Hold on Tight
Solomon Burke & De Dijk Lyrics


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When you don't know what to do
And your mind is getting dark
And the fire that was burning
Has been reduced to a smoke and a spark

And every time things get hard
And you're worried right down to the bone
You carry on with what you know
You know you're not alone

Hold on, hold on tight
Hold on tight, hold on, hold on
Hold on tight with all your might
Don't let go, no, no, no, no, no, no
Don't let go

Now when you don't know really what to do
And your heart seems to skip a beat
When you don't know which way to move
And the heat starts to burn your feet

Don't leave me here by myself
I can't make it on my own
What would I do without you?
I want you to know together
We understand we're not alone

Don't let go, no, no, no, no
Don't let go

Hold on, hold on, hold on tight
Hold on tight, whatever you do
Please don't let go

No matter how hard the times
We have to carry on and on and on
When you don't know really what to do
I want you to remember in this life
You're not alone

Hold on tight
Hold on tight, hold on, hold on
Hold on tight, yeah, baby
Hold on tight, hold on to me
And don't let go, go, go, go, go, go

Hold on tight, hold on, hold on
Oh baby, hold on tight, hold on, hold on
Hold on tight with all your might
Don't let go

You know the fun
Don't let go, no, no, no, no, no
Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on
No, no, no, no, no, don't let go

Oh, don't ever let go, hold on, hold on
Hold on tight with all your might
Hold on, hold on, hold on
Sunday breaking, midnight shaking

Hold on, hold on, hold on to me, don't let go
Hold on, hold on, oh no, no, no, no, don't let go




Make me wanna moan sometime, don't let go
Hold on, hold on

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Hold on Tight by Solomon Burke & De Dijk speak to the universal human experience of feeling lost, alone, and unsure of what to do next. The song encourages listeners to persevere in the face of difficulty and to hold on tight to what they know and to the people they love. The metaphor of a fire reduced to a smoke and a spark is particularly effective, emphasizing the fragility of hope and the need to nurture it even when it seems like it may be snuffed out completely.


The second verse of the song shifts to a plea to not be left alone, acknowledging that sometimes we need the support of others to make it through hard times. The repetition of "don't let go" reinforces this idea of holding on, with the lyrics urging listeners to cling to hope, to love, and to each other, even in the face of uncertainty and fear. The final stanza of the song builds to a passionate crescendo, with Burke's soulful voice urging listeners to hold on with all their might and to never let go.


Line by Line Meaning

When you don't know what to do
When you find yourself lost, unsure of what to do next


And your mind is getting dark
And your thoughts are negative and pessimistic


And the fire that was burning
Referring to the passion or drive you previously had


Has been reduced to a smoke and a spark
It has diminished to just the smallest, faintest sign of life


And every time things get hard
And every time you are faced with hardship and challenges


And you're worried right down to the bone
And your concerns and fears are deeply rooted, causing you anxiety and stress


You carry on with what you know
You continue with what you are familiar with and trust


You know you're not alone
You realize that you are not the only one undergoing difficult times


Hold on, hold on tight
Keep holding on with all your strength and determination


Hold on tight, hold on, hold on
Keep holding on, do not let go


Hold on tight with all your might
Hold on as hard as you possibly can


Don't let go, no, no, no, no, no, no
Do not give up, do not lose hope, keep fighting


Now when you don't know really what to do
Again, when you feel lost and uncertain


And your heart seems to skip a beat
When you feel anxious and fearful


When you don't know which way to move
When you are unsure of which direction to take


And the heat starts to burn your feet
When the pressure and intensity of the situation becomes too much


Don't leave me here by myself
Asking for support and companionship when feeling overwhelmed


I can't make it on my own
Admitting that they cannot handle the situation alone


What would I do without you?
Expressing their reliance on the other person for strength and guidance


We understand we're not alone
Reassuring each other that they are in this together


No matter how hard the times
No matter how difficult the situation may become


We have to carry on and on and on
They must keep persevering, even when it seems impossible to continue


I want you to remember in this life
Encouraging the other person to hold on to hope


You're not alone
Stating that the other person is not alone in their struggles


Hold on tight, yeah, baby
Reinforcing the need to hold on with urgency and determination


Hold on tight, hold on to me
Directing the other person to hold on to them for support


You know the fun
This line seems to imply a nonsensical phrase that does not lend itself to a discernible meaning to associate with the song's greater message.


Oh baby, hold on tight, hold on, hold on
Repeating the importance of staying strong and not giving up


Sunday breaking, midnight shaking
This line does not lend itself to a discernible meaning to associate with the song's greater message.


Make me wanna moan sometime, don't let go
This line does not lend itself to a discernible meaning to associate with the song's greater message.


Hold on, hold on
Repeating the importance of holding on and not letting go




Contributed by Skyler G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@robertrooij4927

Hold on tight (lyrics)

When you don’t know what to do
And your mind is getting dark
And the fire that was burning
Has been reduced to just a spark
Every time things get hard
And you’re worried right down to the bone
Carry on with what you know
You’re not alone

Hold on tight
Hold on tight
Hold on tight with all your might
And don’t let go

When you don’t know what to do
And your heart seems to skip a beat
When you don’t know which way to move
And the heat starts to burn your feet
Don’t leave me here by myself
I can’t make it on my own
What would I do without you
We’re not alone

Hold on tight
Hold on tight
Hold on tight
And don’t let go

No matter how hard the times
We have to carry on
When you don’t know what to do
You’re not alone

Hold on tight
Hold on tight
Hold on tight with all your might
And don’t let go



All comments from YouTube:

@user-xn9ch6lw4f

Thanks for the De Dijk. Much 🎶❣️ from.Solomon Burke Jr.

@michelcouzijn5862

Plus één momentje aandacht voor onze eigen Huub vd Lubbe, die - als zanger en gezicht van De Dijk - het respect opbracht voor legende Solomon Burke om zichzelf hier vocaal op de achtergrond te houden. Het is niet ongemerkt gebleven, Huub. Dit stapje opzij siert je.

@hermienjonkers6912

Ja,dat is klasse 👍

@suus2punt0

Jammer dat hij nu gestopt is, ben nog wel naar het laaste concert geweest

@roxaneauer360

Holy crap is this beautiful human the answer to a sad day. Love you my friend I've never met!

@0otee

Grand man…🌺🎶🌺

@RS-vu3df

Magistraal, ja van magistre, meesterlijk dus. En mooi te horen en helemaal te begrijpen dat dit er z'on beetje in 1 keer opstond. Fijn om jullie zoveel plezier te zien hebben.

@snorksnork9706

Als ik het even niet zie zitten..

@allenlashleysr

Such a good song from an amazing man, this is the first I have heard of De Dijk, they are good as well. Rest In Peace Mr. Burke you will not be forgotten.

@sijeronner8481

Meest ondergewardeerde nummer ooit

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