Inspiration Behind Hold On:
Hold On by Wilson Phillips provides an inside scoop of what was going on behind the scenes of her band. Lead singer Chyanna was battling substance abuse and a difficult relationship. The lyrics of Hold On serves as words of encouragement to hang in there until this tumultuous stage of life ends. The theme of Hold On urges listeners in a similar situation to make a change to avoid falling into a cycle of pain.
Biblical Application:
Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil, 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21.
Exegesis of Hold On:
I know there’s pain (I know there’s pain)
Why do you lock yourself up in these chains? (These chains)
No one can change your life except for you
Don’t ever let anyone step all over you
Pain is a natural aspect of life. Yet how you respond to pain will dictate how quickly you recover. You need to take responsibility for your life and stop playing the victim. If you want to change, stop letting others walk all over you.
Just open your heart and your mind
Mmm
Is it really fair to feel, this way inside?
Whoa-oh-oh
If the human heart is your well spring to life, guard your heart as you open your mind to a new future free from pain. Don’t let the past drag you down.
Someday, somebody’s gonna make you want to
Turn around and say goodbye
Until then, baby, are you going to let ’em
Hold you down and make you cry?
Don’t you know?
Don’t you know, things can change?
Things will go your way
If you hold on for one more day
Can you hold on for one more day?
Things will go your way Hold on for one more day
Change is possible, but your need to develop perseverance to press on. While you are waiting for circumstances in your life to change, hold on for dear life until things start to go your way again.
You could sustain
(Hmm) or are you comfortable with the pain?
You’ve got no one to blame for your unhappiness (no, baby)
You got yourself into your own mess (ooh)
Don’t let pain consume your life. You’ve got to be proactive in breaking free from your current situation. Don’t let these negative patterns continue.
Lettin’ your worries pass you by (lettin’ your worries), baby, (pass you by)
Don’t you think it’s worth your time
To change your mind?
No, no
Doubt and depression are holding Chyanna back. Once her mind believes that change is possible, healing can begin.
Someday, somebody’s gonna make you want to
Turn around and say goodbye
Until then, baby, are you going to let ’em
Hold you down and make you cry?
Don’t you know?
Don’t you know, things can change?
Things will go your way
If you hold on for one more day
Can you hold on for one more day?
Things will go your way (all things will go your way)
Hold on for one more day
Breaking free from self-destructive patterns can be extremely difficult. Yet until you truly want to change how you are living, you’ll continue down this painful road. Some people just need a spark of hope or a positive influence to usher in a season of change.
I know that there is pain
But you hold on for one more day
And you break free from the chains
Yeah, I know that there is pain
But you hold on for one more day and you
Break free, break from the chains
I know you are hurting, but you have to hang in there. Press on.
Someday, somebody’s gonna make you want to
Turn around and say goodbye (say goodbye)
Until then, baby, are you going to let ’em
Hold you down and make you cry?
Don’t you know?
Don’t you know (know), things can change? (No?)
Things will go your way
If you hold on for one more day, yeah
If you hold on
Don’t you know, things can change
Things will go your way
If you hold on for one more day
Wilson is encouraging Chyanna that she will see light at the end of the tunnel. Yet, for now, hang in there just one more day.
Can you hold on?
Can you hold on?
Mmm, can you hold on, baby
Won’t you tell me now
Hold on for one more day
‘Cause it’s gonna go your way
Don’t you know, things can change
Things will go your way
If you hold on for one more day, yeah
Can’t you change it this time
Make up your mind
Hold on
Hold on
This final chorus is like a prayer for a good friend. A glimpse of hope is better than the reality of pain and suffering.
Final Thoughts:
As a former youth pastor, teenagers can place themselves into difficult situations similar to Chyanna. All I could do was be an agent for change, providing words of hope. In the end, human beings have to want to change before hope has the opportunity to become a reality.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 