One of the best known American power pop bands, the group's biggest hits over the years include "I Want You to Want Me", "Surrender", "Dream Police", "Don't Be Cruel" (a cover of Elvis Presley's hit), and "The Flame". Their most recent release, The Latest, has gained critical acclaim. They also wrote and performed the theme song for "The Colbert Report" as well as "That 70s Show", both tunes being fan favorites.
Nielsen and Petersson originally formed the group as Fuse in 1967, with Carlos joining the group several years later; however, when Zander joined as vocalist in 1972, the group was renamed Cheap Trick. Zander is considered one of the best hard rock vocalists of his era. For their part, Tom Petersson has been known for playing custom made 8, 12, and even a 18 string custom bass made by Modulus for Tom in 1981 and Rick Nielsen also has a penchant for unusual instruments. He owns and plays a five-necked solidbody electric guitar (it can be seen in the video for the song "She's Tight" among others).
Studio Albums
(1977) Cheap Trick [a.k.a Cheap Trick (1997)]
(1977) In Color
(1978) Heaven Tonight
(1979) Dream Police
(1980) All Shook Up
(1980) Found All The Parts
(1982) One on One
(1983) Next Position Please
(1985) Standing on the Edge
(1986) The Doctor
(1988) Lap of Luxury
(1990) Busted
(1994) Woke Up With A Monster
(1997) Cheap Trick [a.k.a Cheap Trick (1997)]
(2003) Special One
(2006) Rockford
(2009) The Latest
(2016) Bang, Zoom, Crazy...Hello
(2017) We're All Alright!
(2021) In Another World
[Live Albums]
(1978) At Budokan
(1978) Budokan II
(1998) At Budokan: the Complete Concert
(1999) Music for Hangovers
(2001) Silver
Love's Got A Hold On Me
Cheap Trick Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's got a hold on me, a hold on me
Your love has got me
It's got a hold on me
You're not the first one
You're not the last one
You're not even the in between
You crawl through Harlem
On your hands and knees
It's not the way you look
The way you walk and the color of your hair
It's not the way you look
The way you talk and the color of your hair
Your love has got me
It's got a hold on me, a hold on me
Your love has got me
It's got a hold on me
Well there is something I feel about you
A feelin' that just won't let go
Well in an hour, you have the power
The power of love over me
It's not the way you look
The way you walk and the color of your hair (no)
It's not the way you look
The way you talk and the color of your hair
Then you threw it away, you threw it all away
As you walked right out the door
You threw it away, you threw it all away
As you walked right out the door
Your love has got me
It's got a hold on me, a hold on me
Your love has got me
It's got a hold on me, a hold on me
It's got a hold on me
It's got a hold on me
It's got a hold on, hold on, hold on
Hold on, hold on me
Your love has got me
It's got a hold on me, a hold on me
Your love has got me
It's got a hold on me, a hold on me
The lyrics to Cheap Trick's "Love's Got a Hold on Me" are about being in love and feeling trapped or controlled by it. The repeating line of "your love has got me, it's got a hold on me" reinforces the idea that the singer is unable to break free from their love for this person.
The second verse is particularly interesting as it seems to suggest that this person is not necessarily special or unique. The singer says "you're not the first one, you're not the last one, you're not even the in between." This could be interpreted as meaning that the subject of the song is just another lover in a long line of failed relationships, yet the singer still can't escape the hold of their love.
The bridge of the song adds another layer to the lyrics by presenting a paradox - the subject of the song has the power to control the singer's emotions, yet they also "crawl through Harlem on [their] hands and knees." This line suggests that the subject of the song is vulnerable in some way, yet they still have the power to keep the singer emotionally trapped.
Overall, "Love's Got a Hold on Me" is a simple yet effective portrayal of being in love with someone who has control over you.
Line by Line Meaning
Your love has got me
The experience of being in love with you has overwhelmed me completely
It's got a hold on me, a hold on me
I am completely captivated and unable to resist the power of your love
You're not the first one
You are not the first person I have loved
You're not the last one
You will not be the last person I love
You're not even the in between
You are not just another person I love without any special feelings
You've got the power, this is your hour
You have the ability to control my emotions and right now is the time that you can use that power
You crawl through Harlem on your hands and knees
You are willing to do anything to fulfill your desires, no matter how challenging or uncomfortable the circumstances
It's not the way you look
My attraction to you is not based solely on your physical appearance
The way you walk and the color of your hair
My attraction to you is not solely based on the way you move or the color of your hair
Well there is something I feel about you
I am experiencing an undefined but intense emotion towards you
A feelin' that just won't let go
This emotion is so strong that I cannot shake it
Well in an hour, you have the power
You have the ability to change the course of my emotions in a short amount of time
The power of love over me
I am completely subject to the power of your love
Then you threw it away, you threw it all away
You discarded our relationship with little thought or consideration
As you walked right out the door
You ended our relationship suddenly and without explanation
It's got a hold on me
The power of your love is still affecting me deeply
It's got a hold on, hold on, hold on
The grip that your love has on me is incredibly strong and continues to persist
Hold on, hold on me
I am still inextricably tied to the hold that your love has on me
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BUN E. CARLOS, RICK NIELSEN, ROBIN ZANDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind