Holding Back The Years
Simply Red Lyrics


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Holding back the years
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
Holding back the years
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

Overall Meaning

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
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Comments from YouTube:

@simplyred

Time ⌛ The new album from Simply Red. Out Now. Order your copy at https://simplyred.tmstor.es

@hagenholzmann

Who's still listening to this in 2023?

@marksnexus

I miss the 80s. Was a way different time then... ❤️

@christinacastaneda6319

This song never gets old.

@bernicemiller8412

As long as songs like this exist, I'LL KEEP HOLDIN ON!!!

@joaobrusalis6935

exactly

@jplangbehn

Still,,,

@rorog5892

Bernice Miller yes

@rawdonrabot6684

Bernice Miller

@drayduffy3121

Amen baby

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