Harris is truly an innovator. For over 30 years, Emmylou has flowed effortlessly between genres achieving popularity in pop, folk, country and now alternative. The common bridge is an exquisite vocal style and a gift for discovering the heart of a song.
Born in Birmingham, Alabama on April 2, 1947, the daughter of Walter and Eugenia Harris grew up near Washington, D.C. As a college student in the late 60s, she sang with a local folk duo and eventually moved to Greenwich Village. She played the clubs on the local folk scene occasionally sharing the stage with Jerry Jeff Walker and David Bromberg.
Discovered in 1971 by Chris Hillman, Hillman brought Gram Parsons to hear her sing in a small club in the Washington D.C. area. In 1972, she answered the call from Gram to join him in Los Angeles to work on his first solo album, "GP." According to Songfacts, Parsons tragic early death in 1973 left Harris at an emotional and musical crossroads. Her earliest signature song, Boulder To Birmingham was written shortly after Gram's death, and it showed the depth of her shock and pain at losing her friend and mentor.
After the loss of Gram, Emmylou went back to the D.C. area and formed a country band, playing with them until her 1975 major label debut, Pieces of the Sky, when she formed the first version of the legendary Hot Band. Over the years the Hot Band included world class players such as Albert Lee, Rodney Crowell and Hank DeVito.
Emmylou has been called by Billboard Magazine a "truly venturesome, genre-transcending pathfinder." Throughout her career, she has been admired for her talent as an artist and song connoisseur, but it was with her 2000 album, Red Dirt Girl, for which Ms. Harris was awarded her tenth (out of eleven total to date) Grammy, that she revealed she is also a gifted songwriter. Continuing the trend with her September 2003 album, Stumble Into Grace, Emmylou wrote ten of the album's eleven tracks. Though Emmylou is the most admired and influential woman in contemporary country music, her scope extends far beyond it. She has recorded with such diverse artists as Ryan Adams, Beck, Elvis Costello, Johnny Cash, Lucinda Williams, Bob Dylan, Tammy Wynette, Neil Young, The Chieftains, Lyle Lovett, Roy Orbison, The Band, Willie Nelson and George Jones.
She sings with Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt on the incomparable albums Trio and Trio II, making all three artists living American legends.
A longtime social activist, Harris has lent her voice to many causes. She is active in cultural preservation issues, notably the Country Music Foundation and the Grand Ole Opry. As an animal rights activist and the owner of several dogs and cats, Emmylou also supports PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and the Humane Society. Since 1997 she has been the most visible spokesperson for the Campaign for a Landmine Free World, drawing public attention and notable musical artists to the cause.
Hold On
Emmylou Harris Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What happened to your daddy's pride
Although you always said enough
Though they were right by your side
What happened to that ball of fire
It got out on that empty road
Nothing but our own desires
Hold on, hold on, hold on
I know you didn't plan for this
But that's the way it always starts
He's looking for a little kiss
Instead you bought a broken heart
Now you had to build a bridge
Only you can walk across
Wear the tooth until it fits
Pay the price and bear the loss
Hold on, hold on, hold on
Once you were a little kid
Working on a great big plan
They threw away the simple joys
And now you have to take a stand
Battles rage in your head
You wish you didn't have to fight
Just hold on to my hand instead
Another day goes by tonight
What happened to your mother's love
What happened to your daddy's pride
Way down deep in your inside your blood
Help you through this lonely ride
Hold on, hold on, hold on
Hold on, hold on, hold on
Hold on, hold on, hold on
Hold on
In Emmylou Harris's song Hold On, the lyrics express the pain and confusion that comes with growing up and facing life's difficult challenges. The song touches on themes of family love and support, heartbreak, and the need to hold on to hope during difficult times. The opening lines ask what happened to the love and pride of the singer's parents, setting the tone for the emotional journey of the rest of the song. Despite having everything they needed, including the love and support of their family, the singer's internal desires and passions have left them alone on an empty road, carrying a heavy load.
The lyrics paint a picture of someone who has been let down by love and forced to go through the struggles of life alone. The lyrics suggest that this person never intended to end up in this position but was forced to face a broken heart and build a bridge to cross the pain. The lyrics advise the singer to hold on tight as they face the challenges of life and to keep working towards their goals. Despite the tough battles, the singer can trust in the love of their family and the hope of a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
What happened to your mother's love
The song asks about the absence of the love of the singer's mother.
What happened to your daddy's pride
The song asks about the absence of the pride of the singer's father.
Although you always said enough
Despite the singer seemingly being content, the love and pride of their parents is still missing.
Though they were right by your side
Even though the artist's parents were physically present, their emotional support was not.
What happened to that ball of fire
The song questions where the passion and drive the artist used to have went.
It got out on that empty road
The singer lost their way while pursuing their desires.
Nothing but our own desires
The things we want may be the cause of our problems.
Lighten up this heavy load
We need to find ways to ease the burden we put on ourselves.
Hold on, hold on, hold on
The chorus of the song is a message of encouragement to persist and persevere.
I know you didn't plan for this
The artist acknowledges that the situation they are in was not the original plan.
But that's the way it always starts
Things don't always turn out the way we planned them to be.
He's looking for a little kiss
The artist's partner is only after physical affection.
Instead you bought a broken heart
The singer was hurt by their partner's lack of emotional commitment.
Now you had to build a bridge
The singer had to find a way to make amends and move forward.
Only you can walk across
The singer has to do the work to make things right.
Wear the tooth until it fits
The artist has to endure the pain of repairing their relationship until it becomes easier.
Pay the price and bear the loss
The artist must make sacrifices and accept consequences to move forward.
Once you were a little kid
The singer reflects on their past when things were simpler.
Working on a great big plan
The singer had dreams and goals they wanted to achieve.
They threw away the simple joys
As the artist grew up, they lost sight of the small things that brought them happiness.
And now you have to take a stand
The artist has to make a decision to reclaim their life.
Battles rage in your head
The turmoil and conflict within the artist's mind is taking its toll.
You wish you didn't have to fight
The singer wishes things didn't have to be so hard.
Just hold on to my hand instead
The song suggests that seeking comfort and support from others can help.
Another day goes by tonight
The passage of time is relentless, and another day is coming to an end.
Way down deep in your inside your blood
The love and support of the singer's family roots from within them.
Help you through this lonely ride
Their family's support can help the singer through an isolating and difficult journey.
Lyrics © SDG PRESS
Written by: JACKSON BERKEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind