She first gained fame with her trip hop-inspired debut album, Whoa, Nelly! (2000), which was a critical and commercial success that spawned two top-10 singles on the Billboard Hot 100, "I'm Like a Bird" and "Turn Off the Light". The first of the two singles won her a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Furtado's introspective folk-heavy 2003 second album, Folklore, explored her Portuguese roots. Its singles received moderate success in Europe, but the album's underperformance compared to her debut was regarded as a sophomore slump.
Furtado's third album, Loose (2006), was a smash hit and became her bestselling album, with more than 10 million copies sold worldwide, also making it one of the bestselling albums of the 2000s. Considered a radical image reinvention, Furtado continued to explore her Portuguese heritage while leaning heavier into hip hop. The album spawned four successful number-one singles worldwide; "Promiscuous", "Maneater", "Say It Right" and "All Good Things (Come to an End)".
She released her first Spanish-language album, Mi Plan, in 2009, which won her a Latin Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Album. In 2012, Furtado released her nostalgia-inspired fifth album The Spirit Indestructible. Furtado split with her management and went independent thereafter, releasing her indie-pop sixth album, The Ride, in 2017 under her own label Nelstar Entertainment.
She has won many awards throughout her career, including one Grammy Award from seven nominations, one Latin Grammy Award, ten Juno Awards, one BRIT Award, one Billboard Music Award, one MTV Europe Music Award, one World Music Award, and three Much Music Video Awards. Furtado has a star on Canada's Walk of Fame, and was awarded Commander of the Order of Prince Henry on February 28, 2014, by Aníbal Cavaco Silva, the then-President of Portugal.
Hold up
Nelly Furtado Lyrics
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Ooh I can't forget ya
Got all the goods, etcetera
Let you go no I ain't gonna let ya
You got me saying
Hold up
Hold up
Hold up
Hold up
Wait a minute let me get inside ya
I know what I want
I know what I want
I know what I want and it's what you got
I know what I want
I know what I want
I know what I want and I'm feeling it a lot
And I know what I want and it's what you got
And you know what I want and it's what you got
You're outta sight
No one can see you baby
Ooh I think it's simple
Ooh forget the label
Don't want to be a ball around your ankle
But maybe I can be your safe zone
You've got me saying
Hold up
Hold up
Wait a minute I wanna talk to ya
Hold up
Hold up
Wait a minute let me get inside ya
Let's get connected
Feel your essence
Don't say too much or you're gonna wreck it
And I know what I want and it's what you got
And you know what I want and it's what you got
You're outta sight
No one can see you baby
Hold up
Hold up
Wait a minute I wanna talk to ya
Hold up
Hold up
Wait a minute let me get inside ya
Hold up
Hold up
Wait a minute I wanna talk to ya
Hold up
Hold up
Wait a minute let me get inside ya
Hold up
Hold up
Wait a minute I wanna talk to ya
Hold up
Hold up
Wait a minute let me get inside ya
The lyrics of Nelly Furtado’s song “Hold Up” expresses the singer’s immense attraction towards an electrifying and mesmerizing person. The lines “Ooh you’re so electric. Ooh I can’t forget ya” establish that the person is so impressive, charismatic, and unforgettable that she wants to hold on to him/her. Furtado is aware that the person has all the qualities desired in a romantic partner and is not willing to let him/her go. The repetition of “Hold up” in the chorus serves as an analogy for her to tell the person to pause and wait so that she can communicate her feelings and connect with him/her.
The lyrics suggest that Furtado is confident and clear about what she wants. She is determined to make her feelings known to this captivating person and doesn’t fear rejection. The lines “Let’s get connected. Feel your essence. Don’t say too much or you’re gonna wreck it” depict her desire to know the person intimately but without jeopardizing their relationship. Furtado doesn’t want to be tied down or labeled, but she wishes to be a safe zone for the person if needed.
Overall, “Hold Up” is an upbeat and catchy song that talks about a strong infatuation with someone. The lyrics are relatable and easy to follow, making the song an instant hit with fans.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh you're so electric
You're so attractive and exciting
Ooh I can't forget ya
You're unforgettable
Got all the goods, etcetera
You have everything I want and more
Let you go no I ain't gonna let ya
I won't let you go
You got me saying Hold up Hold up
You have my attention
Wait a minute I wanna talk to ya
I want to communicate with you
Wait a minute let me get inside ya
Let me understand you better
I know what I want and it's what you got
I know exactly what I want and you have it
I'm feeling it a lot
I'm strongly drawn to you
And you know what I want and it's what you got
You understand my desires perfectly and you have what I want
You're outta sight No one can see you baby
You're unique and special
Ooh I think it's simple
I believe our connection is straightforward
Ooh forget the label
Ignore any preconceived notions or expectations
Don't want to be a ball around your ankle
I don't want to hold you back
But maybe I can be your safe zone
I can be your comfort and support
Let's get connected
Let's bond emotionally and spiritually
Feel your essence
Experience your true self
Don't say too much or you're gonna wreck it
Don't overdo it, we don't want to ruin what we have
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: NELLY FURTADO, RODNEY JERKINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind