Skee-Lo (born Antoine Roundtree) is a rapper who gained popularity in the m… Read Full Bio ↴Skee-Lo (born Antoine Roundtree) is a rapper who gained popularity in the mid-1990s. He was born in Poughkeepsie, New York, and raised in Riverside, California and is best known for the self-deprecating 1995 hit single "I Wish", for which he is credited toward introducing the term "baller" into popular culture. It is his only top 40 single. Both the single and the album it appears on were certified gold by the RIAA in 1995.

Holding On
Skee-Lo Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

(Skee-Lo)
Bonsai and oh my
Yippee Kai yai yay
Hello, hello, hello
Hooray, hooray, hooray
I am here to interrupt your regular program
So hey man now don't you touch that dial
Unless we step in single file

Keep it pretty slowly
Cause you know I like to focus on the ease
And you can call me Skee if you please
So come on in, come on in
Come in and give a pound mix and mingle with your friends
Or just have a drink or just sit down
Get up stand up come on throw your hands up
If ya girl is throwin fronts then your brothers keep your chin up
Be cool with the flexin she's in the mood for sexin
You could pop the question but that's just my suggestion
And when the mood is right we can switch it off to candle light
But hold on to your girls cause if you don't well then I might
I know that you just might be in the mood-a
To want to shoot a spark into the dark
But this is just a start

(Chorus)
I'll keep holdin' on
I'll keep holdin' on

(Skee-Lo)
Thinkin back black yo I could remember that high school flame
Now was it Nikki or Lorraine yo what was her name
Anyway she was so cute that back at school I tried to rock it
But she often put her purse to any brothers tryin to knock it
So stop it to get with I got with
But what's this was honey just fakin it that kept me from my ducats
Now the rain has gone I can clearly see
What was we enemies?
Not for long alone is what she wants to be
But what am I to do, what am I do to?
What would you do if you were in the same shoes?
With a bunch of bad news from my hoodrat
Sorry but I gotta scatter I'm movin from the East to the West
So please say God Bless and oh yes see I miss her very much
I wish that I could give her my number so that she could stay in touch
I wonder if she remembers me and what went on
And if she does not understand word is born I'ma keep holdin on

(Chorus)
I'll keep holdin' on
(I'ma keep holdin' on)
I'll keep holdin' on

(Skee-Lo)
Well hello my honey ?dips?
See I'm back from my trip
All the letters you wrote I kept
Do you remember when I left?
I said, "I'm leavin on the next plane
Don't know when I'll be back again"
Kiss me, smile for me, tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go my little trick-a-dee
Cause life is what you make as we take it as reality
Now we're reunited and it feels so good
You know were reunited and it feels so good
Through the centuries of time heal the rhymes and unwind
Melodies flowin swift with the jazz fill
Kill the lights move in closer to your loved ones
Baby hold em tight like tomorrow never comes
Gaze into the eyes sympathise not the sympathy
Me and Mrs Jones got a marriage going on understand me
Everything is dandy so what can be wrong
And if you now know the song then sing along

(Chorus)
I'll keep holdin' on
I'll keep holdin' on
(My word is true)
I'll keep holdin' on
I'll keep holdin' on
(I'ma keep holdin' on)

I'll keep holdin' on
I'll keep holdin' on

Overall Meaning

The song "Holdin' On" by Skee-Lo is all about perseverance in the face of adversity. The lyrics are filled with examples of how life can be difficult, but it's important to keep holding on and not give up. The opening lines set the tone, with Skee-Lo interrupting a regular program to get his message across. He's telling listeners to slow down and take it easy, focusing on the simple things in life.

Throughout the song, Skee-Lo shares personal experiences of his own struggles, whether it's being rejected by a girl in high school or moving from one coast to another with no guarantee of success. But despite the challenges, he keeps pushing forward, refusing to give up. The chorus, "I'll keep holdin' on," serves as a reminder to listeners that they too can persevere through tough times.

Overall, "Holdin' On" is a motivational song that encourages resilience and determination. It reminds listeners that they're not alone in their struggles and that they too can keep holding on and push through the difficult times.

Line by Line Meaning

Bonsai and oh my
Starting off with enthusiasm and surprise

Yippee Kai yai yay
Expressing excitement and energy

Hello, hello, hello
Greeting the listeners with friendliness

Hooray, hooray, hooray
Celebrating the moment with joy

I am here to interrupt your regular program
Breaking the monotony and presenting something new

So hey man now don't you touch that dial
Asking the audience to stay tuned

Unless we step in single file
Proceeding with a systematic approach

Keep it pretty slowly
Taking it easy and relaxed

Cause you know I like to focus on the ease
Preferring a hassle-free experience

And you can call me Skee if you please
Introducing himself in a casual manner

So come on in, come on in
Inviting the listeners to join the fun

Come in and give a pound mix and mingle with your friends
Encouraging socializing and fun interactions

Or just have a drink or just sit down
Giving options for relaxation

Get up stand up come on throw your hands up
Encouraging the audience to get up and dance

If ya girl is throwin fronts then your brothers keep your chin up
Advising to stay confident even if a girl is rejecting them

Be cool with the flexin she's in the mood for sexin
Suggesting to be respectful and patient with a girl who is interested in sex

You could pop the question but that's just my suggestion
Offering a suggestion for pursuing a romantic relationship

And when the mood is right we can switch it off to candle light
Suggesting a romantic atmosphere with candle lights

But hold on to your girls cause if you don't well then I might
Warning to hold on to their girls or else they could lose them

I know that you just might be in the mood-a
Acknowledging the audience's mood

To want to shoot a spark into the dark
Feeling urge to start something new

But this is just a start
Recognizing that this is just the beginning

Thinkin back black yo I could remember that high school flame
Recalling a past romantic relationship

Now was it Nikki or Lorraine yo what was her name
Uncertainty about the past relationship

Anyway she was so cute that back at school I tried to rock it
Trying to pursue the girl despite the difficulties

But she often put her purse to any brothers tryin to knock it
Being rejected by the girl multiple times

So stop it to get with I got with
Deciding to move on and pursue another girl

But what's this was honey just fakin it that kept me from my ducats
Realizing that this girl was not genuine and caused him to lose money

Now the rain has gone I can clearly see
Having a clear view of the situation after it has passed

What was we enemies?
Questioning why they were not friendly towards each other

Not for long alone is what she wants to be
Understanding that the girl wanted to be independent

But what am I to do, what am I do to?
Feeling helpless in the situation

What would you do if you were in the same shoes?
Asking for a hypothetical opinion about the situation

With a bunch of bad news from my hoodrat
Receiving negative news from someone from his hometown

Sorry but I gotta scatter I'm movin from the East to the West
Moving to a new location to start fresh

So please say God Bless and oh yes see I miss her very much
Asking for a farewell and expressing missing the girl

I wish that I could give her my number so that she could stay in touch
Regretting not being able to stay in touch with the girl

I wonder if she remembers me and what went on
Curious about the girl's memory about their relationship

And if she does not understand word is born I'ma keep holdin on
Accepting the situation and still holding on to the memories