The Detroit Cobras signed with Sympathy for the Record Industry and released their first full-length album, Mink Rat or Rabbit, in 1998. After a three-year gap, they released a second album, Life, Love and Leaving Their retro-garage rock formula proved popular in the UK and prompted the London-based Rough Trade Records to sign the band. They released an EP, Seven Easy Pieces, in 2003 and their third full-length album, Baby, in 2004. Baby broke with the Cobras' tradition in that it included one original song, "Hot Dog (Watch Me Eat)". Baby was picked up for release in the US by Bloodshot (who added the songs from the Seven Easy Pieces EP to the end of Baby . In April 2007, Bloodshot released the band's fourth full-length, Tied & True.
The band is known for multiple lineup changes. They generally have a touring lineup different from their recording lineup. Greg Cartwright of Reigning Sound (aka Greg Oblivian of The Oblivians) has been a constant creative force along with Nagy and Ramirez, who have been around since the group's genesis.
In the summer of 2008, The Detroit Cobras went on tour in support of X on their 13x31 tour. For the summer of 2009, The Detroit Cobras headlined a tour w/ the Dex Romweber Duo in support.
Discography
Albums and EPs
Mink Rat or Rabbit LP, CD (1998, Sympathy for the Record Industry)
Life, Love and Leaving LP, CD (2001, Sympathy for the Record Industry)
Seven Easy Pieces EP CD (2003, Rough Trade)
Baby LP, CD (2004, Rough Trade; 2005, Bloodshot including Seven Easy Pieces and Enhanced Video of Cha Cha Twist)
Tied & True LP, CD (2007, Bloodshot)
The Original Recordings CD, 7" Box Set (Singles and Unreleased 1995-1997) (2008, Munster Records)
Compilations
""Bankstock II CD (44 Caliber Records, 1995, RFD 2301)
recorded live at The Miami, Detroit, July 4th weekend, 1995 Maria Christina-Shout Bama Lama (Otis Redding)
""'Half-Assed, Will Travel' LP (PerineumRecordings/AnywayRecords,1997)
You Don't Knock
""Shreds - Volume 4, American Underground '96 CD (Shredder Records, 1997)
Village Of Love (Mayer, Brown)
""Scooch Pooch Plays: Their Original Sins CD (Scooch Pooch, 1997, P0 28)
Slum Lord (Farren, Bishop)
""Shine On, Sweet Starlet LP/CD (Sympathy For The Record Industry, 1998, SFTRI 537) soundtrack of a film by John Michael McCarthy Coming Home
""Alright, This Time, Just The Girls 2xLP/2xCD (Sympathy For The Record Industry, 1999, SFTRI 576) Ain't Hittin' On Nothing (N. Neville)
""Where The Action Is CD (1+2 Records, 2001, 1+2 CD 124) You Knows
""Sympathetic Sounds Of Detroit LP/CD (Sympathy For The Record Industry, 2001
produced and recorded by Jack White, mixed by Jack White and Jim Diamond
""Shout Bama Lama (Otis Redding)
""Hometaping - Volume 1 CD (Kerrang!, 2002, kerrang 900)Hey Sailor (M.L.Lane)
""Rough Trade Shops Rock And Roll 1 7" (Mute Records, 2002, mute 289) Hey Sailor Rough Trade Shops Rock And Roll 2 xCD (Mute,CDStumm 212) Hey Sailor
""Jackass: The Music, Vol. 1 CD (Interscope Records, 2002) Cha Cha Twist
""New Blood - The New Rock N Roll Vol 3 CD (Artrocker, 2003, RRR 33010)Bad Girl
""Stop Me If You've Think You've Heard This One Before ... CD (Rough Trade Records, 2003, rtradecd 100) Last Nite (The Strokes)
""Rave On Buddy Holly - Cd/Vinyl - (2011, Hear Music, Fantasy/Concord Music Group)- Heartbeat
Singles
"Down In Louisiana" 7" (1996, Black Mamba)
"Village of Love" 7" (1996, Human Fly)
"Ain't It a Shame" 7" (1996, Scooch Pooch)
"Cha Cha Twist CD, 7" (2004, Rough Trade)
"Ya Ya Ya 7" (2008, Stag-O-Lee)
"Feel Good" Digital Single (2015, iTunes)
i'll keep holding on
The Detroit Cobras Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
originally by Marvelettes
(I'll keep on holdin' on) oh yes I will
(I'll keep on holdin' on)
I know that you're the kind of guy, you've got too much pride
You're scared to love someone, run & hide
Each & every day, & each & every way
& I know that you can't hold on much longer
When there's no place left to hide
I'll still be by your side
'Cause 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) No matter where you run, boy
(I'll keep on holdin' on) No matter where you hide, boy
(I'll keep on holdin' on) Oh you'll never get away, boy
(I'll keep on holdin' on)
The Detroit Cobras's song I'll Keep Holding On is a cover version of the original song by Marvelettes that was released in 1965. The song is about a woman who is in love with a man who is too proud to admit his feelings and is scared to love someone. The woman promises to keep holding on to her love for him until he realizes that he loves her too. She is confident that her love is growing stronger each day and that she will finally make him hers.
Throughout the song, the woman expresses her determination and her willingness to fight for her love. She tells the man that no matter where he runs or hides, she will keep on holding on to her love for him. She even warns him that he will never get away from her. The lyrics are powerful and convey a sense of perseverance and strength in the face of adversity.
The Detroit Cobras's cover version of I'll Keep Holding On was released in 1998 and is considered much more powerful and soulful than the original version. The lead singer, Rachel Nagy, delivered a passionate performance, which made the song even more emotionally charged.
Line by Line Meaning
(I'll keep on holdin' on) oh yes I will
I will continue to hold on to you
(I'll keep on holdin' on)
I am determined to not let go
I know that you're the kind of guy, you've got too much pride
I understand that you're a man with a lot of pride
You're scared to love someone, run & hide
Your fear of loving someone makes you run away and hide
Each & every day, & each & every way
I love you more and more every day and in every way
My love is growin' stronger
The love I have for you is becoming stronger
& I know that you can't hold on much longer
I am aware that you won't be able to resist it for much longer
When there's no place left to hide
Even when you have nowhere to hide
I'll still be by your side
I will still be there for you
'Cause I'll be (waiting) oh yes, sure 'nough
I will be patiently waiting for you
(Looking for a chance) a chance to make you mine
I am searching for the perfect opportunity to win your heart
I know you're braggin' to your friends that you can't be caught
I'm aware that you brag to your friends about being uncatchable
Baby, you don't know, so it's time that you were taught
You don't know love yet, but it's about time you learn
So love, you'd better plan to make your final stand
You need to prepare yourself to make a final decision about us
No matter where you run now
Even if you try to run away now
I'll hold on till my will to resist is gone
I won't let go until I lose the will to fight for you
Till I get you where I want you
Until I get you to love me back
There, love, I'm gonna want you
I will finally have you and I will want you
(Waiting) oh yes, sure 'nough
I will still be waiting patiently
(Looking for a chance) a chance to make you mine
I will keep looking for an opportunity to make you mine
(I'll keep on holdin' on) No matter where you run, boy
I won't let go no matter where you go, my love
(I'll keep on holdin' on) No matter where you hide, boy
Even if you try to run and hide, I will still hold on
(I'll keep on holdin' on) Oh you'll never get away, boy
I am determined to not let you go, my love
Contributed by Gabriella Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.