Holding Back The Tears
Take That Lyrics


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I kind of keep asking myself little questions
Like where do I go from here
I seem to keep loosing track of time and how long it's been
Since I last had you near

Been a painful road to a door that's closed
Been a gamble that I knew I couldn't win
Been a lonely conversation to this photograph of you
In the mirror there's a sing I must give in

So I'm not holding back the tears anymore
tryin' escape the heartache, tryin' escape emotion
No I'm not holding back the tears anymore
Yesterday's my memory reminding me of all the time
I depended on you

I used to enjoy spending my time on my own here
Watching the jaded people pass
Now here I am sharing their pain and their lonely tears
And walking a road of broken glass

It's a constant fight to get through each day and night
It's a war between the present and the past
And the face that's in your mind every time you close your eyes
What's the reason, what's the answer, how long will this last

So I'm not holding back the tears anymore
tryin' escape the heartache, tryin' escape emotion
No I'm not holding back the tears anymore
Yesterday's my memory reminding me of all the time

Been a long time since I heard your last goobdye
Still I hear it clearly every day and night
What's the point in love when you have to give it up
Yet still you need it and it's nowhere you can find

So I'm not holding back the tears anymore
tryin' escape the heartache, tryin' escape emotion
No I'm not holding back the tears anymore




Yesterday's my memory reminding me of all the time
I depended on you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Take That's song Holding Back The Tears express the pain and struggle of moving on from a past relationship. The singer reflects on the time that has passed since they were last with their loved one and the difficulty they have had in dealing with the heartache and emotions that have come with the breakup. They question where to go from here and how long their pain will last.


The singer describes a "painful road" and a "constant fight" that they must endure to get through each day and night, as they battle between the present and the past. They feel the weight of loneliness and a sense of being lost, unsure of what to do next. They recognize that they can no longer hold back their tears, as they have been trying to do, and decide to let themselves feel the pain and emotion they have been trying to escape.


Overall, the lyrics of Holding Back The Tears convey a sense of vulnerability and emotional struggle, as the singer comes to terms with the reality of their situation and begins to move forward.


Line by Line Meaning

I kind of keep asking myself little questions
I keep questioning myself about what to do next


Like where do I go from here
I am lost and do not know where to go


I seem to keep loosing track of time and how long it's been
I am so heartbroken that I have lost track of time


Since I last had you near
Since the last time I had you with me


Been a painful road to a door that's closed
It has been hard to move on and forget you


Been a gamble that I knew I couldn't win
I knew from the start that loving you was impossible


Been a lonely conversation to this photograph of you
I talk to your photo because I miss you so much


In the mirror there's a sign I must give in
I can see in my reflection that I must accept reality


So I'm not holding back the tears anymore
I cannot hold my emotions back any longer


tryin' escape the heartache, tryin' escape emotion
Trying to avoid the pain and emotions that come with heartbreak


Yesterday's my memory reminding me of all the time
Remembering all the times when you were there for me


I used to enjoy spending my time on my own here
I used to be content with being alone


Watching the jaded people pass
Watching people who have given up on love


Now here I am sharing their pain and their lonely tears
Now I am experiencing the same pain and loneliness as them


And walking a road of broken glass
Navigating through a difficult and painful path


It's a constant fight to get through each day and night
Every day and night is a battle to cope with my loss


It's a war between the present and the past
Struggling to move on from the past and live in the present


And the face that's in your mind every time you close your eyes
Your face is the only thing I think about when I close my eyes


What's the reason, what's the answer, how long will this last
Wondering why this happened, what to do about it, and when it will end


Been a long time since I heard your last goodbye
It has been a while since you left me


Still I hear it clearly every day and night
I still hear your goodbye and it haunts me every day and night


What's the point in love when you have to give it up
Why bother with love if you have to let it go?


Yet still you need it and it's nowhere you can find
Despite not having it, I still crave love and it seems out of reach


Yesterday's my memory reminding me of all the time
Remembering all the times when you were there for me


I depended on you
I relied on you for emotional support and comfort




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GARY BARLOW

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Uli Rohana Margaretha

This is why i was and forever a big fan of Take That...their songs and music are so number one in melody and style...my daughters can easily fall in love with them...now i am 45, how great memory i have by listening to their songs...

Rx Px

Sama sama mba, saya 36 tahun...laki2 lgi 😁👍

Rose flower

all the memories of the past(TT)
Me...im crying every day..😢😢I WILL TT FAN FOR EVER!!
THEY ARE MY FAMILY😢😢😢❤❤❤❤❤❤(.....from Greece)✋✋

Bob Simcox

I love take that

Momotha Ali

Best song on the album. 💗💗💗 that Song , takes me back to my school days . Great band , always will be . Listening to it , makes me cry 😢. Such a beautiful song

Bob Simcox

My first favorite song babe

Penny B Beauty

This was my favourite track from this album and the soundtrack to my angst ridden mid teens! 😂

Karla Castro

Same here lol. It still gives my goosebumps

Bob Simcox

Me to

Moody Blues

Loved 'Nobody Else' too. Gary is such a talented songwriter.

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