Let Yourself Go (Green Day song)
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{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2013}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Let Yourself Go
| cover = Green Day - Let Yourself Go cover.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Green Day
| album = ¡Uno!
| released = {{Start date|2012|09|05}}
| recorded = 2012 at Jingletown Studios in Oakland, California
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = {{hlist|Punk rock}}
| length = {{duration|m=2|s=57}}
| label = {{hlist|Reprise|Warner Bros.}}
| writer = {{hlist|Billie Joe Armstrong|Mike Dirnt|Tré Cool}}
| producer = {{hlist|Rob Cavallo|Green Day}}
| prev_title = Kill the DJ
| prev_year = 2012
| next_title = Stray Heart
| next_year = 2012
| misc = {{external music video|header=Audio|{{YouTube|PRSuR0mwc9c|"Let Yourself Go}}}}
}}
"Let Yourself Go" is a song by American rock band Green Day. The song is featured as the fourth track on their ninth studio album ¡Uno! (2012). Written by Billie Joe Armstrong and produced by Rob Cavallo, the song was released as the third and final single from the album on September 5, 2012. However, the "official live video" of the song was revealed on August 1, 2012. It is also the third single from the ¡Uno!, ¡Dos! & ¡Tré! trilogy.
The song was described to be "more punk" than that of the band's previous two singles "Oh Love" and "Kill the DJ", and was compared to their 1990s material, such as Dookie and Insomniac. Its theme was described as "the kind of pop-smart here's-my-fucking-problem miniatures". It received positive critical reception and charted at number 2 on the UK Rock Chart and 17 on the US Alternative Songs chart. "Let Yourself Go" was played at secret shows of the band and at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards.
Recording and release
File:Rob_Cavallo.jpg produced the song with Green Day|left]]
After "Let Yourself Go" was played at a 'secret New York Halloween show' of the band on October 27, 2011,{{cite magazine|last=Futterman|first=Erica|title=Green Day Preview Stadium-Ready New Songs at New York Halloween Show|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/green-day-preview-stadium-ready-new-songs-at-nyc-halloween-show-20111028|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=July 19, 2012|archive-date=July 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120711234553/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/green-day-preview-stadium-ready-new-songs-at-nyc-halloween-show-20111028|url-status=live}} Green Day began recording new material for ¡Uno! on February 14, 2012,{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1679342/green-day-new-music-studio.jhtml|title=Green Day Start Recording New Album|work=MTV News|publisher=Viacom|first=James|last=Montgomery|date=February 15, 2012|access-date=June 15, 2012|archive-date=December 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203162346/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1679342/green-day-new-music-studio.jhtml|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a386556/green-day-confirm-new-albums-uno-dos-tre-release-dates.html|title=Green Day confirm new albums '¡Uno! ¡Dos! ¡Tré!' release dates|work=Digital Spy|publisher=Hachette Filipacchi Médias|first=Lewis|last=Corner|date=June 11, 2012|access-date=June 15, 2012|archive-date=November 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105023915/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a386556/green-day-confirm-new-albums-uno-dos-tre-release-dates.html|url-status=live}} and the song was confirmed with the revelation of the track listing of ¡Uno! on June 26, 2012.{{cite web|title=¡UNO! INFO |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402155128/http://www.greenday.com/news/uno-info-26516 |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |url=http://www.greenday.com/news/uno-info-26516 |website=GreenDay.com |access-date=July 18, 2012 |url-status=dead }}
Followed by the release of the "official live video" for "Let Yourself Go" on August 1, 2012, recorded during their performance at Austin, Texas. it was released as a single on September 5, 2012.{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/let-yourself-go-single/id559929949 |title=iTunes – Music – Let Yourself Go – Single by Green Day |publisher=iTunes. Apple Inc. |date= |access-date=September 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120909234250/http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/let-yourself-go-single/id559929949|archive-date=September 9, 2012}} The song was written by Billie Joe Armstrong and produced by the band along with their long time collaborator Rob Cavallo.{{cite AV media notes|title="Let Yourself Go"|others=Green Day|type=CD liner|publisher=Reprise Records|id=531973-2|year=2012}}
The song debuted on the US Rock Songs and US Alternative Songs at numbers 36 and 34 respectively,{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/chartbeat/474948/chart-highlights-prince-returns-with-rnr-affair |title=Latest Music News, Band, Artist, Musician & Music Video News |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |access-date=September 26, 2012 |archive-date=February 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201141915/http://www.billboard.com/articles/chartbeat/474948/chart-highlights-prince-returns-with-rnr-affair |url-status=live }} peaking at number 29 on the US Rock chart and number 17 on the Alternative Songs chart. "Let Yourself Go" reached number 2 on the UK Rock Chart,{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/rock-and-metal-singles-chart/20120916/111/ |title=2012-09-22 Top 40 Rock & Metal Singles Archive |publisher=Official Charts Company |date= |access-date=September 22, 2012 |archive-date=August 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808193501/http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/rock-and-metal-singles-chart/20120916/111/ |url-status=live }} and peaked at number 99 on the Dutch Single Top 100 and number 49 on the South Korean Gaon Chart.{{cite web |author=Steffen Hung |url=http://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Green+Day&titel=Let+Yourself+Go&cat=s |title=Green Day — Let Yourself Go |publisher=Dutch Charts |date= |access-date=September 22, 2012 |archive-date=October 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011044117/http://www.dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Green+Day&titel=Let+Yourself+Go&cat=s |url-status=live }}
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Theme and composition
{{Listen
| filename = Green Day - Let Yourself Go.ogg
| title = "Let Yourself Go"
| description = The sample contains an 17s guitar-based melody and main chorus, described as a "straightforward punk anthem"
| pos = left
}}
"Let Yourself Go" was described as a return to punk rock in contrast to the band's previous two singles "Oh Love" and "Kill the DJ" by VH1's Zara Golden.{{cite web|url=http://www.vh1.com/music/tuner/2012-09-07/green-day-let-yourselves-go-back-to-their-punk-rock-days-with-new-song-at-the-mtv-vmas/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120909173336/http://www.vh1.com/music/tuner/2012-09-07/green-day-let-yourselves-go-back-to-their-punk-rock-days-with-new-song-at-the-mtv-vmas/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 9, 2012|title=Green Day 'Let Yourself Go' Back To Their Punk Rock Days With New Song At The MTV VMAs|work=VH1|access-date=December 27, 2014}} The song was stylistically compared to their 1990s roots with a tone and style that imitates the band's work from Dookie and Insomniac.{{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/news/green-day/65958|title=Green Day unveil new '¡Uno!' track 'Let Yourself Go' - listen|date=September 6, 2012|work=NME|access-date=September 15, 2012|archive-date=September 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120912014637/http://www.nme.com/news/green-day/65958|url-status=live}} Slant Magazine had said that it also reflects the style of Van Halen from the 1980s.
David Fricke of the Rolling Stone in a review of ¡Uno! compared the theme of the song with "Stay the Night", another song on the album, stating; "'Stay the Night' and 'Let Yourself Go' are the kind of pop-smart here's-my-fucking-problem miniatures Armstrong was writing like second nature when he, Dirnt and Cool were too young to drink (legally) where they gigged. But Armstrong is 40 now, married and a dad, and a lot of this ruckus sounds designed to drown out the time bombs ticking in his head and the maddening static outside".{{cite magazine|last=Fricke|first=David|title=Green Day|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/uno-20120913|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=September 17, 2012|archive-date=October 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012000139/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/uno-20120913|url-status=live}}
Critical reception
The song received positive reception from the critics, mainly focusing on the song's references to Green Day's stylistic origins. Erica Futterman of Rolling Stone praised the song, describing it as a "blistering [and] Ramones-tinged [song]." Katie Hasty of HitFix added to the song's familiarity, stating "It's back to the melodic, snotty sound of early Green Day, with some spit shine and a few f-bombs."{{cite web|url=http://www.hitfix.com/immaculate-noise/listen-green-day-releases-let-yourself-go-billie-joe-armstrong-out-of-hospital|title=Listen: Green Day releases 'Let Yourself Go'; Billie Joe Armstrong out of hospital|last=Hasty|first=Katie|date=September 6, 2012|work=HitFix|access-date=September 15, 2012|archive-date=May 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514081008/http://www.hitfix.com/immaculate-noise/listen-green-day-releases-let-yourself-go-billie-joe-armstrong-out-of-hospital|url-status=live}} At The Reporter, Stephen Moore described that the song was a "rant and snarl encouragingly" in which "[Cool's] rapid-fire drumming [was] conjuring up some of the Dookie magic".{{cite web|title=Album review: Green Day - ¡Uno!|url=http://www.gravesendreporter.co.uk/what-s-on/music/album_review_green_day_uno_1_1672296|work=The Reporter|access-date=November 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514013833/http://www.gravesendreporter.co.uk/what-s-on/music/album_review_green_day_uno_1_1672296|archive-date=May 14, 2014}}
Greg Kot of the Chicago Tribune stated that the song was "undeniably sharp, [and] catchy" which was "hurtling on a wave of harmony vocals".{{cite news|last=Kot|first=Greg|title=Album review: Green Day, 'Uno'|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/turnitup/chi-green-day-uno-review-green-day-album-review-20120927,0,4998058.column?track=rss|access-date=November 21, 2012|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=September 27, 2012|archive-date=May 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517123348/http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/turnitup/chi-green-day-uno-review-green-day-album-review-20120927,0,4998058.column?track=rss|url-status=live}} Yorgo Douramacos at Slant Magazine noted it as an "occasional guitar solo" and further added that the song "steers a straightforward punk anthem toward early-'80s Van Halen territory."{{cite web|last=Douramacos|first=Yorgo|title=Green Day Uno|url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/green-day-uno/2869|work=Slant Magazine|date=September 23, 2012|access-date=November 21, 2012|archive-date=December 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219051224/http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/green-day-uno/2869|url-status=live}} Randall Roberts from the Los Angeles Times described the song to be an "obvious chart-buster" and added that it would "no doubt be used to back NFL highlight reels for years to come."{{cite news|last=Roberts|first=Randall|title=Critic's Notebook: Green Day's '¡Uno!' is, No. 1, overly commercial|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-green-day-review-20120925,0,2767448.story|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|access-date=November 21, 2012|date=September 24, 2012|archive-date=December 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121205231246/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-green-day-review-20120925%2C0%2C2767448.story|url-status=live}} Scott Heisel from Alternative Press cited the song to be the fastest on the album by observing with "breaking 200 bpms and creating an instant sing-along with perfectly placed profanity. It's destined to become a live staple."{{cite web|last=Heisel|first=Scott|title=¡Uno!|url=http://www.altpress.com/reviews/entry/green_day_uno|work=Alternative Press|access-date=November 21, 2012|archive-date=October 31, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031031953/http://www.altpress.com/reviews/entry/green_day_uno|url-status=live}}
Live performances
File:Billie Joe Armstrong-cropped.jpg
Green Day played a secret-show in Costa Mesa, California on August 11, 2011, where they performed various songs from the upcoming album, including "Let Yourself Go".{{cite news|title=Green Day Debut New Songs, Winehouse Tribute|url=https://www.spin.com/2011/08/green-day-debut-new-songs-winehouse-tribute/|work=Spin|access-date=November 20, 2012|last=O'Donnell|first=Kevin|date=August 16, 2011|archive-date=April 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421195104/https://www.spin.com/2011/08/green-day-debut-new-songs-winehouse-tribute/|url-status=live}} Later on, the song was also played at few other secret shows of the band. A recording of the band performing the song live at Red 7 in Austin, Texas on November 17, 2011 was released online on July 30, 2012 as the "official live video" for the song.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_8C3Z1W_HI|title=Green Day: "Let Yourself Go" - (Official Live Video)|date=August 1, 2012|work=Warner Bros. Records|access-date=September 15, 2012|archive-date=September 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120914070438/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_8C3Z1W_HI|url-status=live}}
The band was touring in Italy five days prior to their performance at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards. Lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong was hospitalized due to dehydration and influenza. This caused the band to cancel their show at Bologna which was scheduled three days before their performance at the VMAs.{{cite web|last=Montgomery|first=James|title=Exclusive: Green Day Give An Update On Billie Joe Armstrong's Illness|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1693261/green-day-billie-joe-armstrong-dehydration-vma.jhtml|publisher=MTV|access-date=September 18, 2012|date=September 6, 2012|archive-date=September 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120911004549/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1693261/green-day-billie-joe-armstrong-dehydration-vma.jhtml|url-status=dead}} However, Armstrong recovered and the band performed "Let Yourself Go" at the VMAs.{{cite web|title=Green Day ready for VMAs|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/news/green-day-ready-for-vmas-16206926.html|work=Belfast Telegraph|access-date=September 18, 2012|date=September 5, 2012}}
Credits and personnel
- Songwriting: Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, Tré Cool
- Production: Rob Cavallo, Green Day
Charts
{{col-start}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |
| Chart (2012)
!Position |
|---|
| scope="row"|US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2012/hot-rock-songs|title=Hot Rock & Alternative Songs – Year-End 2012|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 27, 2021|archive-date=June 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629125618/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2012/hot-rock-songs|url-status=live}}
| style="text-align:center;"|91 |
{{col-end}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{YouTube|N_8C3Z1W_HI|"Let Yourself Go" (Official Live Video)}}
{{Green Day}}{{Green Day songs}}{{authority control}}
Category:Songs written by Billie Joe Armstrong
Category:Songs written by Mike Dirnt
Category:Songs written by Tré Cool
Category:Songs written by Jason White (musician)