15 Songs That Require You to HOLD On | Playlist 🎧

1. Ava Max, “Hold Up (Wait A Minute)”

💿 Diamonds & Dancefloors • 🏷 Atlantic • 📅 2023

“I walked by your phone / Some chick I don’t know / Sayin’, ‘Baby, I’m ready.’” Oh, snap 🫰! Gleaming production is a draw on 🎵 “Hold Up (Wait A Minute),” one of many awesome tracks from 💿 Diamonds & Dancefloors, the 2023 sophomore LP from 🎙 Ava Max.  In the context of Diamonds & Dancefloors, we get another fierce minor key 💪 🔥! Max excels with darkness… in the most exuberant way possible! Like the preceding songs, Ava is locked-in on autopilot, baby! Her vocals are balanced. She is commanding and nuanced, never overreaching with her instrument. The chorus is where her bread is buttered, backed by rhythmic musical cues while dropping repetitive but potent lyrics.  Also, given those excerpted lyrics from the pre-chorus, the chorus speaks to Max’s feelings towards this lame man:

“Hold up, just wait a minute (Da-da-da-da-da-da-da)

Who was that girl? Oh, she ain’t me (Da-da-da-da-da-da-da)

Say she’s a friend, nô mon amie (Da-da-da-da-da-da-da)

Oh, is she sweet? Oh, she a freak (Da-da-da-da-da-da-da)

Hold up, just wait a minute.”

2. SG Lewis, “Holding On”

💿 AudioLust & HigherLove • 🏷 Jasmine Music Limited / PMR • 📅 2023 

“When there’s nothin’ left of us / Time and time again / Tempted by your touch.” Ooh-la-la! 🎙 SG Lewis – what a man! Sure, he benefits from his dashing good looks, but more impressive are his musical skills.  Lewis, with the help of a talented team, composes a surefire, groovy pop joint with 🎵 “Holding On”. “Holding On” appears as the third track from his 2023 sophomore album, 💿 AudioLust & HigherLove.  While 🎼 ✍ Ed Drewett, Reuben James, J Moon, and Conor Albert co-write, Lewis handles the production – his ace in the hole – all by himself.

Besides constructing those sweet sounds, thanks to the contributing talents of his writing team, including a sweet guitar solo courtesy of Conor Albert, Lewis sings lead.  The vocal production is awesome, giving “Holding On” something of a hazy sound.  Thematically, “Holding On” dabbles in matters of the heart, specifically, a relationship that should end yet the two parties “keep holdin’ on,” which the chorus sums up perfectly (and memorably).  “I can’t stay / Stay until tomorrow,” Lewis and his terrific backing vocalist sing, continuing, “I know that we should let this go / But we keep holdin’ on, holdin’ on.” Woo! “Holding On” is that song that you’ll keep on holding on and listening to for years to come!

3. Rina Sawayama, “Hold The Girl”

💿 Hold The Girl • 🏷 Dirty Hit • 📅 2022

“Reach inside and hold you close / I won’t leave you on your own,” 🎙 Rina Sawayama sings in the chorus of 🎵 “Hold The Girl.”  “Hold The Girl” marks one of the very best moments of 💿 Hold The Girl, the versatile singer/songwriter’s 2022 sophomore album.  She adds in the chorus, “Teach me the words I used to know / Yeah, I forgot them long ago / I wanna remember / She is me and I am her / So, hold the girl / Hold the girl.” So, who exactly is holding the girl? It seems to be Rina herself.  Thought provoking, right?  It makes sense given this song was born of revelations during therapy.

“Hold The Girl” is reflective, recalling Sawayama’s past.  “Sometimes I get down with guilt,” she asserts in the first verse, adding, “For the promises I’ve broken to my younger self.” Now older, more mature, and wiser, Rina is in a better place, or at least, working toward a better place.  In a sense, she seeks to move on from the past – something we all do. Yet, in another, she holds onto it.  Why? To remember, and to work towards fully achieving this better self.  Supported by an electrifying, picturesque backdrop (produced by Sawayama and 🎛 Barney Lister), Sawayama’s therapy revelations are incredibly therapeutic to music lovers around the world.

4. Justin Bieber, “Hold On”

💿 Justice • 🏷 Def Jam • 📅 2021

🏆 Grammy winning pop artist Justin Bieber announced the release of a new album, 💿 Justice only a year after releasing Changes.  Bieber has been building up to Justice with a number of singles including 🎵 “Hold On”.  The premise of the record, per Bieber via NME: “A hopeful record of just holding on, because a lot of us want to give up at times.” Lyrically, he offers both encouragement and support.  On the first verse, he asserts, “I’ll pick up the pieces if you come undone.”  On the second, he describes feelings of loneliness and uncertainty, singing, “You need connection, but you can’t get close.” On the chorus, he uses his own mishaps as “someone who loses their way” as means not to give up and hold on.  As far as messaging and writing (Bieber, 🎼✍ Alexandra Tamposi, Andrew Watt, Jon Bellion, Louis Bell, Luiza Bonfá, and Walter de Backer), Justin says the right things. Furthermore, he sings well, sounding smooth and quite expressive. Helping his cause is a pleasant, modern pop backdrop, produced by 🎛 Watt and Louis Bell.

Appears in 🔻:

• Hold: 5ive Songs No. 20 (2021)

5. Elton John & Britney Spears, “Hold Me Closer”

💿 The Lockdown Sessions • 🏷 Mercury • 📅 2021

“Hold me closer, tiny dancer,” 🎙 Elton John sings memorably on his 1972 hit single, 🎵 “Tiny Dancer”.  Everyone and his brother and sister know and love the iconic titular line from “Tiny Dancer” despite the fact it was only a moderate success.  After seeing renewed chart success with 🎵 “Cold Heart”, which repurposes classics by the 🏆 Academy and Grammy-award winning icon, John does it again, repurposing “Tiny Dancer” and tapping 🎙 Britney Spears for the assist. 🎵 “Hold Me Closer” marks the first time Spears recorded in years.  Making a comeback with a musical legend is fitting especially given Spears’ own status as one of the biggest pop stars of the late 90s and 00s.  “Hold Me Closer,” produced by 🎛 watt and Cirkut, is patterned after the successful formula fuelling “Cold Heart.” “Hold Me Closer” also samples the no. 1 Elton John hit, 🎵 “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” and 🎵 “The One”. Vocally, there are plenty of effects in play, which plays into the club/dance aesthetic.  This isn’t the type of record that, say, screams vocal masterclass.  It’s intended to be fun and, obviously, unite two of pop’s greatest stars.  Released in 2022, it eventually appeared as a bonus track on John’s 2021 album, 💿 The Lockdown Sessions.

6. H.E.R., “Hold On”

💿 Back of My Mind • 🏷 RCA • 📅 2021

🏆 Grammy-winning R&B artist 🎙 H.E.R. never fails to compel. Once again, she comes through on her ear catching gem, 🎵 “Hold On”, from her 2021 debut album, 💿 Back of My Mind. “Hold On” is written by a team comprised of herself, 🎼✍ Brendan Walsh, Luis Campozano, Maxx Moore, and Tiara Thomas.  This lush joint is produced by 🎛 Bordeaux and Non Native. They help H.E.R. to capture those soulful vibes, hearkening back to R&B of the past. In particular, I love the use of electric guitar and electric keyboard – 🔥.  As the record progresses, the guitar only becomes more assertive, bringing in a little rock/pop edge while remaining idiomatic of contemporary soul.  Furthermore, I adore how ‘unhurried’ it feels.  There’s never any rush whatsoever; just chill, relaxed vibes. The biggest selling point is none other than H.E.R. herself. She serves up beautiful, expressive, and nuanced vocals. She’s always in command, without forcing things.  In addition to her own marvelous instrument, great songwriting (matters of the heart) and a gorgeous melody give her awesome material to work with.  The chorus is particularly sweet.

Appears in 🔻:

• Awesome Songs: November 2020
• Hold: 5ive Songs No. 20 (2021)

7. Lady Gaga, “Hold My Hand”

💿 Top Gun: Maverick (Music From The Motion Picture) • 🏷 Paramount Pictures / Interscope • 📅 2022

“Hold my hand, everything will be okay.” So uplifting, 🎙 Lady Gaga! Those lyrics hail from the first verse of 🎵 “Hold My Hand”, the theme song for the movie 🎦 Top Gun: Maverick.  Lady Gaga wrote and produced the record alongside 🎼✍ 🎛 BloodPop®. Clearly, the duo had the 1980s in mind. Gaga was born in the 80s, and the original Top Gun was born in the 80s.  The record features synths (keys), prominent guitars, and mammoth drums 💪.  Matching the grandiosity of the sound – particularly in the chorus – Gaga serves up big, dramatic, and emotional vocals.

“So, cry tonight

But don’t you let go of my hand

You can cry every last tear

I won’t leave ‘til I understand

Promise you’ll just hold my hand.”

Throughout the record there is no doubt that she ‘feels it’ – she sells it well.  It’s all inspiration and good vibes: “I can see everything you’re blind to now / Your prayers will be answered, let God whisper how” 🙏 🙌.  I like the positive message and the power she brings to this record.

Appears in 🔻:

• 12 H Songs: No Rhyme or Reason, Vol. 2

8. DMX, “Hold Me Down” (Ft. Alicia Keys)

💿 Exodus • 🏷 Def Jam • 🗓 2021 

“The Devil’s working on me hard, because God loves me / As long as I’m in his graces, it’s gon’ get ugly / But, only He can judge me.” One of the biggest triumphs from 💿 Exodus, the 2021 posthumous album by 🎙 DMX,  just might be 🎵 “Hold Me Down.” Sadly, the rapper passed away at the age of 50 on April 9, 2021.“Hold Me Down” features 🏆 Grammy-winning R&B artist, 🎙 Alicia Keys.  What makes this joint stand out is the contrast between the smoother, soulful Keys on the chorus and ad-libs and the grittier, rougher DMX on his rhymes. Meanwhile, the backdrop is gorgeous, led by its anchoring groove, sharp synths, and warm piano.  Sadly, this was the only collaboration between these two artists – truly a ‘once in a lifetime’ happening.

9. Adele, “Hold On”

💿 30 • 🏷 Melted Stone / Columbia • 📅 2021 

“Oh, what have I done yet again? Have I not learned anything? I don’t want to live in chaos…” On 🎵 “Hold On,” one of many highlights from 💿 30, arguably the best 🎙 Adele to date, the 🏆 Academy award/Grammy-winning musician takes her time to set things up. “Hold On” ends up running north of six minutes for some context to ‘taking her time.’ She showcases vulnerability, a consistent characteristic of 30.  Eventually, as “Hold On” progresses, it expands, adding background vocals and more rousing lead vocals. The record evolves into a grand, soulful affair the recalls 70s pop/soul aesthetic. The keys and strings, coupled with backing vocals, create a lush, utterly sublime backdrop.  In a state of self-deprecation and experiencing a pity party (“I swear to God, I am such a mess / The harder I try, I regress”), in the chorus, Adele reassures herself, “You are still strong… Just hold on.”  As always, the star of the show is Adele – a once in a lifetime vocal talent. 

10. Adam Lambert, “Holding Out For a Hero”

💿 High Drama • 🏷 More is More, LLC / BMG Rights Management (US) LLC • 🗓 2023 

“Where have all the good men gone and where are all the gods?” That is a legitimate question, 🎙 Adam Lambert, sigh. I wish I had the answer! He goes on to sing in the first verse of 🎵 “Holding Out for a Hero”, “Where’s the streetwise Hercules to fight the rising odds?” Lambert is not the first to asks these burning questions.  That honor belongs to 🎙 Bonnie Tyler, who recorded this 🎼 ✍ Jim Steinman and Dean Pitchford penned record for the Footloose soundtrack in 1984.  Additionally, the hit appeared on the Welsh singer’s 1986 LP, 💿 Secret Dreams & Forbidden Fire. Lambert’s cover of “Holding Out for a Hero” graces his 2023 album, 💿 High Drama.

“Holding Out for a Hero” suits him perfectly. Big-voiced and theatrical to the n^th degree, Lambert makes this hit sound like an original. Given his prodigious vocal skills, it is unsurprising that Adam can transform a song originally sung by the opposite sex and make it work perfectly for him.  Of course, given the fact that he is openly gay, it also works seamlessly that his love interest is male (“It’s gonna take a Superman to sweep me off my feet”). As intriguing as the verses are, it is the anthemic chorus where Adam shines his brightest: “I need a hero / I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the night / He’s gotta be strong, and he’s gotta be fast / And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight.” Besides the singing, the production (🎛 Andrew Wells and Charley Bagnall) successfully reintroduces “Holding Out for a Hero” for the 21^st century.  The synths sizzles, while the beat hits hard. 🎵 “Holding Out for a Hero” does not sound like an anachronism in 2023, particularly in the 🏆 Grammy-nominated pop/rock artist’s hands.

Appears in 🔻:

• Adam Lambert, “Holding Out for a Hero”: Covers No. 6 (2023)

11. Lewis Capaldi, “Hold Me While We Wait”

💿 Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent • 🏷 Universal Music • 📅 2019

🎵 “Hold Me While You Wait” is definitely a certified bop from 💿 Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent, the debut studio album by 🏆 Grammy nominated singer/songwriter 🎙 Lewis Capaldi.  Capaldi’s ‘bread is buttered’ on the epic chorus where he can flaunt the full-fledged expressiveness of his instrument.

Additionally, he has a knack for catchy, memorable refrains throughout the LP. “Hold Me While You Wait” is no exception to the trend.

“Hold me while you wait

I wish that I was good enough (Hold me while you wait)

If only I could wake you up (Hold me while you wait)

My love, my love, my love, my love

Won’t you stay a while? (Hold me while you wait).”

Appears in 🔻:

• Hold: 5ive Songs No. 20 (2021)

12. Martin Garrix, Matisse & Sadko, “Hold On”

🎵 “Hold On” • 🏷 STMPD RCRDS B.V. / Epic Amsterdam • 📅 2019

Dutch DJ/EDM standout 🎙 Martin Garrix (Martjin Gerard Garritsen) and Russian DJs 🎙 Matisse & Sadko enlist 🎙 Michel Zitron (vocals) for the enjoyable dance single 🎵 “Hold On”. “Afraid you’ve lost it all / Unsure of what the future holds / And now I can hear your call tonight…” From the jump on “Hold On,” the listener is blessed with the vocals of Zitron. He delivers what can be considered a beautiful and well-balanced performance.  The first (and second) verses are cooler, calmer, and more collected, while the chorus (undermentioned), amplifies the intensity level.

“I’ll dry every river in your eyes

I’ll light up the darkness in your mind

Remember, when life feels so unfair

Hold on, hold on, we’re almost there…”

Lyrically and thematically, Zitron references love and perseverance – “I’ll fight all your demons and your sins.” The music crafted by Garrix/Matisse & Sadko parallels the ebb and flow of Zitron’s vocals.  While rhythm is constant throughout, during the verses, Garrix, Matisse & Sadko opt for softer, subtler synths and pad.  The chorus provides the opportunity for great aggressiveness, particularly the post-chorus where the drop goes down. All told, the music is compelling, the vocals are sweet, and although the songwriting is simplistic, it’s ultimately successful.

13. Hamid J, “Hold My Body”

🎵 “Hold My Body” • 🏷 Hamid J • 📅 2021 

“Hold my body / Never let me go.” Woo! LGBTQ 🌈 Iran originating, Germany raised, Los Angeles based musician 🎙 Hamid J impressed on his 2021 single,  🎵 “Hold My Body” [Side note: check out this fine man’s fine debut album, 💿 Cycle of a Relationship]. On “Hold My Body,” he sends his boyfriend (or love interest) an ultimatum: “You been dragging me along for weeks, and it feels like you been searching to find.” Hmm, sounds like a case of indecisiveness in the first verse! In the second, he tells this boy to get his ‘sugar honey iced tea’ together – “You gotta trust the plan / Cuz somebody else may slide in /… So boy, don’t be insecure!” The cure for the miscues this boy’s been committing against him is intimacy and all it entails!  The chorus sums up what he yearns for while the pre-chorus, over groovy, seductive production, lays it out:

“Show how about tonight

You come over make things right

We start with a drink or two

Put us both in the mood

I’ve been yearning all your touches

Caress my body and watch this

Desert with no rain

Spark and burst into flames.”

Ooh-wee! On 🎵 “Hold My Body”, there’s clearly a personal problem that he’s experiencing with a man who is indecisive about the state of their relationship or whatever it is, but more interesting is imagining the resolution 😈.  HOLD 👏 ON 👏 TO 👏 THAT 👏!!!

Appears in 🔻:

• Hamid J, “Hold My Body”: LGBTQ Bopz 🌈🎶 12 (2022)
• 13 Songs Associated with the Body, Vol. 2

14. Lauren Daigle, “Hold On to Me”

🎵 “Hold on to Me” • 🏷 Centricity Music • 📅 2021

Two-time 🏆 Grammy winner 🎙 Lauren Daigle is among the select few CCM (Contemporary Christian Music) artists that have exceeded commercial expectations (she has two platinum-certified albums.  In 2021, she’s bound to continue to be successful her new, inspirational single, 🎵 “Hold On to Me”, written by herself, 🎼✍ Paul Duncan, and Paul Mabury (he also produces). “Hold on to Me” features a beautiful backdrop that is hip enough to appeal to a pop fanbase but also features gospel music cues. Notably, the sounds that catch the ears are there are the pads, organ, mammoth drums, and perhaps most of all, the lush, warm choral vocals.

The cherry on top, of course, are Daigle’s authentic, commanding lead vocals.  She never over- nor under- sings, delivering a balanced, well-rounded performance.  She has a great messaging, as she asks The Most High to cover, protect, and “Hold on” to her through thick and thin.

“Hold on to me when it’s too dark to see You

When I am sure I have reached the end

Hold on to me when I forget I need You

When I let go, hold me again.”

Appears in 🔻:

• Hold: 5ive Songs No. 20 (2021)

15. Beyoncé, “Hold Up”

💿 Lemonade • 🏷 Parkwood Entertainment / Sony • 📅 2016

“I don’t wanna lose my pride, but I’ma fuck me up a bitch.” Wow – “Hold up” – them’s fighting words! On the colorful standout 🎵 “Hold Up,” 24-time 🏆 Grammy winner 🎙 Beyoncé oscillates between emotional uncertainty (“What’s worse, lookin’ jealous or crazy”) and real talk/reality (“Hold up, they don’t love you like I love you…what a wicked way to treat the girl that loves you”).  All of the aforementioned, of course, is part of the cheating narrative of 💿 Lemonade.  That narrative isn’t pure fiction either. IRL, we know that 🎙 Jay-Z actually did cheat on Beyoncé, something he addresses on his own highly personal album, 💿 4:44 released a year later.  Bey’s anger and pain are definitely our listening pleasure on “Hold Up.”

Appears in 🔻:

• 13 Songs Trying to ‘Hold’ it Together (2018)
• Hold: 5ive Songs No. 20 (2021)