Introduction:
In 1967, a powerful ballad titled Please Release Me by the charismatic singer Engelbert Humperdinck took the music world by storm. The song, a poignant chronicle of a love yearning to be set free, became a defining moment in Humperdinck’s career and etched itself into the annals of pop music history.
Humperdinck, a rising star at the time, delivered Please Release Me with his signature smooth baritone vocals and a captivating emotional depth. The genre of the song falls under Pop ballad, characterized by its expressive lyrics and a lush orchestral arrangement. While Humperdinck’s performance was undeniably captivating, the song’s origins lie elsewhere.
Please Release Me is actually a cover version of a 1965 song originally written and performed by the legendary blues musician B.B. King. King’s version, though soulful and impactful, achieved a level of commercial success far surpassed by Humperdinck’s rendition.
The production of Humperdinck’s Please Release Me is a story in itself. The song wasn’t produced by a single mastermind, but rather a collaborative effort. Songwriting duo Bert Berns and Mitchell Parish are credited with the production although the extent of their involvement remains unclear. There’s speculation that they might have rewritten some of the lyrics or perhaps oversee the recording process.
What’s undeniable is the impact Please Release Me had on Humperdinck’s career. The song became a massive hit, topping the charts in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Ireland. It also gained significant traction in the United States, reaching the Top 5 on the prestigious Billboard Hot 100 chart. This remarkable achievement propelled Humperdinck to international stardom and established him as a household name.
Please Release Me wasn’t just a chart-topping hit; it became synonymous with Engelbert Humperdinck. The song’s enduring popularity cemented his image as a romantic balladeer and served as a launchpad for a long and successful career. Even today, Please Release Me remains one of Humperdinck’s signature songs, a testament to the timeless quality of its melody and the heartfelt plea within its lyrics.
Video:
Lyrics:
Please release me, let me goFor I don’t love you anymoreTo waste our lives would be a sinRelease me and let me love again
I have found a new love, dearAnd I will always want her nearHer lips are warm while yours are coldRelease me, darling, let me go
For I don’t love you anymore(To waste my life would be a sin)So release me and let me love again
Please release me, can’t you seeYou’d be a fool to cling to meTo live our lives would bring us painSo release me and let me love again(Let me love, let me go)