Gladys Knight, born on May 28, 1944, developed her singing style while singing with her family at Baptist church functions. Though the group first released recordings in 1958, their career really got started when Motown founder Berry Gordy witnessed them perform at Harlem’s Apollo Theater in 1966 and felt very impressed. With a career following spanning decade after decade, featuring many hits, the group has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.
Hold On
Gladys Knight & The Pips Lyrics
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I put some loving on you 'cause I thought it might stop you
Putting it on and waiting to grow, I already understand
Putting it on and waiting to grow, I'm putting it on
Hold up, hold up, sit up, sit up and
Take a breath, baby
I swear, I swear it might just make it better
Take a breath, baby
I swear, I swear it might just make it better
You don't really understand the patience in my movement
Lucky that you get my bruit, my smooth
Fake it 'til you make it and you hope that it does
Bricking on brick, tryna build me a house
I'm so much stronger
Hold up, hold up, sit up, sit up and
Take a breath, baby
I swear, I swear it might just make it better
Hold up, hold up, sit up, sit up and
Take a breath, baby
I swear, I swear it might just make it better
I swear, yeah
And I swear, yeah, yes
It might just
It might just make it better
I swear, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
And I swear, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
And I swear, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
It might just make it better
Hold up, hold up, sit up, sit up and
Take a breath, baby
I swear, I swear it might just make it better
Hold up, hold up, sit up, sit up and
Take a breath, baby
I swear, I swear it might just make it better
The lyrics of "Hold On" by Gladys Knight & The Pips tackle themes of self-reflection, patience, and perseverance. The opening lines of the song suggest that the singer's love interest is using them for their own physical satisfaction, with the line "you put a mirror in me just to look at your body." In response, the singer decides to show their love interest real affection, hoping that it will stop them from being so self-centered. The lyrics "putting it on and waiting to grow" speak to the idea that the singer is putting effort into the relationship and waiting for it to deepen and mature.
As the song progresses, the singer shows an unwavering dedication to the relationship even though they may not feel completely understood or appreciated. The line "you don't really understand the patience in my movement" suggests that the love interest may not appreciate the singer's emotional investment in the relationship. Nevertheless, the singer stays committed to the relationship, even when it feels like they are building it brick by brick.
The chorus of the song, which repeats the lines "hold up, hold up, sit up, sit up and take a breath, baby, I swear, I swear it might just make it better," serves as a reminder to be patient and to take a moment to breathe and center oneself. The singer acknowledges that things may not be perfect, but that mindfulness can make a difference in how one approaches challenges and struggles.
In summary, the lyrics of "Hold On" highlight the importance of patience, perseverance, and dedication in a relationship. It suggests that showing love and being mindful can make all the difference in working through challenges and building a strong foundation.
Line by Line Meaning
You put a mirror in me just to look at your body
You made me feel like a reflection of yourself, only worth looking at because of your attraction towards yourself.
I put some loving on you 'cause I thought it might stop you
I tried to show you affection, hoping it would make you change your negative behavior.
Putting it on and waiting to grow, I already understand
I'm putting on a strong front and patiently waiting for growth and change to occur, because I already understand that change takes time.
Putting it on and waiting to grow, I'm putting it on
I'm putting on a brave face and waiting for personal growth, despite the challenges I may face.
You don't really understand the patience in my movement
You don't appreciate or understand the slow, steady progress I'm making towards self-improvement.
Lucky that you get my bruit, my smooth
Fortunately, you're lucky enough to experience the roughness and the smoothness of my personality.
Fake it 'til you make it and you hope that it does
Pretend to be confident and self-assured until you actually feel that way, and hope that it results in positive change.
Bricking on brick, tryna build me a house
Slowly building a strong foundation for myself, one brick at a time, in order to create a stable, secure life.
I'm so much stronger
Despite the hardships and challenges I face, I am becoming increasingly resilient and strong.
Hold up, hold up, sit up, sit up and
Take a moment to pause, stand up tall, and focus on your breathing.
Take a breath, baby
Take a deep breath and relax, my dear.
I swear, I swear it might just make it better
I promise that taking a moment to breathe and focus on yourself can help improve your situation and state of mind.
I swear, yeah
I promise you, yes.
And I swear, yeah, yes
And I promise you again, yes.
It might just
It's possible that.
It might just make it better
Taking time to yourself and focusing on your breath and state of mind can positively impact your situation and improve it.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Georgia Kate Millett Willacy, Josh Crocker, Thomas Henry, Joseph Harris, Liam Hutton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind