The Wilson sisters and Phillips were friends from childhood, growing up in southern California in the 1970's and 1980's. The three shared a love of music and songwriting, and developed their own style of vocal harmonies. In 1989, producer Glen Ballard and SBK Records signed the trio to a record deal.
Wilson Phillips released their debut album Wilson Phillips in 1990. They shot to fame with their debut single, the # 1 hit "Hold On". The album was a hit, producing three number one singles and selling 10 million copies worldwide.
They released their follow-up album Shadows and Light in 1992. It was much less successful, producing no top ten singles and selling one million copies. Shortly after, the group decided to split up.
During the next decade, the group went their separate ways. Chynna Phillips released a solo album, "Naked and Sacred" in 1995, while the Wilson sisters released a Christmas album in 1993 and an album "The Wilsons" in 1997. Carnie also went on to host her own television talk show, while Phillips married actor William Baldwin. A "Greatest Hits" album was released in 2000, although the group did not officially reunite for this release. Carnie made headlines in 1999 when she underwent gastric bypass surgery live on the internet and lost over 20 dress sizes.
Wilson Phillips reunited in 2004 to release California, an album of cover songs. A single, 'Go Your Own Way,' a remake of the original by Fleetwood Mac, peaked at #13 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. The album debuted at #35 on the charts with 31,000 copies sold but due to the lack of promotion the album has yet to reach sales of 100,000 copies. In New Zealand the album was a surprise hit, reaching the top 10 and amassing gold sales following 'Go Your Own Way' topping the adult contemporary radio chart for several weeks.
Hold On
Wilson Phillips Lyrics
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Why do you lock yourself up in these chains?
No one can change your life except for you
Don't ever let anyone step all over you
Just open your heart and your mind
Is it really fair to feel this way inside?
Oh
Turn around and say goodbye
Until then baby are you going to let them
Hold you down and make you cry?
Don't you know?
Don't you know things can change
Things'll go your way
If you hold on for one more day
Can you hold on for one more day?
Things'll go your way
Hold on for one more day
You could sustain
Or are you comfortable with the pain?
You've got no one to blame for your unhappiness (no, baby)
You got yourself into your own mess (ooh)
Lettin' your worries pass you by (lettin' your worries pass you by)
Baby, don't you think it's worth your time
To change your mind? Ooh, no
Some day somebody's gonna make you want to
Turn around and say goodbye
Until then baby are you going to let them
Hold you down and make you cry?
Don't you know?
Don't you know things can change
Things'll go your way
If you hold on for one more day
Can you hold on for one more day?
Things'll go your way (things'll go your way)
Hold on for one more day
I know that there is pain
But you hold on for one more day and
Break free the chains
Yeah, I know that there is pain
But you hold on for one more day and you
Break free, break from the chains
Some day somebody's gonna make you want to
Turn around and say goodbye
Until then baby are you going to let them
Hold you down and make you cry
Don't you know?
Don't you know things can change
Things'll go your way
If you hold on for one more day, yeah
If you hold on
Don't you know things can change
Things'll go your way
If you hold on for one more day
If you hold on
Can you hold on
Hold on baby
Won't you tell me now
Hold on for one more day 'cause
It's gonna go your way
Don't you know things can change
Things'll go your way
If you hold on for one more day, yeah
Can't you change it this time
Make up your mind
Hold on
Hold on
Baby hold on
The song “Hold On” is a powerful anthem that speaks about finding the courage to hold on and fight against difficult times. The opening lines address someone who is struggling and the singer is asking why they are choosing to live in chains. It’s important to note that even though there is pain, the only person who can change one's life is oneself. The singer urges the person to stop allowing others to walk all over them, to open their heart and mind and not let the negative feelings consume them.
The second verse speaks about the idea that the person may have gotten themselves into the situation they are in, but they should not let worries pass them by. The singer points out that it is worth taking the time to change one's mind and begin to take control of one's own life. The chorus reinforces the idea that things can change and that if the person can hold on for one more day, things will go their way. It reminds the person that they have the power to change their own life and not to let others drag them down.
In summary, the song is a message of hope and empowerment. It encourages listeners to hold on through tough times and to remember that happiness is attainable if they take the necessary steps towards it.
Line by Line Meaning
I know there's pain
The singer acknowledges that the person is suffering
Why do you lock yourself up in these chains?
The person is holding themselves back and causing their own pain
No one can change your life except for you
The person has the power to improve their life
Don't ever let anyone step all over you
The person should not allow others to treat them poorly
Just open your heart and your mind
The person should be open to change and new experiences
Is it really fair to feel this way inside? Oh
The singer questions whether it's reasonable for the person to continue feeling unhappy and hurt
Some day somebody's gonna make you want to
Turn around and say goodbye
The person will eventually want to leave the negative situation or person causing them grief
Until then baby are you going to let them
Hold you down and make you cry?
The person is currently being held back and negatively affected by someone else
Don't you know?
Don't you know things can change
Things'll go your way
If you hold on for one more day
Can you hold on for one more day?
Things'll go your way
Hold on for one more day
The chorus encourages the person to hold on and persist through their pain because things will improve
You could sustain
Or are you comfortable with the pain?
The person can either continue to suffer, or make a change to end their pain
You got no one to blame for your unhappiness (no, baby)
You got yourself into your own mess (ooh)
Lettin' your worries pass you by (lettin' your worries pass you by)
Baby, don't you think it's worth your time
To change your mind? Ooh, no
The person is responsible for their own happiness and needs to take action to improve their situation
I know that there is pain
But you hold on for one more day and
Break free the chains
Yeah I know that there is pain
But you hold on for one more day and you
Break free, break from the chains
The person needs to hold on and break free from whatever is holding them back in order to be happy
Can't you change it this time
Make up your mind
Hold on
Hold on
Baby hold on
The person needs to make a decision to change their situation instead of repeating the same patterns
Hold on for one more day 'cause
It's gonna go your way
If the person holds on and persists through their pain, things will eventually improve
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Carnie Wilson, Chynna Phillips, Glen Ballard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind