"Don't Let Them" is a song by American singer Ashanti. It was written by Ashanti along with its producers Irv Gotti and Demetrius "Demi-Doc" McGhee for her third studio album, Concrete Rose (2004). The song contains interpolations from "Could I Be Falling in Love" (1974) by American blues and soul singer Syl Johnson. Due to the inclusion of the sample, Willie Mitchell, Yvonne Mitchell, Earl Randle, and Lawrence Seymour are also credited as songwriters.
| "Don't Let Them" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Ashanti | ||||
| from the album Concrete Rose | ||||
| Released | April 5, 2005 | |||
| Recorded | 2004 (Los Angeles, California) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:10 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) |
| |||
| Producer(s) |
| |||
| Ashanti singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
The song was selected as the album's second and final single and only released in the United States, where it failed to chart, and the United Kingdom, reaching the number 38 on the UK Singles Chart. The song also gained minimal success in Ireland, peaking at 41 on the Irish Singles Chart. A music video for "Don't Let Them," directed by Ashanti and Gotti, as shot in March 2005 and features Chink Santana as Ashanti's love interest.
Background
edit"Don't Let Them" was written by Ashanti, Irv Gotti and Demetrius "Demi-Doc" McGhee and recorded for her third studio album, Concrete Rose (2004).[1] Production on the track was helmed by Gotti and McGhee.[1] "Don't Let Them" contains interpolations from the song "Could I Be Falling in Love" (1974) by American blues and soul singer Syl Johnson, written by Willie Mitchell, Yvonne Mitchell, Earl Randle, and Lawrence Seymour.[1] Billboard initially reported that "Don't Leave Me Alone" had been selected as the second single from Concrete Rose.[2]
Critical reception
editIn a negative review for Billboard, editor Chuck Taylor wrote about "Don't Let Them" that "because many of her sample-heavy novelty songs have become smash hits, the R&B siren has now found the courage to attempt singing without so many gimmicks and instruments engulfing her voice. This was not an informed decision. Ashanti's vocals are as melodic as a 40-car pileup and about as emotional as a fence post. "Don't Let Them" is perhaps the emptiest offering yet from an artist whose popularity remains inexplicable."[3]
Music video
editA music video for "Don't Let Them" was shot in March 2005 and directed by Ashanti and Irv Gotti.[4] It starts off with her from early in the morning and introduces the video play system, while depicting the on-and-off relationships between a couple. Fellow The Inc. recording artist Chink Santana portrays Ashanti's love interest in the video.[4]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Don't Let Them" (Album Version) |
|
| 4:23 |
| 2. | "Only U" (Kelly G's Club Mix) |
|
| 6:42 |
| 3. | "Foolish" (Album Version) |
| Gotti | 3:47 |
Notes
- ^[a] denotes additional producer
Sample credits
- "Don't Let Them" contains interpolations from "Could I Be Falling in Love" by Syl Johnson.
- "Foolish" contains a sample from "Stay with Me" by DeBarge.
Charts
edit| Chart (2005) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Ireland (IRMA)[5] | 41 |
| Scotland (OCC)[6] | 50 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[7] | 38 |
| UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[8] | 8 |
Release history
edit| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | April 5, 2005 | [9][10] | ||
| United Kingdom | June 6, 2005 | CD | Mercury |
References
edit- ^ a b c Concrete Rose (Media notes). Ashanti. The Inc., Def Jam. 2004.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Taylor, Chuck (April 16, 2005). "Reviews & Previews: Singles". Billboard. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
- ^ Paoletta, Michael (March 19, 2005). "Billboard Picks: Singles". Billboard. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
- ^ a b "Ashanti: Don't Let Them (2005)". IMDb. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
- ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Ashanti". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
- ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
- ^ "®R&R :: Going for Adds™ :: Urban". gfa.radioandrecords.com. Archived from the original on 2013-02-01.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-07-30. Retrieved 2012-06-12.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Records released 06.06.05" (PDF). Music Week. June 4, 2005. p. 25. Retrieved September 9, 2024.