"Losing Grip" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Avril Lavigne, released as the fourth single and the first track from her debut album, Let Go, in March 2003. The song was written by Lavigne and Clif Magness, and produced by Magness. The song, which is lyrically about Lavigne "losing grip" with her boyfriend as they are just not meant to be, is much heavier with nu metal oriented sounds than most of the songs on Let Go that had a more poppy feel. She performed "Losing Grip" at the Juno Awards of 2003. The song's video single was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on September 22, 2003. It was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance, losing out to Pink's "Trouble".
Background Arista Records intended for "Anything but Ordinary" to serve as the fourth single from Let Go, although Lavigne successfully pressed the label to release "Losing Grip" instead.
Music video The music video was directed by Liz Friedlander and was filmed on February 25 and 26, 2003, at the Angel Orensanz Foundation in New York City. It shows scenes of Lavigne and her band performing in front of a large crowd. There are also shots of her moshing and surfing through the crowd while pushing, punching and shoving people from time to time. The "crowd surfing" routine was practiced by other people on the audience during the shoot before Lavigne was allowed to do so.
Reception Chicago Tribune described the song as a grunge song. Pitchfork described the song as a nu metal-pop song. Christina Saraceno of AllMusic noted that "Losing Grip" allowed Lavigne to "show off" her vocal ability during the song's "explosive rock chorus". Sal Cinquemani of Slant magazine also praised Lavigne's vocals and compared them to Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette.
Awards and nominations "Losing Grip" was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance, but lost to "Trouble" by Pink. + Award/Publisher Year Category Result Canadian Radio Music Awards 2003 Best New Rock/Alternative Solo Grammy Awards 2004 Best Female Rock Vocal Performance
Track listings
UK & Ireland CD, Single, Promo "Losing Grip" (album version) – 3:53
Uk CD Single "Losing Grip" (album version) – 3:53 "Losing Grip" (live) – 4:56
Australian CD "Losing Grip" (album version) – 3:53 "I'm with You" (live) – 3:57 "Unwanted" (live) – 4:01 "Losing Grip" (video)
European CD "Losing Grip" (album version) – 3:53 "Losing Grip" (live) – 4:56 "Naked" (live) – 4:24 "Losing Grip" (video)
UK Cassette "Losing Grip" (album version) – 3:53 "Losing Grip" (live) – 4:56 "Naked" (live) – 4:24 "Losing Grip" (album version) – 3:53 "Losing Grip" (live) – 4:56 "Naked" (live) – 4:24
Charts
Weekly charts + Chart (2003) Peakposition Canada CHR (Nielsen BDS)8 Canada Rock (Nielsen BDS)39 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) 46
Year-end charts + Chart (2003) Position US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard) 99
Certifications
Release history + Region Date Format(s) Label United States March 24, 2003 Contemporary hit radio Arista Australia May 5, 2003 CD Denmark June 30, 2003 To view release date, select Lavigne Avril from Vælg kunster (A - Å), then click on Losing Grip . Germany United Kingdom July 7, 2003
References