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Rascal Flatts, 'I Won't Let Go' -- Story Behind the Lyrics

Ethan Miller, Getty Images

Jason Sellers sits down with The Boot to reveal the spiritual inspiration behind Rascal Flatts' current hit, 'I Won't Let Go,' which he wrote with Steve Robson (who also co-wrote Rascal Flatts' Grammy-nominated song, 'What Hurts the Most') ... and the message he hopes others will hear in the lyrics.

'I Won't Let Go' is special to me because I'm a Christian. It felt like to me, because we didn't define the character in the song, it could be a friend saying it to a friend, it could in some sense be God saying it to someone, it could be you saying it to your husband or wife ... So in that sense, the song's exciting to me, because it's got an inspirational message. It says something good that lifts people up.

I wrote this song with Steve Robson about two years ago. He's from England, and he and Darrell Franklin had some deal together, where Darrell handles Steve's co-writes and publishing. So he set me and Steve up. This was the first song Steve and I ever wrote together. He came over from England, and we worked on the melody and the direction of the lyrics. Steve is an incredible writer. We didn't have to spend that much time on it. He had a musical piece already going. It just felt so inspired, and we built on that.

After Steve left, I poured over what we had a lot more, because I loved the message and I wanted to make it as close to right as I could make it. I was thinking, if you were quoting what someone was saying in their own words ... if they were saying this to someone in the family that's a soldier that's over there fighting, or to your mom, dad, wife, husband ... I think everyone wants to have someone say to them, "Hey, I can't stop it from raining on you, but I will be here to help you get through."

We get emails from people -- and I know a lot of artists and labels do, too -- how a song touches someone's life. I do this for a living, and I'm trying to make money ... but when you get those kinds of stories and feedback, you really feel like you had some contribution. With an uplifting lyric like that, maybe it gives somebody hope to move forward and make it through another day, through whatever their trauma or disaster is, or even just getting tired in life.

Watch Rascal Flatts perform 'I Won't Let Go' live in our studio below.



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Gkkel

The first time I heard this song I had just had a heart attack and in the process of doing a stress test they found out I had breast cancer which had moved to my rib. Every time I hear it I imagine God is talking to ME and telling me He won't let me go. Thank-you so much for this....one day many years from now it will play at my funeral.

October 07 2011 at 5:25 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
rainey178

This song (I Won't Let Go) was being played last Spring at the time my 17yr old granddaughter was seriously ill and put in a medically induced coma while on a heart/lung bypass machine in the ICU at Children's Hosp. Each night as I left, I silently told her I won't let go. . . She spent three weeks there with a mysterious illness - never diagnosed - and has completely recovered and gone off to her first year of college. I still cry when I hear the song. Sad, but beautiful. Thank You. She turned 18 today.

October 02 2011 at 12:34 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Debbby Hancock

Love the ssong I wont let go by Rascal flatts

September 28 2011 at 2:58 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Linda

You don't know how grateful I am that you wrote this song. The first time I really listened to the lyrics was in June, after I found out my favorite aunt was dying. I listen every morning now. It has helped me come to terms with her death and the passing of my mom a few years back. Thank you so much for the beautiful words. I can feel God holding them and leading them home to heaven.

September 13 2011 at 10:37 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Cheryl

My Husband just passed away from a massive heart attack. I had just heard this song the night before on the Country Music's Night to Rock and I loved it the minute I heard i t. I could imagine him singing it to me and also something being sung to him in heaven.

August 28 2011 at 10:36 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
oooooooo

I heard this song for the first time on 98.1 the Bull in Lexington Ky, on my way home from work riding my bicycle. As I listened to the lyrics, I couldn't help but start crying because it reminded me of my Mom who is battling Stage 4 Colon Cancer, and how I'm there by her side everyday helping her through what life has dealt her and never giving up hope.

August 04 2011 at 7:23 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
georkhalaf

thank you for this beautiful song. It reminds me of my best friend,hondo, who stood by me no matter the circumstances. It brings tears to my eyes every time I hear the gentle melody. I still listen to it daily, & it still tugs at the strings of my heart. My 14 yr old was in a terrible car crash on July 8th, 2011, & as I take care of her day & night in the trauma unit here at tampa general, I've given her the words to this song, as a promise that I will never leave her side until she's healed enough to be released, so we can travel back to our homeland, ohio. thank you for the beautfiul song that carries me through another day. thank you.

July 24 2011 at 11:27 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
cdjdtaylor

Jeri
My husband passed March of '10. When I first heard this song on the radio, I went immediately to the store and bought the CD. I cried so hard imagining myself singing it to him. But one morning, while driving to work, all of a sudden I imagined him singing the song to me. I can't tell you how warm and comforting it was to feel so close to him. This song is a God Send!!

July 13 2011 at 11:40 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Diana

I love the song. It reminds me of my friend from high school and the song just sounds like something he would sing to me to make me feel better. It means so much to me. Thank you for posting it .

June 24 2011 at 9:23 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Penny

I just wanted to say that the beautiful lyrics in the song "I WON'T LET GO" have meant so much to me. It was sent to me via facebook by my daughter in law when I was diagnoised with breast cancer. Ever since , it's been those uplifting words that get me through every day. It will forever be my favorite song! I was so lucky to be able to see it performed by Rascal Flatts 5days ago. One word to describe it AMAZING!!!

June 23 2011 at 10:39 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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