Barely Holdin' On

Last updated
"Barely Holdin' On"
Barely Holding On.jpeg
Single by Polo G
from the album Hood Poet
ReleasedAugust 18, 2023
Length2:54
Label Columbia
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Polo G singles chronology
"Heartbroken"
(2023)		"Barely Holdin' On"
(2023)		"Sorrys & Ferraris"
(2024)

"Barely Holdin' On" is a song by American rapper Polo G. It was released on August 18, 2023, as the second single from his fourth studio album, Hood Poet . The song was produced by Southside, Dr. Luke, and Noah Goldstein.

Contents

Background

On August 15, 2023, Bartlett officially announced his next album, Hood Poet . He announced the single for release the following Friday, with the album to release on September 15, 2023. [1]

Composition

The song features tranquil guitars and keyboards and a fidgety beat. [2] Throughout the song, Polo raps about his mental-health and gunplay, with lines such as: "Ain't hard to figure him out 'cause all his thoughts was tweeted/ We blew some shots to shut him up, that's why his top was leakin'." [3] In the first verse, Polo G mentions his childhood friend who was shot and killed in a drive-by on September 18, 2014, [2] [4] while in the second verse he raps about his upbringing, in which he raps about his heavy trauma. [2]

Critical reception

Alexander Cole of HotNewHipHop called the track "an uplifting yet emotional song that speaks to some of the trauma Polo G has faced throughout his life." [5] Vibe said that the song "soundtracks the visual, but paints a picture of the artist attempting to rationalize his own trauma, as well." [4]

Music video

Polo G released the song's music video on August 18, 2023. It was directed by Araad and shows scenes of Polo G at a piano as well as with living individuals who each go through their own struggles. [6] [7]

Credits and personnel

Technical

Charts

Chart performance for "Barely Holdin' On"
Chart (2023)Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [8] 93
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ) [9] 4
US Billboard Hot 100 [10] 68
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [11] 23

Certifications

Certifications for "Barely Holdin' On"
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [12] Gold500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ↑ Bartlett, Taurus. "Polo G - HOOD POET (Album Trailer) | OUT SEPTEMBER 15". YouTube. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 Partridge, Ken (Aug 18, 2023). "Polo G Finds Strength Amid Tragedy On New Song "Barely Holdin' On"". Genius . Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  3. ↑ Breihan, Tom (August 18, 2023). "Polo G – "Barely Holdin' On"". Stereogum. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  4. 1 2 Griffin, Marc (August 18, 2023). "Polo G Shows Empathy To Those "Barely Holdin' On" In New Visuals". Vibe. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  5. ↑ Alexander, Cole (August 18, 2023). "Polo G Returns With Lead "Hood Poet" Single, "Barely Holdin' On"". HotNewHipHop . Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  6. ↑ Grant, Shawn (August 18, 2023). "Watch: Polo G Delivers New Video For "Barely Holdin' On"". The Source . Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  7. ↑ Duong, Pual (August 18, 2023). "Video: Polo G "Barely Holding On"". Rap Radar . Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Polo G Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  9. ↑ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. August 28, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Polo G Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Polo G Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  12. ↑ "American single certifications – Polo G – Barely Holdin_ On". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved March 14, 2025.
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