“Hold my life
Because I just might lose it
Because I just might lose it
Because I just might lose it”
The refrain, "Razzle dazzle drazzle drone" is a modification of a phrase from the cartoon Tooter Turtle. Replacements frontman Paul Westerberg may have had a poetic meaning to his allusion.
Tooter Turtle ran from 1960 to 1961 and involved a cartoon turtle that would have a wizard transport him back in time or into another location so he could adopt a new identity in every episode. Each time, Tooter would encounter some inescapable disaster and be forced to ask the wizard to save him. The wizard would say, "Treezle, trazle, trozle, trome, time for this one to come home." And then, "Be just what you is, not what you is not. Folks what do this has the happiest lot." Judging by the song's sense of personal alienation (and the early line, "If I want a good dye, oh, my hair"), the Tooter Turtle line may be a comment on the reality of human identity as well as a key into the otherwise opaque lyrics. Ultimately, we can only be ourselves.
The song has been quoted several times on the comedic science-fiction film review show Mystery Science Theater 3000. Before moving onto a national platform with Comedy Central in 1989, Mystery Science Theater 3000 broadcast from KTMA-TV in the Replacements' hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
"Hold My Life" is the opening track on Tim, the Replacements' fourth studio album and second to feature the raw-yet-harmonious melodies that are now considered trademarks of the band. Only two years earlier with Hootenanny, they'd been making music with very limited appeal to anyone other than angst-ridden suburban males. With Let it Be in 1984, Westerberg started exerting more creative control and more serious songwriting. By the time of Tim (1985), the band had hit their stride.
Hold My Life
The Replacements Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down on all fives
Let me crawl
If I want a good dye, oh, my hair
Time for decisions to be made
Crack up in the sun, lose it in the shade
Razzle, dazzle, drazzle, die, time for this one to come alive
And hold my life, until I'm ready to use it
Hold my life because I just might lose it
Because I just might lose it
Because I just might lose it
Because I just might lose it
Well, well, well, anyone could tell, pass it off, a lucky shot
Ooh, they do hate 'em, someday soon, face 'em
Time for decisions to be made
Crack up in the sun, lose it in the shade
Razzle, dazzle, drazzle, drone, time for this one to come home
Razzle, dazzle, drazzle, die, time for this one to come alive
And hold my life until I'm ready to use it
Hold my life because I just might lose it
Because I just might lose it
Because I just might lose it
Oh oh oh, oh oh oh oh, oh oh oh
Just might, just might, just might
We might crack up in the sun, or we'll lose it in the shade, oh
Razzle, dazzle, drazzle, drone, time for this one to come home
Razzle, dazzle, drazzle, die, time for this one to come alive
Hold my life until I'm ready to use it
Hold my life because I just might lose it
Because I just might lose it
Hold my life
Get ready to hold my life
Hold my, hold my, hold my, hold my, hold
"My life" in The Replacements' song Hold My Life seems to be just that - someone asking for their life to be held while they figure out what to do with it. The first verse starts off with the singer on all fours, crawling towards something that they want - possibly a new direction or something to give their life meaning. The refrain "Hold my life until I'm ready to use it" echoes this sentiment, with the singer asking for someone to take care of their life while they figure out what they want to do with it.
The second verse talks about how anyone can tell that the singer is struggling to figure things out, but they try to pass it off as just a lucky shot. They know they have to face their problems eventually, but for now, they're just trying to make decisions and find their way in the world. The refrain repeats, with the singer asking for their life to be held because they might lose it - both in the sense of physically losing it (such as through death), and losing it in the sense of not making the most of the time they have.
Overall, the song can be interpreted as a plea for guidance and support while trying to figure out one's purpose in life. It captures the uncertainty and fear that many people go through when facing big decisions, and the need for someone to be there to hold them up along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, well, well I, found it's [my life]
I've found my purpose in life
Down on all fives
I'm crawling towards my goals
Let me crawl
I'm willing to work hard to achieve success
If I want a good dye, oh, my hair
I care about my appearance and will invest in it
Time for decisions to be made
I need to make important choices
Crack up in the sun, lose it in the shade
I'll experience highs and lows
Razzle, dazzle, drazzle, drone, time for this one to come home
It's time for me to focus and regroup
Razzle, dazzle, drazzle, die, time for this one to come alive
It's time for me to take action and pursue my dreams
And hold my life until I'm ready to use it
I want to protect my life and use it wisely
Hold my life because I just might lose it
I don't want to take my life for granted or waste it
Well, well, well, anyone could tell, pass it off, a lucky shot
Success may come from luck, but I want to be intentional
Ooh, they do hate 'em, someday soon, face 'em
I may face critics, but I'll handle them in due time
Just might, just might, just might
There's a chance I may lose my way
Hold my life
Take care of my precious existence
Get ready to hold my life
Be prepared for the responsibility of holding my life
Hold my, hold my, hold my, hold my, hold
Protect my life at all costs
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: PAUL WESTERBERG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@elektroshop3388
One of the best american bands in the 80's, for sure!
@thomasminarchickjr.7355
One of the best band ever period
@dj-um7el
@Thomas Minarchick Jr. True
@Oi-nu7gh
Does every replacement video feature them playing their own music on a record player, cuz that's pretty awesome
@GeoffreyGentryMusic
Every video for Tim does.
@petebestbeatles9117
@Geoffrey Gentry Similarly, each video from Pleased to Meet Me (Alex Chilton and The Ledge) is just close-ups of them doing nothing (well, some eating).
@plateofdiamonds
Read troubled boys
@mattandlaura1
They hated the concept of music videos, so when required to make them, they did this.
@tonykramer949
Always sabatogeing themselves, and wondering why ....it was all over after Bob wasn't in the band adult contemporary BS. Then 14 songs and Bash and Pop came along the end.
@jornmuisje199
Love it !