They were part of t… Read Full Bio ↴1. The Action were an English band of the 1960s.
They were part of the mod subculture, and played soul music-influenced pop music. The band were formed as The Boys in August 1963, in Kentish Town, North London. After Peter Watson joined them as an additional guitarist in 1965, they changed their name to The Action. The original members were Reg King (lead Vocals) (born Reginald King, 5 February 1945, in Paddington, West London), Alan 'Bam' King (lead guitar, Vocals) (born Alan King, 18 September 1945, in Muswell Hill, North London), Mike "Ace" Evans (bass guitar, Vocals) (born Michael Evans, 10 July 1945, in Henley, Berkshire) and Roger Powell (drums) (born 4 July 1945, in Camden Town, North West London).
Shortly after their formation, they signed to Beatles producer George Martin's Parlophone Records. "Land of a Thousand Dances" b/w "In My Lonely Room" was well received by critics, but sold poorly. None of the Action's singles achieved success in the UK singles chart; their highest charting single was "I'll Keep on Holding On", which reached number 47 in 1965.
After disastrous experiences with the Rikki Farr management, Peter Watson (born in 1945, in Kentish Town, North West London) left the band in 1966. They continued as quartet, but were dropped from Parlophone in 1967. In the late 1960s keyboardist Ian Whiteman (born 18 May 1945, in Saffron Walden, Essex) and guitarist Martin Stone (born in Wokingham, Surrey, England, 11 December 1946 - 9 November 2016, Versailles, France) joined the band and the Action moved toward a mid-tempo psychedelic ballad style, and then into folk rock. Reg King left the band in 1967, and Alan King took over as main lead vocalist. In 1969, when signing to John Curd's Head Records, the band was renamed by Curd Mighty Baby.
Alan King later went on to form Ace (see pub rock (UK)).
Notably, they are one of the favourite bands of Phil Collins, who performed with the reunited band in 2000. "For me it was like playing with the Beatles," he later commented on the experience.
2. The Action! was formed in the fall of 1998, in Syracuse, NY. Their music is a hard-to-classify blend of rock, ska, punk, and jazz.
The Action!, formerly known as Skatos, has recorded two full-length albums; Skatalogical (1999), and Waiting For Tuesday (2001). They have appeared on the internationally released ska compilation Still Standing (Jump/Megalith), as well as the ska/punk compilation How I Punked Out Of Skallege (Red Dragon). The band also recorded and independently released an e.p. of demos called the 16 Hour E.P. The Action! also wrote and recorded a song used in local Syracuse commercials for the popular television show The Simpsons.
The Action! has served as the opening act for such bands as Reel Big Fish, The Toasters, The Pietasters, Jimmies Chicken Shack, Gym Class Heroes, The Planet Smashers, and Sheila Devine. On stage, the band delivers a tight, adrenaline fueled performance that has remained unmatched by their musical peers.
In 2003 the members of The Action! took a break from the band as school, jobs, and other projects made it increasingly harder to perform or rehearse regularly. However, in April of 2006 it was announced that they would reunite and organize a benefit show for their friend and bandmate Brandon Hall who was diagnosed with leukemia. The show was a great success, leading the band to start writing more and playing out again. Come and see for yourself the new and improved, latest installment of ... The Action!
3.AOR Band from United States of America released Louder Than World 1987-2006 Album
4. The Action was a power pop power trio from Ohio. They were active from about 1979 to 1982. They had a very retro sound based on british invasion style melodic songwriting (very much like the UK band of the same name above). The members were Mike Purkhiser (guitar/vocals), Brent Warren (bass), and Cliff Bryant (drums). They released three singles: "Get Back to Me", "Radio Music", and "She's Got My Heart". Warren and Purkhiser later worked with indie pop musician Scott McCarl.
5. late 60's garage band from New Zealand
i'll keep holding on
The Action Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(I'll keep on holdin' on)
I know that you're the kind of girl, you've got too much pride
You're scared you love someone, run & hide
Each & every day, & each & every way
My love is growin' stronger
& I know that you can't hold on much longer
When there's no place left to hide
And I'll be (waiting) oh yes, sure 'nough
(Looking for a chance) a chance to make you mine
(I'll keep on holdin' on)
I know you're braggin' to your friends that you can't be caught
Baby, you don't know, so it's time that you were taught
So love, you'd better plan to make your final stand
No matter where you run now
I'll hold on till my will to resist is gone
Till I get you where I want you
There, love, I'm gonna want you
(Waiting) oh yes, sure 'nough
(Looking for a chance) a chance to make you mine
(I'll keep on holdin' on)
(I'll keep on holdin' on)
The Action's song, "I'll Keep Holding On" is a classic love ballad that speaks of a love that may not necessarily be reciprocated - at least not at the same level - and the struggles that arise due to this unbalanced love. The first verse highlights the girl's reluctance and fear of love, and how the love of the singer is getting stronger in every way. The singer assures his love that he will always be there, waiting for her to let her guard down and give him a chance. The chorus is an affirmation of that fact - that he will keep holding on to his love, no matter what.
The second verse speaks of the girl's attempts to avoid being caught in love, and also the guy's resolve to pursue her and not give up until she loves him back. The end of the verse speaks of his willingness to wait until he gets her - wherever she runs, he will hold on to his love and keep looking for a chance to make her his. The chorus repeats, reaffirming that he will not give up on his love.
Overall, the song portrays the struggles and emotions that come with one-sided love, but also the optimism and hope that love brings. The singer's persistence and determination are admirable, and it's a song that anyone who's struggled with unrequited love can relate to.
Line by Line Meaning
(I'll keep on holdin' on) oh yes I will
I will continue to hold on to my love for you no matter what
(I'll keep on holdin' on)
I will continue to have faith in our love
I know that you're the kind of girl, you've got too much pride
I understand that your pride is holding you back from admitting your love
You're scared you love someone, run & hide
You are afraid of love and tend to run away from it
Each & every day, & each & every way
Every day and in every aspect, my love for you grows stronger
My love is growin' stronger
My love for you is becoming more intense
& I know that you can't hold on much longer
I realize that your resistance can't last much longer
When there's no place left to hide, I'll still be by your side
I will always be there for you, even when you think there's nowhere to turn
And I'll be (waiting) oh yes, sure 'nough
I will be waiting patiently for you
(Looking for a chance) a chance to make you mine
I am waiting for an opportunity to show you my true feelings
I know you're braggin' to your friends that you can't be caught
You are telling your friends that you are uncatchable when it comes to love
Baby, you don't know, so it's time that you were taught
You are unaware of how strong love can be and it's time for you to learn
So love, you'd better plan to make your final stand
You need to face your feelings and make a decision about our love
No matter where you run now, I'll hold on till my will to resist is gone
I will chase after you until I can't fight my feelings any longer
Till I get you where I want you, there, love, I'm gonna want you
I will continue to pursue you until we are in a committed relationship
(Waiting) oh yes, sure 'nough
I am still waiting for you to make a decision
(Looking for a chance) a chance to make you mine
I am still waiting for the right opportunity to show you how much I love you
(I'll keep on holdin' on)
I will continue to hold on to hope that our love will prevail
(I'll keep on holdin' on)
I will continue to fight for our love and not give up
Contributed by Kennedy F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Tomovox_PAMS_Radio_JIngles
Man what a great surprise to hear this! I always heard about this cover and thank goodness for you tube! I find I'm actually liking this a LOT! Like some of the other posters, I agree- both versions hold their own. The Marvelettes' version will always hold strong in my heart, but now, I'm glad to make room for another new favorite!
@pradaman307
One of my all time favourite Mod/60's/revival songs. Absolutely brilliant!!!
@angelasavidan8436
Saw them weekly at the Marquee. They were exceptional live. Should hve been enormous. Reg King was a great white soul vocalist, and hid brother played a great Rickenbacker. At least he had a hit with Ace - How Long
@rogerm612
What a gorgeous song. Great voices and instruments ❤ 😍 💖 ❣ 💕 💘
@andreclarke8881
I was a black skinhead with a white vespa 100 in the early '90s!!!!!!! Had quite a few mod friends. Love this music!!!!!!!!
@alski501
Wow...memories!! What a group, what a song. One of my favourite songs ever!!
@lacasadelabomba
One of the greatest bands of the world
@faeembrugh
Great vocals, amazing bass line. Will never beat the marvellettes of course but still top class
@PsyVen
Blue-eyed soul at its best. Great Mod tune!
@Jadell
I saw these guys at the 100 Club about 8 years or so ago - not sure if they're still doing gigs but...even though they all looked a bit fat and grandaddy-like they sounded AMAZING. They even had that flute player with them who was on a few tracks in the 60s. Reg's voice was really brilliant. Lots of young mods turned up in retro styles, it was a pretty good night..!