Justin Bieber

Lore & Background

The collaboration on "Don't Go" began when Skrillex thought of Bieber while creating the instrumental. Bieber later joined the track alongside Don Toliver. The song was originally slated for Bieber's album Justice (2021) but was cut, leading Skrillex and Bieber to release it as a single because they thought it was "fire". On the track, Bieber sings about wanting his significant other to stay by his side, with lyrics on the chorus including: "I put in the work to hear you say (Don't go, don't—)/ Misery missin' your company (Don't go, don't go)/ See 'em pullin' at you that way (Don't go, don't)/ Ooh, if this is where you supposed to be (Don't go)". The song's theme of pleading for a partner to stay is similar to Bieber's 2021 single "Stay" with the Kid Laroi. Bieber was seen recording with Skrillex in a studio on October 28, 2020, alongside producers Harv and Poo Bear, among others. The collaboration was announced on August 16, 2021, with the title and a snippet revealed two days later. The official music video, directed by Salomon Ligthelm, premiered on August 20, 2021, and shows Bieber, Skrillex, and Toliver in an art museum where paintings of them have tears streaming down, and all three turn to gold by the end.

In Their Own Story

In the studio on October 28, 2020, Justin Bieber was seen recording alongside Skrillex, producers Harv and Poo Bear, and others including Jon Bellion, Maejor, and Ant Clemons. The session was for a track that would eventually become "Don't Go". Skrillex later explained that he thought of Bieber while creating the instrumental, and Don Toliver was brought in to complete the song. Though the track was originally meant for Bieber's album Justice, it was cut from the final tracklist. Skrillex and Bieber decided to release it as a single because they believed it was "fire". On August 16, 2021, the two announced the collaboration and release date. Two days later, they revealed the title and shared a snippet along with the cover art. The song dropped on August 20, 2021, accompanied by a music video directed by Salomon Ligthelm. In the video, Bieber, Skrillex, and Toliver are surrounded by art in a museum, with paintings of them crying tears before all three turn to gold.

Reader's Guide

Justin Bieber's role on "Don't Go" is as a featured vocalist alongside Don Toliver. The song is an R&B track set in the key of B major at 135 beats per minute, with bass-heavy production by Skrillex and Harv. Bieber sings the chorus, pleading for his significant other not to leave: "I put in the work to hear you say (Don't go, don't—)/ Misery missin' your company (Don't go, don't go)/ See 'em pullin' at you that way (Don't go, don't)/ Ooh, if this is where you supposed to be (Don't go)". The song's theme of longing for a partner to stay mirrors Bieber's 2021 single "Stay" with the Kid Laroi. Critical reception praised Bieber's vocals and Skrillex's production. Katie Bain of Billboard wrote that "the song is a dreamy R&B number, with Skrillex's production sitting well back to enable Bieber and Toliver's vocals to dominate". Shaad D'Souza of Paper called the pairing of Bieber and Skrillex "a woozier, looser song than we've come to expect" but still "brilliant and infectious". Issy Sampson of The Guardian called the track "a moody, moany banger" and "an overdue return to form for the Bieber".

Did You Know?

• "Don't Go" was originally intended for Justin Bieber's sixth studio album Justice (2021) but was cut from the final tracklist.
• Skrillex said he thought of Bieber while creating the instrumental for "Don't Go".
• The song's theme of pleading for a partner to stay is similar to Bieber's 2021 single "Stay" with the Kid Laroi.
• Bieber was seen recording with Skrillex in a studio on October 28, 2020, alongside producers Harv and Poo Bear.
• In the music video for "Don't Go", all three artists turn to gold by the end.