Hold Me
The Cardigans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Know me, never believe me
Stay here but don't get too near me
Leave me, leave me alone
But don't ever let me go
Show me, but don't ever teach me
Touch me, don't try to reach me
Hold me but don't ever keep me
Baby, don't ever let me in
And don't let me win
'cause I leave myself to you
Yes, I release myself with you
I believe in me and you
So don't ever say you do
Love me, try not to need me
Need me but don't let the greed in
Feel free but don't ever leave me
Give in, don't ever let me
No, don't ever let me win
Hold me, don't ever leave me
Ask me but don't ever make me
Save me, don't ever forsake me
Call me but don't ever say my name
Know what you do
'cause I leave myself to you
Yes I release myself with you
I believe in me and you
So don't ever say you do
Don't let me win
Just hold me
And you say "nina nina ninana...."
Now how can I let you go?
Hold me, don't ever leave me
Love me but don't ever let me
No, don't ever let me win
The Cardigans' "Hold Me" is a song about relationship insecurity and the internal struggle that arises when one wants love but fears vulnerability. The singer asks for their lover to hold them close, but warns them not to get too close or to leave them alone. Their contradictory statements speak to the push-pull nature of many intimate relationships. The singer wants to feel loved but is afraid of being hurt or abandoned. They ask for touch but warn not to reach, asking to be held but not kept. They ask to be saved but not forsaken, showing their fear of being left alone. Despite this contradictory nature, the singer still seeks the comfort and intimacy that comes with a relationship. They want love but don't want to admit it, as seen in the lines "I believe in me and you / So don't ever say you do." Their fear of rejection causes them to hide their true feelings.
The chorus repeats "Don't ever let me win / Just hold me," showing that the singer wants to be held but doesn't want to be the one to come out on top in the relationship. They give themselves up to their lover and ask for their care, but also warn against greed and the dangers of wanting too much. They want love but don't want to become too attached or vulnerable.
Overall, "Hold Me" is a poignant look at the internal struggles that can come with romantic relationships. It shows the difficulty of letting oneself be vulnerable and the fear of being hurt that often comes with opening up to someone else.
Line by Line Meaning
Hold me, don't ever leave me
Stay by my side and do not abandon me
Know me, never believe me
Understand who I am, but do not trust everything I say
Stay here but don't get too near me
Stay in my life but do not invade my personal space
Leave me, leave me alone
Sometimes I need to be alone, so please respect my space
But don't ever let me go
Even though I may push you away, I still need you to be there for me
Show me, but don't ever teach me
I want to learn and understand things on my own, but you can still guide me
Touch me, don't try to reach me
I want physical affection, but I may withdraw emotionally
Hold me but don't ever keep me
Show me love and support, but do not control me
Baby, don't ever let me in
I may have walls up, but I still want you to be there for me
And don't let me win
Do not let me manipulate or control situations
'cause I leave myself to you
I trust you with my true self
Yes, I release myself with you
I am comfortable and vulnerable with you
I believe in me and you
I have faith in our relationship and the bond we share
So don't ever say you do
Do not make promises you cannot keep
Love me, try not to need me
Love me for who I am, not for what I can do for you
Need me but don't let the greed in
You can depend on me, but do not take advantage of me
Feel free but don't ever leave me
I want you to be independent, but I need you in my life
Give in, don't ever let me
Do not let me control or manipulate you
No, don't ever let me win
Do not let me have power over you
Ask me but don't ever make me
You can request things of me, but I want to make my own decisions
Save me, don't ever forsake me
I want your support and love, not abandonment
Call me but don't ever say my name
I want to be connected with you, but I also want my privacy
Know what you do
Understand the impact of your actions and decisions
And you say "nina nina ninana...."
Vocals with no specific meaning
Now how can I let you go?
I cannot imagine being without you
Love me but don't ever let me
Love and care for me, but do not let me control you
No, don't ever let me win
Do not let me have power or control over you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: NINA PERSSON, PETER ANDERS SVENSSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheCardigansfans
Each line fights with the following. It's fantastic!
@gm77777
Nina, Nina, Nina na! Nina, Nina, Nina na! Nina, Nina, Nina na!
@garfreeek
ah thanks for putting this one up! it's my favourite song of them at the moment ^_^
@bjorglindemichaela
beautiful voice
@mastamove
Yeah, one of their best songs! Strangely enough only the "mini version" is on the US and UK version of Long Gone Before Daylight. The full track is on the cds "You're The Storm" and of course on "The Best of.." cd.
@TankDriverOriginal
I thank Ya for uploading this song as well! The Cardigans rules!
@modemmack
This is great! I never heard this one before. I guess I need to do some research huh? Or somebody could just fill me in.
@MaestroJaviWan
Xuky k grande eres, das una alegria a un pobre estudiante en febrero, de esta cancion no habia una version en Long gone before daylight?
@ejovaikas
Feel free but don't ever leave me~~
@adamsez
This full version of Hold Me is an outstanding pop song. It's on the new (2008) greatest hits.