The Oakland-based singer/songwriter has the ability to find an easy, irresistible groove and turn it into a unhurried banger. The depth and complexity of her buttery alto on Patterns, her debut project, has garnered critical acclaim from Afropunk, Earmilk, KQED and more. From silky, slow jams to trip-hop-esque grooves, ASTU keeps us wanting more.
Variance Magazine describes her sound as "...kin to some of Solangeโs recent material with the whispering confidence of Kelela..." while KQED raves, "...a particularly insightful and self-assured debut, sure to count as one of the Bay Area's most notable releases this year."
Hold the Line
astu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Instrumental break)
Wide in the distance stuck
Why our resistance do our existence
Follow the mystic love, yeah
Iโฒll be persistent I'm on a mission
I'll be persistent Iโฒm on a mission
Buss down do it for me right now
Keep your crown high
Itโฒs so bright
They turned the lights down
Buss down do it for me right now
Keep your crown high
It's so bright they turned the lights down
Chill
Pull up and you hold the line,
Freedom is a state of mind
Of mind
Buss down do it for me right now
(Of mind)
Keep your crown high
(Of mind, of mind)
Itโฒs so bright they turned the lights down
Buss down do it for me right now
(Of mind)
Keep your crown high
(Of mind, of mind)
It's so bright they turned the lights down
Buss down do it for me right now
(Do it for me right now)
Keep your crown high
(Do it for me right now)
Itโฒs so bright they turned the lights down
Buss down do it for me right now
(Do it for me, do it for me right now)
Keep your crown high
(Do it for me right now)
It's so bright they turned the lights down
Buss down do it for me right now
Keep your crown high
Itโฒs so bright they turned the lights down
Buss down do it for me right now
Keep your crown high
It's so bright they turned the lights down
Lights down
Lights down
Lights down
Buss down do it for me right now
Keep your crown high
It's so bright they turned the lights down
Lights down
Lights down
Lights down
Buss down do it for me right now
Keep your crown high
Itโฒs so bright they turned the lights down
(Scatting heard)
(Vocalizing heard)
In "Hold the Line," Astu sings about perseverance and staying true to oneself despite any obstacles that may come. She encourages listeners to stay persistent in their mission and to hold on to their freedom, which she defines as a state of mind. The first verse implies a struggle or conflict, with the words "wide in the distance stuck" suggesting a feeling of being trapped or unable to move forward. Astu questions why resistance exists, possibly alluding to societal or systemic barriers. She then encourages listeners to follow "the mystic love," which could be interpreted as pursuing one's passions and staying true to oneself.
The chorus emphasizes the importance of perseverance and holding one's ground, conveyed by the lines "pull up and you hold the line" and "keep your crown high." By "bussing down," or making a bold move, and not giving up, Astu suggests that we'll eventually overcome the challenges thrown our way. The repeated refrain "it's so bright they turned the lights down" could be interpreted as a metaphor for shining so brightly that others try to dim our light, but we should continue to persevere and let our light shine.
Line by Line Meaning
Wide in the distance stuck
Our problems seem far away and difficult to solve.
Why our resistance do our existence
Why do we struggle in our lives?
Follow the mystic love, yeah
We should focus on finding true love and happiness in life.
I'll be persistent I'm on a mission
I will stay committed to achieving my goals.
Buss down do it for me right now
We need to act quickly and efficiently to achieve our goals.
Keep your crown high
We need to maintain our self-worth and self-esteem.
It's so bright they turned the lights down
Our success and brilliance shines so bright that others may try to dim it.
Chill
Relax and take a breath.
Pull up and you hold the line
Stay strong and persevere.
Freedom is a state of mind
True freedom comes when we have control over our thoughts and emotions.
Of mind
Our mental state is crucial in achieving true freedom.
Lights down
Others may try to dim our success and brilliance.
(Scatting heard)
Instrumental break
(Vocalizing heard)
Repeating the song's melody line without lyrics.
Writer(s): Astu, Isaiah Mclane, Tofu Jack
Contributed by Elizabeth V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@brittanyfaamausili6760
HOLD THE LINE ๐LYRICS
(1st verse)
Wide in the distance stuck
Why Our resistance do our existence
Follow the mystics love
Iโll be persistent Iโm on a mission (3x)
[ CHORUS]
Buss down do it for me right now
Keep your crown high itโs so bright they turned the lights down 2(x)
Just pull up and you
Hold the line , freedom is a state of mind ๐ค๐ฝ
Oh my , oh my oh my. (2x)
Do it for me right now (4x)
SOLO
Buss down do it right now keep your crown high itโs so bright we turned the lights down (2x)
Light down
Lights down
Lights down (repeat)
MY GUESS ON THE LYRICS โฆ lol lmk what yโall think
@Angel-zv1uj
This short literally made me wholesome cry. This is exactly what Iโve been needing to hear. Life is just unexpectedly tough right now
@artsyzar
Literally me. I just turned 20 and this short spoke so much to me
@zoemathieu2076
When all their inner children come out! Ugh love it ๐
@obsidiansugar1123
The actual short makes me cry every single time! When the music kicks in, spirits just lift, and you feel refreshed. Disney doing too much โค.
@obsidiansugar1123
โ@@zoemathieu2076yeah that's what gets me every time!!! ๐ญ
@adventure_infinity233
As a kid who grew up on Disney and is now transitioning into adulthood this short really helped me see that I just need to be patient with myself and stop doubting myself. Thanks Pixar and everyone who worked on this short
@malmartinez7821
A beautiful short about โadultsโ just winging it and being bigger kids in adult form . How awesome is it to see our inner child insecurities seep through and you realize everyone is just as we are ?Just trying to figure it out ๐ฅฐ
@antionettebrown5419
I just made 32 and I still feel like this! This is everything I needed as a young adultโฆ Disney, make this a regular!!
@beautifullife0987
Its okay girl am 33 and about to be 34 this November and I still feel like 1 at times ๐๐๐
@MsStorm1976
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