holding back the years
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Thinking of the fear I've had so long
When somebody hears...
Listen to the fear that's gone...
Strangled by the wishes of pater
Hoping for the arms of mater
Get to neither sooner or later...
Oh-oh-oh
I'll keep holding on
Holding back the years
Chance for me escape from all I know
Holding back the tears...
Cause nothing here has grown...
I've wasted all my tears
Wasted all those years
Nothing had the chance to be good
Nothing ever could y-e-a-h...
Oh-oh-oh
I'll keep holding on
I'll keep holding on
I'll keep holding on
I'll keep holding on...
So tired
Alright oh now
Well I've wasted all my tears
Wasted all those years
And nothing had the chance to be... good...
Cause nothing ever could
Oh yeah oh...
I'll keep holding on
I'll keep holding on
I'll keep holding on
I'll keep holding on
Holding holding holding
A-a-a-h... va-la-la-la-la-la-la-la la
I said ooh yeah
That's all I have today
It's all I have to say
The song "Holding Back the Years" by Simply Red was written by lead singer Mick Hucknall and is a reflection on his troubled childhood and troubled relationship with his parents. The song speaks to the fear and pain that he carried with him for years, the sadness of wasted time, and the hopeful possibility of escape from a situation that seemed ultimately inescapable.
The first verse talks about the fear that Hucknall has been holding onto for so long and how he is finally ready to let it go. He mentions "somebody" hearing, which can be interpreted as a reference to someone finally seeing or hearing his pain and understanding it. In the second verse, he introduces the idea of escape and the longing to leave behind everything he knows to start anew. However, he is also aware of how the past has prevented him from moving forward and making progress.
The chorus of the song, "I'll keep holding on," is repeated throughout as a message of perseverance in the face of adversity. Hucknall acknowledges the sadness of wasted time and unfulfilled potential but holds onto hope for the future. The song ends with a repeated refrain of "holding holding holding," emphasizing the weight and burden that he has been carrying but also highlighting his determination to hold on and keep going.
Line by Line Meaning
Holding back the years...
The singer is holding back their feelings and emotions towards a situation.
Thinking of the fear I've had so long
The singer is reflecting on their long-lasting fears.
When somebody hears...
The singer wants someone to listen to them and understand their experience.
Listen to the fear that's gone...
The artist wants someone to acknowledge the fear that they have overcome.
Strangled by the wishes of pater
The artist is overwhelmed by the desires of their father figure.
Hoping for the arms of mater
The singer is seeking comfort from their mother figure.
Get to neither sooner or later...
The singer feels like they cannot achieve the comfort from either of their parental figures.
Oh-oh-oh
I'll keep holding on
I'll keep holding on
Holding back the years
The artist will continue to hold back their emotions and fears for an indefinite amount of time.
Chance for me escape from all I know
The artist desires to escape from their current situation.
Holding back the tears...
Cause nothing here has grown...
The artist is holding back tears because nothing in their current situation has improved or progressed.
I've wasted all my tears
Wasted all those years
Nothing had the chance to be good
Nothing ever could y-e-a-h...
The singer has spent a lot of time and energy on a situation that never had the potential to improve or become good.
I'll keep holding on
The artist will continue to hold back their feelings and emotions.
So tired
Alright oh now
The singer is exhausted and ready for a change.
I'll keep holding on...
The singer will continue to hold back their feelings and emotions.
A-a-a-h... va-la-la-la-la-la-la-la la
A vocalization expressing the singer's emotional turmoil.
I said ooh yeah
That's all I have today
It's all I have to say
The artist has expressed all that they have to say for today.
Contributed by Oliver W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.