"Let Somebody Go"
Single by Coldplay and Selena Gomez
from the album Music of the Spheres
Released7 February 2022
Recorded2019–2021
Genre
Length4:01
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Coldplay singles chronology
"My Universe"
(2021) 		"Let Somebody Go"
(2022)
Selena Gomez singles chronology
"999"
(2021) 		"Let Somebody Go"
(2022) 		"Calm Down (Remix)"
(2022)
Music video
"Let Somebody Go" on YouTube

"Let Somebody Go" is a song by British rock band Coldplay and American singer Selena Gomez, recorded for the band's ninth studio album, Music of the Spheres. The song was produced by Max Martin, Oscar Holter, Rik Simpson, Daniel Green, and Bill Rahko, and co-produced by Metro Boomin. The song was released for digital download and streaming through Parlophone as the third single from Music of the Spheres on 7 February 2022.

Writing and production

Creative director Phil Harvey stated both him and Martin have been fans of Gomez, commenting she has a "unique, evocative and mysterious" tone.[1] He initially tried to persuade the band to include the song in their eighth album Everyday Life (2019).[2] Meanwhile, Martin noted "she's an angel" and her voice is in what he "would call 'the Rihanna bag' which are voices that are gifts to humanity".[3] Bassist Guy Berryman explained the collaboration:[4]

"This is just a really lovely ballad. And quite early on we realized it needed a female counterpart to the vocal." He added, "And we were very grateful that when we asked Selena to sing on it, she loved the song and was happy to do so. Collaborations in general are something that we've done more of recently. We never really used to do it before. When we were younger, we kind of locked ourselves in a room and felt we had to prove everything ourselves. But I think as time has gone on, it's become more interesting for us to work with other people from different parts of the world, different genres. It just adds color and character to the music".

They finished the track together in April 2021. Martin credited his daughter Apple in the writing, saying she "gave me this amazing chord that I'd never thought of. So she's on there".[5]

Music video

A space-themed lyric video featuring animated handwritten lyrics was released on 15 October 2021. The video was directed by Pilar Zeta and Victor Scorrano and depicts Calypso, one of the celestial bodies in the fictional solar system The Spheres.[6] A music video directed by Dave Meyers was announced on 3 February 2022, and was released on 7 February 2022.[7] The music video was filmed in October 2021.

Live performances

"Let Somebody Go" was first performed live on The Late Late Show with James Corden by Coldplay and Selena Gomez on the show's 18 October 2021 episode.[8] On 2 February 2022, Chris Martin performed a solo version of the song on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.[9] On November 1, 2022, Coldplay performed the song together with Argentine singer Tini, at Estadio River Plate during their Music of the Spheres World Tour.[10] On October 4th, 2023, Coldplay & Selena Gomez performed the song at the Rose Bowl.

Critical reception

"Let Somebody Go" received positive reviews by most critics, who considered it a highlight for the album. Jon Dolan from Rolling Stone called it a "soft-focus study in post-breakup solemnity that's got more warmth and grace than most artists' crushed-out valentines".[11] The track was also named one of the best songs of the year by Aftonbladet (#24), as they cited it as a "delicious music with only one signal: Chris Martin's habit of writing howling and presumptuous arena signs".[12] Similarly, Cosmopolitan included it on their "55 Best Songs of 2021" list at number 21 and mentioned the collaboration was "unexpectedly awesome".[13] The New York Post, on the other hand, ranked "Let Somebody Go" as the fifth worst song of 2021, considering it the anti-"Yellow".[14]

Accolades

Awards and nominations for "Let Somebody Go"
Organization Year Category Result Ref.
Art Directors Guild Awards 2023 Short Format: Webseries or Music Video Nominated [15]
NRJ Music Award 2022 International Video of the Year Nominated [16]
People's Choice Awards The Music Video Nominated [17]
RTHK International Pop Poll Awards Top 10 International Gold Songs Nominated [18]

Personnel

Coldplay
Additional musicians
Technical personnel

Charts

Weekly chart performance for "Let Somebody Go"
Chart (2021–2023) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[19] 66
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[20] 69
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[21] 45
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[22] 78
France (SNEP)[23] 115
Germany (Official German Charts)[24] 74
Global 200 (Billboard)[25] 32
Hungary (Single Top 40)[26] 34
Ireland (IRMA)[27] 25
Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard)[28] 19
Lithuania (AGATA)[29] 40
Mexico Airplay (Billboard)[30] 42
Mexico Ingles Airplay (Billboard)[31] 8
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[32] 21
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[33] 53
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[34] 4
Norway (VG-lista)[35] 19
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[36] 19
Portugal (AFP)[37] 44
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[38] 74
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[39] 53
South Africa (RISA)[40] 70
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[41] 98
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[42] 28
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[43] 27
UK Singles (OCC)[44] 24
US Billboard Hot 100[45] 91
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[46] 24
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[47] 9

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[48] Platinum 40,000‡
Portugal (AFP)[49] Gold 5,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[50] Gold 30,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Country Date Format Label Ref.
Various 7 February 2022
Parlophone [51]
Italy 11 February 2022 Contemporary hit radio Warner [52]
United States 14 February 2022 Adult contemporary radio Atlantic [53]

References

  1. ^ "Chris and I in particular have been big Selena Gomez fans for the longest time. She has such a unique, evocative, mysterious voice. Phil". Twitter. 19 October 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  2. ^ "Phil Harvey - Alien Radio On Stationhead". Coldplaying. 20 October 2021. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  3. ^ "Chris Martin Shares Why Coldplay Wanted to Work With Selena Gomez & More". On Air With Ryan Seacrest. 14 October 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  4. ^ Bailey, Alyssa (2021-10-15). "Selena Gomez and Coldplay's 'Let Somebody Go' Has Brutal Lyrics About Heartbreak". Elle. Retrieved 2022-02-07.
  5. ^ "Coldplay's music gets galactic: Band experiment with waves of airy melodies for 'Music of the Spheres'". The Economic Times. October 14, 2021. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  6. ^ "Coldplay, Selena Gomez - Let Somebody Go Video". Contact Music. October 15, 2021. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  7. ^ Sky Hulton, Anna (February 4, 2022). "Coldplay's duet with Selena Gomez is coming sooner than we thought 🙌". Planet Radio. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  8. ^ Zemler, Emily (19 October 2021). "Watch Coldplay, Selena Gomez Showcase 'Let Somebody Go' on 'Corden'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  9. ^ "Coldplay & Selena Gomez collaborative single coming on Monday". WRMF. 3 February 2022. Retrieved February 4, 2022. Coldplay recently performed the song without Selena on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
  10. ^ Villa, Lucas (1 November 2022). "Tini Sang 'Let Somebody Go' With Coldplay During The Band's Tour Stop In Argentina". Uproxx. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  11. ^ Dolan, Jon (15 October 2021). "Coldplay Travel to Space and Redeem Humanity (Again) on 'Music of the Spheres'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 16 October 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  12. ^ "50 Bästa Låtarna 2021" [50 Best Songs of 2021]. Aftonbladet. 24 December 2021. Archived from the original on 30 January 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  13. ^ "Put These New Releases at the Top of Your 2021 Playlist Immediately". Cosmopolitan. 2021-10-28. Retrieved 2021-11-02.
  14. ^ Arnold, Chuck (24 December 2021). "The 5 worst songs of 2021 we hope to never hear again". New York Post. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  15. ^ "Elvis, Babylon, Avatar: The Way of Water Lead Art Directors Guild 2023 Nominations". Variety. 9 January 2023. Archived from the original on 11 January 2023. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  16. ^ "NRJ Music Awards 2022: La Liste des Nommés, à Vous de Voter!" [NRJ Music Awards 2022: The List of Nominees, It's Up To You To Vote!]. Sortir à Paris (in French). 10 October 2022. Archived from the original on 10 October 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  17. ^ "People's Choice Awards: Doctor Strange 2, Don't Worry Darling Take Top Prizes". The Hollywood Reporter. December 6, 2022. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  18. ^ "33rd International Pop Poll Awards". RTHK (in Chinese). 2022. Archived from the original on 6 November 2022. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  19. ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 25 October 2021". The ARIA Report. No. 1651. Australian Recording Industry Association. 25 October 2021. p. 4.
  20. ^ "Coldplay & Selena Gomez – Let Somebody Go" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  21. ^ "Coldplay Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  22. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 202142 into search. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
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  24. ^ "Coldplay & Selena Gomez – Let Somebody Go" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  25. ^ "Coldplay Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  26. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  27. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  28. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Overseas" (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  29. ^ "2021 42-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. 22 October 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  30. ^ "Mexico Airplay (Billboard)". Billboard. 26 March 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  31. ^ "Mexico Ingles Airplay (Billboard)". Billboard. 26 March 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  32. ^ "Tipparade-lijst van week 11, 2022" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  33. ^ "Coldplay & Selena Gomez – Let Somebody Go" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  34. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 25 October 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  35. ^ "Coldplay & Selena Gomez – Let Somebody Go". VG-lista. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  36. ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  37. ^ "Coldplay & Selena Gomez – Let Somebody Go". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  38. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 20237 into search. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  39. ^ "ČNS IFPI". IFPI ČR. Note: Select SK SINGLES DIGITAL TOP 100 and insert 202142 into search. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  40. ^ "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 100: Week 42". The Official South African Charts. Recording Industry of South Africa. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  41. ^ "Coldplay & Selena Gomez – Let Somebody Go" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  42. ^ "Coldplay & Selena Gomez – Let Somebody Go". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  43. ^ "Coldplay & Selena Gomez – Let Somebody Go". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  44. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  45. ^ "Coldplay Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  46. ^ "Coldplay Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 3 May 2022.
  47. ^ "Coldplay Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  48. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Coldplay – Let Somebody Go" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  49. ^ "Portuguese single certifications" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  50. ^ "Spanish single certifications – Coldplay – Let Somebody Go". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  51. ^ "Let Somebody Go - Single by Coldplay & Selena Gomez". Apple Music (UK). Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  52. ^ "Coldplay X Selena Gomez "Let Somebody Go" | (Radio Date: 11/02/2022)". radiodate.it (in Italian). Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  53. ^ "Hot Modern AC Future Releases". AllAccess. Archived from the original on 31 January 2022. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
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