music.wikisort.org - Composition

"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 November 2022, the video has over 49 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

Charts

Chart (2012–13)	Peak position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[6]	34
Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)[7]	23
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[8]	81
Canada Rock (Billboard)[9]	7
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[10]	69
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[11]	49
US Billboard Hot 100[12]	93
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[13]	33
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[14]	15

Year-end charts

Chart (2012)	Position
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[15]	80

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[16]	Gold	500,000
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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

References

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