It remains the band's most successful single, having reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the UK Official Singles Chart. It is one of two Simply Red songs (the other being their cover of "If You Don't Know Me by Now") to reach number one in the United States. It also reached #4 on the U.S. Adult Contemporary charts and #29 on the R&B Charts.
The song was nominated in the category of Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals at the 29th Annual Grammy Awards.
Holding Back The Years
Simply Red Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thinking of the fear I've had so long
When somebody hears
Listen to the fear that's gone
Strangled by the wishes of pater
Hoping for the arms of mater
Get to me the sooner or later, oh
Chance for me to escape from all I know
Holding back the tears
'Cause nothing here has grown
I've wasted all my tears
Wasted all those years
Nothing had the chance to be good
Nothing ever could, yeah, oh
I'll keep holding on
I'll keep holding on
I'll keep holding on
I'll keep holding on, so tight
Alright, oh now
Well, I've wasted all my tears
Wasted all of those years
And nothing had the chance to be good
'Cause nothing ever could, oh yeah
Oh
I'll keep holding on
I'll keep holding on
I'll keep holding on
I'll keep holding on
Holding
Holding
Holding
Holding, la-la-la, la, la-la
I said, ooh, yeah
That's all I have today
It's all I have to say
The song "Holding Back The Years" by Simply Red talks about the fear and pain of a lifetime of not being able to express oneself, and the struggle to let go of that pain. The opening lines "holding back the years, thinking of the fear I've had so long" describe the singer's long-standing fear of not being accepted for who they are. The reference to "somebody hears, listen to the fear that's gone" implies that the singer has finally found someone who can listen and help them let go of their fear.
The lines "strangled by the wishes of pater, hoping for the arms of mater" suggest a sense of suffocation and longing for parental affection. The singer feels trapped by their father's expectations and seeks comfort in their mother's embrace. The repetition of "holding back the years" and "holding back the tears" demonstrates the singer's struggle to let go of their pain and move forward in life. They have "wasted all [their] tears" and "wasted all those years" by holding onto their fear and not allowing anything good to happen in their life.
The final section of the song resolves with the singer repeating "I'll keep holding on" four times. While it may seem like holding onto pain is not a positive outcome, the repetition of this phrase shows that the singer recognizes it is not easy to let go, but they are committed to keep holding on until they find a way forward. The song ultimately ends with the singer's resolution to keep moving forward while still dealing with the pain they have held onto for so long.
Line by Line Meaning
Holding back the years
Suppressing emotions and memories that are painful and distressing
Thinking of the fear I've had so long
Reflecting on the long-standing anxiety and apprehension
When somebody hears
When someone listens and understands
Listen to the fear that's gone
Pay attention to and acknowledge the fear that has receded
Strangled by the wishes of pater
Suffocated by the desires and expectations of the father figure
Hoping for the arms of mater
Longing for the affection of the mother figure
Get to me the sooner or later, oh
Will affect me sooner or later
Chance for me to escape from all I know
Opportunity to break free from the familiar and restrictive circumstances
Holding back the tears
Suppressing emotional tears from flowing
'Cause nothing here has grown
Because nothing has progressed or developed in this environment
I've wasted all my tears
I have shed tears to no avail
Wasted all those years
I have been unproductive and unsuccessful all those years
Nothing had the chance to be good
There was no opportunity for anything to be positive or successful
Nothing ever could, yeah, oh
There was no possibility of improvement or success
I'll keep holding on
I will continue to persevere and endure
I'll keep holding on, so tight
I will hold on steadfastly and tenaciously
Well, I've wasted all my tears
I have wept without achieving any benefit
And nothing had the chance to be good
And nothing had the opportunity to develop into something positive
'Cause nothing ever could, oh yeah
As there was no possible way for things to improve
Holding
Holding on to my emotions
La-la-la, la, la-la
Expressing through humming
I said, ooh, yeah
An exclamation of affirmation and agreement
That's all I have today
This is all I have to say at present
It's all I have to say
This is everything I need to express currently
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Mick Hucknall, Neil Moss
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hagenholzmann
Who's still listening to this in 2023?
@karynneal5277
This song makes me cry like a baby but makes me wanna keep holding on for my son I’m a single mom who’s struggling with mental illness and dark thoughts and my life is all out of shape and everyday it seems nothing goes right or gets better and I think like why can’t I just go to a better place but then I think about my son but I was on YouTube just up couldn’t sleep doing applications and praying and this song came on I’m sorry to write my long story
@treborrobert2
Karyn Neal , I hope you find happiness. Enjoy the special time you have with your son
@christymccline5794
Karyn please hold on and try to be strong. Pray that God gives you the strength to overcome these trying times that you are going through. I will pray for you and your son. Things will get better. Don't give up🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
@zorantosic1377
Dear Karyn ... Life is deeper than any challenge. Do not ever give up, never. The challenge is just a test of your persistence, will, faith. I do Yoga therapy with people who have various mental challenges and the results are great. If I can help you in any way, leave a message ... an e-mail address and I'll send you a program I'm doing with people here in England. Of course, everything is free. I don't sell anything....
@thailanguagechallenge4498
Bless you Karyn. You and your son are worth everything...
@pr9062
Just keep on going and give that son everything you have...your soul will grow.
Fear is your greatest enemy and your greatest teacher.
You will not be unhappy forever.
@chadsanders6658
I remember me and my wife got into a argument, I took a drive to cool off and I hread this song on the radio. I had too apologize to her, this song is deep, it touched the soul
@spoda81
That's the stuff that makes a marriage work it's a give and take encounter, My wife and I are going on 37 years together and it only gets better when you can agree to disagree
@pritimapandya2032
Yes! Tune