Oliver Stanley "Olly" Murs (born May 14, 1984 in Witham, Essex, England) is… Read Full Bio ↴Oliver Stanley "Olly" Murs (born May 14, 1984 in Witham, Essex, England) is an English singer-songwriter. He achieved second place on the sixth series of The X Factor in 2009. In early 2010, he was signed to Syco Music and Epic Records, which are owned by Sony Music. After he toured with X Factor Finalists tour, he began recording his debut album.

Murs' debut single, "Please Don't Let Me Go" charted at number one on the UK Singles Chart, after releasing it on 27 August, beating Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream" to the #1 spot. Olly's debut album followed his second official single "Thinking of Me", which charted at number four on the UK Singles Charts, and a week later Murs debut album, Olly Murs, charted at number two on the UK Albums Chart.

Hold On
Olly Murs Lyrics

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Middle of the night when it comes creeping
I lay awake when I should be sleeping
Like an Agatha Christie mystery
Do an intermission
I hold on
I hold on-n-n

Working everyday

Living for the weekend
I never learned to swim how did I end up in the deep end?
Like a champion high diver waiting for the olympics
I hold on
I hold on-n-n

We wrestle with the devil in the flickering light
No way to tell who's winning the fight
Hold on
Hold on
Hold on
You're gonna get through it

Time and again it's the same old question
Where am I heading with this strange obsession
Like a gambler playing on when he keeps on losing
I hold on
I hold on-n-n

We danced with the devil in the flickering light
No way to tell when you're stepping it right
Hold on
Hold on
Hold on
You're gonna get through it
Hold on
Hold on
Hold on
You know you're gonna get through it

Yesterday is dead and gone
So today, this life goes on
Got to keep on moving
Yesterday is dead and gone
So today, this life goes on
Got to keep on moving
To keep on moving

We danced with the devil in the flickering light
No way to tell when you're stepping it right
Hold on
Hold on
Hold on
You're gonna get through it
Hold on
Hold on
Hold on
You know you're gonna get through it

Hold on
Hold on
Hold on
You're gonna get through it

You gotta keep on moving
You know you're gonna get through it

Overall Meaning

The song "Hold On" by Olly Murs is a powerful message of perseverance and resilience. The lyrics are about the struggles that we all face in life, particularly in moments of doubt and uncertainty. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the song, with Olly describing the feeling of lying awake in bed in the middle of the night, unable to shake off the thoughts and worries that are keeping him up. He compares this to an Agatha Christie mystery, emphasizing the confusion and unease that comes with not being able to solve the problem at hand.

The chorus is a repeated phrase of "I hold on", which is a powerful reminder to keep pushing through and never give up. Olly then describes the challenges of everyday life, working hard during the week and waiting eagerly for the weekend. He compares this to being in the deep end of a pool, where he feels out of his depth and unsure of how to swim. However, he continues to hold on, just like a high diver waiting for the Olympics.

The bridge of the song is particularly powerful, with Olly using the metaphor of wrestling with the devil in the flickering light. This represents the internal battles that we all face, trying to overcome our fears and doubts while struggling to see the way forward. However, Olly reminds us that we must hold on and keep fighting, as we are all capable of getting through even the toughest of times.

Line by Line Meaning

Middle of the night when it comes creeping
When worries and anxieties creep up in the middle of the night

I lay awake when I should be sleeping
Causing restless nights and difficulty sleeping

Like an Agatha Christie mystery
Like a suspense-filled mystery novel

Do an intermission
Pausing to take a break

I hold on
Holding onto hope and perseverance

Working everyday
Continuously working hard

Living for the weekend
Anticipating and enjoying leisure time

I never learned to swim how did I end up in the deep end?
Feeling unprepared and overwhelmed by a difficult situation

Like a champion high diver waiting for the olympics
Waiting for the right moment to succeed

We wrestle with the devil in the flickering light
Fighting inner demons in uncertain times

No way to tell who's winning the fight
Uncertainty of the outcome of the struggle

You're gonna get through it
Encouraging to keep persevering

Time and again it's the same old question
A recurring question in one's mind

Where am I heading with this strange obsession
Questioning one's direction in life

Like a gambler playing on when he keeps on losing
Continuing a risky endeavor despite setbacks

Yesterday is dead and gone
The past cannot be changed

So today, this life goes on
Life continues into the present and future

Got to keep on moving
Continuing to progress forward

You know you're gonna get through it
Belief in the ability to overcome obstacles

Hold on
Reminder to persevere

You gotta keep on moving
Encouraging to keep progressing forward

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Grant Black, Jeremy Noel William Abbot, Julian Adam Velard, Oliver Stanley Murs, Paul H. Williams

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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