| "Hold On" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Alabama Shakes | ||||
| from the album Boys & Girls | ||||
| Released | February 6, 2012 | |||
| Recorded | 2011 | |||
| Genre | Southern rock, blues rock | |||
| Length | 3:46 | |||
| Label | Rough Trade Records | |||
| Songwriter | Brittany Howard | |||
| Alabama Shakes singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"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]
A music video to accompany the release of "Hold On" was first released on YouTube on March 30, 2012. In this video, the song was performed live in a studio. As of August 2024, the video has more than 58 million views.[2]
"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]
| Chart (2012–2013) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[6] | 34 |
| Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[7] | 23 |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[8] | 81 |
| Canada Rock (Billboard)[9] | 7 |
| Japan (Japan Hot 100) (Billboard)[10] | 69 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[11] | 49 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[12] | 93 |
| US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[13] | 33 |
| US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[14] | 15 |
| Chart (2012) | Position |
|---|---|
| US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[15] | 80 |
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[16] | Gold | 40,000* |
| United States (RIAA)[17] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
|
* Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||
| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | February 6, 2012 | Download[1] | Rough Trade Records |
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