Losing Grip


"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] 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

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/PublisherYearCategoryResult
Canadian Radio Music Awards2003Best New Rock/Alternative SoloWon
Grammy Awards2004Best Female Rock Vocal Performance

Track listings

  • CD
  1. "Losing Grip" – 3:53
  2. "Losing Grip" – 4:56
  • Australian CD
  1. "Losing Grip" – 3:53
  2. "I'm with You" – 3:57
  3. "Unwanted" – 4:01
  4. "Losing Grip"
  • European CD
  1. "Losing Grip" – 3:53
  2. "Losing Grip" – 4:56
  3. "Naked" – 4:24
  4. "Losing Grip"
  • Cassette
  1. "Losing Grip" – 3:53
  2. "Losing Grip" – 4:56
  3. "Naked" – 4:24
  4. "Losing Grip" – 3:53
  5. "Losing Grip" – 4:56
  6. "Naked" – 4:24

    Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Release history