Holding Back the River | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 30 October 1989 | |||
Recorded | 1988–1989 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 48:58 | |||
Label | Mercury | |||
Producer | Wet Wet Wet | |||
Wet Wet Wet chronology | ||||
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Singles from Holding Back the River | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Allmusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Number One | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Smash Hits | 8.5/10 [7] |
Holding Back the River is the second studio album released by the Scottish pop rock quartet Wet Wet Wet. Released on 30 October 1989, [8] the album, intentionally written as a lyrical follow-up to the band's debut album Popped In Souled Out , spawned the singles "Sweet Surrender", "Broke Away", "Hold Back the River" and "Stay With Me Heartache" and peaked at #2 on the UK Albums Chart.
Aside from the nine tracks found on the standard album, "How the Hell Did They Get There" appears as a hidden track on the CD and digital download versions, having previously been released as a B-side to the album's lead single, "Sweet Surrender". Outside of the UK, the album saw particular success in Australia, where it was certified Gold and re-released in the form of a limited edition coloured vinyl. [9]
"Broke Away" was released on 27 November 1989, entering the charts at number 39 the following Sunday. It peaked four weeks later at number 19. [10]
All tracks are written by Clark/Cunningham/Mitchell/Pellow, except "Maggie May", by Martin Quittenton & Rod Stewart. All tracks produced by Wet Wet Wet.
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "Sweet Surrender" | 6:00 |
2. | "Stay with Me Heartache (Can't Stand the Night)" | 4:10 |
3. | "Blue for You" | 4:51 |
4. | "Broke Away" | 4:45 |
5. | "You've Had It" | 5:12 |
6. | "I Wish" | 5:04 |
7. | "Keys to Your Heart" | 4:23 |
8. | "Maggie May" | 6:02 |
9. | "Hold Back the River" | 4:45 |
10. | "How the Hell Did That Get There" (hidden track) | 3:38 |
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "This Time" (live version) | 4:59 |
2. | "Sweet Surrender" (extended version) | 6:50 |
3. | "You've Had It" (Louis Silas club mix) | 7:02 |
4. | "Sweet Surrender" (Ben Liebrand club mix) | 6:51 |
5. | "And Now for Something Completely Different" | 2:43 |
6. | "Keys to Your Heart" (original demo) | 4:15 |
7. | "With a Little Help from My Friends" (live, Wembley Arena, 14/12/89) | 5:11 |
8. | "I Can Give You Everything" (live, Wembley Arena, 14/12/89) | 5:25 |
9. | "Party City" | 5:05 |
10. | "I Feel Fine" | 5:02 |
11. | "Hold Back the River" (acoustic) | 4:15 |
12. | "Stay With Me Heartache" (Young T.C. & T mix) | 5:58 |
13. | "Stay With Me Heartache" (Stay Where You Are mix) | 4:35 |
14. | "Stoned Me" (Tonight Live with Steve Vizard) | 4:07 |
Chart (1989–1990) | Peak position |
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Australian Albums (ARIA) [11] | 12 |
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) [12] | 28 |
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [13] | 34 |
UK Albums (OCC) [14] | 2 |
Chart (1990) | Position |
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European Albums (Music & Media) [15] | 94 |