A veteran of the small club circuit, particularly in and around his native New York City, Hest recorded and issued his first three albums on his own. Incomplete (1999), a collection of six songs, was originally intended as a demo to circulate among club owners to help secure performing engagements. Incomplete began selling well at shows, and led to the production of two more full-length albums, Come Home (2001) and Story after Story (2003). Hest's first commercial release from a national record label, Someone to Tell, was released by Columbia Records in 2004.
Holding On
Ari Hest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I look where you live, it draws me in but I don't want to fight
Making plans for some future heaven, some cocoon for eternal life
We know it's crazy but it keeps us sane, it brings the heaviness to light
All the golden tint of our predictions may be exactly what both of us see, but
Today is a long way from then and who can tell how we will feel, I'm just
Holding on for some decision to end this impatience
I won't let go
Three years and counting since we lost our innocence, a heart of gold I had found
But your life was calling, and you had to answer, and I was homeward bound
Your touch, your voice, the only things that help me make any sense of this
I miss you, all your delight, but what's the difference? Without you here I'm just
Holding on to you
Holding on for some decision to end this impatience
I won't let go
I'm holding on to you
Holding on for some incision to cut this relation
I won't let go
Now it seems it's never enough, whether we're here or apart
And I've been thinking way too hard baby, when are you gonna start?
[Chorus]
The lyrics of Ari Hest's song Holding On describe a complex relationship between two people who are struggling to maintain their connection over time and distance. The setting of the song is a night drive along the Hudson River, with the water reflecting the emotions of the singer. He is drawn to the place where the person he cares for lives, but is hesitant to fight for the relationship. Instead, they both seek "some future heaven, some cocoon for eternal life," a place where they can escape the pain and uncertainty of their situation. This hope may seem crazy, but it is what keeps them sane and brings their struggles into the light.
Despite their shared vision of the future, the singer recognizes that the present is a long way from then. He is holding on to the person he cares for, uncertain of whether they will stay together or not. The chorus of the song emphasizes this need to hold on, to wait for some decision to end their impatience. The relationship has been going for three years, during which the singer has lost his innocence and grown to care deeply for this person. Their touch and voice help him make sense of his life, but without them, he feels adrift.
The song speaks to the difficulty of maintaining a long-distance relationship, as well as the hope and love that can keep people together in spite of the distance. It is a poignant reminder that even when things are difficult, it is worth holding on to the people we care about.
Line by Line Meaning
Driving home along the Hudson, the water shivers in the night
As I drive home, I am mesmerized by the beauty of the Hudson River that appears to be shivering in the darkness.
I look where you live, it draws me in but I don't want to fight
The thought of your residence pulls me towards it, but I am not ready to argue or confront you.
Making plans for some future heaven, some cocoon for eternal life
We create dreams for our future, hoping for an everlasting bliss and a peaceful afterlife.
We know it's crazy but it keeps us sane, it brings the heaviness to light
We are aware that our aspirations are irrational, but it acts as a remedy for our anxiety and let us unveil our hidden emotions.
All the golden tint of our predictions may be exactly what both of us see, but
Our presumptions may seem bright and perfect, but they are still uncertain as we don't know how we will eventually feel.
Today is a long way from then and who can tell how we will feel, I'm just
The present is far different from the past, and no one can predict how we'll react to a situation. At the moment, I'm just uncertain.
Holding on to you
I am grasping onto you tightly.
Holding on for some decision to end this impatience
I am holding on, waiting for a verdict that will put an end to my restlessness.
I won't let go
I won't relinquish my grip on you.
Three years and counting since we lost our innocence, a heart of gold I had found
It's been three years since the loss of our innocence, but I remember discovering your pure and innocent heart.
But your life was calling, and you had to answer, and I was homeward bound
Your responsibilities compelled you to move on, and I had to leave and return home.
Your touch, your voice, the only things that help me make any sense of this
The only things that aid me in comprehending our situation are your tender touch and your soothing voice.
I miss you, all your delight, but what's the difference? Without you here I'm just
I long for you, for all your charm and cheer, but honestly, none of it matters because without you, I'm incomplete.
Holding on to you
I am grasping onto you tightly.
Holding on for some decision to end this impatience
I am holding on, waiting for a verdict that will put an end to my restlessness.
I won't let go
I won't relinquish my grip on you.
I'm holding on to you
I am grasping onto you tightly.
Holding on for some incision to cut this relation
I am holding on, waiting to end this relationship.
I won't let go
I won't relinquish my grip on you.
Now it seems it's never enough, whether we're here or apart
It seems that it is not sufficient, if we are together or living separately.
And I've been thinking way too hard baby, when are you gonna start?
I have thought and stressed about our relationship too much. When will you begin to take responsibility and make a decision?
[Chorus]
These are the lines of the chorus.
Lyrics © TUNECORE INC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Ari Hest
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind