Can't Let Go
Encyclopedia
"Can't Let Go" is a ballad written and produced by Mariah Carey
and Walter Afanasieff
, and recorded for Carey's second album Emotions (1991). It was released as the album's second single in the fourth quarter of 1991 in the United States and the first quarter of 1992 elsewhere. The protagonist of this synthesizer-heavy ballad laments an ex-lover who has moved on, and though she tries she "can't let go".
Carey had fallen out with her songwriting partner Ben Margulies
following a financial dispute, and her record label suggested that she work with the other producers of her debut album such as Rhett Lawrence
, Ric Wake
and Narada Michael Walden
. She chose Walter Afanasieff, who had produced her second single "Love Takes Time
" (1990), and "Can't Let Go" was one of the songs they created. After the release of the single "Emotions," "Can't Let Go" was promoted on both The Arsenio Hall Show
in September 1991 and Saturday Night Live
in November 1991.
singles (most recently "Emotions") had reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100
. "Can't Let Go" ended the streak when it reached number two (kept from #1 by "All 4 Love
" by Color Me Badd
), and spent 17 weeks in the top 40. The song topped the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks
, where it became Carey's fourth number one single; the next single Make it Happen would break that streak. "Can't Let Go" ranked 20th on the 1992 Hot 100 year-end charts.
"Can't Let Go" reached the UK top 20 and the Canadian top ten. It became her lowest peaking single at the time in all of the major Anglophone singles markets (with the exception of the UK), and failed to make the Australian top 50.
, features Carey wearing an evening gown and her hair in a bun. Filmed in black and white, the video starts and closes with shots of a rose open and closed respectively.
A radio edit of the song was promoted to radio and used for the video instead of the original song, and the edit eliminates the lengthy pre-intro and removes all of Carey's high notes at the song's beginning and end. Like Carey's previous U.S. singles, "Can't Let Go" won a BMI
Pop Award in 1993.
European CD maxi-single #1
European CD maxi-single #2
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993...
and Walter Afanasieff
Walter Afanasieff
Walter Afanasieff is a multiple Grammy-award-winning record producer and songwriter. He is best known for his long association with Mariah Carey, for whom he was producer and co-writer for several years, beginning in 1990...
, and recorded for Carey's second album Emotions (1991). It was released as the album's second single in the fourth quarter of 1991 in the United States and the first quarter of 1992 elsewhere. The protagonist of this synthesizer-heavy ballad laments an ex-lover who has moved on, and though she tries she "can't let go".
Carey had fallen out with her songwriting partner Ben Margulies
Ben Margulies
Ben Margulies is a songwriter and record producer. Together, he and Mariah Carey lobbied record companies with their 5 song demo tape with songs they had co-written and co-produced until Mariah got signed to Sony in 1988....
following a financial dispute, and her record label suggested that she work with the other producers of her debut album such as Rhett Lawrence
Rhett Lawrence
Rhett Lawrence is a record producer and songwriter. He is originally famous for producing the Grammy Award–winning, Billboard #1 Hot 100 and #1 R&B single "Vision of Love" for Mariah Carey. He produced and co-wrote the Kelly Clarkson pop rock hit "Miss Independent” which was #1 for 6 weeks at Top...
, Ric Wake
Ric Wake
Ric Wake is a record producer who has won an Academy Award and two Grammy Awards. During his tenure as staff producer with Sony Music Entertainment he has worked with vocalists such as Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Simpson, Barry Manilow, and Marc Anthony...
and Narada Michael Walden
Narada Michael Walden
Narada Michael Walden is an American producer, drummer, singer, and songwriter. He was given the name Narada by guru Sri Chinmoy in the early 1970s and his musical career spans three decades, in which he was awarded several gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards...
. She chose Walter Afanasieff, who had produced her second single "Love Takes Time
Love Takes Time
"Love Takes Time" is a song written by Mariah Carey and Ben Margulies, and produced by Walter Afanasieff for Carey's debut album, Mariah Carey . It was released as the album's second single in the third quarter of 1990...
" (1990), and "Can't Let Go" was one of the songs they created. After the release of the single "Emotions," "Can't Let Go" was promoted on both The Arsenio Hall Show
The Arsenio Hall Show
The Arsenio Hall Show is an American variety/talk show that aired late weeknights in syndication from January 3, 1989 to May 27, 1994. The show was created and hosted by comedian/actor Arsenio Hall.- Background :...
in September 1991 and Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
in November 1991.
Chart performance
Carey's first five AmericanUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singles (most recently "Emotions") had reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. "Can't Let Go" ended the streak when it reached number two (kept from #1 by "All 4 Love
All 4 Love
"All 4 Love" is a number-one single by the music group Color Me Badd released in 1991 as the third single from their debut album C.M.B. As a number-one single, it replaced Michael Jackson's "Black or White" and was then replaced by Elton John and George Michael's "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me"...
" by Color Me Badd
Color Me Badd
Color Me Badd was an R&B vocal group that was formed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S. The original members of the group were Bryan Abrams ; Mark Calderon ; Sam Watters and Kevin Thornton...
), and spent 17 weeks in the top 40. The song topped the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks
Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks
The Adult Contemporary chart is a weekly chart published in Billboard magazine that lists the most popular songs on adult contemporary and "lite-pop" radio stations in the United States...
, where it became Carey's fourth number one single; the next single Make it Happen would break that streak. "Can't Let Go" ranked 20th on the 1992 Hot 100 year-end charts.
"Can't Let Go" reached the UK top 20 and the Canadian top ten. It became her lowest peaking single at the time in all of the major Anglophone singles markets (with the exception of the UK), and failed to make the Australian top 50.
Music video and songs' versions
The single's video, directed by Jim SonzeroJim Sonzero
Jim Sonzero is a music video and film director. He co-directed Mariah Carey's "Can't Let Go." His feature length directorial debut was Pulse, a horror film starring Kristen Bell. He recently directed Biohazard 5, or Resident Evil 5.-External links:...
, features Carey wearing an evening gown and her hair in a bun. Filmed in black and white, the video starts and closes with shots of a rose open and closed respectively.
A radio edit of the song was promoted to radio and used for the video instead of the original song, and the edit eliminates the lengthy pre-intro and removes all of Carey's high notes at the song's beginning and end. Like Carey's previous U.S. singles, "Can't Let Go" won a BMI
Broadcast Music Incorporated
Broadcast Music, Inc. is one of three United States performing rights organizations, along with ASCAP and SESAC. It collects license fees on behalf of songwriters, composers, and music publishers and distributes them as royalties to those members whose works have been performed...
Pop Award in 1993.
Copyright issues
In 1992, writers Sharon Taber and Ron Gonzalez filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Carey and Afanasieff citing that "Can't Let Go" was taken from their unknown song, "Right Before My Eyes". The plaintiffs demanded to obtain copies of the studio recording tapes to see if conversation between Carey and Afanasieff would prove them guilty. However, after being reviewed, the only guilty fear apparent was Mariah Carey quoted as saying "Can't Let Go" was sounding "too much like our other song." The lawsuit was later dropped or settled out of court.Track listings
Worldwide CD single- "Can't Let Go" (edit)
- "To Be Around You"
European CD maxi-single #1
- "Can't Let Go" (edit)
- "To Be Around You"
- "The Wind"
European CD maxi-single #2
- "Can't Let Go" (edit)
- "I Don't Wanna CryI Don't Wanna Cry"I Don't Wanna Cry" is a song written by Mariah Carey and Narada Michael Walden, and produced by Walden for Carey's debut album, Mariah Carey . The ballad was released as the album's fourth single in the second quarter of 1991. It became another U.S. number 1 single for Carey...
" - "All in Your Mind"
Peak positions
| Chart (1991) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Singles Chart | 63 |
| Canadian Singles Chart | 3 |
| Dutch Singles Chart | 77 |
| UK Singles Chart | 20 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 2 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs | 2 |
End of year charts
| End of year chart (1992) | Position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 23 |