Whitney Houston, Hold On, Help Is On The Way | Music Lifts

In the 45^th edition of Music Lifts (2023), we’re uplifted by Whitney Houston performing, “Hold On, Help Is On The Way.”

Welcome to Music Lifts , a column that seeks to highlight songs that encourage, inspire, and uplift the spirit; songs that exude fortitude, positivity, and resolve, even in the face of adversity.  Featured songs aren’t genre-specific; songs may or may not be faith-based. The goal is for these songs to make you feel better – be LIFTED to new heights!  So, for the 45^th edition of Music Lifts (2023), we highlight “Hold On, Help Is On The Way” as performed by Whitney Houston.

“When you’re down and in despair / Don’t be uneasy because He’ll be there.” He’ll is capitalized for a reason. He is God who the late, great Whitney Houston refers to on “Hold On, Help Is On The Way”. Houston performs this uplifting Rev. Kenneth Paden-penned track alongside one of the truly anointed gospel choirs, Georgia Mass Choir.  A highlight from The Preacher’s Wife (1996), Houston and Georgia Mass Choir speak to that wonderworking power of God.  She concludes the first verse by saying encouragingly and prudently, “The Lord has never, never failed you yet.”

So, what does Whitney and choir tell us to do in the centerpiece, the chorus: “Hold on, help is on the way.” The second verse is patterned like the first, acknowledging hardship and tribulation, but highlighting the resolution coming via God (“Just hold on to God’s unchanging hand”). Following the second verse, the remainder of this Houston and Mervyn Warren production grows even more spirited celebrating the coming help. “He may not come when you want him,” Houston asserts, “But he’s right on time!” The outro is a treat.  Ah, there’s nothing like a choir vamping while the lead riffs! The Musical Lift is lit !

Whitney Houston • The Preacher’s Wife • Arista • 1996

Whitney Houston, Hold On, Help Is On The Way: Music Lifts No. 45 (2023) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Arista; cottonbro studio, Itzel Sandoval, Neeraj Nagdeve via Pexels]