Though Ketchum first began recording in the mid-1980s, not until his 1991 record deal with Curb Records did he have a major hit with the album Past The Point Of Rescue. The title cut to the album was a Top 3 single, and other singles that met similar success included "Small Town Saturday Night" and "Sure Love".
In 1994 Ketchum toured Britain, issuing the single "Past The Point Of Rescue" on that side of the Atlantic. Though the single failed to make the UK Top 100 pop charts, it received extensive airplay on country radio. The album Every Little Word (of which the UK release featured a bonus disc of past US hits including "Past The Point...") made the Top 40 on the UK country charts and also did the same back in the US.
Ketchum continued to record and release new material. His final US releases were Father Time in 2008, and I'm the Troubadour in 2014.
His film credits included appearing in the 1988 film Heartbreak Hotel and a small role in the 1994 film Maverick.
Don't Let Go
Hal Ketchum Lyrics
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Don't let go, Don't let go.
Come on, baby, it's time to rock,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
I'm so happy I got you here,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
Keeps me grinnin' from ear to ear.
Don't let go, Don't let go.
Ah shucks, I wouldn't stop for a million bucks.
I love you so, Just hold me tight.
Don't let go!
Thunder, lightening, wind and rain,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
Love is stormin' inside my brain,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
I'm so eager, I'm nearly dyin',
Don't let go, Don't let go.
You've been keepin' your lips from mine.
Oo-wee, This feelin's killin' me;
Ah shucks, I wouldn't stop for a million bucks.
I love you so, Just hold me tight.
Don't let go!
Hound dog barkin' up side the hill,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
Love is draggin' him thru the mill,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
If it wasn't for havin' you,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
I'd be barkin' and howlin' too.
Oo-wee, This feelin's killin' me;
Ah shucks, I wouldn't stop for a million bucks.
I love you so, Just hold me tight.
Don't let go!
One day, baby, you'll quit me yet,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
I'll be cryin' and soakin' wet,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
One thing, baby, I'll never stand,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
Your lips kissin' some other man.
Oo-wee, This feelin's killin' me;
Ah shucks, I wouldn't stop for a million bucks.
I love you so, Just hold me tight.
Don't let go!
Just hold me tight, Don't let go!
Hal Ketchum's song "Don't Let Go" is a classic rock ‘n’ roll song that talks about love, passion, and the fear of letting go of a significant other. From the very first line of the song, "Hear that whistle, it's ten o'clock. Don't let go, Don't let go.," we get the sense that this is a song about seizing the moment, letting go of any worries, and focusing on the present. The refrain repeats throughout the song, emphasizing the importance of holding onto love: "Just hold me tight, Don't let go."
As the song progresses, we see the battle between love and the forces that threaten to tear it apart. The lyrics "Thunder, lightening, wind and rain" represent the turbulent nature of love, but the singer is determined to hold on tight and not let go. The mention of the hound dog barking up the hill is an interesting metaphor for the temptations that may come their way, but the singer reassures their partner that they're committed to the relationship, saying "If it wasn't for havin' you, I'd be barkin' and howlin' too."
Towards the end of the song, the lyrics take a darker tone, with the singer expressing concern that their partner may leave them and find someone else. However, they plead with them not to let go, urging them to hold onto the love they share.
Overall, "Don't Let Go" is a powerful song about the importance of commitment and holding onto love, even in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Hear that whistle, it's ten o'clock.
It's time to start the night and enjoy the moment.
Don't let go, Don't let go.
Hold onto this feeling and never let it fade away.
Come on, baby, it's time to rock,
Let's have fun and make some memories tonight.
I'm so happy I got you here,
I'm grateful to have you by my side and share this special moment with you.
Keeps me grinnin' from ear to ear.
This feeling of joy is contagious and makes me smile non-stop.
Thunder, lightening, wind and rain,
Even the stormy weather can't dampen my spirit and excitement right now.
Love is stormin' inside my brain,
My heart is filled with passion and love for you, it's overwhelming.
You've been keepin' your lips from mine.
I'm eager to kiss you and feel your warmth, don't hold back anymore.
Hound dog barkin' up side the hill,
Even the dog can sense the love in the air and join in the howling.
Love is draggin' him thru the mill,
Love can be tough and take us through ups and downs, it's a wild ride.
I'd be barkin' and howlin' too.
Without you here, I'd be lost and lonely, just like the dog without his companion.
One day, baby, you'll quit me yet,
I'm afraid that someday, you might leave me and break my heart.
I'll be cryin' and soakin' wet,
If that day comes, I'll be devastated and my tears won't stop falling.
Your lips kissin' some other man.
The thought of you being with someone else is unbearable and I can't stand it.
Just hold me tight, Don't let go!
In this moment, all I need is you and your love, hold me close and don't let go.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JESSE ALBERT STONE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind