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.
The Girls
The Holdup Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They don't want
They don′t wanna take it
These girls they don't
They're driving me crazy
They′re driving me crazy
But girls don′t wanna be lonely
They say they love you
There aint nobody that ownes me
There she goes she wont be a one and only
I'm sick of playing all the text message waiting games
That′s the only reason I'm glad it′s over
I remember when I met you I was drinkin an'
Your the only girl I still like when I′m sober
I should have know your too pretty to begin with
And that I'll probably never get the upper hand
If upper hand was something I was so concerned with
It's bound to end up bad that′s what I didn′t understand
One night and one day we went on
I'm not exactly sure what it was that went wrong
The way it ended kinda left me feelin used
I wonder if it′s cuz you thought that I was famous
And really only dated me cuz your a fan
It's not hard to believe and I don′t blame ya
Woulda walked away if I was acting like a man but...
These girls they don't
They don′t want
They don't wanna take it
These girls they don't
They′re driving me crazy
They′re driving me crazy
But girls don't wanna be lonely
They say they love you
But they wanna be homies
There aint nobody that ownes me
There she goes she wont be a one and only
One date and I can′t get over how your not mine
Wonder but I doubt that I'm ever on your mind
Blowing off my work for you and that′s the first time
Fallin for a heartbreaker and it aint the first time
Bringing out the jealousy I never knew I had
I dated pretty girls but never met a bitches dad
Ignore you for a week and you wouldn't get sad
You aint the needy girl that never have a dad
Wonderin maybe if I made a mistake
Never shoulda takin you on that first date
The right thing is hard to do I shoulda stayed far from you
Sittin here feelin like Jamie and Greg
Falling for your type well maybe it′s fake but
There's nothin wrong with you
You just split my heart in two ooohhhh
These girls they don't
They don′t want
They don′t wanna take it
These girls they don't
They′re driving me crazy
They're driving me crazy
But girls don′t wanna be lonely
They say they love you
But they wanna be homies
There aint nobody that ownes me
There she goes she wont be a one and only
The Holdup's song The Girls delves into the complexities of modern-day relationships through the lens of a young man's experience with girls. Throughout the song, he expresses his frustrations and confusion with the behavior of girls he's been involved with. The chorus, "These girls they don't, they don't want, They don't wanna take it, These girls they don't, They're driving me crazy," reveals the singer's exasperation with the mixed signals he receives from his love interests.
He points out that as much as girls claim to want love and affection, they don't want to be lonely. They would rather be "homies" than in a true, committed relationship. It hurts the singer because he realizes that he's invested more in the relationship than the girls have. "There ain't nobody that owns me, There she goes, she won't be a one and only," speaks to the idea that the singer feels alone in his desire for a genuine connection.
The second verse focuses on his experience with one particular girl who he can't seem to get out of his head. He's willing to overlook his work obligations and be present for her. However, he feels like he's being used because he's famous, and the girl is just a fan. He's not sure if he's reading too much into the situation, or if she really does have feelings for him. This verse reveals the insecurity and self-doubt that come with relationships and the struggle to decipher the other person's intentions.
Overall, The Girls portrays a common theme in relationships — the battle between wanting love and companionship and not wanting to be too vulnerable. The singer recognizes the contradictions in the behavior of the girls he's involved with, and he's ultimately left feeling frustrated and confused.
Line by Line Meaning
These girls they don't
The girls in question do not comply
They don't want
They are not eager to have what is on offer
They don't wanna take it
They decline or refuse the offer being presented
These girls they don't
The girls in question do not comply
They're driving me crazy
The situation is becoming increasingly unbearable
They′re driving me crazy
The situation is becoming increasingly unbearable
But girls don't wanna be lonely
Females desire companionship
They say they love you
They profess their love
But they wanna be homies
But they want to remain friends
There aint nobody that ownes me
Nobody has power or control over me
There she goes she wont be a one and only
She won't remain exclusive to one person
I'm sick of playing all the text message waiting games
Tired of participating in games of waiting for text replies
That's the only reason I'm glad it's over
The games are over and that is a positive
I remember when I met you I was drinkin an'
Drinking was involved when we met
Your the only girl I still like when I'm sober
You are the only girl I enjoy spending time with while being sober
I should have know your too pretty to begin with
I should have realized that your beauty would create problems
And that I'll probably never get the upper hand
I will likely never have an advantage in the relationship
If upper hand was something I was so concerned with
If I was so focused on having power or control
It's bound to end up bad that's what I didn't understand
The relationship was likely to turn out poorly but I failed to realize
One night and one day we went on
We went on a date once
I'm not exactly sure what it was that went wrong
I cannot pinpoint the cause of the problem
The way it ended kinda left me feelin used
I feel taken advantage of by the way things ended
I wonder if it's cuz you thought that I was famous
I question if you only went out with me because of my status
And really only dated me cuz your a fan
If you only dated me because you are a fan
It's not hard to believe and I don't blame ya
If that were the case, it would not be surprising and I do not hold it against you
Woulda walked away if I was acting like a man but...
If I conducted myself more maturely, you may have left me anyway but...
One date and I can't get over how your not mine
After only one date, I still cannot shake the feeling of wanting you
Wonder but I doubt that I'm ever on your mind
I am unsure if you ever think of me
Blowing off my work for you and that's the first time
Skipping work for you is a first-time occurrence
Fallin for a heartbreaker and it ain't the first time
I have a tendency to fall for people who hurt me and this is not the first time
Bringing out the jealousy I never knew I had
You make me feel envious in ways that I did not know were possible
I dated pretty girls but never met a bitches dad
I have dated attractive women but never encountered a difficult father
Ignore you for a week and you wouldn't get sad
If I neglected you for a week, you would not be emotionally affected
You ain't the needy girl that never have a dad
You are not the type of girl who is lacking in a father figure
Wonderin maybe if I made a mistake
I am questioning if I made an error in judgment
Never shoulda takin you on that first date
I should not have gone on a date with you
The right thing is hard to do I shoulda stayed far from you
Making the correct choice is difficult and I should have avoided you
Sittin here feelin like Jamie and Greg
I am experiencing emotions similar to the characters Jamie and Greg
Falling for your type well maybe it's fake but
I am questioning if my feelings for you are genuine
There's nothin wrong with you
You are not at fault
You just split my heart in two ooohhhh
You have caused my heart to ache
Writer(s): Cesar Estrada, Michael Ryan Garmany, Luigi Angelo Casaretto
Contributed by Sebastian W. 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.