Music video
A music video to accompany the release of "Hold On" was first released on YouTube on 30 March 2012. In this video, the song was performed live in a studio. As of June 2020, the video has over 39 million views.
Reception
"Hold On" received critical acclaim from music critics. Rolling Stone named it the best song of 2012. It was also voted the 11th best single of 2012 by The Village Voice's 40th annual Pazz & Jop poll.
NPR named "Hold On" the fifth best song by a woman or non-binary artist in the 21st century, saying of the song:
"Despite her ability to quickly transition from a sultry croon Ć la Janis Joplin to a bellowing, often disembodied howl, it's the lyrical wisdom that masks Howard's young age and makes this song special. "Hold On" is not just a mantra offering the encouragement needed to get through life's rough patches; it's a timeless song that wouldn't work without Howard's ability to interweave a myriad of emotions with raw honesty"
Hold On
Alabama Shakes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bless my soul
Didn't think I'd make it to twenty-two years old
There must be someone up above
Saying, "Come on Brittany, you got to come on up"
You got to hold on
Yeah, you got to hold on
I don't know where I'm gonna go
Don't know what what I'm gonna do
Well, must be somebody up above
Saying, "Come on Brittany, you got to come on up"
You got to hold on
Yeah, you got to hold on
Yeah, you got to wait
Yeah, you got to wait
But I don't wanna wait
I don't wanna wait
So, bless my heart
Bless my mind
I got so much to do
I ain't got much time
So, must be someone up above
Saying, "Come on girl, yeah, you got to get back up"
You got to hold on
Yeah, you got to hold on
Yeah, you got to wait
I don't wanna wait
Well, I don't wanna wait
No, I don't wanna wait
You got to hold on
You got to hold on
You've gotta hold on
You gotta hold on
The lyrics to Alabama Shakes' song "Hold On" are about perseverance in tough times. The song talks about the difficulties of life and how it is important to keep going, even when things are tough. The repeated phrase "you've gotta hold on" reinforces this theme of sticking it out, no matter what.
The singer expresses gratitude for having made it to twenty-two years old, acknowledging that it can be a struggle to make it in this world. But there's a sense that the struggles of life are worth it, that there's a purpose for it all. The repeated phrase "there must be someone up above" suggests the possibility of a higher power guiding the singer, urging her to keep going.
The song also touches on the frustration that can come from waiting for things to get better. The singer acknowledges that waiting is a necessary part of life, but she doesn't want to do it. She wants to get on with things and make the most of her time. But even in this frustration, the message remains the same: hold on, keep going, don't give up.
Overall, "Hold On" is a powerful message of resilience and perseverance in the face of life's challenges. It encourages listeners to stay positive and keep pushing forward, no matter what obstacles they may face.
Line by Line Meaning
Bless my heart
I am grateful and fortunate.
Bless my soul
I am amazed and overwhelmed.
Didn't think I'd make it to twenty-two years old
I never imagined I would live this long, but I have.
There must be someone up above Saying, "Come on Brittany, you got to come on up"
I feel like there is a higher power guiding me and pushing me to keep going.
You got to hold on
You need to persevere and keep going despite challenges.
So, bless my heart and bless yours, too
I am showing appreciation for myself and others.
I don't know where I'm gonna go Don't know what what I'm gonna do
I am uncertain about my future and direction in life.
Yeah, you got to wait But I don't wanna wait I don't wanna wait
I know I need to be patient, but I am struggling with it.
Bless my heart Bless my mind I got so much to do I ain't got much time
I have a lot on my plate and not enough time to accomplish it.
So, must be someone up above Saying, "Come on girl, yeah, you got to get back up"
I believe there is a higher power motivating me to keep going, even when I fall down.
You've gotta hold on You gotta hold on
It is essential that you keep going, no matter what.
Lyrics Ā© BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Zachary Riley Cockrell, Heath Allen Fogg, Brittany Amber Howard, Steven William Johnson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@isabela8854
Bless my heart
Bless my soul
Didn't think I'd make it to 22 years old
There must be someone up above sayin'
Come on, Brittany
You got to come on up
You got to hold on
Yeah, you got to hold on
So, bless my heart and bless yours too
I don't know where I'm gonna go
I don't know what I'm gonna do
Well, must be somebody up above sayin'
Come on, Brittany
You got to get back up
You got to hold on
Yeah, you got to hold on
Yeah, you got to wait
Yeah, you got to wait
But, I don't wanna wait
No, I don't wanna wait
So, bless my heart
Bless my mind
I got so much I wanna do, I ain't got much time
So, must be somebody up above sayin'
Come on, baby girl
You got to get back up
You got to hold on
Yeah, you got to hold on
Yeah, you got to wait
I don't wanna wait
Well, I don't wanna wait
No, I don't wanna wait
You got to hold on
@chillencey
iām 23 years young and fighting a very aggressive cancer, and this song has filled me with the fight i needed to conquer my battle, thank you Alabama shakes
EDIT: thank you all for countless support. i never thought in a million years iād be where i am now. i am doing better baby steps at a time. thank you to those who reached out to me and those who left words of encouragement. i held on and here i am ā¤ļø
@brettelder8023
I hope you beat the cancer!!! Way too young!!
@josephbuonfiglio9442
May you receive prayers to overcome you cancer. God Bless.
@johnthorne4093
I will pray for you. Please stay strong.
@jennifergreen6109
You've got this!
@mjwybound8358
You Got This!
@martinhairston1645
My wife said if she passed before me she wanted this played at her funeral... and I did. Surprised alot of blue hairs. God bless y'all. I'm going to hold on
@danielgoldsmith6668
Martin Hairston ššš¤
@acey1169
for real??
@sistacharjah
Bless her beautiful soul Martin, and keep holdin on kickin on and stayin strong.. š±šÆļøš