A native of Reading, England, Lewis first became interested in music in his teens and played in several bands before he started experimenting with remixing tracks. Influenced by the introspective pop of Bon Iver and James Blake, as well as the club-ready hip-hop of artists like Common, Timbaland, and the Neptunes, Lewis began posting his own evocative, moody tracks online. He quickly built a loyal following, and eventually nabbed a residency DJ'ing at London's Chibuku Club.
In 2014, his remix of Jessie Ware's song "You & I (Forever)" caught the attention of Ware's label, PMR Records, who then signed him. A year later, he released his debut EP, Shivers. In 2016, Lewis delivered his sophomore EP, Yours, which included the track "Holding Back," featuring Gallant. Lewis' 2017 output consisted of the Toulouse-aided single "Times We Had" and the solo track "Smart Aleck Kill." He returned in January 2018 with "Aura," a bright yet low-key track featuring vocalist J Warner. The song appeared on the disco-influenced Dusk, which kicked off a trilogy of club-centric EPs slated to appear under the combined full-length album title of Dusk, Dark, Dawn. Meanwhile, he continued releasing singles including 2019's "Blue" and the Clairo collaboration "Throwaway." ~ Matt Collar
Holding Back
SG Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Maybe I'm not thinking straight again
(Yeah)
Drought and indecisious
I can't see no one to let you in
(Oh oh)
I know I shouldn't play these games
In the morning, oh oh
You're telling me time is on his side
But you never make it out alive if we parted
Oh!
Maybe I'm holding back
Maybe I'm holding back
Do you want it?
Do you want it?
So maybe I'm holding back
Maybe I'm holding back
Do you want it? (Do you want it?)
Do you want, oh oh
Maybe I'm holding back
Maybe I'm holding back
Maybe I'm holding back
Maybe I'm holding back
Don't be understanding
Hold me to my word and in my place, oh baby
So I won't be a pauper
Digging my imaginary grave, hold on baby
And I know I shouldn't feel like this
But solitude's harder to resist when I'm falling (when I'm falling)
Oh oh
And darling I'm feeling outta place
But I really wanna be the saint that you're calling
Calling
So maybe I'm holding back
Maybe I'm holding back
Do you want it?
Do you want it?
So maybe I'm holding back
Maybe I'm holding back
Do you want it?
Do you want, oh oh
Maybe I'm holding back
Maybe I'm holding back
Maybe I'm holding back
Maybe I'm holding back, ooh ooh
Maybe I'm holding back
Maybe I'm holding back
Ooh
Maybe I'm holding back
Maybe I'm holding back
The lyrics of the song “Holding Back” by SG Lewis depict a person who is in two minds about whether to open up their heart to someone they love. The singer of the song is struggling with their emotions and trying to suppress their feelings through their words and actions. They’re torn between the desire to be vulnerable with their lover and the fear of getting hurt. The opening lines of the song, “Maybe I’m indifferent, Maybe I’m not thinking straight again” suggests that the singer may be feeling confused about their emotions and are trying to suppress them.
However, as the song progresses, the singer begins to express their feelings more candidly. There is a sense of vulnerability in the line, “Maybe I'm holding back, Maybe I'm holding back, Do you want it? Do you want it?” The singer is afraid of being rejected, but at the same time, they want their lover to know how much they mean to them. The chorus, “Maybe I’m holding back,” is repeated multiple times throughout the song, highlighting the central theme of the individual holding back their emotions.
The second verse of the song, “And I know I shouldn’t feel like this, But solitude’s harder to resist when I’m falling” highlights the struggle of the singer trying to suppress their feelings. The singer is afraid to be vulnerable, but at the same time, they’re struggling with loneliness. The song ends on a somber note, with the singer still grappling with their emotions. The song leaves listeners with the impression that the singer is still unsure of whether to open up their heart completely or not.
Line by Line Meaning
Maybe I'm indifferent
I might not care
Maybe I'm not thinking straight again
I'm probably not making the best decisions
Drought and indecisious
I'm unable to decide anything right now
I can't see no one to let you in
I don't see anyone who can help you get closer to me
I know I shouldn't play these games
I understand that I shouldn't mess around with this situation
But why would you think that I could change
I have never shown any signs of changing my ways before
In the morning, oh oh
By morning, things might look different
You're telling me time is on his side
You think that time will help us get closer
But you never make it out alive if we parted
But if we break up, it will be painful and hard for both of us
Maybe I'm holding back
Maybe I'm not fully expressing myself
Do you want it?
Do you want me to be truthful?
Don't be understanding
Don't just let me off the hook
Hold me to my word and in my place, oh baby
Keep me accountable for what I say and what I do
So I won't be a pauper
So I don't end up with nothing
Digging my imaginary grave, hold on baby
Making things worse for myself, please help me
And I know I shouldn't feel like this
I'm aware that I shouldn't feel this way
But solitude's harder to resist when I'm falling (when I'm falling)
It's harder to avoid being alone when things are going wrong
And darling I'm feeling outta place
I feel like I don't belong anywhere
But I really wanna be the saint that you're calling
But I want to be the person that you see in me
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRUNO MAJOR, SAM LEWIS, ED DREWETT, CHRISTOPHER GALLANT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@imasnack2036
Maybe I'm indifferent
Maybe I'm not thinking straight again
(Yeah)
Drought and indecisious
I can't see no one to let you in
(Oh oh)
I know I shouldn't play these games
But why would you think that I could change
In the morning, oh oh
You're telling me time is on his side
But you never make it out alive if we parted
Oh!
Maybe I'm holding back
Maybe I'm holding back
Do you want it?
Do you want it?
So maybe I'm holding back
Maybe I'm holding back
Do you want it? (Do you want it?)
Do you want, oh oh
Maybe I'm holding back
Maybe I'm holding back
Maybe I'm holding back
Maybe I'm holding back
Don't be understanding
Hold me to my word and in my place, oh baby
So I won't be a pauper
Digging my imaginary grave, hold on baby
And I know I shouldn't feel like this
But solitude's harder to resist when I'm falling (when I'm falling)
Oh oh
And darling I'm feeling outta place
But I really wanna be the saint that you're calling
Calling
@aypeka
Too bad he doesn’t make music like this anymore. This is a timeless song
@sergiocorderohernandez5661
This is not just a song, this is THE SONG
@francescoouattara8452
2021 back to underrated songs …
Let’s give this song the hype it deserves 🔥🔥🔥
@jasadedoeahs
That summer night kind of vibe🔥👌🏽
@ceeril
this song is so underrated, good song tho
@cliquez-bande-de-S.....
Your taste is not unanimous.
@sabajedrick
No phones, just grooves.
@lauram.4543
I just heard this in a cafe in Busan, South Korea. Recognized Gallant's voice right away. 🙌💗👑
@jetdiiamond2481
God lord who's been keeping this song from me 🔥🔥🤔
@CaseyNeistatMusic
Love the narration over at the start and during the song!