Don't Let It Die is a song written, produced, and sung by Hurricane Smith. It was originally recorded by Smith as a demo in the hopes that John Lennon would record the song. Following advice from Mickie Most, Smith decided to release it himself. It made #2 on the UK Singles Chart,[3] with Middle Of The Road's Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep keeping it from the top spot.[4]

"Don't Let It Die"
Single by Hurricane Smith
Released1971[1]
GenrePop Rock[1]
Length2:29[2]
Songwriter(s)Hurricane Smith[1]
Producer(s)Hurricane Smith[1]
Hurricane Smith singles chronology
"Don't Let It Die"
(1971)
"Oh Babe, What Would You Say"
(1972)

Smith received the 1971 Ivor Novello award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically.[5] The lyrics have an ecological theme, stressing the beauty and fragility of nature, and the human responsibility to look after it, not to "let it die".

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Don't Let It Die". Discogs. 1971.
  2. ^ "Don't Let It Die (album)". Discogs. 1972.
  3. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 509. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  4. ^ "Your charts for 3rd July 1971". The Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 30 June 2013.
  5. ^ Lister, David, Pop ballads bite back in lyrical fashion, The Independent, 28 May 1994