Hold | 5ive Songs

1. 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.

2. H.E.R., “Hold On”

🎵 “Hold On” • 🏷 RCA • 📅 2020

🏆 Grammy-winning R&B artist 🎙 H.E.R. never fails to compel. Once again, she comes through on her ear catching gem, 🎵 “Hold On”. “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.

Also Appears On 🔽:

🔗 🎧 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy: November 2020

3. 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).”

4. 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.”

5. 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.”