Crafting thoughtful electronic pop along the lines of Imogen Heap and Feist… Read Full Bio ↴Crafting thoughtful electronic pop along the lines of Imogen Heap and Feist, English singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Olivia Broadfield wrote and recorded songs in her "rock & roll bungalow" home studio.

In 2007, she signed with music publisher pigFACTORY and worked with producer Josh Crocker to polish her songs into her debut album, Eyes Wide Open, which arrived later that year. Her music appeared on TV shows such as The Hills and The Real World, and the video for her song "Indescribable" was featured on the 2009 Grammys. Around that time, Broadfield got a record deal in the States when Vagrant Records signed her; she became the punk-dominated label's first female artist. The imprint reissued a remixed and remastered version of Eyes Wide Open in summer 2009.

Hang On
Olivia Broadfield Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

When all is lost,
When all is gone,
Why do I keep hanging on?
So slow to fall,
Too fast, too shy?
Just hang on?

Aaahh aaahhh aaaahh

I won?t let you go this time?
Aaaahhh aaaahhh aaaahhh
I won?t let you go this time?

Just give me space,
I'll give you time?
Why do I keep hanging on?
Say you will,
Just hang on?

Aaahh aaahhh aaaahh
I won?t let you go this time?
Aaaahhh aaaahhh aaaahhh
I won?t let you go this time...

Aaaahhh aaaahhh aaaahhh
I won?t let you go this time?

Aaaahhh aaaahhh aaaahhh
I won?t let you go this time...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Olivia Broadfield's song "Hang On" seem to describe a complex emotional situation that the singer finds herself in. The opening lines - "When all is lost, when all is gone, why do I keep hanging on?" - suggest a sense of desperation and confusion. The singer seems to be holding onto something despite the fact that it may have already slipped away. The lines "so slow to fall, too fast, too shy, just hang on" suggest a certain hesitation on the part of the singer - as though she is unsure how to proceed, but knows that she wants to keep holding on somehow.

However, the chorus of the song reveals a sense of determination beneath the confusion. The repeated refrain "I won't let you go this time" suggests that the singer is committed to holding onto the thing she values - perhaps a relationship or a dream - even though it may be difficult. The lines "just give me space, I'll give you time" also suggest a willingness to work through a complicated situation. The final repetition of the chorus, with the lyric "I won't let you go this time" repeated several times, underscores the sense of determination and resilience that the singer possesses.

Overall, "Hang On" seems to be about the struggle to hold onto something that is slipping away - whether that is a relationship or an opportunity. The song captures the feeling of desperation that comes with that struggle, as well as the sense of determination and hope that can emerge from it.

Line by Line Meaning

When all is lost,
Even when everything seems to have disappeared,

When all is gone,
When there's nothing left,

Why do I keep hanging on?
Why do I still have hope?

So slow to fall,
I take my time to let go,

Too fast, too shy?
But I might be too afraid to leave at the right time,

Just hang on?
Should I just keep waiting?

Aaahh aaahhh aaaahh
Vocalization

I won?t let you go this time?
I promise not to let you go this time,

Just give me space,
Let me have room,

I'll give you time?
And I'll give you the time you need,

Say you will,
Promise you'll stay,