Hold On (En Vogue song)

Last updated

"Hold On"
EnVogue HoldOn.jpg
Single by En Vogue
from the album Born to Sing
B-side "Lies"
ReleasedMarch 5, 1990 (1990-03-05)
RecordedAugust –September 1989 [1]
Studio Starlight Sound (Lake City, Florida)
Genre
Length
  • 5:03
  • 4:23 (7-inch edit)
Label Atlantic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Denzil Foster
  • Thomas McElroy
En Vogue singles chronology
"Hold On"
(1990)		"Lies"
(1990)
Music video
"Hold On" on YouTube

"Hold On" is a song by American girl group En Vogue, released in early 1990 as the first single from their debut album, Born to Sing (1990). It was produced by Denzil Foster and Thomas McElroy, and written by the former two and all members of the group. It peaked at number five in the United Kingdom and number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. In the latter country, the song reached number one on the Billboard Dance Club Play, 12-inch Singles Sales, and Hot Black Singles charts. En Vogue performed "Hold On" at the 2008 BET Awards with Alicia Keys. In 2017, it was ranked number four on Spin magazine's ranking of "The 30 Best '90s R&B Songs".

Contents

Production

The song opens with an a cappella rendition of the Motown standard "Who's Lovin' You", written by Smokey Robinson and originally recorded by his group, the Miracles. It features lead vocals by Cindy Herron and Terry Ellis vocals on the introduction.

Critical reception

David Taylor-Wilson from Bay Area Reporter complimented the song as "sexy and gentle, with a teasing, downtempo dance beat." [3] Bill Coleman from Billboard commented, "Step back and give 'em some room! Quartet of future divas fresh from the Foster/McElroy stable deliver intricate, tight harmonies with a dash of sass on this groove-laden debut. Can't wait for the album." [4] He also noted its "lazy and hypnotic R&B pulse [that] serves as the perfect bed for the members' on-the-money styling; you would be doing your dancefloor a great disservice if you ignored it..." [5] Jan DeKnock from Chicago Tribune felt that En Vogue's "tasty harmonies are supported by an equally intoxicating groove." [6] A. Scott Galloway from The Network Forty wrote, "Gold single, golden girls! What more do you need to convince you to spin this hardcore dance floor jam." [7] Gerald Martinez from New Sunday Times declared it as "gospel-funk" with "stunning vocal arrangements." [8]

In his album review, Edward Hill from The Plain Dealer remarked that "Hold On" "is already famous for its no-holds-barred a cappella opening and sluggishly powerful bassline. On 12-inch it's pepped up with bonus beats and a slightly faster rhythm track." [9] David Quantick from Smash Hits complimented it as "lithe and lovely". [10] Steve Daly, writing for Spin magazine, said the song is "perfect for those warm evening on the stoop", and felt that the "exotic melody takes its cue from Soul II Soul, while the rhythm section does a slow grind in 95 percent humidity with no AC." [11] Cheo H. Coker from Stanford Daily wrote, "It was the first song in a long time that featured real singing, perfect four-part harmony (a capella no less), and a mother lode of hip-hop attitude and feeling." [12] A reviewer from Wells Journal called it "a moody but repetitive song with mellow backing track". [13]

Retrospective reviews

Retrospectively, AllMusic editor Jose F. Promis described the song as a "cool, shuffling, timeless hip-hop R&B track". [14] Another editor, Stephen Thomas Erlewine, described it as "yearning". [15] In 2007, Laura Checkoway from Vibe declared it as "an answer of sorts" to 1962's "Who's Lovin' You" from Smokey Robinson & The Miracles. [16]

Commercial performance

Following its release, "Hold On" peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot Black Singles chart, number two on Billboard's Hot 100 on July 21, 1990, and number one on Billboard's Dance Club Play and 12-inch Singles Sales charts. "Hold On" was also a hit in several countries worldwide, reaching number five in the United Kingdom and New Zealand, number six in Germany, number 10 in the Netherlands, and number 12 in Austria. It was the top R&B hit on the Billboard Year-End chart for 1990 and was the eighth most-successful pop hit on the Billboard Hot 100 Year-End chart. [17] [18]

Music video

A music video was produced to promote the single, directed by Indian director Tarsem Singh.[ citation needed ] It begins with a close-up of Terry Ellis singing the lead vocal of the intro, with the three other girls singing background vocals and standing either behind her or in front of her. They are all dressed in black. When the rhythm kicks in, several male dancers appear. Cindy Herron then takes over the lead vocal, standing in the front, with the three others backing her. The background dancers were filmed performing their dance moves slowly, and the footage was then sped up in the editing to match the song's rhythm. The effect gave the dancers a surreal sped-up quality. Actor/model Djimon Honsou appears in the video as a trumpet player.

Impact and legacy

The Daily Telegraph ranked "Hold On" number 47 in their "Top 50 Dance Songs" list in 2015, adding:

"R&B girl group En Vogue broke through with this club classic. A sharp acapella rendition of Motown standard Who's Lovin You leads into a hip-hop beat with a funky bass line, horn and piano sounds. "You've got to hold on, to your love", the girls proclaim, and it is their powerful singing that carries this one." [19]

Spin placed the song at number four in their list of "The 30 Best '90s R&B Songs" in 2017. They wrote:

"Producers Foster & McElroy deliver a slow-burning rhythm with a James Brown drum kick, but "Hold On's" greatest element is Herron, Terry Ellis, Dawn Robinson, and Maxine Jones blending their voices into a sound that shifts the culture." [20]

In 2019, Billboard listed it at number 130 in their ranking of "Billboard's Top Songs of the '90s". [21]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryAlbum / TrackResult
1990 Billboard Music Award R&B Single of the Year"Hold On"Won
1991 Grammy Award Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group"Hold On"Nominated
1991 Soul Train Music Award Best Single by a Duo/Group"Hold On"Won

Track listings

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Born to Sing . [27]

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [50] Platinum1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">En Vogue</span> American R&B/pop vocal group

En Vogue is an American vocal girl group whose original lineup consisted of singers Terry Ellis, Dawn Robinson, Cindy Herron, and Maxine Jones. Formed in Oakland, California, in 1989, En Vogue reached No. 2 on the US Hot 100 with the single "Hold On", taken from their 1990 debut album Born to Sing. The group's 1992 follow-up album Funky Divas reached the top 10 in both the US and UK, and included their second US number two hit "My Lovin' " as well as the US top 10 hits "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" and "Free Your Mind".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dawn Robinson</span> American singer (born 1966)

Dawn Sherrese Robinson is an American singer and actress best known as a founding member of the R&B/pop group En Vogue, one of the world's best-selling girl groups of all time. Following her departure from En Vogue, Robinson joined Lucy Pearl and released their self-titled debut album Lucy Pearl in 2000, which went platinum worldwide and produced the successful singles "Dance Tonight" and "Don't Mess with My Man".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let Me Love You (Mario song)</span> 2004 single by Mario

"Let Me Love You" is a song by American singer Mario, released as a single on October 4, 2004, from his second studio album, Turning Point (2004). The song was written by Ne-Yo, Kameron Houff, and Scott Storch, while the production was handled by Storch. The song garnered Mario a Grammy Award nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance in 2006 and became a top-10 hit worldwide, reaching number one in the United States, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, and New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cindy Herron</span> American singer and actress

Cynthia Ann Herron, professionally known as Cindy Herron and sometimes credited as Cindy Herron–Braggs is an American singer and actress. Herron is best known as a founding member of the R&B/pop group En Vogue, one of the world's best-selling girl groups of all time. She sang lead vocals on the group's first single "Hold On", which garnered mainstream success and sold over a million copies. Despite being absent from the group during certain periods, Herron and fellow group member Terry Ellis are the only original members to appear on all of the group's album releases to date. In the 1980s, Herron began her career as an actress, making her debut appearance in Up and Coming as "Valerie".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Opposites Attract</span> 1989 single by Paula Abdul and the Wild Pair

"Opposites Attract" is a song by American singer Paula Abdul from her debut album, Forever Your Girl (1988). It was written and produced by Oliver Leiber. Vocals on the song, in addition to Abdul, were provided by Bruce DeShazer and Marv Gunn, also known as the Wild Pair. "Opposites Attract" was the sixth and final single from the album in November 1989 and achieved success in many countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia, where it was a number-one hit. Lyrically, the song is about a couple who love each other despite being different in almost every way possible.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)</span> 1992 single by En Vogue

"My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)" is a song by American pop/R&B group En Vogue, released in March 1992 as the lead single from their multi-platinum second album, Funky Divas (1992). The single reached number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming their joint highest-peaking single on the chart alongside "Hold On" and "Don't Let Go (Love)", and it peaked atop the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart for two weeks. Internationally, the song reached number four in the United Kingdom and peaked within the top 10 on the charts of Canada, Ireland, and the Netherlands. Its music video was directed by Matthew Rolston and was nominated in six categories at the MTV Video Music Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lies (En Vogue song)</span> 1990 single by En Vogue

"Lies" is a song from American R&B/pop group En Vogue. It is the second single from their debut hit album, Born to Sing. Written and produced by Thomas McElroy and Denzil Foster, it became the group's second single to top the Billboard R&B singles chart. It peaked at number thirty-eight and was also their second US Billboard Hot 100 top 40 hit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Don't Have to Worry (En Vogue song)</span> 1990 single by En Vogue

"You Don't Have to Worry" is a song by American girl group En Vogue from their debut album, Born to Sing (1990). The song was released as the third single from the album on October 31, 1990, and was the group's third consecutive number-one single on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Something He Can Feel</span> 1976 single by Aretha Franklin

"Something He Can Feel" is a song composed by Curtis Mayfield for the 1976 motion picture Sparkle. The song, a love ballad in a Chicago-/Philly-soul style, became a number-one hit on the Billboard's R&B singles chart in the United States twice with two separate recordings: a 1976 version by Aretha Franklin from the film's soundtrack, and a 1992 cover by girl group En Vogue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Give It Up, Turn It Loose</span> 1992 single by En Vogue

"Give It Up, Turn It Loose" is a song by American R&B/pop vocal group En Vogue, released as the fourth single from their second album, Funky Divas (1992). The song's title is a reference to the 1969 James Brown song "Give It Up or Turnit a Loose". Released on November 12, 1992, the single reached number 15 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number 16 on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart, and number 22 on the UK Singles Chart. In 1994, it was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. This song features Maxine Jones on lead entirely.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Don't Love You</span> 1993 single by En Vogue

"Love Don't Love You" is a song by American R&B/pop vocal group En Vogue, released as the final single from their second album, Funky Divas (1992). It was released in 1993 and became the group's fifth consecutive top-40 single from the album in the United States. The song is led by Terry Ellis and Cindy Herron.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Let Go (Love)</span> 1996 single by En Vogue

"Don't Let Go (Love)" is a song by American R&B group En Vogue. It was written by Ivan Matias, Andrea Martin, and Marqueze Etheridge, and produced by Organized Noize for the Set It Off soundtrack (1996), also appearing on the group's third album, EV3 (1997). The song was the group’s last single and music video to feature member Dawn Robinson and was En Vogue's biggest international single, making it to the top 10 in several countries. According to Billboard, the single ranked as the 83rd most successful single of the 1990s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whatever (En Vogue song)</span> 1997 single by En Vogue

"Whatever" is a song by American female vocal group En Vogue. It was written by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Keith Andes, and Giuliano Franco for the group’s third studio album, EV3 (1997), while production was helmed by Edmonds, featuring additional production by Franco. Selected and released as the album's second single, it was the final single from EV3 to precede the release of its parent album. "Whatever" reached the top 10 in Canada and on the US Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart while peaking within the top 20 in Finland, the United Kingdom, and on the Billboard Hot 100. "Whatever" was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of over 500,000 units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Too Gone, Too Long</span> 1997 single by En Vogue

"Too Gone, Too Long" is a song by American R&B vocal group En Vogue. Written by Diane Warren and produced by longtime collaborator David Foster, it was recorded for their third album, EV3 (1997). A power ballad that blends pop and contemporary R&B elements, it was selected as the album's third and final single and reached number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also peaked within the top twenty of the UK Singles Chart and became the group's final top twenty hit there.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pony (Ginuwine song)</span> 1996 single by Ginuwine

"Pony" is a song by American singer Ginuwine, released as the debut single from his first album, Ginuwine...The Bachelor (1996). Ginuwine co-wrote the song with Swing Mob associates Static Major and Timbaland; the latter made his breakthrough as a producer with the song. It peaked at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Just Kickin' It</span> 1993 single by Xscape

"Just Kickin' It" is a song by American R&B group Xscape. Written by Jermaine Dupri and Manuel Seal, the song was released as Xscape's first single from the group's 1993 debut album, Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha. The single became the group's most commercially successful hit, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and spending four weeks at number one on the Hot R&B Singles chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roam</span> 1989 single by the B-52s

"Roam" is a song by American new wave band the B-52's released as the fourth single from their fifth studio album, Cosmic Thing (1989). The vocals are sung by Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson, making it the only vocal track on the album without any vocal involvement from Fred Schneider. It is also the only track from the album in which the B-52's worked with a co-writer, Robert Waldrop, who penned the lyrics. Released as a single in 1989, "Roam" peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 and entered the top 10 in Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Runaway Love (En Vogue song)</span> 1993 single by En Vogue

"Runaway Love" is a song by American R&B/pop group En Vogue, released in September 1993 by EastWest as the first single from the group's extended play (EP) Runaway Love. After the huge success of their second album, Funky Divas (1992), the single was released. It was written and produced by Thomas McElroy and Denzil Foster. Group members Cindy Herron and Terry Ellis share lead vocals, Dawn Robinson leads on the bridge, and spoken intro is by Maxine Jones. Elroy and Foster contributed vocals and spoken rap, their known as the alias FMob group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stay (Glenn Jones song)</span> 1993 single by Eternal

"Stay" is a song written by Bob Khozouri and Mark Stevens, originally recorded by American singer Glenn Jones and released in 1990. It reached number six on the US Billboard Hot Black Singles chart. The song became a worldwide hit for British girl group Eternal in 1993 and 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wild Women Do</span> 1990 single by Natalie Cole

"Wild Women Do" is a song by American singer-songwriter Natalie Cole. The song was written by Greg Prestopino, Sam Lorber, and Matthew Wilder for the 1990 romantic comedy film Pretty Woman and was included on the film's soundtrack as the opening track. The song contains influences from pop, rock, R&B, and soul music, and its lyrics describe an independent woman who lives a wild life. In 1990, the song was also included on certain re-issues of Cole's 1989 album Good to Be Back.

References

  1. ↑ "WebVoyage Record View 1". Cocatalog.loc.gov. October 2, 1989. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  2. ↑ uDiscover Team (February 17, 2021). "Best New Jack Swing Songs: 40 Party Starting Jams". uDiscoverMusic. Universal Music Group. Archived from the original on February 17, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  3. ↑ Taylor-Wilson, David (May 10, 1990). "Patti's Gonna Getcha". Bay Area Reporter . p. 34. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  4. ↑ Coleman, Bill (March 17, 1990). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard . p. 93. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  5. ↑ Coleman, Bill (April 21, 1990). "Dance Trax: R&B Tracks Prvide A Slice Of 'Ghetto Heaven'" (PDF). Billboard . p. 25. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  6. ↑ DeKnock, Jan (June 28, 1990). "Home Entertainment: Recordings". Chicago Tribune . p. 7.
  7. ↑ Galloway, A. Scott (May 25, 1990). "Crossover: Retail Sales" (PDF). The Network Forty. p. 38. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  8. ↑ Martinez, Gerald (November 15, 1998). "Top notch hits from Collins". New Sunday Times . p. 13. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  9. ↑ Hill, Edward (May 4, 1990). "En Vogue can wail with best girl groups". The Plain Dealer .
  10. ↑ Quantick, David (May 30, 1990). "Review: LPs". Smash Hits . No. 300. p. 60. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  11. ↑ Daly, Steve (August 1, 1990). "Singles". Spin . Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  12. ↑ Coker, Cheo H. (April 16, 1992). "Hip-hop's four funky divas". Stanford Daily . Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  13. ↑ "Sounds of the studio". Wells Journal . July 5, 1990. page 72.
  14. ↑ Promis, Jose F. "En Vogue - Born to Sing". AllMusic . Retrieved February 15, 2020.
  15. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "En Vogue - The Very Best of En Vogue". AllMusic . Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  16. ↑ Checkoway, Laura (June 1, 2007). "ESSENTIAL EN VOGUE". Vibe . p. 134. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  17. 1 2 "The Year in Music 1990: Top R&B Singles". Billboard . Vol. 102, no. 51. December 22, 1990. p. YE-22.
  18. 1 2 "Billboard Top 100 – 1990". Archived from the original on July 6, 2009. Retrieved September 15, 2009.
  19. ↑ "Top 50 dance songs". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved March 7, 2017.
  20. ↑ "The 30 Best '90s R&B Songs". Spin . Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  21. ↑ "Greatest of All Time: Billboard's Top Songs of the '90s". Billboard . 2019. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
  22. ↑ Hold On (US 12-inch single vinyl disc). En Vogue. Atlantic Records. 1990. 0-86234.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  23. ↑ Hold On (US cassette single sleeve). En Vogue. Atlantic Records. 1990. 4-87984.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  24. ↑ Hold On (UK 7-inch single vinyl disc). En Vogue. Atlantic Records. 1990. A 7908, 7567-87908-7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  25. ↑ Hold On (UK CD single liner notes). En Vogue. Atlantic Records. 1990. A7908CD, 7567-86178-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  26. ↑ Hold On (UK cassette single sleeve). En Vogue. East West Records. 1990. E3796C.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  27. ↑ Born to Sing (US CD album liner notes). En Vogue. Atlantic Records. 1990. 7 82084-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  28. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (pdf ed.). Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  29. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 9879." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  30. ↑ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 7980." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  31. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 7, no. 23. June 9, 1990. p. IV. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  32. ↑ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "En Vogue". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 73. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  33. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Hold On". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  34. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – En Vogue" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  35. ↑ "En Vogue – Hold On" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  36. ↑ "En Vogue – Hold On". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  37. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  38. ↑ "En Vogue Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  39. ↑ "En Vogue Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  40. ↑ "En Vogue Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  41. ↑ "En Vogue Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  42. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  43. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  44. ↑ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  45. ↑ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  46. ↑ "Top 50 Dance Tracks of 1990". RPM . Retrieved April 23, 2018– via Library and Archives Canada.
  47. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1990" (in Dutch). MegaCharts . Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  48. ↑ "End of Year Charts 1990". Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  49. ↑ "1990 Top 100 Singles". Music Week . London, England. March 2, 1991. p. 41.
  50. ↑ "American single certifications – En Vogue – Hold On". Recording Industry Association of America.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.