holding back the years
Christian and Jacob Lyrics

The song "Holding Back the Years" by Simply Red was released in 1985, and it features poignant lyrics about looking back on wasted years and trying to move forward despite feelings of fear and insecurity. The song begins with the first line, " Holding back the years, thinking of the fear I've had so long." In this line, the singer is lamenting about the fear that has held them back for a significant amount of time, which has prevented them from living their life to the fullest.

The second line, "When somebody hears, listen to the fear that's gone," suggests that if someone else hears the singer's story and listens to their fears, they will be able to let go of them and move on. The singer then mentions being "strangled by the wishes of pater," which alludes to their father's expectations and restrictions on their life. They long for the comfort of their mother's arms, but it seems like that time has passed and the singer has to deal with their fears and insecurities on their own.

The chorus is powerful and emotional, with the repetition of "holding back the tears" emphasizing how much the singer has been struggling. They long for a chance to escape from their current situation and start anew, having wasted so many years already. The final lines of the chorus are particularly haunting, stating that "nothing had the chance to be good, nothing ever could."

Overall, the lyrics of this song are reflective and deeply emotional, touching on themes of regret and the desire for a fresh start. It speaks to anyone who has struggled with holding onto their past fears and mistakes, urging them to let go and move forward toward a better future.