Release Me

Album: Wilson Phillips (1990)
Charted: 36 1
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Songfacts®:

  • Written by the group, "Release Me" is about a woman who is trying to get over her ex, but he's not making it easy for her by coming around her door and asking for another chance. If he would just let it go, they could both move on.
  • This was the second Wilson Phillips single, following "Hold On." Both songs went to #1 on both the Hot 100 and Adult Contemporary charts. The songs were easy adds for program directors looking to fill their playlists with pleasant tunes that wouldn't turn anybody off, and the trio came with a great backstory: Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys was the father of Wendy and Carnie Wilson; John and Michelle Phillips of The Mamas & The Papas were Chynna Phillips' parents.

    The next to singles from the album were also hits, with "Impulsive" going to #4 on the Hot 100 and "You're In Love" giving them a third #1.
  • Glen Ballard produced the album. He helped them get a record deal by putting together a 4-song demo for the group. Ballard was a proven hitmaker in the '80s, co-writing Jack Wagner's "All I Need" and Michael Jackson's "Man In The Mirror." He did even better in the '90s as Alanis Morissette's co-writer and producer.
  • When Glen Ballard first heard Wilson Phillips, he was impressed by how when they sang together, it sounded like one voice. That's the sound heard on "Release Me," where they sing together throughout the song. Learning their lessons from vocal groups of the past, Wilson Phillips tried to keep their contributions balanced, making sure none of the three became the focal point.

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