"Letitgo" is a song by Prince from his 1994 album Come.[1] Despite statements that the album consisted entirely of "old" material, "Letitgo" was actually newly composed for the album. The mid-tempo song relies heavily on a drum machinepattern and bass guitar with synthesizers in the refrain. A keyboard and percussion solo appear toward the end. The song is sung in falsetto in unison with another track layered in his regular, lower register. Kathleen Bradford provides backing vocals, while Eric Leeds provides flute accompaniment.
The track was produced, arranged, composed and performed by Prince, with the additions of Kathleen Bradford on background vocals, Eric Leeds on flute and additional keyboards by Ricky Peterson. The lyrics speak of Prince's disappointment with Warner Bros. Records' decision not to release music as quickly as Prince created it. He chides them that they will be sorry when he leaves the company.
The B-side was the album track "Solo", a downbeat number with Prince's voice only accompanied by harp, which was composed by David Henry Hwang. The title refers not to a musical solo, but actually that Prince's mood is "so low". It ties in with the slightly more upbeat "Letitgo". In addition, a CD single was released in the UK containing an edit of "Letitgo", "Solo", the extended version of "Alexa de Paris" (originally the B-side to "Mountains" in 1986) and "Pope", which was originally on The Hits 2 from 1993. A maxi single on CD and vinyl included several remixes of the track provided by Quincy "QD3" Jones III, Chronic Freeze., J-Sw!ft and Gerald "G Bomb" Baillergeau.
A 7" vinyl picture disc was issued in the UK.
Contents[]
Chart performance[edit][]
"Letitgo" was moderately successful on the charts it peaked at #31 on the Hot 100, #10 R&B/Hip-Hop, #13 Rhythmic, #17 Mainstream/Pop and #30 in the UK.
Charts[edit][]
| Chart (1994) | Peak
position |
|---|---|
| U.S. BillboardHot 100 | 31 |
| U.S. BillboardHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs | 10 |
| U.S. BillboardTop 40 Mainstream | 17 |
| U.S. BillboardRhythmic Top 40 | 13 |
| UK Singles Chart | 30 |
Track listing[edit][]
7" single[edit][]
- "Letitgo" (edit) – 4:15
- "Solo" – 3:48
UK 12" single and CD[edit][]
- "Letitgo" (edit) – 4:15
- "Solo" – 3:48
- "Alexa de Paris" (extended version) – 4:54
- "Pope" – 3:28
U.S. 12" and CD[edit][]
- "Letitgo" (Caviar radio edit) – 4:59
- "Letitgo" (Cavi' street edit) – 5:02
- "Letitgo" (Instrumental) – 5:02
- "Letitgo" (On the Cool-Out Tip radio edit) – 4:34
- "Letitgo" (Sherm Stick edit) – 5:42
- "Letitgo" ((-) Sherm Stick edit) – 5:42
- "Letitgo" (original radio edit) – 4:15
- "Letitgo" (original album version) – 5:33