Hold On (Alabama Shakes song)

"Hold On" is a song by American rock band Alabama Shakes. The track was first released on February 6, 2012 in the United Kingdom as the lead single from the studio album Boys & Girls (2012).[1]

"Hold On"
Single by Alabama Shakes
from the album Boys & Girls
Released	6 February 2012
Recorded	2011
Genre	Southern rock, blues rock
Length	3:46
Label	Rough Trade Records
Songwriter(s)	Brittany Howard
Alabama Shakes singles chronology
"Hold On" (2012) "You Ain't Alone" (2012)

Music video

A music video to accompany the release of "Hold On" was first released on YouTube on 30 March 2012. In this video, the song was performed live in a studio. As of June 2020, the video has over 39 million views.[2]

Reception

"Hold On" received critical acclaim from music critics. Rolling Stone named it the best song of 2012.[3] It was also voted the 11th best single of 2012 by The Village Voice's 40th annual Pazz & Jop poll.[4]

NPR named "Hold On" the fifth best song by a woman or non-binary artist in the 21st century, saying of the song:

"Despite her ability to quickly transition from a sultry croon à la Janis Joplin to a bellowing, often disembodied howl, it's the lyrical wisdom that masks Howard's young age and makes this song special. "Hold On" is not just a mantra offering the encouragement needed to get through life's rough patches; it's a timeless song that wouldn't work without Howard's ability to interweave a myriad of emotions with raw honesty" [5]

Track listing

Download[1]

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Hold On"	3:46

Charts

Chart (2012–13)	Peak position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[6]	34
Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)[7]	23
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[8]	81
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[9]	49
US Billboard Hot 100[10]	93
US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[11]	1
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[12]	33
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[13]	17
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[14]	15

Year-end charts

Chart (2012)	Position
US Adult Alternative Songs[15]	8
US Alternative Songs[16]	48
US Hot Rock Songs[17]	80

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[18]	Gold	500,000^^
^^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region	Date	Format	Label
United Kingdom	6 February 2012	Download[1]	Rough Trade Records

References

1. iTunes - Music - Hold On - Single by Alabama Shakes
2. Alabama Shakes - Hold On (Official Video) on YouTube
3. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/50-best-songs-of-2012-20121205/alabama-shakes-hold-on-19691231
4. http://www.villagevoice.com/pazznjop/singles/2012/
5. "The 200 Greatest Songs By 21st Century Women+ (20-1)". NPR.org. Retrieved 2020-06-30.
6. "Ultratop.be – Alabama Shakes – Hold On" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
7. "Ultratop.be – Alabama Shakes – Hold On" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
8. "Alabama Shakes Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
9. "Dutchcharts.nl – Alabama Shakes – Hold On" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
10. "Alabama Shakes Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
11. "Alabama Shakes Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
12. "Alabama Shakes Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
13. "Alabama Shakes Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
14. "Alabama Shakes Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
15. "Alternative Albums – Year-End 2012". Billboard. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
16. "Alternative Albums – Year-End 2012". Billboard. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
17. "Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2012". Billboard. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
18. "American single certifications – Alabama Shakes – Hold On". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH.