The Holdup’s first EP was released in spring of 2007 and sold 1000 instant copies. Shortly after their EP’s success they were picked up and sponsored by Local Clothing Company Left Coast Boardwear and signed a record deal with the Independent label Dub Rock Records. Dub Rock Records quickly got to action and booked the band with national touring bands such as: The Dirty Heads, Rebelution, The B-Side Players, The B Foundation, Collie Buddz, and more.
With such songs as “Wildchild”, “Chronic Song” and the ever growing popular hit “Stay Gold”, the Holdup’s music is destined to be heard over airwaves and venues across the golden state. Combine surf rock melodies with ear catching lyrics and you get The Holdup, an energetic hardworking quintet that defines a unique style of California based dub rock music.
Obsessed With Success
The Holdup Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We'll never compromise ourselves so we can gain status
Love that on the radio they can in and demand us
Addicted to the way that all these girls are looking at us
I get it that you hate us cus our attitudes are cocky
But just know that I act that way cus nobody can stop me
So come and get your girlfriend and tell her to get off me
And boy I got some work to do somebody brew some coffee
Just know he wishes he could be like everything we're being
Long as I'm breathing you'll never catch me sleeping
Aspire bout reality when I'm away from dreaming
Cus I want it so bad, I'm too deep in won't go back
From now on I don't hold back and I need you to know that
It aint over it just started So I'm asking you to pardon
All my attitude I'm sorry We've been working so damn hard and
We already got them hunnies I want Grammys I want monies
I want everybody jockin hit the store and hear em talk cus
I'm obsessed with Success, I'm I'm obsesses with success
No I didn't miss three seasons of Nip Tuck or Entourage
Just so I could spend my every waking moment in the garage
I didn't plug Patron in every song we're ever written
Just to hope we get a sponsorship and find out that we didn't
Cus I think it's okay if you start celebrating for us
Look out in the crowd and I can see that Y'all adore us
They clap and they scream and these audiences cheering
I'm deaf to all the haters cus applause is all I'm hearing
If you aint in this business you should probably know it isn't
What they tell you can have is what want so go and get it cus
Any way you spin it I just need to know we did it
Doing thing the way we think we should be done
So I'ma rid myself of all the insecurities of being at the bottom
I don't trip on having fans anymore cus now we got em man
Honestly it aint about the talent it's the business
So when I accept awards tell the critics that
(It aint over it just started So I'm asking you to pardon
All my attitude I'm sorry We've been working so damn hard and
We already got them hunnies I want Grammys I want monies
I want everybody jockin hit the store and hear em talk cus
I'm obsessed with Success, I'm I'm obsesses with success)
The lyrics to The Holdup's song "Obsessed With Success" talk about the band's pursuit of success in the music industry. They openly admit that they are trying to sell out and become popular, but will not sacrifice their own integrity for fame. They are addicted to the attention and admiration they receive from fans, and are unapologetic about their cocky attitudes towards anyone who tries to hold them back. The chorus of the song expresses the band's obsession with success, stating that it's all they want and need in life.
The verses delve deeper into the band's journey towards success. They talk about the hard work and sacrifices they have made, such as missing out on TV shows and plugging alcohol brands in their music. The band also acknowledges that the music industry is all about business, and success is not just about talent, but also about making the right moves and decisions. Despite facing criticism and negativity from haters, the band remains focused on their goals and will not let anyone stop them from achieving success.
Overall, "Obsessed With Success" is a motivational anthem for anyone who has big aspirations and dreams of making it in their chosen field. The song encourages listeners to work hard, stay focused, and never compromise their values in pursuit of success.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll admit were tryna sell out so just try to understand us
We're willing to compromise our artistic integrity to achieve commercial success, please try to sympathize with us.
We'll never compromise ourselves so we can gain status
However, we will maintain our core identity and values despite being tempted to change for popularity.
Love that on the radio they can in and demand us
We are pleased that radio stations are playing our music so frequently that people are requesting it.
Addicted to the way that all these girls are looking at us
We enjoy the attention we receive from female fans.
I get it that you hate us cus our attitudes are cocky
We understand that some people dislike us because we have a snobbish attitude.
But just know that I act that way cus nobody can stop me
But we act that way because we are confident in ourselves and have no one to answer to.
So come and get your girlfriend and tell her to get off me
If your girlfriend is attracted to us, please tell her to stay away.
And boy I got some work to do somebody brew some coffee
We have a lot of work to do, so we need someone to brew us some coffee.
And if your man is hating on us tell him we don't need him
If someone dislikes us, tell them that we do not require their approval or support.
Just know he wishes he could be like everything we're being
They are envious of our success and wish to be like us.
Long as I'm breathing you'll never catch me sleeping
I will always work hard and never slack off
Aspire bout reality when I'm away from dreaming
I focus on practical goals rather than just fantasies.
Cus I want it so bad, I'm too deep in won't go back
We have a strong desire for success and are too invested in it to give up.
From now on I don't hold back and I need you to know that
We will not hold back anymore and want others to be aware of our ambition.
It aint over it just started So I'm asking you to pardon
Our journey towards success has just begun, so please forgive us for any mistakes.
All my attitude I'm sorry We've been working so damn hard and
We apologize for our arrogant attitude, but we have put in a lot of effort.
We already got them hunnies I want Grammys I want monies
We have already gained a substantial female following, but we now desire Grammys and money.
I want everybody jockin hit the store and hear em talk cus
We want everyone to listen to our music and hear them talking about it.
No I didn't miss three seasons of Nip Tuck or Entourage
We did not miss out on any pop culture events while we were focused on our music.
Just so I could spend my every waking moment in the garage
We did not sacrifice our time watching TV just to spend it in the garage working on music.
I didn't plug Patron in every song we're ever written
We did not include the Patron brand in every song we wrote, hoping for a sponsorship.
Just to hope we get a sponsorship and find out that we didn't
We did not make music with the sole intention of receiving a sponsorship and were disappointed when we did not receive one.
Cus I think it's okay if you start celebrating for us
We believe it is acceptable for others to celebrate our success.
Look out in the crowd and I can see that Y'all adore us
Looking at the crowd, we can see that our fans adore us.
They clap and they scream and these audiences cheering
Our fans show their appreciation by clapping and cheering.
I'm deaf to all the haters cus applause is all I'm hearing
We ignore all the criticism because we only hear the applause.
If you aint in this business you should probably know it isn't
If you are not in the music industry, you should know that it's not what it seems.
What they tell you can have is what want so go and get it cus
Do not believe what they say you can or cannot accomplish. Go after what you want.
Any way you spin it I just need to know we did it
Regardless of the view taken, we need to know that we accomplished our goals.
Doing thing the way we think we should be done
We are doing things in our own way, as we think they should be done.
So I'ma rid myself of all the insecurities of being at the bottom
We will overcome our insecurities about being unsuccessful.
I don't trip on having fans anymore cus now we got em man
We no longer worry about having fans since we have gained a significant following.
Honestly it aint about the talent it's the business
Success in the music industry is not purely about talent, but also involves business skills.
So when I accept awards tell the critics that
When we receive awards, please tell the critics that their negative opinions do not affect us.
Writer(s): Michael Ryan Garmany, Daniel Lucas Flores, Cesar Alfonso Estrada, Kyle Jon Christensen
Contributed by Mila C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
DJ
on Smell These Roses
Smell These Roses
The Holdup
Started every single sentence with remember when.
Never gonna get those frowns.
Used to wanna pray that it would never end.
But now I’d rather close my eyes.
When my friends hit me like one drink, anything,
Miss them too, but I’m busy so I say that I’m cool.
But I know they won’t stop till I say yes.
Shit, I don’t want to say yes tonight.
Trynna save some bread and move out,
Get a new couch, and a blender for the kitchen.
Looks like I’m going out now,
Heading downtown, and instead I’ll be wishing.
Everything could feel this good like, what about one more good night?
What about something better, when this all gets old?
So go…
Smell these roses one more time.
We ain’t gonna be here for that long.
Gotta move on at some point, even though it’s everything I know.
Oh, everything I know.
Oh.
Thank you mama for letting me stay home for a decade or two.
All that good karma, well, I promise that it’s gonna come back to you.
And my big head and my big brain ninny.
I got a lot of knowledge but my confidence is thinning.
I guess doing what you want is more like making a decision.
Maybe I’m just scared to make it and that’s why I’m always tripping.
I just wish that we could laugh inside, shit, every night.
But we got to go to class and work, guess that’s what’s right.
So I put my boots on and I slick back my hair.
Some coffee and I’m no longer tripping.
I try to ignore that life isn’t fair,
But, sometimes you still catch me wishing.
Everything could feel this good like, what about one more good night?
What about something better, when this all gets old?
So go…
Smell these roses one more time.
We ain’t gonna be here for that long.
Gotta move on at some point, even though it’s everything I know.
Oh, everything I know.
Oh.
Everything could feel this good like, what about one more good night?
What about something better, when this all gets old?
So go…
Smell these roses one more time.
We ain’t gonna be here for that long.
Gotta move on at some point, even though it’s everything I know.
Oh, everything I know.
Oh.