In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Hayes became famous as a recording artist in his own right, scoring with critically and commercially successful albums such as Hot Buttered Soul and Black Moses. Hayes is best known today for composing the score to the 1971 blaxploitation film Shaft. That film's "Theme from Shaft" was one of the best-selling singles in Stax Records history, and Hayes became the first African-American to win an Oscar for a non-acting category when "Theme from Shaft" won the 1972 Academy Award for Best Song.
Isaac Hayes may be known to today's youngest generation as the voice of the character "Chef", the ladies' man/school cook, on the animated sitcom South Park from 1997 until his resignation from the show in March 2006. While Hayes' departure was tagged to a controversial South Park episode on Scientology that had supposedly offended him, Hayes rarely declared anything about the departure in first person.
Don't Let Go
Isaac Hayes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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!
Isaac Hayes's "Don't Let Go" is a passionate declaration of love that encourages listeners to hold on tight to love and not let go. The opening verse sets the tone for the rest of the song with the lyric "Hear that whistle, it's ten o'clock," indicating that it's time to let loose and have some fun. The repetition of "Don't let go" as the central refrain throughout the song emphasizes the importance of holding onto love and not giving up when things get tough.
The song's vivid imagery conjures up storms and barking dogs, creating an intense emotional landscape. The chorus emphasizes the urgency of the singer's desire for his lover, singing "This feeling's killin' me." The lyric "I love you so, just hold me tight, Don't let go!" expresses how important it is for the singer to be close to their lover and not let anything come between them.
In summary, Isaac Hayes's "Don't Let Go" is a passionate declaration of love, emphasizing the importance of holding onto love in the midst of challenging situations.
Line by Line Meaning
Hear that whistle, it's ten o'clock.
The time is now, so don't hesitate or let go.
Come on, baby, it's time to rock,
Let's have a good time and enjoy the moment.
I'm so happy I got you here,
I'm grateful to have you with me right now.
Keeps me grinnin' from ear to ear.
You bring me so much joy and happiness.
Oo-wee, This feelin's killin' me;
I'm overwhelmed with emotion and it's affecting me deeply.
Ah shucks, I wouldn't stop for a million bucks.
I wouldn't trade this moment or feeling for anything.
I love you so, Just hold me tight.
I care about you deeply and want to feel close to you right now.
Thunder, lightening, wind and rain,
There may be chaos around us, but we should still hold onto each other.
Love is stormin' inside my brain,
My feelings for you are so strong that it's like a storm in my mind.
I'm so eager, I'm nearly dyin',
I'm excited and anxious to be with you right now.
You've been keepin' your lips from mine.
I want to kiss you, but you're holding back.
Hound dog barkin' up side the hill,
Even the animals can sense the intensity of our emotions.
Love is draggin' him thru the mill,
Our love is challenging and difficult at times, but worth it.
If it wasn't for havin' you,
Without you, life would be much harder and less fulfilling.
I'd be barkin' and howlin' too.
I would be lost and alone without you.
One day, baby, you'll quit me yet,
I worry that you'll leave me someday.
I'll be cryin' and soakin' wet,
The thought of losing you brings me to tears.
One thing, baby, I'll never stand,
I won't tolerate you being with someone else.
Your lips kissin' some other man.
The idea of you being intimate with someone else is unbearable to me.
Just hold me tight, Don't let go!
Please stay with me and never let go, I need you right now.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JESSE ALBERT STONE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cantstoptheflow
This came on in a store I was shopping in yesterday, I couldn’t help but put everything down and break out in a serious dance routine!!! I MISS MUSIC LIKE THIS!!!!
@timdavis4332
I hear you on that,this just says move,and you move.
I'm tapping my foot uncontrollably right now.
I use to join in on this arrobics class at the gym after my workout,and the instructor was a beast,I just wish she would have had this jam on her boom box,
I would have flipped out,maybe even tried to lead the class.
🤟😆✌️💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼🎼
After thought: This song will be around far into the future.
It's kinetic energy will take it there!!!⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡
@izaboobella8070
I would of joined ya 😁
@b.j.banditt2046
Killer Bass & Vocals. So smooth that it's "truth in advertising"(i.e.: Don't Let Go).
@lauralindsey1331
Alright now… don’t hurt yourself😂
@lauralindsey1331
Anybody else breaking out in serious dancing to this hit!!??!?😂
@kevinedmonds4872
Pure Magic!!!! This was when music was at it's best, late 70's to 1980. This song is proof. Isaac nailed it. He was one talented brotha'. RIP Isaac Hayes.
@DaveWollenberg
Billboard's #63 song of '80. Isaac hit #11 soul, #18 pop, in Billboard. God bless! RIP, Isaac.
@TheStevenp851
Coolest song ever RIP Isaac
@kellyconway5454
This song was from a better time and place..a memory worth cherishing..rip Issac Hays...