Hold Up
Beyoncé Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning
Slow down, they don't love you like I love you
Back up, they don't love you like I love you
Step down, they don't love you like I love you
Can't you see there's no other man above you?
What a wicked way to treat the girl that loves you
Hold up, they don't love you like I love you
Oh, down, they don't love you like I love you
Something don't feel right
Because it ain't right
Especially comin' up after midnight
I smell your secret, and I'm not too perfect
To ever feel this worthless
How did it come down to this?
Scrollin' through your call list
I don't wanna lose my pride, but I'ma fuck me up a bitch
Know that I kept it sexy, and know I kept it fun
There's something that I'm missing, maybe my head for one
What's worse, lookin' jealous or crazy?
Jealous or crazy?
Or like being walked all over lately, walked all over lately
I'd rather be crazy
Hold up, they don't love you like I love you
Slow down, they don't love you like I love you
Back up, they don't love you like I love you
Step down, they don't love you like I love you
Can't you see there's no other man above you?
What a wicked way to treat the girl that loves you
Hold up, they don't love you like I love you
Slow down they don't love you like I love you
Let's imagine for a moment that you never made a name for yourself
Or mastered wealth, they had you labeled as a king
Never made it out the cage, still out there movin' in them streets
Never had the baddest woman in the game up in your sheets
Would they be down to ride?
No, they used to hide from you, lie to you
But y'all know we were made for each other
So I find you and hold you down
Me sing se
Hold up, they don't love you like I love you
Slow down, they don't love you like I love you
Back up, they don't love you like I love you
Step down, they don't love you like I love you
Can't you see there's no other man above you?
What a wicked way to treat the girl that loves you
Hold up, they don't love you like I love you
Slow down they don't love you like I love you
Hey, this such a shame
You let this good love go to waste
I always keep the top tier, 5 star
Backseat lovin' in the car
Like make that wood, like make that wood
Holly like a boulevard
What's worse, lookin' jealous or crazy?
Jealous and crazy?
Or like being walked all over lately, walked all over lately
I'd rather be crazy
Hold up, they don't love you like I love you
Slow down, they don't love you like I love you
Back up, they don't love you like I love you
Step down, they don't love you like I love you
Can't you see there's no other man above you?
What a wicked way to treat the girl that loves you
Hold up, they don't love you like I love you
Oh, down, they don't love you like I love you
I hop up out the bed and get my swag on
I look in the mirror, say, "what's up?"
What's up? What's up? What's up?
I hop up out the bed and get my swag on
I look in the mirror, say, "what's up?"
What's up? What's up? What's up?
Beyoncé's song "Hold Up" from her visual album "Lemonade" is a song about a jealous lover who is being cheated on but is still willing to fight for the relationship. The first lines of the song, "Hold up, they don't love you like I love you, Slow down, they don't love you like I love you," imply that the protagonist is trying to convince their lover that no one loves them like they do, and they should appreciate the love and loyalty they have. The song is a combination of different emotions, from anger to regret, mixed with a soft melody that makes it easy to sway to. With each chorus, Beyoncé strengthens her case and warns her lover that they need to appreciate her love because no one else will love them like she loves them.
Moving on to the second stanza, Beyoncé shows her vulnerability and admits that something in her relationship doesn't feel right. She mentions that she smells a secret and that she feels worthless because of it, scrolling through her lover's call list. She confesses that she isn't too proud to do some damage to the person he cheated on her with. She laments that she has done everything to keep their love in check and adventurous, but she feels like something is missing, perhaps the same love and respect she gives to her partner. The bridge asks whether it's worse to be jealous or crazy or to let someone walk all over them. In the end, Beyoncé prefers to be crazy than to be the latter, an indication that she would go on a rampage if the relationship were to go south.
Overall, "Hold Up" is a song that shows the audience that even famous people go through the same struggles in relationships as average people, and the emotions they go through are just as valid as those of ordinary folks.
Line by Line Meaning
Hold up, they don't love you like I love you
I don't think they love you like I do
Slow down, they don't love you like I love you
Calm down, I know they don't love you like I do
Back up, they don't love you like I love you
Step back, I'm the only one who loves you this way
Step down, they don't love you like I love you
Take a step back, no one loves you as much as I do
Can't you see there's no other man above you?
Don't you see that you're the best and no one compares to you?
What a wicked way to treat the girl that loves you
It's not right to treat someone who loves you this way
Oh, down, they don't love you like I love you
Oh, they just don't love you like I do
Something don't feel right
Something feels off
Because it ain't right
Because it's not right
Especially comin' up after midnight
Especially happening after midnight
I smell your secret, and I'm not too perfect
I know your secret, and I'm not perfect myself
To ever feel this worthless
To feel completely worthless
How did it come down to this?
How did this happen?
Scrollin' through your call list
Looking through your call log
I don't wanna lose my pride, but I'ma fuck me up a bitch
I don't want to lose my dignity, but I'm going to hurt someone
Know that I kept it sexy, and know I kept it fun
I know I was attractive and fun
There's something that I'm missing, maybe my head for one
I feel like I'm missing something, maybe it's just me
What's worse, lookin' jealous or crazy?
What's worse, seeming jealous or insane?
Jealous or crazy?
Envious or insane?
Or like being walked all over lately, walked all over lately
Or like being taken advantage of, recently
I'd rather be crazy
I'd rather be insane
Let's imagine for a moment that you never made a name for yourself
Let's pretend you never became well-known
Or mastered wealth, they had you labeled as a king
Or became wealthy enough to be considered royalty
Never made it out the cage, still out there movin' in them streets
Never escaped the confinement, still in the streets
Never had the baddest woman in the game up in your sheets
Never had the best woman in the game in your bed
Would they be down to ride?
Would they be loyal and ride for you?
No, they used to hide from you, lie to you
No, they used to hide from you and deceive you
But y'all know we were made for each other
But we know we belong together
So I find you and hold you down
So I found you and support you
Me sing se
I sing for you
Hey, this such a shame
Hey, this is a pity
You let this good love go to waste
You're wasting this good love
I always keep the top tier, 5 star
I always have the best, top tier love
Backseat lovin' in the car
Intimate moments in the car
Like make that wood, like make that wood
Like make that erection, like make that erection
Holly like a boulevard
So loud like a boulevard
I hop up out the bed and get my swag on
I get up, energized and confident
I look in the mirror, say, "what's up?"
I look in the mirror and greet myself
What's up? What's up? What's up?
Hi, how are you? Hi, how are you? Hi, how are you?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Antonio Randolph, Beyonce Gisselle Knowles, Brian Chase, Deandre Cortez Way, Doc Pomus, Emile Haynie, Ezra Koenig, Joshua Michael Tillman, Karen Lee Orzolek, Kelvin McConnell, Mort Shuman, Nicholas Joseph Zinner, Sean Ryan Rhoden, Thomas Wesley Pentz, Uzo
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lyrically, she verifies that she loves her partner physically and emotionally, but also states her intention to figure out where his loyalties lie, even if it means losing her sanity. The lighthearted and upbeat instrumental juxtaposes the actual content of the song, which deals with rage and resentment.
The song received a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Solo Performance at the 59th ceremony (2017).
Zolia Guzman - Huert
Hold up, they don't love you like I love you
Slow down, they don't love you like I love you
Back up, they don't love you like I love you
Step down, they don't love you like I love you
Can't you see there's no other man above you?
What a wicked way to treat the girl that loves you
Hold up, they don't love you like I love you
Oh, down, they don't love you like I love you
Something don't feel right
Because it ain't right
Especially comin' up after midnight
I smell your secrets, and I'm not too perfect
To ever feel this worthless
How did it come down to this?
Scrolling through your call list
I don't wanna lose my pride, but I'ma fuck me up a bitch
Know that I kept it sexy, you know I kept it fun
There's something that I'm missing? Maybe my head for one
What's worst, lookin' jealous or crazy?
Jealous or crazy?
Or like being walked all over lately, walked all over lately
I'd rather be crazy
Hold up, they don't love you like I love you
Slow down, they don't love you like I love you
Back up, they don't love you like I love you
Step down, they don't love you like I love you
Can't you see there's no other man above you?
What a wicked way to treat the girl that loves you
Hold up, they don't love you like I love you
Slow down, they don't love you like I love you
Let's imagine for a moment
That you never made a name for yourself
Or master wealth, they had you labeled as a king
Never made it out the cage, still out there movin' in them streets
Never had the baddest woman in the game up in your sheets
Would they be down to ride? No
They used to hide from you, lie to you
But y'all know we were made for each other
So I find you and hold you down
Me sing se
Hold up, they don't love you like I love you
Slow down, they don't love you like I love you
Back up, they don't love you like I love you
Step down, they don't love you like I love you
Can't you see there's no other man above you?
What a wicked way to treat the girl that loves you
Hold up, they don't love you like I love you
Slow down, they don't love you like I love you
Hey, this such a shame
You let this good love go to waste
I always give that top tier, 5 star
Backseat lovin' in the car
Like make that wood, like make that wood
Holly like a boulevard
What's worse, lookin' jealous or crazy?
Jealous and crazy?
Or like been walked all over lately, walked all over lately
I'd rather be crazy
Hold up, they don't love you like I love you
Slow down, they don't love you like I love you
Back up, they don't love you like I love you
Step down, they don't love you like I love you
Chun Li
Denial (Poem)
I tried to change
Closed my mouth more
Tried to be soft, prettier
Less... awake
Fasted for 60 days
Wore white
Abstained from mirrors
Abstained from sex
Slowly did not speak another word
And that time my hair I grew past my ankles
I slept on a mat on the floor
I swallowed a sword
I levitated
Into the basement
Confessed my sins
And was baptized in a river
Got on my knees and said, "Amen"
And said, "I mean"
I whipped my own back
And asked for dominion at your feet
I threw myself into a volcano
I drank the blood and drank the wine
I sat alone in begged and bent at the waist for God
I crossed myself in thought
I saw the devil
I grew thickened skin on my feet
I bathed in bleach
And plugged my menses with the pages from the holy book
But still inside me coiled deep was the need to know
Are you cheating?
Are you cheating on me?
Africanwild
She said "Holy Book" which I could have overlooked but then she showed the Bible.
Now imagine if it were the Quran she showed. Do you think that she will be alive to tell the tale now?
Let's no forget this truth: Even if you're a Christian, Traditionalist, Buddhist, Muslim, atheist etc. You have to respect the other ways others use to commune with their spiritual being.
You don't have to do that for anything! Through art or whatsoever. That you don't believe it in is OK and there is no need for you to castigate it. Is just like someone saying I don't believe we come from our parents. Fine! Leave others that do and do not go about insulting their parents coz you all believe differently.
They all mess up with Christians because they don't fight physically with weapon and they tend to leave such blasphemous act to God to treat the person in his way.
Let her try that with Muslims holy book and see if she will still have her life and the art people claim this to be. That's how a Nigerian girl Deborah was murdered grievously. 😒
Aiganym Karimova
Lyrics:
Hold up, they don't love you like I love you
Slow down, they don't love you like I love you
Back up, they don't love you like I love you
Step down, they don't love you like I love you
Can't you see there's no other man above you?
What a wicked way to treat the girl that loves you
Hold up, they don't love you like I love you
Oh, down, they don't love you like I love you
Something don't feel right because it ain't right
Especially comin' up after midnight
I smell your secrets, and I'm not too perfect
To ever feel this worthless
How did it come down to this? Scrolling through your call list
I don't wanna lose my pride, but I'ma fuck me up a bitch
Know that I kept it sexy, you know I kept it fun
There's something that I'm missing, maybe my head for one
What's worst, lookin' jealous or crazy? Jealous or crazy?
Or like being walked all over lately, walked all over lately
I'd rather be crazy
Hold up, they don't love you like I love you
Slow down, they don't love you like I love you
Back up, they don't love you like I love you
Step down, they don't love you like I love you
Can't you see there's no other man above you?
What a wicked way to treat the girl that loves you
Hold up, they don't love you like I love you
Slow down, they don't love you like I love you
Let's imagine for a moment that you never made a name for yourself
Or mastered wealth, they had you labeled as a king
Never made it out the cage, still out there movin' in them streets
Never had the baddest woman in the game up in your sheets
Would they be down to ride? No
They used to hide from you, lie to you
But y'all know we were made for each other
So I find you and hold you down
Me sing se
Hold up, they don't love you like I love you
Slow down, they don't love you like I love you
Back up, they don't love you like I love you
Step down, they don't love you like I love you
Can't you see there's no other man above you?
What a wicked way to treat the girl that loves you
Hold up, they don't love you like I love you
Slow down, they don't love you like I love you
Hey, this such a shame
You let this good love go to waste
I always keep the top tier, 5 star
Backseat lovin' in the car
Like make that wood, like make that wood
Holly like a boulevard
What's worse, lookin' jealous or crazy? Jealous and crazy?
Or like being walked all over lately, walked all over lately
I'd rather be crazy
Hold up, they don't love you like I love you
Slow down, they don't love you like I love you
Back up, they don't love you like I love you
Step down, they don't love you like I love you
Can't you see there's no other man above you?
What a wicked way to treat the girl that loves you
Hold up, they don't love you like I love you
Oh, down, they don't love you like I love you
I hop up out my bed and get my swag on
I look in the mirror, say, "What's up?"
What's up, what's up, what's up
I hop up out my bed and get my swag on
I look in the mirror, say, "What's up?"
What's up, what's up, what's up
Nathan
I tried to change
Closed my mouth more
Tried to be soft, prettier
Less... awake
Fasted for 60 days
Wore white
Abstained from mirrors
Abstained from sex
Slowly did not speak another word
And that time my hair I grew past my ankles
I slept on a mat on the floor
I swallowed a sword
I levitated
Into the basement
Confessed my sins
And was baptized in a river
Got on my knees and said, "Amen"
And said, "I mean"
I whipped my own back
And asked for dominion at your feet
I threw myself into a volcano
I drank the blood and drank the wine
I sat alone and begged and bent at the waist for God
I crossed myself in thought
I saw the devil
I grew thickened skin on my feet
I bathed in bleach
And plugged my menses with the pages from the holy book
But still inside me coiled deep was the need to know
Are you cheating?
Are you cheating on me?
Day6atemywallet
I love how she realises her worth and knows that it’s not her fault that he cheated, she was there, she did everything, still he did it
C
She's still with him tho.
ochiorbus
All while smashing windows. That is nice.
Hacga Rimman
And how she's copied that tune from someone else. Yeah. Real strong and talented 😂😂
Monae
Cheat *
Monae
They all cheta
Star Beam
After being cheated on, I finally understand the symbolism at the beginning of the video. Bear in mind the Lemonade epic was full of spoken word artsy stuff…but that first bit of Beyonce in water is like her holding everything in. It’s like inhaling and attempting to be different for the sake of appearing sane, nice and okay. When she opens the doors it’s like she finally says “fuck it” I’d rather be crazy than jealous and so she lets all the “water” go and starts bashing up the whole darn town 😂 I know it may look obvious but you literally feel like you’re holding your breath/tongue when you know smn aint right and so I understood the opening of the doors and letting the water escape….
“You either say nothing and let it fuck you up, or say something and fuck it up yourself”
Ya Jack
@pee Ivate 100%!!!
Ya Jack
@Oz first of all many of you overlook the very last thing bey said. She says “are you cheating on me?”
She didn’t even know. But she had a feeling for so long and because of the mental abuse she endured, she instead tried to keep quiet and “fix” herself. She began to do everything she thought the Bible would say to do, everything her own ill mind told her to do, whatever would make her better for a man. Meanwhile she was always the baddest, most humble and amazing human being. The MENTAL torture is what she’s speaking about, the changing your hair, the way you speak, how you come across just to be loved, when she realizes, that nothing shes changing will change the man. She now sees that she’s always been an amazing woman how she is, and anyone around her better realize that or get the hell on. 😂💯
C Miller
Same here!! I can’t wait for this divorce to finalize