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Don’t Let Go is a song recorded as Seventeen, first appearing on a 7″ single release on Vendetta Records of London. It was made officially available on 31st March 1980. The original Don’t Let Go single was recorded and pressed in 1979 initially being used by the bands manager Peter Buckle for promotional use that year. This song was originally due to appear on an album called The Best of British which was never released. This single version would later appear on the 2002 album release A Flashing Blur of Stripped Down Excitement
This version of the song was also released on the reissue of the 7″ single of Don’t Let Go / Bank Holiday Weekend in 2002
Don’t Let Go is a nippy little pop song and a far cry from the punk brashness that was their previous punk guise, The Toilets. Filled with plenty of harmonised ‘Oh’s’ that would become synonymous with The Alarm’s song writing, a bit cringe-worthy with the key change at the end, but hey, they were only young! – link2wales website
1979 Village Way recording details
Running length 3:42
Written by Macdonald / Peters
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Lead Vocals, Bass Guitar
Eddie Macdonald – Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
Dave Sharp – Guitar
Nigel Buckle – Drums
Recorded at Village Way, Rayners Lane, Harrow. London HA5, England
Produced by Neil Richmond
Executive producer Jack Roberts
Album appearances and discography for studio recording
All the following are Worldwide releases except where stated
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2002 : Seventeen – A Flashing Blur of Stripped Down Excitement
Released on CD and Vinyl by Vinyl Japan, catalogue numbers ASKCD135 (CD) ASKLP135 (vinyl)
1979 Village Way recording
Japanese Release
2008 : Seventeen – A Flashing Blur of Stripped Down Excitement
Released on CD in japan only on Vinyl Japan, catalogue number JASKCD135P, re-release with paper sleeve
1979 Village Way recording
Don’t Let Go appears as a track on these following various artist compilation albums, the recording is the 1979 Village Way recording
Pure British Pop For Raw People – 1
Released on vinyl in 1999 by Not on Label, catalogue number PBP 001
Audio Link for Youtube full album playlist
Best Of British: Vendetta Records The Missing Hits 1979
Released in Japan on CD in 2006 by 1977 Records, catalogue number 1977-A012CD
Shake Some Action Vol. 1 – UK (A Collection Of Powerpop, Mod & New Wave Rarities 1975-1986)
Released on CD date unknown by Shake Some Action
Single appearances and discography
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UK Releases :
(v) 
31st March 1980 : Seventeen – 7″ Vinyl single – Don’t Let Go
Track listing : Don’t Let Go / Bank Holiday Weekend
Vendetta Records, catalogue number VD001
1979 Village Way recording
2002 : Seventeen – 7″ Vinyl single – Don’t Let Go
Track listing : Don’t Let Go / Bank Holiday Weekend
Vinyl Japan, catalogue number PAD78
1979 Village Way recording
Unofficial bootleg release 
Date unknown : Seventeen/The Alarm – 7″ Vinyl single – The Alarm
Track listing : Side 1 The Alarm performing as 17 – Let’s Go / Bank Holiday (studio) Side 2 – Marching On / Howling Wind (extended) claims to be live from California 1981 but is from a later USA show
Released on red and black vinyl versions
Don’t Let Go is the 1979 Village Way recording
Officially released live recordings ~ Audio
All are Worldwide Releases on Twenty First Century Recording Company Except where stated
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23rd August 2003. Recorded at William Aston Hall, NEWI, Wrexham, Wales
Running length 3:11
Performed by Mike Peters solo acoustic
Released on CD in 2003 on Alarmstock Volume 1 – The Start Of The Beginning And The Point Of No Return
20th August 2005. Recorded at Capitol Records Studio A, Los Angeles, California, USA
Running length 3:05
Performed by Mike Peters solo acoustic
Released on CD in 2005 on Alarmstock III Los Angeles Set 1 – The Sound Of Generations Collide
Lyrics ~ Village Way recording
Ahhhhh, Ahhhhh, Ahhhhh
Every time I see your face
I’ve gotta move away, ohhh,
And every time I see you near me
I’ve gotta move away, ohhhh
You know I don’t want you to
Tell me what I’ve gotta do, ohhhh
Do you remember when you
Called me on the phone
I told you then that I can’t stand
To hear you say
Don’t let go
No don’t let go
No don’t, don’t let go
No don’t, don’t let go
No don’t, don’t let go
No don’t, don’t let go
Every time I see your eyes
I’ve got to look away, ohhh
And every time I see the tears you hide
I’ve got to look away, ohhhh
You know I don’t want
You to tell me things
I don’t wanna know, ohhhhh
I remember last September
When you went away
(Seems like yesterday)
I can’t forget the way
Your face looked out of place
You said don’t let go
No, don’t let go
No don’t, don’t let go
No don’t, don’t let go
No don’t, don’t let go
No don’t, don’t let go
Now every time I see your face
I’ve got to move away, ohhhh
And every time I see you near me
I’ve got to move away, ohhhh
It’s not the first time that I’ve said to you
I don’t wanna know, ohhhh
Don’t you remember when you
Called me on the phone
I told you then
That I don’t ever wanna hear you say
Don’t let go
No don’t let go
No don’t, don’t let go
No don’t, don’t let go
No don’t, don’t let go
No don’t, don’t let go
No don’t, don’t let go
No don’t, don’t let go
No don’t, don’t let go
No don’t, don’t let go
No don’t, don’t let go
No don’t, don’t let go
No don’t, don’t let go
No don’t, don’t let go
No don’t, don’t let go
No don’t, don’t let go
Audio & Visual sources
~ Single Audio ~ Streaming Link~ Cover Version Audio ~
Click on image for audio of Seventeen – Don’t Let Go original 1979 single recording
The complete A Flashing Blur Of Stripped Down Excitement album can be listened to in the audio section of The Alarm Central web platform
Click on image for audio of a cover version recorded in 2019 by Ice War from Ottawa, Canada
(Page updated 28/11/2022)