Davoli, Semplici, and Limoni had previously formed a group called Groove Groove Melody, producing dance music under names such as Starlight (who had a UK Top 10 hit in August 1989 with "Numero Uno") and Wood Allen. They went on to record music under many other aliases, most notably Mixmaster, which scored a UK #9 hit in November 1989 with the song "Grand Piano".
In 1989, the trio teamed up with French Caribbean model Katrin Quinol (b. Catherine Quinol) and formed the group Black Box. Quinol did not contribute musically to any of the tracks on the album, was considered the group's "image", lip-syncing the songs in TV performances and music videos.
The first single "Ride On Time" was an international hit, making Top 10 in many countries and No. 1 in the UK, soon becoming the UK's best-selling single of 1989. The song heavily sampled "Love Sensation" by Loleatta Holloway, a 1980 disco hit. The Black Box title is derived from the lyrics "Cause you're right on time".
Dan Hartman, writer and producer of "Love Sensation", was not sought for permission to sample his song, and soon after the international success of "Ride On Time," questions arose as to the true vocalist on the song. Legal proceedings ruled that Loleatta Holloway was the actual singer on "Ride On Time" (albeit by means of the "Love Sensation" vocal samples) and Black Box surrendered a large percentage of the royalties from the song to Hartman and Holloway. A new version of the track with uncredited vocals by Heather Small appeared solely as a single.
The group enlisted Martha Wash to perform vocals on a number of tracks which, Wash was apparently told, were for club consumption and were not for mass-release. The album Dreamland was released in May 1990, and featured six songs sung by Wash, including the singles "Everybody Everybody", "I Don't Know Anybody Else", and "Strike It Up", which became major hits worldwide. Dreamland earned a gold disc in both the UK and the US and achieved double-platinum status in Canada. In Australia it spent three weeks at #1, achieved platinum accreditation and was ranked the country's 16th highest selling album of 1991. Along the way, it also spawned six hit singles, both on the mainstream charts and in the clubs.
Martha Wash was uncredited on the album and singles, with Katrin Quinol lip-synching to the songs in public appearances. Wash sued Black Box, RCA Records and then C+C Music Factory for not receiving due credit. RCA and Wash settled out of court in 1990, with Wash receiving financial compensation and a record deal with RCA.[7] Wash received full vocal credit upon the single release of "Strike It Up", but the music video still featured Katrin Quinol lip-synching the lyrics.
In 1993, the group returned with the single "Rockin' To The Music", dismissing Quinol as the group's image and using American singer Charvoni Woodson as lead vocalist and image, but failed to emulate their previous success. The group recorded their second album Positive Vibration, with Woodson. The album was released around Europe and Asia in different independent labels from 1995 to 1997. The album spawned four singles, including a cover of Odyssey's disco hit "Native New Yorker" which became minor hits in Europe.
In America, they are best remembered for their early '90s singles, "Everybody Everybody", "I Don't Know Anybody Else", and "Strike It Up", their biggest hit in the United States, where all three of their hits are still heard on rhythmic radio and in clubs on a fairly regular basis to this day. Black Box remain one of the few piano-house groups to achieve mainstream success in the USA.
Official website : http://www.blackboxhouse.eu/
Katrin Quinol official website : http://katrinquinol.fr/
Hold On
Black Box Lyrics
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Hold on (hold on, hold on)
Hold on (hold on, hold on)
Hold on (hold on, hold on)
Cocaine, cocaine to go straight to your brain
Hold on, I think the game is over
Hold on, and put the slow on feeling
Hold on, you see they're all just uptight
Hold on, you're gonna feel so fine
Hold on, don't take it, set you right
Hold on, you gotta move to try
Hold on, you'd better step my way
Remember when there was no side
Remember all the time gone by
Remember when you used to smile
keep it on your bloody mind
Remember all the time, how good
Remember that's all up to you
Remember when I was the top
Keep your thanks and then just tell me why
Why, tell me why
Why
Cocaine, cocaine to go straight to your brain
Hold on, you're on your own today
Hold on, you walk on down, they see all right
Hold on, put your cares to sleep, diggin' on that funky beat
You just kept on feeling sad
Take it bad like a jilted lover
Remember when there was no side
Remember all the time gone by
Remember when you used to smile
keep it on your bloody mind
Remember all the time, how good
Remember that's all up to you
Remember when I was the top
Keep your thanks and then just tell me why
Why, tell me why
Why, tell me why
Why, tell me why
Why
Cocaine, cocaine to go straight to your brain
Hold on
The lyrics to Black Box's song 'Hold On' seem to be about someone who is struggling and is being told to hold on and keep fighting. The repetition of the phrase 'hold on' throughout the song emphasizes this message. The first verse mentions cocaine going straight to the brain, possibly implying that drug use is not the solution to the person's problems. The second verse says "remember when there was no side," which may refer to a time when life seemed simpler and easier. The song also includes the line "take it bad like a jilted lover," which suggests the person may be dealing with a heartbreak or disappointment.
The chorus encourages the person to "put the slow on feeling" and "move to try," indicating that action and positivity are important for moving forward. The bridge of the song says "you're on your own today," but also urges the person to "walk on down, they see all right" and to "put your cares to sleep, diggin' on that funky beat." This suggests that the person may feel like they are alone, but there are still things they can do to lift their spirits and find happiness.
In summary, 'Hold On' is a song about perseverance through difficult times, encouraging the listener to keep fighting and focusing on the positive things in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Hold on (hold on, hold on)
The singer repeatedly urges the listener to keep holding on and not give up.
Cocaine, cocaine to go straight to your brain
The singer warns against the dangers of cocaine and how it affects the brain.
Hold on, I think the game is over
The singer acknowledges that things may seem hopeless, but encourages the listener to keep trying.
Hold on, try again to feel all right
The singer suggests that even if things are difficult, the listener can find happiness by persevering.
Hold on, and put the slow on feeling
The singer advises the listener to take their time and not rush through life's challenges.
Hold on, you see they're all just uptight
The singer reminds the listener that other people's negative attitudes and behavior should not discourage them from moving forward.
Hold on, you're gonna feel so fine
The singer promises that eventually, the listener will feel good and happy again.
Hold on, don't take it, set you right
The singer suggests that the listener should not turn to drugs or other harmful behaviors to cope with their struggles.
Hold on, you gotta move to try
The singer encourages the listener to take action and make an effort to improve their situation.
Hold on, you'd better step my way
The singer offers their guidance and support to the listener.
Remember when there was no side
The singer reminisces about the past when things were simpler and there were no complicated choices to make.
Remember all the time gone by
The singer suggests that the listener should look back on their memories and experiences to find inspiration.
Remember when you used to smile
The singer encourages the listener to remember a time when they were happy and carefree.
keep it on your bloody mind
The singer emphasizes the importance of remembering these positive memories and holding onto them.
Remember all the time, how good
The singer continues to encourage the listener to focus on the positive memories they have.
Remember that's all up to you
The singer suggests that the listener has the power to control their thoughts and feelings, and can choose to focus on the positive instead of the negative.
Remember when I was the top
The singer takes pride in their past successes and encourages the listener to do the same with their own accomplishments.
Keep your thanks and then just tell me why
The singer wants the listener to appreciate the good things in their life, but also wants them to understand why they should be thankful.
Why, tell me why
The singer repeats this question to encourage the listener to reflect on the reasons behind their actions and emotions.
Hold on, you're on your own today
The singer acknowledges that the listener may feel alone in their struggles, but urges them to keep holding on.
Hold on, you walk on down, they see all right
The singer suggests that even though the listener may feel like they are surrounded by negativity, they can still walk confidently and show that they will be alright.
Hold on, put your cares to sleep, diggin' on that funky beat
The singer encourages the listener to forget their troubles and enjoy the moment, finding happiness through music.
You just kept on feeling sad
The singer notes that the listener may still feel sad, but urges them to keep trying to find happiness.
Take it bad like a jilted lover
The singer compares the listener's pain to that of a spurned lover, suggesting that it may be intense but will eventually fade.
Lyrics © PFIVE Entertainment Mexico, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mirko Limoni, Valerio Semplici, Daniele Davoli
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind