His first album, Marshall Crenshaw, was acclaimed as a pop masterpiece upon release, proving Crenshaw a first-rate songwriter, singer and guitarist. His second album, Field Day, sported a somewhat heavier sound which displeased some listeners, but Field Day is regarded by many critics as Crenshaw's best album, and one of the classic power pop statements, although Crenshaw's work, like Alex Chilton's, transcends the genre. "Some of the stuff I've done you could call power pop," he told an interviewer. "But the term does have sort of a dodgy connotation."
Although Marshall Crenshaw has never sold enormous numbers of records, he enjoys a reputation as one of the finest songwriters of the era, with roots in classic soul music, British Invasion songcraft, Burt Bacharach and Buddy Holly -- to whom Crenshaw was often compared in the early days of his career, and whom he portrayed in the 1987 film La Bamba. In 1989 he compiled a collection of Capitol Records country performers of the '50s and '60s called Hillbilly Music...Thank God, Vol. 1, which was extremely well-received. In 1993 he made an appearance in the cult TV show The Adventures of Pete and Pete, in the role of a guitar-playing meter reader. In 1994 he published a book, Hollywood Rock: A Guide to Rock 'n' Roll in the Movies. He continues to record, and in 1999 released the critically acclaimed #447.
Crenshaw has recently been playing guitar with the reunited members of the MC5.
Hold It
Marshall Crenshaw Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Michael (Jackson) on my radio
Seven-three-seven this room I'm in
This moment won't ever be here again
Try to remember, hold on tight forever
To your life and love every night and day
Hold on and don't let it slip away
Whenever sadness and darkness
Threaten to mess up my day
When the blues come around me
I throw my hands in the air, and I say
[Chorus:]
Hold it, hold it, oh,
World's in a hurry
Too many worries
But I don't want to lose everything I've gained
So I tell myself again and again
[Bridge]
And whenever somebody tells you
That all the good times are through
Look into their eyes and tell them
I'm sure surely glad that I'm not you
These lyrics by Marshall Crenshaw in his song "Hold It" are a reminder to appreciate the present moment, to cherish what we have, and to hold on tight to our life and love every night and day. The rain on the window and the music of Michael Jackson on the radio create a setting, a special moment that is unique and will never be repeated. The reference to the airplane (seven-three-seven) further emphasizes this idea of fleeting and transient moments that we sometimes take for granted. The song encourages the listener to hold on and not let life slip away, despite the challenges and worries that may come along the way. The song speaks to the human condition of feeling sadness and darkness, but also finding the strength to rise above it and to keep going.
The bridge of the song reiterates this concept of not letting sadness and darkness take over, but instead throwing our hands in the air and saying "hold it" as a way to hold onto the good things in life. The chorus echoes this message, reminding us that the world is in a hurry, and there are too many worries, but we must not lose everything we have gained. The song wants us to tell ourselves again and again that we should hold on.
Overall, "Hold It" is a song that speaks to our common humanity and the need to appreciate the present moment, to cherish what we have, and to hold on tight to our life and love every night and day. It encourages us to not let sadness and darkness mess up our day, but to throw our hands in the air and say "hold it" as a reminder to hold onto the good things in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Rain on my window
I see rain drops hitting the windowpane.
Michael on my radio
I'm listening to Michael Jackson on the radio.
Seven-three-seven this room I'm in
I'm in a room inscribed with "seven-three-seven" on its walls.
This moment won't ever be here again
I realize that this moment cannot be relived.
Try to remember, hold on tight forever
I urge myself to remember and cherish this moment forever.
To your life and love every night and day
I should treasure and appreciate my life and love every day and every night.
Hold on and don't let it slip away
I should hold onto this moment and not let it slip away.
Whenever sadness and darkness
Whenever I feel sad and despaired.
Threaten to mess up my day
When they make my day worse.
When the blues come around me
When I'm feeling down and sad.
I throw my hands in the air, and I say
I surrender and let go.
World's in a hurry
The world is moving too fast.
Too many worries
There are too many things to worry about.
But I don't want to lose everything I've gained
I don't want to lose everything I've achieved so far.
So I tell myself again and again
I remind myself over and over again.
And whenever somebody tells you
When someone attempts to convince you.
That all the good times are through
That all of the happy moments are gone.
Look into their eyes and tell them
Stare them straight in the eyes and inform them.
I'm sure surely glad that I'm not you
I'm happy that I'm not them.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARSHALL H CRENSHAW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Eric Vogt
...2 loves lost, once in college and another 30yrs later and this song still guts me. The guitar break at 1:53, so simple, and sublime. Field Day will always be in my heart.
55westend1
The best ending to any album EVER.
Paul Jacques
One of my favourite albums of all time and it's a shame Steve Lillywhite gets a hard time regarding the production for this album because I find everything about this album amazing.
Nathan Foley
Thank you so much for uploading this! Deep cuts off of his first few albums are incredibly hard to find streaming online and I've been wishing I could share this with people. This made my night.
Eric Polese
Great tune..great album..
Marshall Lancaster
Love Field Day. Sonic masterpiece.
Dan Sweet
Berkley High School in the background.
Thanks Marshall
Jimmy Bonez
@Dan Sweet cool, thx
Dan Sweet
@Jimmy Bonez Yes
Jimmy Bonez
That in Michigan, where Marshall’s from?