B-side "Genevieve" Genre Soft rock, jazz rock Label Asylum Records | Released June 1978 Length 3:23 Writer(s) Andrew Gold | |
"Never Let Her Slip Away" is a song written by Andrew Gold, who recorded it for his third album, All This and Heaven Too. The single reached #5 on the UK Singles Chart, and #67 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1978. Queen frontman Freddie Mercury contributed harmony vocals to the song, as an uncredited background singer. A version from 1992 by dance outfit Undercover was also an international hit.
Contents
Background
As revealed in his liner notes for All This and Heaven Too, Gold wrote "Never Let Her Slip Away" about meeting actress and Saturday Night Live alumna Laraine Newman who was his girlfriend when he composed the song. Besides Freddie Mercury's, other background vocals were provided by J. D. Souther and Timothy B. Schmit, and the saxophone was played by Ernie Watts.
In popular culture
In 1995, comedians Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer performed a cover of the song on their show The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer. "Never Let Her Slip Away" was also featured on the soundtrack of the film Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa (2013), as a personal favourite of the principal character.
Undercover version
British dance group Undercover covered the song on their album Check Out the Groove (1992). This version also reached #5 in the United Kingdom, as Gold's original did.
Track listing
- "Never Let Her Slip Away" (Essential Edit) – 3:28
- "Never Let Her Slip Away" (Essential Mix) – 4:59
- "Sha Do" (Extended Mix) – 5:41