Letting You Go

Album: Words (2017)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Sara Evans co-wrote this song about her oldest child preparing to leave the nest. The singer penned it with Emily Shackleton and Victoria Banks when her son, 17-year-old Avery, was in his second to last year at high school.

    "We just started talking about how fast it goes, and how sad it is," Evans tearfully recalled to The Boot. "'Oh my gosh, wasn't I just brushing your hair?' The chorus is trying to stay sane, like, I'm not going to overreact: 'Loving you is holding you. Lifting you up and giving you wings.' But then, in the second verse, it's kind of angry - 'Time is a liar' - because I remember people telling me, 'It goes fast. It really does.' And I used to think, 'Yeah yeah.' And it does, because I still think of Avery as my kindergartner."

    "But then we were really determined that we didn't want to leave it on a bad note," she continued. "I'm not angry - but I am, just at life in general. Why does it have to go so fast? Then at the end, we said, 'But you were also born to fly away.' We were like, 'Oh my gosh!' I thought of that."

Comments: 1

  • Stacie Kingsbury from NeIs there a way to purchase a background track to "Letting You Go" or the sheet music?
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About Transgenderism

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About TransgenderismSong Writing

A history of songs dealing with transgender issues, featuring Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Morrissey and Green Day.

Joan Armatrading

Joan ArmatradingSongwriter Interviews

The revered singer-songwriter talks inspiration and explains why she put a mahout in "Drop the Pilot."

Charlie Daniels

Charlie DanielsSongwriter Interviews

Charlie discusses the songs that made him a Southern Rock icon, and settles the Devil vs. Johnny argument once and for all.

Ian Astbury of The Cult

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.

Rick Springfield

Rick SpringfieldSongwriter Interviews

Rick has a surprising dark side, a strong feminine side and, in a certain TV show, a naked backside. But he still hasn't found Jessie's Girl.

Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root

Michael Glabicki of Rusted RootSongwriter Interviews

Michael tells the story of "Send Me On My Way," and explains why some of the words in the song don't have a literal meaning.