| Hold Me | |
| Cover: | Laura Branigan Hold Me 1985 Single.jpeg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Laura Branigan |
| Album: | Hold Me |
| B-Side: | Tenderness |
| Released: | 1985 |
| Length: | 4:15 |
| Label: | Atlantic Records |
| Prev Title: | Spanish Eddie |
| Prev Year: | 1985 |
| Next Title: | Maybe Tonight |
| Next Year: | 1985 |
"Hold Me" is a song by the American pop singer Laura Branigan, which was released in 1985 as the second single from her fourth studio album Hold Me.[1] It was written by Bill Bodine and Beth Andersen, and produced by Jack White and Harold Faltermeyer.[2]
Following the Top 40 success of the first single from Hold Me, "Spanish Eddie", "Hold Me" was released as the follow-up single. It reached No. 82 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Chart and No. 39 on the Billboard Dance/Club Play Songs Chart.[3]
"Hold Me" was released on both 7" and 12" vinyl in North America and on 7" vinyl in Japan. The B-side for the North American 7" releases was "Tenderness", which was taken from Hold Me. The Japanese release featured a different track from the album, "When the Heat Hits the Streets".[4] For release as a single, "Hold Me" was edited, removing around half a minute from its duration.[5] An American 7" promotional single was also issued, featuring "Hold Me (Edited Version of Remix)" as the A-side and "Hold Me (New Extended Remix)" as the B-side, both remixed by American producer Beau Hill.[6]
The American 12" vinyl featured "Hold Me (Vocal/New Extended Remix)" as the A-side, with "Tenderness (Vocal/Extended Remix Version)" and "Spanish Eddie (Vocal/Extended Remix Version)" as the two B-sides.[7] An American 12" promotional single featured "Hold Me (Vocal/New Extended Remix)" on both sides of the vinyl.[8]
No music video was filmed to promote the single.[9] Branigan performed the song on American music TV show Solid Gold,[10] and Dick Clark's Nitetime.[11]
Upon release, Billboard listed the song as a dance pick and commented: "A straight-ahead, American-sounding rock ballad; more booming beat boxes, less exotica than her usual repertoire."[12] Cash Box wrote: "An urgent ballad with a surging rock feel, "Hold Me" showcases the Branigan voice in all its many textured volume. With sharp hooks and a hummable melody, the tune could mean another chart racer for one of pop's favorite singers."[13]
| Chart (1985) | Peak position | |
|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 82 | |
| US Billboard Dance/Club Play Songs Chart | 39 | |
| US Cash Box Top 100 Singles[14] | 79 |