He began his adult life as a young preacher in Philadelphia, where he hosted a gospel radio show. In the 1960s, he signed with Atlantic Records and began moving towards more secular music. His first hit was Just Out Of Reach Of My Open Arms, a cover of a country song. Though well-received by both peers and critics, and attaining a few moderate pop and several major R&B hits, Burke never could quite break through into the mainstream as did his contemporaries like Sam Cooke, Otis Redding and Aretha Franklin.
Nevertheless, his emotive delivery, polished production, as well as the touches of country and pop sensibility in his music won him admirers and imitators. In 1964 he wrote and recorded Everybody Needs Somebody To Love his most prominent bid for an enduring soul standard. Covered by the Rolling Stones the same year, other well-known versions include one by Wilson Pickett and another a decade and a half later in the 1980 feature film by The Blues Brothers. Burke's biggest hit was a 1969 cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival's Proud Mary.
His career was to some degree revived in 2002, with the release of the album Don't Give Up On Me, produced by Joe Henry, where he sang songs written specifically for the album by a roster of top-rank artists, including Bob Dylan, Brian Wilson, Van Morrison, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits and Joe Henry himself.
He is featured in the 2004 movie Lightning in a Bottle singing Turn on Your Love Light and Down in the Valley.
As of October 2002 Burke was the father of 14 daughters and 7 sons with 64 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Several of his children and grandchildren have had successful careers in various facets of the music industry, though none as much so as their patriarch.
Burke died, arriving at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam where he was supposed to perform with Dutch band De Dijk with whom he recorded an album, entitled Hold on Tight.
Rock icon Mick Jagger performed a tribute to Burke at the 2011 Grammy Awards, laying down Burke's classic hit "Everybody Needs Somebody To Love".
A cover of Everybody Needs Somebody To Love received huge exposure as the music for Amazon's 2019 Christmas commercial.
We're Gonna Hold On
Solomon Burke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're gonna hold on
We're gonna hold on to each other
Life can be rough, sometimes it's kind
A real good life is hard to find
But the best love is the one we've known
And the faith we have between us makes it grow
Some love lives and some love don't
We've got the kind of love we want
It brings us happiness all through the day
And nothin' can ever make it go away
We're gonna hold on
We're gonna hold on
We're gonna hold on to each other
Time will tell if you're right or wrong
We know we're right by holdin' on
And the future is set for you and me
Filled with love, the way we both want it to be
We're gonna hold on
We're gonna hold on
We're gonna hold on to each other
We're gonna hold on
"We're Gonna Hold On" is a song by Solomon Burke with a message about commitment, hope, and faith between two people in love. The opening line repeats the phrase "We're gonna hold on" three times, emphasizing the determination and unwavering nature of the singer's promises to hold on to their relationship no matter what obstacles they may face. Although life can be tough, the lyrics acknowledge that finding a good life is possible, but finding true love that lasts is hard. The singer emphasizes that they have already found that kind of love and they are committed to it.
The lyrics also mention that not all relationships last, but that the love that the singer and their partner have is the kind that they want because it brings them happiness throughout the day. They believe that nothing can destroy their love and their bond will only continue to grow. The final verse hints at the idea that the future is not set in stone, but the singer feels that by holding on to each other, they'll create a future filled with love that they desire.
Overall, the song's message is that love is powerful and can withstand the challenges of life if both people are committed to each other. Despite the troubles that life may bring, the singer and their partner have the strength and willingness to hold on to each other and their love.
Line by Line Meaning
We're gonna hold on
We are committed to holding on to each other no matter what comes our way.
We're gonna hold on
We believe in our love and we will not let anything tear us apart.
We're gonna hold on to each other
We will support and cherish each other through all of life’s ups and downs.
Life can be rough, sometimes it's kind
Life can be unpredictable and challenging, but it can also be beautiful and full of blessings.
A real good life is hard to find
Finding true happiness and contentment in life can be difficult.
But the best love is the one we've known
Our love for each other is the most valuable thing in our lives.
And the faith we have between us makes it grow
Our trust and confidence in each other feeds and strengthens our love.
Some love lives and some love don't
Not all relationships work out, but ours has endured and remains strong.
We've got the kind of love we want
We have found the love we have always desired.
It brings us happiness all through the day
Our love brings joy and contentment to our daily lives.
And nothin' can ever make it go away
We are confident that our love will remain steadfast and unbreakable.
Time will tell if you're right or wrong
The future is unpredictable and only time will reveal the truth of our decisions.
We know we're right by holdin' on
Our commitment to each other is proof that we have made the right choice.
And the future is set for you and me
We are confident in our love, and we believe that our future together is secure.
Filled with love, the way we both want it to be
Our future is full of the love and happiness that we both desire.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GEORGE JONES, EARL MONTGOMERY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Maria Anna
We're gonna hold on
We're gonna hold on
We're gonna hold on to each other
Life can be rough, sometimes it's kind
A real good life is hard to find
But the best love is the one we've known
And the faith we have between us makes it grow
Some love lives and some love don't
We've got the kind of love we want
It brings us happiness all through the day
And nothin' can ever make it go away
We're gonna hold on
We're gonna hold on
We're gonna hold on to each other
Time will tell if you're right or wrong
We know we're right by holdin' on
And the future is set for you and me
Filled with love, the way we both want it to be
We're gonna hold on
We're gonna hold on
We're gonna hold on to each other
We're gonna hold on
Griffin Moore
Been loving Emmylou Harris for years. Just finding Solomon and can't get enough of him. Together they are amazing.
Lulabelle Williams
What a commanding presence they both hold ... Amazing Duo!
Turtle Heart
The great Solomon Burke and the Angel Emmylou. Brings tears to my old eyes. What an amazing and adventerous idea to put these two together. Emmylou is so adventerous and diverse. There is no one else like her in this world.
Helen Prime
What a fantastic sound these 2 talented artists make together 🎉 ❤
Tisatio
Fantastic, two great talents who sing together. R.I.P. Solomon, the world has lost an icon.
Mary Lynn Johnson-Kerker
Two fabulous singers. Love Solomon
colin fairhurst
Beautiful song and two outstanding vocalists, even if Emmylou was in a bit of an awkward key to accommodate Solomons vocals, she's a pro tho' and nailed it !
Petr Konečný
Neuvěřitelně nádherné!!!
Jimmy Harris
fantastic song presented by two fantastic singers ! Perfect ! Bravo ! Goose bumps !
Patricia Hartless
Solomon Burke and Emmylou Harris . Harmonize so perfect together singing .We're Going To Hold On . Thanks for sharing this song .