As of 2016, Morello is a member of the supergroup Prophets of Rage. Morello was also a touring musician with Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band. He is also known for his acoustic solo act, The Nightwatchman, and Street Sweeper Social Club. Morello also co-founded Axis of Justice, which airs a monthly program on Pacifica Radio station KPFK (90.7 FM) in Los Angeles.
Born in Harlem, New York and raised in Libertyville, Illinois, Morello became interested in music and politics while in high school. He attended Harvard University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Committee on Degrees in Social Studies. After his previous band Lock Up disbanded, Morello met Zack de la Rocha, and the two founded Rage Against the Machine together, going on to become one of the most popular and influential rock acts of the 1990s.
He is best known for his unique and creative guitar playing style, which incorporates feedback noise, unconventional picking and tapping, as well as heavy use of guitar effects. Morello is also known for his leftist political views and activism; creating the Nightwatchman offered an outlet for his views while playing apolitical music with Audioslave. He was ranked number 40 in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time".
Hold The Line
Tom Morello Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nobody said that it would all be fine
But to get where we're going
Brother, you've gotta hold the line
It ain't a matter of if
Nah, it's just a matter of time
But to get where we're going
Sister, gotta hold the line
You gotta stay steadfast
Tread lightly
'Cause they're looking for a reason to knock you down
But you can't ask too politely
In the trenches you gotta get loud
Hold the line (woo)
Hold the line (uh)
Don't pay 'em no mind
Oh, hold the line
Nobody said it happens overnight
But if you're looking for a sign
Remember everybody that stood up before you
Oh, they hold the line
They wanna tell you, you're already free
Put these chains on and rob you blind
When they co-op the movement
Don't trip just hold the line
Hold the line
Hold the line (woo)
Hold the line (uh)
Don't pay 'em no mind
Oh, hold the line
You gotta stay steadfast
Tread lightly
'Cause they're looking for a reason to knock you down
But you can't ask too politely
In the trenches you gotta get loud
You gotta stay steadfast
Tread lightly
'Cause they're looking for a reason to knock you down
But you can't ask too politely
In the trenches you gotta get loud
Hold the line (woo)
Hold the line (uh)
Don't pay 'em no mind
Oh, hold the line
(did away with free speech and free assembly)
(each system did away with the free press)
The song "Hold the Line" by Tom Morello feat. Grandson is a powerful anthem about standing up and fighting for one's beliefs, even in the face of adversity. The lyrics urge the listener to stay strong and persistent in the face of challenges and to hold the line in the fight for justice and freedom. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the song, acknowledging that the road ahead will be difficult and uncertain, but encouraging the listener to persevere. The repetition of the phrase "gotta hold the line" throughout the song reinforces this message and serves as a rallying cry for listeners to stay strong.
The song also touches on the importance of being unwavering in one's convictions, even when faced with opposition. The lyrics caution against being too polite or accommodating, especially in the face of those who seek to silence or undermine the cause. Instead, the singer urges listeners to stay loud and steadfast in their beliefs. The final lines of the song underscore the gravity of the fight, warning that those in power will stop at nothing to suppress dissent and maintain their control.
Overall, "Hold the Line" is a stirring call to action that encourages listeners to stay strong in the face of adversity and fight for what they believe in, no matter the obstacles.
Line by Line Meaning
Nobody said it would be easy
Going through a struggle is never an easy feat.
Nobody said that it would all be fine
It's unrealistic to expect that everything will turn out perfectly.
But to get where we're going
Brother, you've gotta hold the line
To reach one's goal, one must remain steadfast in their beliefs and principles.
It ain't a matter of if
Nah, it's just a matter of time
The struggle is inevitable, it's not a question of if but rather of when.
But to get where we're going
Sister, gotta hold the line
To achieve change, one must remain firm and not be swayed by outside forces or distractions.
You gotta stay steadfast
Tread lightly
To remain strong, one must be cautious and aware of their surroundings.
'Cause they're looking for a reason to knock you down
But you can't ask too politely
Those in power may try to find any excuse to discredit or silence you, so it's important to stand up for oneself without being submissive.
In the trenches you gotta get loud
In the midst of a conflict, one must speak up and be assertive to get their message across.
Hold the line (woo)
Hold the line (uh)
Don't pay 'em no mind
Oh, hold the line
Stand firm in your beliefs and don't let others distract or deter you from your mission.
Nobody said it happens overnight
But if you're looking for a sign
Remember everybody that stood up before you
Oh, they hold the line
Real change takes time and effort, but it's important to remember those who came before and fought for the same cause.
They wanna tell you, you're already free
Put these chains on and rob you blind
When they co-op the movement
Don't trip just hold the line
Some may try to convince you that you're already liberated, but they're only trying to manipulate you for their own gain. It's important to stay true to the original cause and not be swayed by their tricks.
You gotta stay steadfast
Tread lightly
'Cause they're looking for a reason to knock you down
But you can't ask too politely
In the trenches you gotta get loud
To stand up for what you believe in, one must remain firm and cautious while also being assertive in their message.
Hold the line (woo)
Hold the line (uh)
Don't pay 'em no mind
Oh, hold the line
Once again, stay true to your principles and don't let others distract you from your cause.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jordan Benjamin, Kevin Hissink, Tom Morello
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kuntyr Kunaxor
Loved the song and this music touches deep in my body, mind, soul, spirit, divinity, and entity.
Hold the Line Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Nobody said it would be easy
Nobody said that it would all be fine
But to get where we're going
Brother, you've gotta hold the line
It ain't a matter of "if"
Nah, it's just a matter of time
But to get where we're going
Sister, gotta hold the line
[Pre-Chorus]
You gotta stay steadfast, tread lightly
'Cause they're looking for a reason to knock you down
But you can't ask too politely
In the trenches, you gotta get loud
[Chorus]
Hold the line (Woah)
Hold the line, uh
Don't pay 'em no mind
Oh, hold the line
[Verse 2]
Nobody said it happens overnight
But if you're looking for a sign
Remember everybody that stood up before you
Oh, they hold the line
They wanna tell you "You're already free"
Put these chains on and rob you blind
When they co-op the movement
Don't trip, just hold the line, hold the line
[Chorus]
Hold the line (Woah)
Hold the line, uh
Don't pay 'em no mind
Oh, hold the line
[Bridge]
You gotta stay steadfast, tread lightly
'Cause they're looking for a reason to knock you down
But you can't ask too politely
In the trenches, you gotta get loud
[Pre-Chorus]
You gotta stay steadfast, tread lightly
'Cause they're looking for a reason to knock you down
But you can't ask too politely
In the trenches, you gotta get loud
[Chorus]
Hold the line (Woah)
Hold the line, uh
Don't pay 'em no mind
Oh, hold the line
grandson
I really got to jam with an ICON!!!
Cameron Murtagh
Dude - this is awesome! Love it!
KingTomTheBomb
That's amazing bro.. I love Tom Morello and I been following u since Kiss Bang and Bills since u had like 2-3 songs up
Chip Chippahson
So you have to have belly fat, a dad bod, no voice, and a Sharpie marker stomach tattoo.
KingTomTheBomb
@Chip Chippahson are u tryin to throw shots at the artist?
Cameron Murtagh
@Chip Chippahson I thought he looked cool and punk
Matthew Paules
Fantastic song with a critically important message!! Thank you we need more modern "labor songs" like this....especially when they JAM!! Great work.
Erin Ball
This song slaps and I'm annoyed it doesn't have more views
Ewe Doob
I'm working on it, I'm working on it!
jimmy desanta
it doesnt have views cuz its warm garbage