Hold On (Justin Bieber song) explained

Hold On
Cover:Justin Bieber - Hold On.png
Type:single
Artist:Justin Bieber
Album:Justice
Genre:Synth-pop
Length:2:50
Label:Def Jam
Producer:
Prev Title:Anyone
Prev Year:2021
Next Title:Peaches
Next Year:2021

"Hold On" is a song by Canadian singer Justin Bieber. It was released through Def Jam Recordings as the fourth single from his sixth studio album, Justice, on March 5, 2021. Bieber wrote the song with producers Andrew Watt and Louis Bell, alongside Jon Bellion and Ali Tamposi. "Hold On" interpolates Gotye's 2011 single, "Somebody That I Used to Know", which was written by himself and Luiz Bonfá; therefore, Gotye and Bonfá are given songwriting credits on the song. A music video starring Bieber and Christine Ko was released alongside the song. The single has reached the top ten in twelve countries worldwide and has reached number four on the Billboard Global 200 chart.

Background and release

Justin Bieber released the singles "Holy" and "Lonely" in 2020, followed by "Anyone" in January 2021. He announced his sixth studio album, Justice, the following month.[1] Its track "Hold On" was written by Bieber, Ali Tamposi, Jon Bellion, and producers Andrew Watt and Louis Bell. The song interpolates "Somebody That I Used to Know" (2011), written by Walter De Backer and Luiz Bonfá, who thus receive official songwriting credits.[2]

Def Jam Recordings released "Hold On" as a single for digital download and streaming in various countries on March 5, 2021. The same day, Universal Music Group serviced the song to contemporary hit radio stations in Italy. British radio station BBC Radio 1 added it to rotation on March 12, followed by its sister station BBC Radio 2 the next day.[3] [4]

Composition and lyrics

"Hold On" is a mid-tempo synth-pop song that contains a driving pop rock beat and new wave elements.[5] The song is set in the key of C minor.[6] [7] [8] [9] Chris DeVille from Stereogum wrote that the song "delve[s] into the synth-powered side of '80s rock".[10] The song's two verses have light synths laid down before eventually transitioning to a punchy chorus where the music drops and the percussion takes over, all layering under Bieber's vocals.[11] Roisin O'Connor of The Independent stated that the song's synths faintly recall Alphaville's "Forever Young", while its bassline is in the style of Fleetwood Mac.[12] "Hold On" is about keeping faith during difficult and challenging times, with lyrics touching on Bieber's struggles with the spotlight over the years.[6] [12] In the chorus, Bieber promises that "Heaven is a place not too far away" and admits to "know[ing] how it feels to be someone who loses their way".[8] [13] Rachel Simon, writing for NBC Think, opined that on the track, Bieber "offers himself up as an example of how people can change for the better" and "act[s] as the support system his younger self wasn't lucky enough to have".[14]

Commercial performance

"Hold On" debuted at number seven on the Canadian Hot 100 issued for March 20, 2021.[15] The song peaked at number four in its third week on the chart. On the US Billboard Hot 100, it reached number 20. "Hold On" charted at number 10 on the UK Singles Chart. In Australia, the song peaked at number six and went triple Platinum. It reached number seven in New Zealand. "Hold On" peaked within the top 10 of national record charts, at number two in Denmark, number six in Malaysia, Singapore, number seven in Norway, number eight in Ireland, and number nine in Belgium, the Netherlands.

Critical reception

"Hold On" received critical acclaim by music critics. Crimson staff writer Angelina Shoemaker praised the track for "[refreshing] listeners with its straightforward message." This message, according to Shoemaker, "touches on an emotion close to many". Shoemaker also noted the musical rhythm and melody as a form of communication of feelings, with the feeling of loneliness conveyed by the track's "slow-wave rhythm" and the "expressive quality of his voice."

A review at The Musical Hype on March 8, 2021, three days after the track's release, rated the song 3.5 stars out of 5, and praised the lyrical content for offering "encouragement and support", as well as praising Bieber's messaging and writing and singing performance, stating that Bieber "sounds smooth and performs expressively". The reviewer's overall opinion of the song is largely positive, calling it a "winner for Justin Bieber."[16]

Music blogger Thomas Bleach, who had previously reviewed other works of Bieber such as "Holy" and "Lonely", praised the message of hope and reassurance and enlightenment in the track's lyrics, noting its structural parallels to Gotye's 2011 top-hit "Somebody That I Used to Know", and further going on to praise Bieber's vocals. Overall, Thomas rates the song positively, and rates the song as a "strong and decisive moment", contrasting it to Changes, which Thomas rated negatively by calling it "monotonous."[17]

Music video

Colin Tilley directed the music video for "Hold On", which stars Bieber and Taiwanese-American actress Christine Ko.[18] Bieber shared a teaser of the clip on Instagram ahead of its release, followed by a livestream celebrating its release.[19] It premiered at midnight on March 5, 2021.[20] The video begins with policemen chasing Bieber and successfully shooting him, followed by a flashback.[21] It is then revealed Bieber is trying to arrange money to pay Ko's medical bills, as her character is suffering from cancer. He spray paints a gun and resolves to steal money from a bank.[22] [23]

Live performances

Bieber performed "Hold On" during his Tiny Desk Concert, which premiered online on March 17, 2021.[24] The next day, he performed the song on The Late Late Show with James Corden, with a backing band, surrounded by the image of a winding road projected on a green screen.[25] Bieber performed it at Good Morning America on March 22; Justin Curto of Vulture stated that Bieber "rocked the distanced GMA stage, jumping around and playing off his band's energy".[26] Three days later, he released the official Vevo Live performance for "Hold On", which was held in a deserted forest in Los Angeles amid red mood lighting and green and white lightning.[27] Bieber "dance[d] and [ran]" during it, backed by two guitarists, a keyboardist, and a live drummer.[28] In May 2, he performed the song on Big Brother Brasil 21.[29]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[30]

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "Hold On"! Chart (2021)! Peak
position
Croatia (HRT)[31] 15
Greece (IFPI)[32] 22
Iceland (Plötutíðindi)[33] 32
Lithuania (AGATA)[34] 20
Malaysia (RIM)[35] [36] 6
Mexico (Billboard Mexican Airplay)[37] 23
Peru (UNIMPRO)[38] 113
San Marino (SMRRTV Top 50)[39] 48
Singapore (RIAS)[40] 6
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[41] 4
South Korea (Gaon)[42] 132
Venezuela (Record Report)[43] 39

Year-end charts

Chart (2021)! scope="col"
Position
Australia (ARIA)[44] 44
Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)[45] 82
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[46] 34
Croatia (HRT)[47] 89
Denmark (Tracklisten)[48] 42
Global 200 (Billboard)[49] 93
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[50] 75
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[51] 85
Portugal (AFP)[52] 181

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormat(s)Label
VariousMarch 5, 2021Def Jam[53]
ItalyRadio airplayUniversal[54]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Strauss. Matthew. February 26, 2021. Justin Bieber Announces New Album Justice. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210226174924/https://pitchfork.com/news/justin-bieber-announces-new-album-justice/. February 26, 2021. February 26, 2021. Pitchfork.
  2. Web site: Kennedy. John R.. March 6, 2021. Justin Bieber's 'Hold On' Interpolates Gotye Hit. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210306034611/https://www.iheartradio.ca/news/justin-bieber-s-hold-on-interpolates-gotye-hit-1.14713214. March 6, 2021. April 8, 2021. iHeartRadio.
  3. Web site: Radio 1 Playlist. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210315061434/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3tqPdBWF9yMbTrfjWvfKV8t/radio-1-playlist. March 15, 2021. March 12, 2021. BBC.
  4. Web site: Radio 2 New Music Playlist. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210313002907/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2qNJsnjYFvbLrK9CZ0CfYfM/radio-2-new-music-playlist. March 13, 2021. March 13, 2021. BBC.
  5. Web site: Jenkins . Craig . 2021-03-24 . Justin Bieber's New Album Is Mostly Peace, No Justice (Phew) . 2022-07-19 . Vulture . en-us.
  6. Web site: Justin Bieber Robs A Bank For His Beloved In New 'Hold On' Music Video. Close. Paris. March 5, 2021. iHeartRadio. September 4, 2021.
  7. Web site: Album Review: Justin Bieber - Justice. Ferlita. Gabriella. Gigwise. March 20, 2021. March 21, 2021. March 21, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210321083641/https://www.gigwise.com/reviews/3397084/album-review-justin-bieber-justice. live.
  8. Web site: Islands' spicy comeback, and 5 more songs you need to hear this week. March 10, 2021. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. September 4, 2021.
  9. Web site: Hold On. Justin. Bieber. Justin Bieber. Andrew. Wotman. Andrew Watt (record producer). Louis. Bell. Louis Bell. Jonathan. Bellion. Jon Bellion. Ali. Tamposi. Ali Tamposi. Walter. De Backer. Gotye. Luiz. Bonfá. Luis Bonfá. March 5, 2022. Musicnotes.com. March 5, 2021 .
  10. Web site: Justin Bieber's New Album Is Not Nearly As Disastrous As Expected. DeVille. Chris. March 22, 2021. Stereogum. September 4, 2021.
  11. Web site: Justin Bieber Drops 'Hold On,' His Second New Single of 2021. Sanwari. Ahad. March 8, 2021. VMan. September 4, 2021.
  12. Web site: Justin Bieber shares single 'Hold On' after announcing new album Justice. O'Connor. Roisin. March 5, 2021. The Independent. September 4, 2021.
  13. Web site: Justin Bieber: Justice Album Review. Kameir. Rawiya. March 23, 2021. Pitchfork. September 4, 2021.
  14. Web site: Justin Bieber's 'Justice' album lyrics suggest he's found his happy place. Simon. Rachel. March 20, 2021. NBC Think. September 10, 2021.
  15. Billboard Canadian Hot 100 . Billboard . April 5, 2021 . subscription . April 20, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210420135417/https://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-hot-100/2021-03-20 . live .
  16. Web site: Justin Bieber, "Hold On" Track Review. The Musical Hype. March 8, 2021.
  17. Web site: SINGLE REVIEW: Justin Bieber – Hold On. March 8, 2021.
  18. Web site: Kennedy. John R.. WATCH: Justin Bieber Debuts Dramatic 'Hold On' Video. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210305154056/https://www.iheartradio.ca/virginradio/london/news-trending/watch-justin-bieber-debuts-dramatic-hold-on-video-1.14705832. March 5, 2021. March 5, 2021. iHeartRadio.
  19. Web site: Samhan. Jamie. March 5, 2021. Justin Bieber Drops Action-Packed New Music Video For 'Hold On'. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20210305154338/https://etcanada.com/news/754219/justin-bieber-drops-hold-on-music-video/. March 5, 2021. March 5, 2021. ET Canada.
  20. Web site: Murphy. Chris. March 5, 2021. Justin Bieber Asks You To 'Hold On' Till He's Done Robbing a Bank In Music Vid. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210305154211/https://www.vulture.com/2021/03/justin-bieber-drops-new-music-video-hold-on-christine-ko.html. March 5, 2021. March 5, 2021. Vulture.
  21. Web site: Bruce. Jasper. March 5, 2021. Justin Bieber is on the run in video for new single 'Hold On' NME. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210302020841/https://www.nme.com/news/music/justin-bieber-announces-new-single-hold-on-2891642. March 2, 2021. March 5, 2021. NME.
  22. Mamo. Heran. March 5, 2021. Justin Bieber Releases 'Hold On' Single: Stream It Now. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210305154417/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9535350/justin-bieber-hold-on-single-music-video. March 5, 2021. March 5, 2021. Billboard.
  23. Shaffer. Claire. Legaspi. Althea. March 5, 2021. Justin Bieber Robs Bank to Save Partner in New 'Hold On' Video. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210305154258/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/justin-bieber-hold-on-song-video-1137071/. March 5, 2021. March 5, 2021. Rolling Stone.
  24. Ginsberg . Gab . Justin Bieber Makes His Tiny Desk Debut, Premieres New Song 'Peaches' . . April 20, 2021 . March 17, 2021 . March 26, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210326005520/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9542238/justin-bieber-tiny-desk-home-concert-video . live .
  25. Web site: Lavin . Will . Watch Justin Bieber perform 'Hold On' on The Late Late Show With James Corden . . April 20, 2021 . March 20, 2021 . March 20, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210320175850/https://www.nme.com/news/music/watch-justin-bieber-perform-hold-on-on-the-late-late-show-with-james-corden-2904595 . live .
  26. Web site: Curto . Justin . Justin Bieber Still Trying to Make Justice (the Idea) Happen on GMA . . April 20, 2021 . March 24, 2021 . March 24, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210324045131/https://www.vulture.com/2021/03/justin-bieber-on-gma-justice-performance.html . live .
  27. Mamo . Heran . ustin Bieber Lights Up a Forest With 'Anyone' & 'Hold On' Vevo Live Performances . . April 20, 2021 . March 26, 2021.
  28. Shaffer . Claire . Justin Bieber Rocks Out to 'Hold On' in Vevo Live Performance Video . . April 20, 2021 . March 25, 2021 . limited . March 26, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210326083546/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/justin-bieber-hold-on-vevo-live-performance-video-1146194/ . live .
  29. Web site: Confira a performance de Justin Bieber no BBB 21. Check out Justin Bieber's performance at BBB 21. May 2, 2021. POPline. May 2, 2021 . pt-BR.
  30. Web site: Credits / Hold On / Justin Bieber. Tidal. March 5, 2021. March 29, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210329162654/https://listen.tidal.com/album/175757261/credits. live.
  31. Web site: ARC 100 – datum: 5. travnja 2021.. Komerički. Goran. April 5, 2021. Hrvatska radiotelevizija. hr. January 6, 2022. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20210416142942/https://radio.hrt.hr/clanak/arc-100-datum-5-travnja-2021/261545/. April 16, 2021.
  32. Web site: Official IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) – Week: 12/2021. IFPI Greece. July 29, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20210405180413/http://www.ifpi.gr/digital_ien.html. April 5, 2021.
  33. Web site: Tónlistinn – Lög. The Music – Songs. is. Plötutíðindi. July 4, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210405060832/http://plotutidindi.is/lagalistinn/. April 5, 2021. dead.
  34. Web site: 2021 11-os SAVAITĖS (kovo 12-18 d.) SINGLŲ TOP100. lt. AGATA. 19 March 2021. 27 March 2021. March 19, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210319144034/https://www.agata.lt/lt/naujienos/11s/. live.
  35. Web site: Top 20 Most Streamed International + Domestic song Week 11 (12/03/21 - 18/03/21). English. Instagram. 27 March 2021. 27 March 2021. March 29, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210329162743/https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/. live.
  36. Week 11 is number 7, number 6 is week 10
  37. Justin Bieber Chart History (Mexico Airplay). Billboard. July 3, 2021.
  38. Web site: Total Streams Peru: Semana 29 (16/07/2021 to 22/07/2021). es. Unión Peruana de Productores Fonográficos. July 30, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20210816074705/http://www.unimpro.org/sitio/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/BMAT-Total-Streams-PE-TOP-1000-Week-29.pdf. August 16, 2021.
  39. Web site: Top 50 – Radio San Marino RTV – 30/04/2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210430125831/https://www.sanmarinortv.sm/radio/radio-san-marino/top-50-ascoltare . 30 April 2021 . it . . April 30, 2021 . 19 August 2024.
  40. Web site: RIAS Top Charts. Recording Industry Association Singapore. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210316080856/https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/. March 16, 2021. March 16, 2021.
  41. Web site: ČNS IFPI. IFPI ČR. Note: Select SK SINGLES DIGITAL TOP 100 and insert 202112 into search.. March 29, 2021. November 3, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201103013427/http://hitparada.ifpicr.cz/index.php?hitp=D. live.
  42. Web site: Digital Chart – Week 18 of 2021. Gaon Chart. ko. May 6, 2021.
  43. Web site: Record Report Top 100 - Fecha de Publicación: Sábado 08/05/2021. . https://web.archive.org/web/20210506180435/https://www.recordreport.com.ve/publico/top100/. May 12, 2021. May 6, 2021. es .
  44. Web site: ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2021. Australian Recording Industry Association. January 11, 2022.
  45. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 2021. Ultratop. January 5, 2022.
  46. Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2021. Billboard. December 2, 2021.
  47. Web site: Pjesma 'Save Your Tears' najpopularnija je strana pjesma u prošloj godini. Komerički. Goran. January 5, 2022. Hrvatska radiotelevizija. hr. January 6, 2022.
  48. Web site: Track Top-100 2021. Hitlisten. January 6, 2022.
  49. Billboard Global 200 – Year-End 2021. Billboard. December 2, 2021.
  50. Web site: Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2021. Dutch Top 40. nl. January 4, 2022.
  51. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Single 2021. MegaCharts. nl. January 4, 2022.
  52. Web site: Top AFP/Audiogest – Semanas 01 a 52 de 2021 – De 01/01/2021 a 30/12/2021. Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. pt. January 26, 2022.
  53. Web site: Hold On / Justin Bieber. Tidal. March 5, 2021. March 29, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210329162638/https://listen.tidal.com/album/175757261. live.
  54. Web site: Corradini . Paola . Justin Bieber 'Hold On' (Radio Date: 05/03/2021) . Radio Airplay SRL . March 8, 2021 . Italian . March 9, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210309060110/https://radiodate.it/radio-date/justin-bieber-hold-on-221785-05-03-2021-radiodate/ . live .

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