, the song charted at sixty-seven in Australian Singles Chart, and reached sixteen on the New Zealand Singles Chart, where it was on the chart for three weeks. Via digital sales behind the release of My World 2.0, "Never Let You Go" reached eighty-four on the UK Singles Chart.
Music video
Rolling Stone confirmed in January 2010 that the music video had already been shot by director Colin Tilley while Bieber was at the Atlantis resort in The Bahamas. Actress Paige Hurd portrays Bieber's love interest in the video. The video premiered on March 30, 2010 on Vevo. It was the new joint on BET's 106 & Park on April 5, 2010.
Summarizing the video, Jocelyn Vena MTV News said, "Bieber is seen hanging out in the catacombs of Bahamian aquariums...In this new clip, Bieber is seen performing on the beach and frolicking with Hurd. Bieber is definitely growing up a lot in this video — sharing near-kisses, touching and nuzzling with his girl. Shots of the pair in silhouette holding hands play into the video's plot of two young teens falling in love in a very exotic locale." Vena also said that Bieber continues his "knack for Michael Jackson-esque dance moves." Vena also said that Bieber continues his "knack for Michael Jackson-esque dance moves." Simon Vozick-Levinson of Entertainment Weekly called the video "So romantic," as "they dance in an age-appropriate fashion." Chris Ryan of MTV News reviewed the video positively, stating that it is, "a really nice take on the innocence of young love, full of flirting, dancing and hair-touching."
Performances
- Z103.5 Summer Rush
- MtvU VMA Tour
- Microsoft Store in Mission Viejo, California
- Live session with MTV
- The Early Show as a part of their 2010 Super Bowl
- BET's SOS: Saving Ourselves - Help for Haiti Telethon
Credits and personnel
- Songwriting - Justin Bieber, Bryan-Michael Cox, Johntá Austin
- Production - Bryan-Michael Cox, Johntá Austin
- Vocal recording - Sam Thomas
- Instruments - Bryan-Michael Cox
- Mixing - Manny Marroquin, assisted by Christian Plata and Erik Madrid
Charts
| Chart (2010) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Singles Chart | 67 |
| Canadian Hot 100 | 14 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart | 16 |
| UK Singles Chart | 84 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 21 |
Lyrics
Oh no
Oh no, oh (oh)
They say that hate has been sent
So let loose the talk of love (of love, of love)
Before they outlaw the kiss
Baby, give me one last hug (last hug, last hug)
There's a dream that I've been chasing
Want so badly for it to be reality (reality, reality)
And when you hold my hand
And I understand that it's meant to be
'Cause baby when you're with me
It's like an angel came by and took me to heaven (like you took me to heaven girl)
'Cause when I stare in your eyes it couldn't be better (I don't want you to go, oh no, so)
Let the music blast
We gon' do our dance
Bring the doubters on
They don't matter at all
'Cause this life's too long
And this love's too strong
So baby know for sure
That I'll never let you go
I got my favorite girl
Not feelin', no pain, no fear (no fear, no fear)
Don't have a care in the world
Why would I when you are here? (are here, are here)
There's a moment I've been chasing
And I finally caught it out on this floor (this floor, this floor)
Baby, there's no hesitation, no reservation
By taking a chance and more, oh no, because
It's like an angel came by and took me to heaven (like you took me to heaven girl)
'Cause when I stare in your eyes it couldn't be better (I don't want you to go, oh no, so)
Let the music blast
We gon' do our dance
Bring the doubters on
They don't matter at all
'Cause this life's too long
And this love's too strong
So baby know for sure
That I'll never let you go
It's like an angel came by and took me to heaven (like you took me to heaven girl)
'Cause when I stare in your eyes it couldn't be better (I don't want you to go, oh no, so)
Take my hand (take my hand)
Let's just dance (let's just dance)
Watch my feet (watch my feet)
Follow me (follow me)
Don't be scared (don't be scared)
Girl I'm here (girl I'm here)
If you didn't know (if you didn't know)
This is love
Let the music blast
We gonna do our dance
Bring the doubters on
They don't matter at all (oh, baby)
'Cause this life's too long
And this love's too strong
So baby know for sure
That I'll never let you go
So don't fear
Don't you worry about a thing
I am here, right here (I'll never let you go)
Don't shed a tear
Whenever you need me
I'll be here (I'll never let you go)
Oh no, oh no, oh oh
I'll never let you go
Oh no, oh no, oh oh
I'll never let you go
Audio
