"Say You Won't Let Go" is a song by English singer and songwriter James Arthur. The song was released as a digital download on 9 September 2016 in the United Kingdom by Columbia Records as the lead single from his second studio album Back from the Edge (2016).[1] The single peaked at the top of the UK Singles Chart, a position it maintained for three weeks. Outside the United Kingdom, the single has topped the charts in Australia, New Zealand, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland. It also became his breakthrough hit in the US, peaking at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. In early March, it had gone double platinum in the UK.[2] In May 2018, it was reported that The Script had launched legal proceedings against Arthur due to alleged copyright infringement in regards to the song.[3]
"Say You Won't Let Go" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by James Arthur | ||||
from the album Back from the Edge | ||||
Released | 9 September 2016 | |||
Recorded | 2016 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:31 | |||
Label | Columbia | |||
Songwriter(s) |
| |||
Producer(s) |
| |||
James Arthur singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"Say You Won't Let Go" on YouTube |
In response to claims that the song sounds similar to The Script's "The Man Who Can't Be Moved", the song's writers initially decided not to pursue legal action.[4] However, following a claim in May 2018, they were successfully awarded a songwriting credit.[5]
Commercial performance
editOn 12 September 2016, the song was at number 30 on The Official Chart Update in the United Kingdom.[6][7] On 16 September 2016, the song entered the UK Singles Chart at number 25, and peaked at number one two weeks later, becoming Arthur's second number one and spending three consecutive weeks at the top. The song was ranked the nineteenth biggest-selling song of 2016 in the UK, making Arthur the biggest-selling British male artist of the year.[8] By the second week of January 2017, it had surpassed the one million sales mark, making him the first-ever X Factor act to have two singles sell over a million copies in his homeland.[9]
In the United States, the song debuted at #100 on the date November 12, 2016. The song peaked at #11 for two non-consecutive weeks being kept out of the top 10 from Malibu by Miley Cyrus the first week and Congratulations by Post Malone the second week. It spent 52 weeks on the chart.[10][11] The song is his first single to chart on the US Billboard Hot 100, making Arthur only the third winner to chart on the Hot 100 following Leona Lewis and Little Mix. In May 2017, the song reached No. 1 on the Adult Pop Songs Airplay Chart, more than six months after its release in the US.[12] The song was certified diamond in the US by the RIAA on February 15, 2023.[13] The song has sold over 1,208,000 digital copies in the US as of September 2017.[14] It was the eighth best-selling song of 2017 in the US, with 1,195,000 copies sold in 2017.[15]
By 2021, the single had sold 2,676,756 copies in the UK.[16]
On 15 September 2016, the song entered the Irish Singles Chart at number 91 before peaking at number one on 14 October and spending four non-consecutive weeks at the top of the charts. The song has also charted in Australia, France, New Zealand and Sweden. On February 26, 2017, it was announced on Channel 4's Sunday Brunch that the single had sold 2 million copies worldwide.[17]
As of October 2024, the song is the 15th most streamed song in Spotify history, having amassed over three billion streams on the platform.
Music video
editA music video to accompany the release of "Say You Won't Let Go" was first released onto YouTube on 9 September 2016 at a total length of three minutes and thirty seconds.[18] On YouTube it has received over 1.7 billion views.[19]
Live performances
edit- The X Factor (9 October 2016)
- Sunrise (22 November 2016)
- The Late Late Show with James Corden (3 January 2017)
- The Today Show (5 January 2017)
- The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (25 April 2017)
- Boy Band (24 August 2017)
- America's Got Talent (20 September 2017)
Track listing
editNo. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Say You Won't Let Go" | 3:31 |
Charts
edit
Weekly chartsedit
|
Year-end chartsedit
Decade-end chartsedit
|
Certifications
editRegion | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[96] | 19× Platinum | 1,330,000‡ |
Austria (IFPI Austria)[97] | 3× Platinum | 90,000‡ |
Belgium (BEA)[98] | 2× Platinum | 80,000‡ |
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[99] | 3× Diamond | 750,000‡ |
Canada (Music Canada)[100] | Diamond | 800,000‡ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[101] | 5× Platinum | 450,000‡ |
France (SNEP)[102] | Diamond | 333,333‡ |
Germany (BVMI)[103] | 2× Platinum | 800,000‡ |
Italy (FIMI)[104] | 3× Platinum | 150,000‡ |
Mexico (AMPROFON)[105] | 3× Platinum+Gold | 210,000‡ |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[106] | 2× Platinum | 60,000‡ |
Poland (ZPAV)[107] | 2× Platinum | 40,000‡ |
Portugal (AFP)[108] | 6× Platinum | 60,000‡ |
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[109] | 4× Platinum | 240,000‡ |
Sweden (GLF)[110] | 7× Platinum | 280,000‡ |
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[111] | Platinum | 30,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[112] | 6× Platinum | 3,600,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[113] | Diamond | 10,000,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
editRegion | Date | Format | Label |
---|---|---|---|
United Kingdom | 9 September 2016 | Digital download | Columbia |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Say You Won't Let Go – Single by James Arthur on Apple Music". iTunes. 9 September 2016.
- ^ "James Arthur on Twitter". Twitter. 3 March 2017. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
- ^ "The Script sue James Arthur for copyright infringement over 'Say You Won't Let Go'". Independent. 23 May 2018.
- ^ "James Arthur won't face legal action from The Script". MSN. 11 February 2017. Archived from the original on 24 April 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
- ^ Brooks, David (21 May 2018). "James Arthur's 'Say You Won't Let Go' Sued for Copyright Infringement by The Script". Billboard. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
- ^ Lady Gaga's Perfect Illusion set to be this week's highest new entry on the Official UK Singles Chart. Official Charts Company.
- ^ Starkey, Adam (16 October 2016). "Is James Arthur facing a copyright lawsuit over Say You Won't Let Go?". Metro. DMG Media. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
- ^ a b Myers, Justin (30 December 2016). "The Official Top 40 Biggest Songs of 2016". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
- ^ YTD T40 Singles/Albums (with estimated sales), Week 2 : 19/1/17. BuzzJack Music Forum
- ^ "Singles Chart for 2017-06-03". Music Charts Archive. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
- ^ "Singles Chart for 2017-06-24". Music Charts Archive. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
- ^ Gary Trust (May 22, 2017). "James Arthur's 'Say You Won't Let Go' Tops Adult Pop Songs Airplay Chart". Billboard.
- ^ "American certifications – James Arthur". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
- ^ "Nielsen SoundScan charts – Digital Songs – Week Ending: 09/28/2017" (PDF). Nielsen SoundScan. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 2, 2017. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
- ^ Keith Caulfield (3 January 2018). "Ed Sheeran's 'Divide' Is Nielsen Music's Top Album of 2017 in U.S." Billboard. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
- ^ James Arthur on new music, respect and making bangers | Talent | Music Week
- ^ "Sunday Brunch on Twitter". Twitter. 26 February 2017. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
- ^ JamesAVEVO (9 September 2016). "James Arthur – Say You Won't Let Go" – via YouTube.
- ^ James Arthur (9 September 2016). "James Arthur – Say You Won't Let Go (Official Music Video)". YouTube. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
- ^ "James Arthur on iTunes". itunes. 28 October 2016. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
- ^ "James Arthur – Say You Won't Let Go". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
- ^ "James Arthur – Say You Won't Let Go" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
- ^ "James Arthur – Say You Won't Let Go" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- ^ "James Arthur – Say You Won't Let Go" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
- ^ "James Arthur Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 07. týden 2017 in the date selector. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 46. týden 2016 in the date selector. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
- ^ "James Arthur – Say You Won't Let Go". Tracklisten. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
- ^ "James Arthur Chart History (Euro Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
- ^ "James Arthur – Say You Won't Let Go" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
- ^ "James Arthur – Say You Won't Let Go" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
- ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
- ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
- ^ "Chart Track: Week 41, 2016". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
- ^ "Media Forest Week 45, 2016". Israeli Airplay Chart. Media Forest. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
- ^ "James Arthur – Say You Won't Let Go". Top Digital Download. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
- ^ "James Arthur Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
- ^ "James Arthur Lebanese Chart Top 20 History". The Official Lebanese Top 20. 27 November 2016. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
- ^ "Top 20 Most Streamed International & Domestic Singles in Malaysia" (PDF). Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 48, 2016" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
- ^ "James Arthur – Say You Won't Let Go" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
- ^ "James Arthur – Say You Won't Let Go". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
- ^ "James Arthur – Say You Won't Let Go". VG-lista. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
- ^ "James Arthur – Say You Won't Let Go". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 11. týden 2017 in the date selector. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 46. týden 2016 in the date selector. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
- ^ "SloTop50 – Slovenian official singles chart". slotop50.si. Archived from the original on 28 August 2018. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
- ^ "James Arthur – Say You Won't Let Go" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
- ^ "James Arthur – Say You Won't Let Go". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
- ^ "James Arthur – Say You Won't Let Go". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
- ^ "James Arthur Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
- ^ "James Arthur Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
- ^ "James Arthur Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
- ^ "James Arthur Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
- ^ "James Arthur Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
- ^ "James Arthur Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
- ^ "James Arthur Chart History (Philippines Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
- ^ "ARIA Top 100 Singles 2016". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
- ^ "Top 100 Jahrescharts 2016". GfK Entertainment (in German). viva.tv. Archived from the original on 26 January 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
- ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2016". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2016". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 25, 2016.
- ^ "Top Selling Singles of 2016". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 25 December 2016.
- ^ "Årslista Singlar – År 2016" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
- ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2016 – hitparade.ch". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
- ^ "ARIA End of Year Singles 2017". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2017". Ultratop. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
- ^ "Rapports Annuels 2017". Ultratop. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
- ^ "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
- ^ "Track Top-100 2017". Hitlisten. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
- ^ "Top Singles Annuel 2017 (physique + téléchargement + streaming)". SNEP(Syndicat National de l'Edition phonographique). Archived from the original on 29 August 2018. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
- ^ "Stream Top 100 – 2017". Mahasz. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
- ^ "Classifiche annuali dei dischi più venduti e dei singoli più scaricati nel 2017" (in Italian). FIMI. Archived from the original (Click on "Scarica allegato" and open the "Classifica annuale 2017 Singoli digital" file) on 8 January 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
- ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2017". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2017". Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
- ^ "Top Selling Singles of 2017". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
- ^ "Top AFP – Audiogest – Top 100 Singles 2017" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
- ^ "Top 100 Songs Annual 2017" (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
- ^ "Årslista Singlar – År 2017" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
- ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2017 – hitparade.ch". Hung Medien. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
- ^ "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2017". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
- ^ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
- ^ "Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
- ^ "Adult Pop Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
- ^ "Pop Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
- ^ "Top AFP – Audiogest – Top 200 Singles 2018" (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
- ^ "Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
- ^ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2020". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
- ^ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2021". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
- ^ "Billboard Global 200 – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
- ^ "Top 1000 Singles + EPs Digitais: Semanas 01 a 52 de 2021" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
- ^ "ARIA Top 100 Singles Chart for 2022". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
- ^ "2019 ARIA End of Decade Singles Chart". ARIA. January 2020. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
- ^ Copsey, Rob (11 December 2019). "The UK's Official Top 100 biggest songs of the decade". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
- ^ "Austrian single certifications – James Arthur – Say You Won't Let Go" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2021". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
- ^ "Brazilian single certifications – James Arthur – Say You Won't Let Go" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – James Arthur – Say You Won't Let Go". Music Canada. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
- ^ "Danish single certifications – James Arthur – Say You Won't Let Go". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ "French single certifications – James Arthur – Say You Won't Let Go" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
- ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (James Arthur; 'Say You Won't Let Go')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
- ^ "Italian single certifications – James Arthur – Say You Won't Let Go" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
- ^ "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Retrieved 10 July 2022. Type James Arthur in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and Say You Won't Let Go in the box under the TÍTULO column heading.
- ^ "New Zealand single certifications – James Arthur – Say You Won't Let Go". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
- ^ "Wyróżnienia – Platynowe płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2017 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
- ^ "Portuguese single certifications – James Arthur – Say You Won't Let Go" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ "Spanish single certifications – James Arthur – Say You Won't Let Go". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
- ^ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 48, 2017 | Sverigetopplistan" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 1 December 2017. Scroll to position 83 to view certification.
- ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Say You Won't Let Go')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
- ^ "British single certifications – James Arthur – Say You Won't Let Go". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ "American single certifications – James Arthur – Say You Won't Let Go". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 15 February 2023.