Hold On

Album: single release only (2013)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song finds Colbie Caillat figuring out what to do about her relationship with her lover, which is on the verge of collapse. The song was released on November 19, 2013 as the original lead single from Gypsy Heart. However after selling poorly it was scrapped from all versions of the album apart from the German edition.
  • "Hold On" was co-written and produced by Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic. Caillat has known Tedder since she was a teenager, and she previously worked with the songwriter on her 2011 album All of You.
  • With a pounding drumbeat and multiple vocal tracks, the song is a departure from Caillat's previous mellow acoustic work. "It's always good to grow as an artist," the singer told USA Today. "I like that when I sing it, I feel rad - 'rad' is my word right now. The production that Ryan used, the second the music comes on, I get in the moment. It makes me come alive, and it makes me want to perform."
  • The lyrics were inspired by Caillat's own experiences with broken-down relationships, where she's been the one urging to give it another shot. "I know a lot of people can relate, it's like the game of love," she told Billboard magazine. "When I was writing with Ryan it was basically about, 'You're ready to let go of this person, and the second you do, that's when they're all about you. They pull their same spiel where they back away, and you only want them more.'"

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.

Oliver Leiber

Oliver LeiberSongwriter Interviews

Oliver Leiber talks about writing and producing hits for Paula Abdul, and explains his complicated relationship with his father, the songwriter Jerry Leiber.

Chris Isaak

Chris IsaakSongwriter Interviews

Chris tells the story of "Wicked Game," talks milkshakes and moonpies at Sun Records, and explains why women always get their way.

Linda Perry

Linda PerrySongwriter Interviews

Songwriting Hall of Famer Linda Perry talks about her songs "What's Up" and "Beautiful," her songwriting process, and her move into film music.

Macabre Mother Goose: The Dark Side of Children's Songs

Macabre Mother Goose: The Dark Side of Children's SongsSong Writing

"London Bridge," "Ring Around the Rosie" and "It's Raining, It's Pouring" are just a few examples of shockingly morbid children's songs.

Howard Jones

Howard JonesSongwriter Interviews

Howard explains his positive songwriting method and how uplifting songs can carry a deeper message.