13 Songs Trying to ‘Hold’ it Together | Playlist

Daniel Caesar, Fall Out Boy, and Mike Shinoda are a few of the artists appearing on the playlist “11 Songs Trying to ‘Hold’ it Together.”

As the quotation marks suggest, the keyword on our latest playlist, “11 Songs Trying to ‘Hold’ it Together” is the world hold.  While it’s true that there is at least one song on the list trying to ‘hold it together’ (looking at you Mike Shinoda), others are holding or attempting to hold various things. In addition to Mike Shinoda, other artists appearing on this 11-song list includes Daniel Caesar and Fall Out Boy.

1. Mike Shinoda, “Hold It Together”

Post Traumatic • Warner Bros. • 2018

“I’m just trying to hold my shit together.” It’s an old saying, but Mike Shinoda explores it superbly on “Hold It Together,” a highlight from his incredibly personal solo album, Post Traumatic. Summarizing what’s going down, he’s struggling moment by moment, specifically after the tragic loss of Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington. “They say take it slow / But the world keeps spinning / And that I don’t control…” Interestingly, his understanding of ‘a lack of control’ seems to refer back to another record on the album, “Promises I Can’t Keep.” There he has an epiphany of sorts – he realizes that his ‘control’ and his abilities as a human being only go so far.

2. Fall Out Boy, “HOLD ME TIGHT OR DON’T”

 M A N I A • Island • 2018

Pop and Fall Out Boy go together without a hitch on “HOLD ME TIGHT OR DON’T”, a standout from their 2018 studio album, M A N I A.  A departure from the music they’ve released in the past, “HOLD ME TIGHT OR DON’T” sounds modern and eclectic like modern pop. The lyrics aren’t particularly deep, but the lyrical highlights hail from the pre-chorus and the chorus. The emo is amplified on the pre-chorus:

“And when your stitch comes loose / I wanna sleep on every piece of fuzz / And stuffing that comes out of you, you / I took too many hits off this memory / I need to come down.”

That emo-ness continues on throughout the chorus, where it’s clear this relationship needs max effort or to be curbed.

3. George Ezra, “Hold My Girl”

Staying at Tamara’s • Columbia • 2018

George Ezra delivers another consistent and enjoyable song with “Hold My Girl”, a single from his sophomore album, Staying at Tamara’s. “Hold My Girl” initially features acoustic guitar accompaniment.  As the record progresses, the production becomes fuller, including the addition of piano and strings. Ezra continues to impress with his beautiful, husky, and robust vocals, his biggest career selling point.  There’s premium value placed on his vocal performance here, given the fact that “Hold My Girl” lacks the same entertainment value of some of his records.  Even though it’s less fun, it’s still well-rounded and ultimately, well-written.

4. Kehlani, “Hold Me by the Heart”

SweetSexySavage • Atlantic • 2017

“Pick up the pieces / Help me learn to stand / Lift me from the ground and use your hands / To hold me by the heart.” Grammy-nominated R&B singer Kehlani shines on her debut album, SweetSexySavage.  Filled with hits, the song chosen for this particular playlist is a less heralded number. In the context of SweetSexySavage, “Hold Me by the Heart” continues to highlight the “matters of the heart.” The acoustic guitar driven record screams ‘pop & b’ crossover.

5. Shawn Mendes, “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back”

Illuminate (Deluxe) • Island • 2017

Pop mega-hit “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back” appeared on 2017 editions of Illuminate as the opening song.  Illuminate, of course, was pop heartthrob Shawn Mendes’ highly-anticipated sophomore album, originally released in September 2016. “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back” is an energetic, fun pop joint, plain and simple.  Relatively funky, the single enjoys similar infectiousness to previous hits from the pop star.  The premise of the song is that a girl has got Mendes completely crazy – he wants to “follow where she goes.”  On the chorus, he amps up the drama of the effect she has on him. 

“Oh, I’ve been shaking / I love it when you go crazy / You take all my inhibitions / Baby, there’s nothing holding me back / You take me places that tear up my reputation / Manipulate my decisions / Baby there’s nothing holding me back.”

6. Daniel Caesar, “Hold Me Down”

Freudian • Golden Child • 2017

One of the most underrated voices that arrived on the scene in 2017 was Daniel Caesar.  While only a very small group of folks partook of his proper debut Freudian, the stellar R&B album received two Grammy nominations.  Among the highlights, “Hold Me Down” is characterized by lushness and gospel sensibilities.  The gospel can be attributed to Kirk Franklin, whose “Hold Me Now” fuels the fire for Caesar. It’s blatantly obvious towards the end, when the melody of the song serves as the melody of “Hold Me Down.”

7. The War on Drugs, “Holding On”

A Deeper Understanding • Atlantic • 2017

“Holding On” is arguably the tour de force on A Deeper Understanding, the Grammy award-winning rock album by The War on Drugs. The production work shines, particularly when a bright, rhythmically-driven, enthusiastic sound materializes. Thematically, frontman Adam Granduciel depicts the push and pull of love, distressed over the state of a relationship, with questions and emotions haunting him. He wonders if he’s “held on” to the past for too long.

8. The xx, “On Hold”

I See You • Young Turks • 2017

“When and where did we go cold? / I thought I had you on hold.” The xx superbly whetted the listener’s palette with the superb single “On Hold”, released in advance of the album, I See You.  Post-album release, “On Hold” remained among the songs to beat.  It opens warmly, with producer Jamie xx (and Rondaidh Mcdonald) helping to craft a radiant timbre created by pads and synths. There is exceptional vocal chemistry and contrast between Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim, even if narratively within the song, the relationship has gone south.  Notably, “On Hold” uses a Hall & Oates sample, “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do)”.

9. Beyoncé, “Hold Up”

Lemonade • Parkwood / Sony • 2016

“I don’t wanna lose my pride, but I’ma f**k me up a bitch.” Woo! Throughout the course of her second surprise studio album, Lemonade, Beyoncé isn’t joking around.  Clearly, the anger has totally built up on the Grammy-nominated single, “Hold Up.” “Hold Up” is certainly a key part of the narrative of the album, not to mention Jay-Z and Bey’s marriage issues.  Notably, Jay-Z would apologize for his infidelity on “4:44”, from his Grammy-nominated album of the same title.  Focusing on “Hold Up,” Yoncé nails the role of a woman scorned, further amplified by the accompanying music video.  If you dare, watch the entire film – it’s certainly captivating.

10. A Great Big World, “Hold Each Other” (Ft. Futuristic)

When the Morning Comes • Epic • 2015

“Hold Each Other” is a fantastic record centered on love from pop singer/songwriting duo, A Great Big World. “Hold Each Other,” which also appeared on 53 LGBTQ Songs That Beam with Pride, is particularly meaningful for Chad King, who is gay. King embraces his sexuality on the second verse, fearlessly using the pronoun he.

“Everything looks different now / All this time my head was down / He came along and show me how to let go…/ Something happens when I hold him / he keeps my heart from getting broken.”

Playing devil’s advocate, perhaps “Hold Each Other” makes a subtle statement.  BUT, the statement is notable considering the few instances in pop references same-sex male relationships.

11. Halsey, “Hold Me Down”

BADLANDS • Astralwerks • 2015

“My demons are begging me to open my mouth / I need them / Mechanically make the words come out.” Alternative pop artist Halsey experienced some sizable success with the release of her debut album, BADLANDS.  The biggest attraction from BADLANDS was “New Americana”, a record highlighted on another playlist, 53 LGBTQ Songs That Beam with Pride.  One of the best produced songs, in addition to being one of the best overall, happens to be “Hold Me Down.” As aforementioned lyrically, Halsey is struggling with her demons and vices, with criticism leading the charge.  At the end of the pre-chorus and continuing on the chorus, she asserts:  

“But it’s the devil that’s tryna… / Hold me down, hold me down / Sneaking out the back door, make no sound / Knock me out, knock me out / Saying that I want more, this is what I live for.”

12. James Bay, “Hold Back the River”

Chaos and the Calm • Republic • 2014

James Bay made an impressive debut album with Chaos and the Calm.  For the fruits of his labor, he earned three Grammy nominations.  “Hold Back the River” – the set’s main attraction – earned one of those three nominations (Best Rock Song).  Heartfelt and well-written, Bay’s musical authenticity is unquestionable as he urges memorably, “Hold back the river, let me look in your eyes,” a sensational, poetic metaphor.

13. Drake, “Hold On, We’re Going Home” (Ft. Majid Jordan)

Nothing Was the Same • Cash Money • 2013

Arguably, “Hold On, We’re Going Home” shouldn’t have been the gem that it was.  There is very little ‘hip-hop’ about this Drake hit from his third studio album, Nothing Was the Same.  That said, the 80s-styled R&B/pop cut is a pleasure to partake of – something like the most delicious dessert ever. “I got my eyes on you / You’re everything that I see / I want your hot love and emotion endlessly…” It’s a turn-on from the opening groove.

Photo Credits: Astralwerks, Atlantic, Cash Money, Columbia, Epic, Golden Child, Island, Parkwood, Republic, Sony, Warner Bros., Young Turks