Atlanta Rhythm Section, sometimes abbreviated ARS, is an American rock band… Read Full Bio ↴Atlanta Rhythm Section, sometimes abbreviated ARS, is an American rock band from the South The band unofficially formed in 1970 as former members of the Candymen and the Classics IV became the session band for the newly opened Studio One in Doraville, Georgia, near Atlanta. After playing on other artists' recordings, they decided to become a true band in their own right. The members of the original band were Rodney Justo (singer), Barry Bailey (guitarist), Paul Goddard (bassist), Dean Daughtry (keyboardist) and Robert Nix (drummer). Justo left the band after the first album and was replaced by Ronnie Hammond. Buddy Buie, the band's manager and producer, is listed first on almost all of the songwriting credits of the band's songs.

While ARS would never reach the commercial success of Lynyrd Skynyrd or the Marshall Tucker Band, the group had a strong following in the south and charted a number of hits such as "Imaginary Lover," "I'm Not Going to Let it Bother Me Tonight," "Champagne Jam," "So Into You," and a remake of a Classics IV hit, "Spooky."

The band also influenced a number of rock and country artists, notably Travis Tritt, who recorded a cover of the ARS songs, "Back Up Against the Wall" and "Homesick." The group Shudder to Think covered "So Into You."

Hold On Loosely
Atlanta Rhythm Section Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You See It All Around You
Good Lovin' Gone Bad
And Usually It's Too Late When You, Realize What You Had
And My Mind Goes Back To A Girl I Left Some Years Ago,
Who Told Me,
Just Hold On Loosely, But Don't Let Go
If You Cling To Tightly,
You're Gonna Lose Control

Your Baby Needs Someone To Believe In
And A Whole Lot Of Space To Breathe In
It's So Damn Easy, When Your Feelings Are Such
To Overprotect Her, To Love Her Too Much
And My Mind Goes Back To A Girl I Left Some Years Ago
Who Told Me,
Just Hold On Loosely, But Don't Let Go
If You Cling Too Tight Babe,
You're Gonna Loose Control
Your Baby Needs Someone To Believe In
And A Whole Lot Of Space To Breathe In
Don't Let Her Slip Away
Sentimental Fool
Don't Let Your Heart Get In Her Way
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah,
You See It All Around You
Good Lovin' Gone Bad
And Usually It's Too Late When You, Realize What You Had
And My Mind Goes Back To A Girl I Left Some Years Ago,
Who Told Me,
Just Hold On Loosely, But Don't Let Go
If You Cling To Tightly,
You're Gonna Lose Control
Your Baby Needs Someone To Believe In
And A Whole Lot Of Space To Breathe In
So Hold On Loosely, But Don't Let Go
If You Cling Too Tight Babe,
You're Gonna Lose It
You're Gonna -- Lose Control
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah Just Hold On Loosely But Don't Let Go
If You Cling Too Tight Babe,
You're Gonna Loose Control
Hold On Loosely, But Don't Let Go
If You Cling Too Tight Babe,

You're Gonna Loose Control
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah

Overall Meaning

The song "Hold On Loosely" by Atlanta Rhythm Section is about the importance of giving your loved one space and not being too possessive. The first verse reflects on the common scenario of good relationships turning sour due to too much attachment and control. The chorus advises the listener to "hold on loosely" instead of clinging too tightly, to give their partner the opportunity to breathe and be themselves. The lyrics are from the perspective of a man thinking back to a past relationship with a woman who warned him about holding on too tightly. The second verse emphasizes that it is easy to overprotect and love someone too much, and that a lack of space can drive them away. The final chorus repeats the importance of holding on loosely to avoid losing control.

Overall, the message of the song is about balance in relationships, not being too clingy nor too distant. It warns against the danger of missing out on a good thing before realizing too late what was lost. The singer learns from his past mistakes and encourages others to do the same, to ensure happier relationships.

Line by Line Meaning

You See It All Around You
Everywhere you look, there are examples of relationships falling apart

Good Lovin' Gone Bad
What once was good love has turned into a bad situation

And Usually It's Too Late When You, Realize What You Had
People often don't realize what they had until it is gone

And My Mind Goes Back To A Girl I Left Some Years Ago, Who Told Me, Just Hold On Loosely, But Don't Let Go
The artist reflects on a girl from his past who advised him to hold on loosely but not let go

If You Cling To Tightly, You're Gonna Lose Control
Holding on too tightly to someone can cause you to lose control of the relationship

Your Baby Needs Someone To Believe In And A Whole Lot Of Space To Breathe In
Your partner needs to know that you believe in them, and they also need space in the relationship

It's So Damn Easy, When Your Feelings Are Such, To Overprotect Her, To Love Her Too Much
When you have strong feelings for someone, it is easy to become overprotective and love them too much

Don't Let Her Slip Away, Sentimental Fool, Don't Let Your Heart Get In Her Way
Don't let your emotions cloud your judgment and cause you to lose the person you love

So Hold On Loosely, But Don't Let Go
Hold on to your relationship, but don't hold too tightly or you will lose it

If You Cling Too Tight Babe, You're Gonna Lose It, You're Gonna -- Lose Control
If you hold on too tightly, you will lose control of the relationship

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah Just Hold On Loosely But Don't Let Go
Reassurance to hold on to the relationship without being too controlling

If You Cling Too Tight Babe, You're Gonna Lose Control
Again, a warning against holding on too tightly and losing control

Hold On Loosely, But Don't Let Go
A repetition of the main message to hold on loosely

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah
A musical refrain

Writer(s): BARNES, PETERIK, CARLISI

Contributed by Lily A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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