Can't Nobody Hold Me Down

Album: No Way Out (1997)
Charted: 19 1
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song about achieving your goals despite resistance from others uses some prominent samples. The chorus is based on the 1983 Matthew Wilder song "Break My Stride," which has a similar, but lighter theme of getting past those who want to bring you down. The rhythm track comes from "The Message" by Grandmaster Flash And The Furious Five. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Donovan Berry - El Dorado, AR
  • In our interview with Matthew Wilder, he recalls the first time hearing this song, which interpolated his hit "Break My Stride." "That was the first I'd ever heard of something like that," said Wilder. "They came to us with the finished product and said, 'We've used your song' followed by 'Can we use it?' And I was like, 'You're kidding, right?' So it's been kind of an annuity."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)Songwriter Interviews

The former Metallica bassist talks about his first time writing a song with James Hetfield, and how a hand-me-down iPad has changed his songwriting.

Second Wind Songs

Second Wind SongsSong Writing

Some songs get a second life when they find a new audience through a movie, commercial, TV show, or even the Internet.

Kip Winger

Kip WingerSongwriter Interviews

The Winger frontman reveals the Led Zeppelin song he cribbed for "Seventeen," and explains how his passion for orchestra music informs his songwriting.

Alice Cooper

Alice CooperFact or Fiction

How well do you know this shock-rock harbinger who's been publicly executed hundreds of times?

Glen Ballard

Glen BallardSongwriter Interviews

Glen Ballard talks about co-writing and producing Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill album, and his work with Dave Matthews, Aerosmith and Annie Lennox.

N.W.A vs. the World

N.W.A vs. the WorldSong Writing

How the American gangsta rappers made history by getting banned in the UK.