His specialty ranges from R&B and pop to gospel. Although born in Norfolk, Virginia, Holman later grew up in New York. His mother, noticing that he loved to sing, even as early as the age of two, introduced him to the piano and the guitar, where he quickly revealed a natural aptitude. His abilities, however, were confined mostly to church and family gatherings until 1956. It was then, at the age of ten, that Little Eddie Holman stepped onto the stage on Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater and showed his smooth tenor voice. His victory at the Apollo began to open many other doors for the young prodigy. Soon, Holman was performing at theaters on Broadway and even at Carnegie Hall. Not wanting her son to miss any opportunity, his mother was able to get him enrolled at the Victoria School of Music in Harlem. At Victoria, he learned the technical craft of music and began to blossom. In 1962, Holman made his first record.
As a teenager, Holman and his family moved to Philadelphia. After graduating from high school, he attended Cheyney State University where he graduated with a degree in music. It was in the Philadelphia soul scene that he began to develop his trademark style. While still in college, he recorded his first hit record, "This Can't Be True" (1965). Other hits began to follow: "Am I A Loser From The Start" (1966), "I Love You" (1969), "Don't Stop Now" (1970), and "Cathy Called" (1970). After singing with the Philadelphia groups The Delfonics and The Stylistics, Holman finally struck personal gold in 1970 with his ballad, "Hey There Lonely Girl" (originally "Hey There Lonely Boy" recorded in 1963 by Ruby and the Romantics), which peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The track peaked at number 4 in the UK Singles Chart in November 1974. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc from the R.I.A.A. in March 1970.
British journalist Tony Cummings once wrote, "Eddie Holman's voice, an astonishing precision instrument which can leap octaves with the speed of mercury and bend notes into shapes unimagined by lesser singers, has assured its possessor a place in soul history."[citation needed]
In 1977, Eddie had a brief resurgence in popularity with his last two hit singles, "This Will Be A Night To Remember" and "You Make My Life Complete".
Eddie Holman and his wife Sheila have three children. He is an ordained Baptist minister who uses his musical talents both as a tool of entertainment and as a medium to proclaim the message of Jesus Christ. He believes that his talent is a gift from God and therefore must be used to glorify his Maker. Furthermore, it is his belief "that those who are blessed with creative talent have a responsibility to encourage personal accountability and to set the best example possible because of the powerful influence that they have on the lives of so many young ones."
Today, Holman owns his own record label (Agape Records) and music publishing company (Schoochiebug Music Publishing). He also continues to tour with the Eddie Holman Band. He still resides in Philadelphia, and spends time as a local community volunteer helping reach out to those less fortunate. He also works within the Philadelphia School System encouraging young people to become involved in the performing arts. During the summer of 2007, Holman performed weekly for the passengers abroad the MS Sun Princess cruise ship while it was en route to the inside passage of Alaska.
Don't Stop Now
Eddie Holman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I found you
A dream that wouldn't let me see that
Can't be true
Your hope on me is right
'Cause tomorrow you'll be gone
Don't stop now
Don't stop now
You got me where you want me, girl
Just promise me little girl
You won't leave me alone to cry
And I'll try hard to believe
All of your little lies
Your hope on me is right
'Cause tomorrow you'll be gone
Don't stop now
You got me where you want me
Don't stop now
You got me where you want me, girl
Just hold me
A little longer
Just hold me
A little longer
Don't stop now
You got me where you want me
Don't stop now
You got me where you want me, girl
Just hold me
A little longer
And I know our love
Will grow a little stronger
Don't stop now
You got me where you want me
Don't stop now
You got me where you want me, girl
The lyrics of Eddie Holman's song Don't Stop Now represent a lover's desperate plea to their partner not to leave them. The singer of the song seems to be surprised that they ever found love in the first place and wonders if it was all just a dream. The singer is consumed by fear that the love they have found will be taken away from them and left alone to cry. The lyrics suggest that the love shared in the relationship is not equal, with the singer's partner having the upper hand, hence they don't want the partner to stop now when they have them just where they want them. The singer fears that they will be abandoned and are desperately asking for their partner not to leave them to the point of holding them just a little longer so their love can grow stronger.
Overall, the song's lyrics paint a picture of a relationship that is on the edge, and one that seems to be unbalanced, with one partner seemingly having all the power, leaving the other with a sense of fear and insecurity. The singer's desperation is palpable, and the song represents a cry for help from a lover that is scared of losing their loved one.
Line by Line Meaning
What dream was I dreaming, darling
I am unsure of the reality of the dream in which I found you, my love.
When I found you
At the moment when I met you in my dream.
A dream that wouldn't let me see that Can't be true
Despite my doubts, my dream would not allow me to see that it could not possibly be true.
Your hope on me is right
Your faith in me is justifiable.
'Cause tomorrow you'll be gone
Sadly, you will not be present with me tomorrow.
Don't stop now
You got me where you want me
Don't stop now
You got me where you want me, girl
Please, do not go yet as I am fully committed to being with you exactly where you have placed me.
Just promise me little girl
You won't leave me alone to cry
Please, promise me that you will not leave me suffering in solitude and sadness.
And I'll try hard to believe
All of your little lies
Even though I suspect you are lying to me, I will do my best to believe you.
Just hold me
A little longer
Please, continue to embrace me for a little while longer.
And I know our love
Will grow a little stronger
I trust that our affection for each other will continue to develop and strengthen.
Contributed by Peyton C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ILMJXXX
EDDIE HOLMAN - DON'T STOP NOW (VERY RARE CLIP 1966) RECORD LABEL: PARKWAY P-981YEAR 1965. WRITTEN BY EDDIE HOLMAN AND JAMES SOLOMAN. PRODUCED BY JOHNNY STILES, LUTHER RANDOLPH AND WELDON ARTHUR McDOUGALL III.
@louiecolon9494
This man's voice can hit notes that are out of this world. Feb, 2021
@retired42002vz
I’ve heard Eddie perform over the years on PBS TV oldies specials, when I tell you he can still hit those high notes..........sounds great.
@knockshinnoch1950
WOW! This is INCREDIBLE! A clip of Eddie Holman performing at his prime! He really deserved to be an A List star. For me he has the clearest effortless falsetto in the business. I wish he had recorded more material over his career.
@nicholsoncyndy
Eddie Holman's incredible voice brings back such wonderful memories of me and my 1st husband. We adored him!❤
@larondafranks4788
Now this the voice, I can listen all day and night, Thank you for the gift!
@pedropenacardenas8875
When I saw him in concert earlier this year he proclaimed himself to be the best falsetto
@patrickwashington3868
The best falsetto I ever heard in my life! Hands Down! 💯
@sheilapalmer224
This is a master piece
@pleasethink4789
You have such a great channel. I know only about 5% of the songs, yet I've been binge watching for the last 2 hours and enjoying every minute. It a great journey.