Self-taught on the guitar, Otis Whitman worked at a shipyard in Tampa while developing a musical career, eventually performing with a band known as the "Variety Rhythm Boys". Whitman's first big break came when agent Colonel Tom Parker heard him singing on the radio and offered to represent him. Signed with RCA Records, he was billed as the cowboy singer, "Slim Whitman" and released his first 45rpm single in 1948. He toured and sang at a variety of venues including on the popular radio show, the Louisiana Hayride.
He only became a full time musician in the early 1950s after he recorded a version of the Bob Nolan hit Love Song of the Waterfall that made it into the country music Top 10 chart. His next single, Indian Love Call, was even more successful, going to the No.2 position (and actually saving the world in the 1996 movie Mars Attacks! where it proves fatal to the invading Martians). A yodeler, Whitman avoided the "down on yer luck-buried in booze" songs, preferring instead to sing laid-back romantic melodies about simple life and love.
In 1955, in the United Kingdom, he had a No.1 hit on the pop music charts with Rose Marie. With eleven weeks at the top of the charts, the song set a record that lasted for thirty-six years. Soon after recording this big hit Whitman was invited to join the Grand Ole Opry and in 1957, along with other musical stars, he appeared in the film musical, Jamboree. Despite this type of exposure, he never achieved the level of stardom in the United States that he did in Britain where he had a number of hits during the 1950s and 60s. Throughout the early 1970s, he continued to record and was a guest on Wolfman Jack's musical television show, The Midnight Special. At the time, Whitman's recording efforts were yielding only minor hits and in 1974 he stopped making new records.
Hold me
Slim Whitman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Only got one night
Just put your trust in me
Give me everything
I need your love tonight
So baby please don′t fight it
Put your trust in me
I'll give you everything, so
Hold on to me
Never let me go
Cause right here in your arms
Is where I want to be
So Hold on to me
Hold on to me
Never let me go, yea
Never let me go, yea
Never let me go
She′s where I want to be
Been down this road before
And I'm glad I found you
Almost gave up
But baby then I found you
Don't keep me waiting
Cause I′m impatient
And you know you′re all I got
If I trust you
Will you take care of me
And promise me you'll
Never let me go
Cause right here in your arms
Is where I want to be
So Hold on to me
Hold on to me
Never let me go, yea
Never let me go, yea
Never let me go
She′s where I want to be
The lyrics of Slim Whitman's song "Hold Me" depict a lover trying to convince their partner to trust them and give them everything they need to feel loved. The singer of the song acknowledges that they have been in this situation before but was lucky to find their current partner. They implore their partner not to keep them waiting and to promise that they will never let them go. The chorus repeats the phrase "hold on to me" several times, emphasizing the need for physical and emotional closeness, and the desire to be where their partner is, in their arms.
The lyrics of this song speak to a common human desire for connection and intimacy with another person. The singer recognizes that they need their partner's love and trust, and they offer the same in return. The repetition of the phrase "never let me go" creates a sense of urgency and desperation, suggesting that the singer cannot bear the thought of being without their partner.
Overall, the lyrics of "Hold Me" are both emotional and relatable, capturing the essence of a romantic relationship and the need for closeness and trust.
Line by Line Meaning
Close your eyes
Relax and let go of everything.
Only got one night
We only have this one chance, so let's make the most of it.
Just put your trust in me
Believe and have faith in me.
Give me everything
Be completely open and vulnerable with me.
I need your love tonight
I yearn for your affection right now.
So baby please don′t fight it
Don't resist your feelings for me.
Put your trust in me
I am trustworthy and reliable.
I'll give you everything, so
I am willing to go above and beyond for you.
Hold on to me
Stay close and don't let go.
Never let me go
Don't allow me to slip away from your grasp.
Cause right here in your arms
Being held by you is incredibly comforting to me.
Is where I want to be
Being with you is where I belong.
Been down this road before
I have experienced a similar situation in the past.
And I'm glad I found you
I am happy that I have found someone like you to share this moment with.
Almost gave up
I nearly lost hope.
But baby then I found you
But you came into my life and changed everything for the better.
Don't keep me waiting
I am eager and excited to be with you right now.
Cause I'm impatient
I struggle to wait for things I desire.
And you know you're all I got
You are the most important person in my life right now.
If I trust you
If I place my confidence in you.
Will you take care of me
Will you be responsible for my wellbeing?
And promise me you'll
And vow to me that you will.
She's where I want to be
You are the only place I want to be right now.
Writer(s): Sterling Gittens
Contributed by Carson P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.