Never Let You Go (Dima Bilan song)

"Never Let You Go"
Single by Dima Bilan
Released	2006
Format	CD
Recorded	2005
Genre	Pop music
Length	03:06
Writer(s)	Karen Kavaleryan and Irina Antonyan
Dima Bilan singles chronology
Not That Simple (2005) Never Let You Go (2006) Lady Flame (2006)
"Never Let You Go" Eurovision Song Contest 2006 entry Country Russia Artist(s) Dima Bilan Language English Composer(s) Alexandr Lunyov Lyricist(s) Karen Kavaleryan, Irina Antonyan Finals performance Semi-final result 3rd Semi-final points 217 Final result 2nd Final points 248 Appearance chronology ◄ Nobody Hurt No One (2005)    Song #1 (2007) ►

"Never Let You Go" is a pop/rock song that was performed by Dima Bilan at the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest. He was representing Russia and ended up in 2nd place.

At the performance in Athens, Dima Bilan was wearing a white tank top with a number representing his place in the contest's running order - 13 and 10 in the semi-final and final respectively. Bilan had two ballerinas dancing in the background and a white piano covered in red rose petals, from which a ghost-like female figure emerged halfway through the song.

On the night of the semi-final the song was performed 13th, following Poland's Ich Troje with "Follow My Heart" and preceding Turkey's Sibel Tüzün with "Süper Star". The song received 217 points, placing 3rd in a field of 23 and proceeding to the final.

On the night of the final Bilan performed 10th in the running order, following Denmark's Sidsel Ben Semmane with "Twist of Love" and preceding FYR Macedonia's Elena Risteska with "Ninanajna". The song received 248 points, finishing second behind Finland's Lordi.

This was Russia's best showing at Eurovision up to that time. He beat Alsou, who also came 2nd in the Eurovision Song Contest 2000, but by only 155 points. Since the introduction of the semi-final in 2004, more countries are participating and voting in the contest, thus increasing the possible amount of scores a song can receive: in 2006, there were 38 nations taking part (Serbia-Montenegro pulled out of performing, but still voted), as opposed to 24 in 2000. Nevertheless, Alsou received 53.8% of the maximum possible points from 24 countries in 2000, whilst Dima's final tally equated to 54.4% of the maximum possible score available from the 38 voting countries.

The song was succeeded as Russian representative by Serebro with "Song #1".

Dima Bilan performed the song at the World Music Awards in Earls Court on 15 November 2006.

Charts

Chart (2006)	Peak position
Russian Airplay Chart[1]	3

References

1. ^ Russian Airplay Chart