No Letting Go (song)

Last updated

"No Letting Go"
No Letting Go.jpg
Single by Wayne Wonder
from the album No Holding Back
Released21 January 2003 (2003-01-21)
Genre
Length3:22
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Steven "Lenky" Marsden
Wayne Wonder singles chronology
"Something Different" / "The Train Is Coming"
(1996)
"No Letting Go"
(2003)
"Bounce Along"
(2003)

"No Letting Go" is a song by Jamaican reggae fusion artist Wayne Wonder. The song was written by Wonder and Steven "Lenky" Marsden, and produced by Marsden. It was included on Wonder's 2003 studio album No Holding Back and was released as the lead single from the album. The single was released worldwide on 21 January 2003 and charted at a peak position of number three in the UK Singles Chart. It also peaked at number 11 in the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.

Contents

It remains Wonder's most successful single to date. "I had been working with him [Marsden] for years when he was playing live music so when he switched over to music production, I transitioned with him. I actually gave him my first two door Civic. I signed over the title to him and everything, and he gave me my most successful hit. [1] [2]

The song was one of the many hits from the jumpy handclap riddim known as the Diwali Riddim, that was also produced by Marsden. [3]

Content

According to Wayne Wonder, the song is about a girl that he once knew but he doesn't mention her name. He said in an interview with MTV in 2003 "I just wrote this song [about a girl] without calling her name in the song because she always said to me, 'You are always [calling] these other girls' names.' I said, 'I don’t have to call your name, I'll just write a song and you can appreciate it.'" He was also amazed by the success that the song had achieved, saying "Everybody loves it, which is surprising to me. When I'm writing, I don’t think [about whether the song] will be a big hit." [4]

Reception

Blender magazine's called the song "a fetching love song that paired his [Wonder's] accented tenor with rough, digital funk". [5] Rolling Stone were critical of the album but called this song "mesmerizing". [6]

Music video

The music video was directed by Director X, and filmed in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, in December 2002. Wonder said that "It took us 24 hours [to shoot]... It was raining in the morning and the shoot was supposed to start at like 6:30 a.m. and it never really got started until about maybe 8 o'clock... The video, to me, was a success; the dances, everyone enjoying themselves on the stage, there was no bad vibe." [4]

Remix

The official remix features rappers LL Cool J & Queen Duchess. The remix also uses more of the Diwali Riddim beat.

Track listings

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [38] Platinum600,000
United States (RIAA) [39] Gold500,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United States21 January 2003 [40]
United Kingdom16 June 2003
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
[41]
Australia18 August 2003CD [42]

Dirty Werk version

"No Letting Go"
Dirty Werk - No Letting Go.png
Single by Dirty Werk
Released5 August 2019 (2019-08-05)
Length3:05
Label Fly House
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Dirty Werk singles chronology
"Stand Up"
(2018)
"No Letting Go"
(2019)

In 2019, the American house/remix duo Dirty Werk released an electro dance version of "No Letting Go", which is more of a cover that is mixed with portions taken from the original. The updated version gave Dirty Werk its second number one on Billboard's Dance Club Songs chart in the issue dated 2 November 2019. [43]

Track listing

Remixes EP [44]

  1. "No Letting Go" (Dirty Werk House Remix) – 3:12
  2. "No Letting Go" (Kue Radio Mix) – 3:44
  3. "No Letting Go" (Alex Acosta Peak Hour Remix) – 3:21
  4. "No Letting Go" (Lemi Vice Remix) – 3:34
  5. "No Letting Go" (Dave Matthias Remix) – 3:03
  6. "No Letting Go" (Perry Twins Remix) – 3:23

Charts

Chart (2019)Peak
position
US Dance Club Songs ( Billboard ) [45] 1

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">P.I.M.P.</span> 2003 single by 50 Cent

"P.I.M.P." is a song recorded by American rapper 50 Cent for his debut studio album Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2003). It features production from Mr. Porter of D12 and was mixed by Dr. Dre. The song was released as the third single from Get Rich or Die Tryin' alongside its remix, featuring American rappers Snoop Dogg, Lloyd Banks and Young Buck, on June 24, 2003, by Interscope Records, Shady Records and Aftermath Entertainment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wayne Wonder</span> Jamaican reggae fusion singer

Von Wayne Charles, better known by his stage name Wayne Wonder, is a Jamaican reggae artist. While his early recordings were dancehall and reggae, he later moved towards hip hop and rap. His most popular single is the 2003 hit "No Letting Go".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Get Busy</span> 2003 single by Sean Paul

"Get Busy" is a dancehall song by Jamaican reggae deejay Sean Paul, from his album Dutty Rock. The song was one of the many hits from the jumpy handclap riddim known as the Diwali Riddim, produced by then-newcomer Steven Marsden, and was the only song that never made the "Diwali" rhythm album on Greensleeves Records as it was more than likely a late entry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bump, Bump, Bump</span> 2002 single by B2K featuring P. Diddy

"Bump, Bump, Bump" is a song by American boy band B2K, featuring P. Diddy. It was released October 2002 as the lead single from B2K's second album Pandemonium!. It was written by R. Kelly and Varick Smith and produced by Kelly. It became B2K's first and only top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, and reached number one for one week starting on February 1, 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Jump Off</span> 2003 single by Lil Kim featuring Mr. Cheeks and Timbaland

"The Jump Off" is a song by American rapper Lil' Kim featuring fellow American rappers Mr. Cheeks and Timbaland, who produced the track. It was released by Atlantic Records on February 10, 2003 as the lead single from her third studio album La Bella Mafia (2003).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hey Sexy Lady</span> 2002 single by Shaggy

"Hey Sexy Lady" is a song recorded by Jamaican-American reggae artist Shaggy. It was released in November 2002 as the first single from his album Lucky Day. The song features Brian and Tony Gold and the song uses the Sexy Lady Explosion riddim with additional beats. As of August 2014, it was the 110th best-selling single of the 21st century in France, with 287,000 units sold.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Last Night (Diddy song)</span> 2007 single by P. Diddy featuring Keyshia Cole

"Last Night" is a song by American rapper P. Diddy, released by Bad Boy and Atlantic Records on February 27, 2007 as the third single from his fourth studio album, Press Play (2006). Produced by Diddy and American singer Mario Winans, the song is a duet with American singer-songwriter Keyshia Cole. The radio edit version of the song is featured on Cole's second studio album, Just like You (2007).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gimme the Light</span> 2002 single by Sean Paul

"Gimme the Light" is the first single from Jamaican dancehall musician Sean Paul's second studio album, Dutty Rock (2002). The song was originally released in Jamaica in 2001 as "Give Me the Light" and was issued internationally in 2002. "Gimme the Light" was Paul's first hit single, peaking at number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100 and becoming a top-20 hit in Canada, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. It is the most popular hit single from the "Buzz" riddim, which was the debut hit production for Troyton Rami & Roger Mackenzie a production duo of Black Shadow Records in Miami, Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)</span> 2003 single by Lumidee

"Never Leave You " is a song by American recording artist Lumidee, released as her debut single on May 12, 2003, from her first album, Almost Famous (2003). The official remix features Busta Rhymes and Fabolous. "Never Leave You " peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. Outside of the United States, "Never Leave You " topped the charts in Belgium (Flanders), Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, and peaked within the top ten of the charts in many other countries, including Austria, Belgium (Wallonia), Denmark, and the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dude (Beenie Man song)</span> 2003 single by Beenie Man

"Dude" is the first single released from Jamaican musician Beenie Man's 16th studio album, Back to Basics (2004). It features Ms. Thing and was produced and written by Dave Kelly. The song is enhanced by the use of a vocoder and is on the Fiesta riddim.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rubberneckin'</span> Song performed by Elvis Presley

"Rubberneckin'" is a song performed by Elvis Presley, which was recorded at American Sound Studio. It was used in the film Change of Habit and subsequently issued as the B-side of "Don't Cry Daddy" in conjunction with the movie premiere. It reached number six in the United States on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1969.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Down (Jay Sean song)</span> 2009 song by Jay Sean

"Down" is a song by British singer Jay Sean featuring American rapper and labelmate Lil Wayne. The song was released in North America as his debut single from his first album there, All or Nothing. In other markets, including the United Kingdom, the song serves as Jay Sean's lead single from his third studio album. Produced by J-Remy and Bobby Bass, "Down" is the seventh-best selling single of 2009 and has been certified Platinum in several countries. The song went on to sell six million copies in the United States.

"Tempted to Touch" is a song by Barbadian soca musician Rupee. The song was first released in 2002 on the VP Records sublabel Waist Line Muzik, backed with the song's riddim, "The Grippa Riddim". It also appeared on the compilation album Soca Gold 2003 before getting a slightly different sound for its 2004 single release. Upon its release, the song reached number 44 on the UK Singles Chart, number 39 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and number five on the Romanian Top 100.

Steven "Lenky" Marsden is a Jamaican-born music producer and musician who specializes primarily in dancehall reggae music. He also arranges and remixes pop and hip hop songs. Marsden is the founder of the Jamaica-based label, 40/40 Records and was a former member of singjay Buju Banton's band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Time (Dirty Bit)</span> 2010 single by the Black Eyed Peas

"The Time (Dirty Bit)" is a song by American musical group the Black Eyed Peas from their sixth studio album, The Beginning. It was written by group members will.i.am and apl.de.ap along with DJ Ammo, who produced the song with will.i.am. Additionally, Franke Previte, John DeNicola and Donald Markowitz received co-writing credits since the chorus interpolates 1987's Dirty Dancing soundtrack "(I've Had) The Time of My Life", performed by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dirty Dancer</span> 2011 Single by Enrique Iglesias and Usher featuring Lil Wayne

"Dirty Dancer" is a song by Spanish singer Enrique Iglesias and American singer Usher, recorded for Iglesias' sixth studio album, Euphoria, and included on Usher's EP Versus. A remix of the song, which features American rapper Lil Wayne and American singer Nayer, was released on 9 May 2011 by Universal Music Group as the sixth single from Euphoria. Written by the two singers with Evan Bogart, Erika Nuri and David Quiñones and producer RedOne, "Dirty Dancer" is a dance-pop song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loyal (Chris Brown song)</span> 2014 single by Chris Brown

"Loyal" is a song by American singer Chris Brown, released as the fourth single from his sixth studio album X (2014). Produced by Nic Nac and Mark Kragen, the song features American rapper Lil Wayne and another American rapper depending on a specific version: Tyga on the album version, French Montana on the East Coast version, and Too $hort on the West Coast version. The song was written by Brown, Wayne, Bobby Brackins, Ty Dolla $ign, and the producers, as well as different interpolative-credited artists, varying for each respective version.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nasty Freestyle</span> 2015 single by T-Wayne

"Nasty Freestyle" is the debut single by American rapper T-Wayne. The song, a freestyle over the beat to Bandit Gang Marco's "Nasty" (2014), became a viral sensation in the spring of 2015; in particular, popular user-generated videos posted to Instagram and Vine featuring the song's opening couplet fueled the song's rise to prominence. Released as a digital download in the United States by 300 Entertainment on May 4, 2015, it soon became a commercial success, peaking at number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100. As of July 2015, it has sold 785,562 copies domestically. At the week ending April 26, the song had been streamed 6.4 million times in the US.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Hills (song)</span> 2015 single by the Weeknd

"The Hills" is a song by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd. It was released on May 27, 2015, as the second single from his second studio album, Beauty Behind the Madness (2015). The song was written by the Weeknd alongside producers Emmanuel "Mano" Nickerson and Illangelo, with Belly receiving additional writing credits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Body (Russ Millions and Tion Wayne song)</span> 2021 song by Russ Millions and Tion Wayne

"Body" is a song by British rappers Russ Millions and Tion Wayne, released on 25 March 2021 through GDS Records and Atlantic Records. The song was produced by Gotcha, and promoted with a TikTok dance challenge, as well as a remix released in April 2021 featuring Bugzy Malone, Fivio Foreign, Darkoo, Buni, ArrDee, E1 (3x3) and ZT (3x3). "Body" peaked at the top of the UK Singles Chart, becoming the first UK drill song to top the chart. Outside the United Kingdom, "Body" topped the charts in Australia, Ireland and New Zealand, and peaked within the top ten of the charts in Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland. The song also reached the top 20 in Canada, Finland, Iceland, Lithuania, Portugal, Singapore and Slovakia. It was later nominated for the Best Album Ivor Novello Award in May 2022.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "allmusic (((Wayne Wonder > Chart & Awards > Billboard Singles )))". allmusic . Retrieved 6 September 2009.
  2. Mallick, Dani (4 August 2022). "Wayne Wonder Overjoyed After 'No Letting Go' Certified Gold In The US: Interview". DancehallMag. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  3. "25 R&B Dancehall & Reggae Fusion Songs to Turn You on | Page 3 of 25". August 2016.
  4. 1 2 Reid, Shaheem. "Wayne Wonder Turns A Sad Day Into Success; Now There's No Letting Go". MTV . Retrieved 6 September 2009.[ dead link ]
  5. Patel, Joseph. "No Holding Back". Blender . Retrieved 6 September 2009.[ permanent dead link ]
  6. "Wayne Wonder: Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. 3 April 2003. Archived from the original on 12 July 2007. Retrieved 6 September 2009.
  7. "Wayne Wonder Featuring LL Cool J and Dutchess – No Letting Go (Remix) (2003, Vinyl)". Discogs .
  8. "Issue 710" ARIA Top 100 Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  9. "Issue 712" ARIA Top 40 Urban Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  10. "Wayne Wonder – No Letting Go" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  11. "Wayne Wonder – No Letting Go" (in French). Ultratip.
  12. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 22, no. 32. 2 August 2003. p. 7. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  13. "Wayne Wonder – No Letting Go" (in French). Les classement single.
  14. "Wayne Wonder – No Letting Go" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  15. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – No Letting Go". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  16. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 29, 2003" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  17. "Wayne Wonder – No Letting Go" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  18. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  19. "Wayne Wonder – No Letting Go". Singles Top 100.
  20. "Wayne Wonder – No Letting Go". Swiss Singles Chart.
  21. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  22. "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  23. "Wayne Wonder Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  24. "Wayne Wonder Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  25. "Wayne Wonder Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard.
  26. "Wayne Wonder Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  27. "Wayne Wonder Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard.
  28. "Jaaroverzichten 2003" (in Dutch). Ultratop . Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  29. "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2003" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  30. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2003" (in Dutch). MegaCharts . Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  31. "The Official UK Singles Chart 2003" (PDF). UKChartsPlus . Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  32. "2003 Urban Top 30" (PDF). Music Week . 17 January 2004. p. 18. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  33. "Billboard Top 100 – 2003". Billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  34. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: 2003" . Billboard. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  35. "Year in Music: Hot Rap Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 115, no. 52. 27 December 2003. p. YE-65.
  36. "The Year in Charts 2003: Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs". Airplay Monitor . Vol. 11, no. 51. 19 December 2003. p. 14.
  37. "The Year in Charts 2003: Most-Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 11, no. 51. 19 December 2003. p. 26.
  38. "British single certifications – Wayne Wonder – No Letting Go". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  39. "American single certifications – Wayne Wonder – No Letting Go". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  40. "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records . No. 1487. 17 January 2003. p. 24. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  41. "New Releases – For Week Starting 16 June 2003: Singles" (PDF). Music Week . 14 June 2003. p. 27. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  42. "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 18th August 2003" (PDF). ARIA. 18 August 2003. p. 25. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 October 2003. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  43. "No Letting Go by Dirty Werk". Spotify . 5 August 2019. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  44. "No Letting Go (Remixes) – EP by Dirty Werk, DJ Bam Bam & Steve Smooth". Apple Music . Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  45. "Dance Club Songs: November 2, 2019". Billboard . 2 January 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2019.