The band had their first UK Top 30 hit in 1985 with the piano-based #30 single "You Are My World". The following year they had their biggest hit with an energetic cover version of Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes' soul classic "Don't Leave Me This Way" (in a version inspired by Thelma Houston's cover) which spent four weeks at number one and became the UK's biggest selling single of 1986. It also made the US Top 40. It featured Sarah Jane Morris as co-vocalist, taking advantage of the contrast between Morris' deep and rounded contralto and Somerville's soaring falsetto. Morris performed both backing and co-lead vocals on many of the Communards' other recordings, and appeared in group photos as an unofficial third member.
Later that year The Communards had another UK Top 10 hit with the single "So Cold the Night," which reached number 8. In 1987, they released an album titled Red, which was partly produced by Stephen Hague. Red featured a cover version of the Jackson 5's hit "Never Can Say Goodbye" (in a version inspired by Gloria Gaynor's cover), which the Communards took to Number 4. Their last released single was "There's More to Love Than Boy Meets Girl" in 1988, which reached Number 20 and was, consequently, their final Top 20 hit.
They split in 1988 and Somerville began a solo career. Coles followed his Christian leanings and, after periods as a journalist for the Times Literary Supplement and Catholic Herald, he was ordained in the Church of England, spending time as the curate of St Botolph's (The Stump) in Boston, Lincolnshire. He is now the assistant priest at St Paul's Knightsbridge and Chaplain to the Royal College of Music and is a frequent contributor to BBC Radio 4.
Hold On Tight
The Communards Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hold on tight, hold on tight, hold on tight to what you've got.
How I felt despair that night, Our fears have surfaced once again, Shame, ashamed at what they've done By making it a little harder for me and you. Now I ask what can be done, Down these crumbling streetsA wind of change must come, As I take you in my arms We will proudly walk and never run.
Hold on tight, hold on tight, hold on tieght to what you've got.
Some have seen it all before, It wasn't all that long ago. They've sold us lies, they've sold us lies, Glass houses in the city, retreats at ile des chiens, Time to get up off our knees And work to towards a brighter day. All the hopes I thought I'd lost that night Will give me strength to overcome
The lyrics to The Communards' song, "Hold on Tight," speak of a feeling of hopelessness and despair resulting from a great divide caused by self-interest and greed. The song expresses the idea that the days ahead look bleak for some while others feast on the fruits of their greed. However, despite the challenges, the lyrics advise listeners to hold on tight to what they have in order to overcome the difficulties that they face. The song also speaks of the need to work towards a brighter future and the importance of taking action to bring about change.
The lyrics are relatable as they reflect the experience of many people who have struggled to make ends meet due to the greed of a few. The song is a call to action, urging people to hold on to what they have and work towards a future that is brighter for everyone. The line, "The feast for others has begun," is particularly poignant and speaks to the idea that some people are able to profit from the suffering of others.
The song is a reminder that in times of difficulty, we must hold on tight to what we have and never give up hope. We must work towards a brighter future and not let the actions of a few bring us down. The song has a powerful message that can inspire anyone who is facing challenges in their life.
Line by Line Meaning
Thought my hopes had died that night.
I felt hopeless and lost that night.
I saw the future slowly slip away.
I felt like the future was becoming bleaker and more uncertain with time.
Seems we've got this great divide,
There is a major division between people based on self-interest and greed.
Self-gain and greed have had their wicked way.
People's selfishness and greed have caused problems and made things worse for everyone.
Now, now we've go five more years,
There is a specific timeframe for change to happen, with a deadline of five years.
And wasted tears won't wash this stain away.
Crying won't solve the problem and won't erase the damage that's been done.
The days ahead look bleak for some,
The future looks gloomy and uncertain for some people.
The feast for others has begun.
Other people are benefiting from the situation and taking advantage of it.
Hold on tight, hold on tight, hold on tight to what you've got.
Stay strong and hold onto what you have, because the situation is difficult and uncertain.
How I felt despair that night,
I was overcome with sadness and hopelessness that night.
Our fears have surfaced once again,
Our worries and concerns are reemerging and becoming more pronounced again.
Shame, ashamed at what they've done
I feel embarrassed and disappointed about how other people have acted and contributed to the problems we face.
By making it a little harder for me and you.
The actions of others have made life more difficult for everyone, including me and you.
Now I ask what can be done,
I'm wondering what can be done to improve the situation.
Down these crumbling streets
The streets are falling apart and in disrepair.
A wind of change must come,
We need a radical change to make things better.
As I take you in my arms
As we come together and support each other.
We will proudly walk and never run.
We will stay strong and stand up for what is right, and won't give up or run away.
Some have seen it all before,
Some people have experienced this kind of situation before.
It wasn't all that long ago.
It was a recent and familiar problem.
They've sold us lies, they've sold us lies,
We have been deceived and misled by people who lied to us.
Glass houses in the city, retreats at ile des chiens,
There are wealthy and luxurious places in the city where some people are living in luxury.
Time to get up off our knees
It's time to stop being submissive or defeatist and take action.
And work towards a brighter day.
We need to work hard to make things better and create a better future.
All the hopes I thought I'd lost that night
All the optimism and hope that I had lost before.
Will give me strength to overcome
That lost hope will provide me with determination and energy to overcome the obstacles.
Contributed by Sydney K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ruthfletcher7982
Loved this song, my favourite from Red album.
@franckgrognet7459
Très bel album de notre Jimmy. ..
J'adore et je les possède tous...
De bons souvenirs pour ces années The Communards..
@angelagiffin2230
Ok❤ its nice to be listened tooxx