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Colin Hay — Hold On To My Hand
Album: Peaks and Valleys
Avg rating:
6.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 687









Released: 1992
Length: 4:49
Plays (last 30 days): 0
You say you don't believe in sorrow
Then why are you so sad?
There's no need to fear tomorrow
It's never quite that bad

You have such heart, you're the precious one
And you will have your day
I know there is no justice now
There's nothing left to say

If you don't believe in the setting sun
If you've lost your faith in the holy one
If you're feeling like you need a friend
You can hold on
Yes you can hold on
Hold on to my hand
Don't let go

If you're with the one you care for
And you wake up in the middle of the night
If she's the one you hold a prayer for
You keep the candle bright

If her body's weak, but her heart is strong
If you feel the heat, as the day is long
If you're just a boy, trying to be a man
You can hold on
Yes you can hold on
Hold on to her hand
She will understand
Comments (110)add comment
 fredriley wrote:
Plainly this guy is a love/hate taste, like Vegemite. Sadly, even the smell of Marmite (UK's version of Vegemite) makes me retch. An insta-mute.

 

I'm ambivalent as regards Marmite but this song I don't really like one bit.


 chyk5 wrote:

Am I the only one who hears a bit of "Tin Man" by America in this song?



 
as in Oz never gave nothing to the Tin Man?
Awesome, thanks Bill
 chyk5 wrote:

Am I the only one who hears a bit of "Tin Man" by America in this song?



 
I hear a bit of that and a sprinkle of Richie Havens style guitar

Am I the only one who hears a bit of "Tin Man" by America in this song?


 LizK wrote:

Marmite?  Vegemite? Are these somethings Lucy thought up?

 
No, they were around long before "I Love Lucy", but they are surely the products which inspired the name for the fictional "Vitameatavegamin".
 fredriley wrote:
Plainly this guy is a love/hate taste, like Vegemite. Sadly, even the smell of Marmite (UK's version of Vegemite) makes me retch. An insta-mute.
 
Marmite?  Vegemite? Are these somethings Lucy thought up?
 Cynaera wrote:

Aaaah - Excelsior's protegé strikes again. {#Rolleyes}  So - where are your millions from being able to play better than Colin Hay?  Why are you living in a flat instead of a mansion, if you've got such a musical gift?  Honestly, Stingray - sometimes you astonish me so thoroughly that all I can do is laugh...{#Roflol}

And BTW - I gave this song an 8, with potential for a 9 upon more listens. And I can't even play it left-handed, behind my head, on one foot, with both eyes closed, while whistling "Johnny B. Goode" (which, I'm sure, you can do but modestly chose not to mention it.) {#Mrgreen}
 
This is such an execellent reply that it makes me wish I were a better writer and capable of such eloqunce..in much the same way that I'd love to be able to write songs like Colin Hay.
me too

As a fan of neither Colin Hay nor Men At Work, for some reason I love this song.
The whole album is just beautiful!
 jagdriver wrote:
I've had enough of Colin in this lifetime.
 
Trying liking Colin more, then you'll be in Paradise.
Great set all morning Bill, Thank you:))
really like this music
Im looking forward to the next song, if it's not a Colin Hay song that is...

 jagdriver wrote:
I've had enough of Colin in this lifetime.
 

roger that...
I like this song. Of course, by the 38th listen, I might not feel that way, or even the 18th, but for now, it's a 7. Colin is a poet. Get over it, cynics among us. 
Respect the Hay! 8
I've had enough of Colin in this lifetime.
 Lazaerus wrote:

Dude, you need to go back on your med's... seriously!  I can see your veins popping as I write this.
 
I think it's the meds that make him this way, Lazaerus.  {#Lol}  I love this song. I love Colin Hay's music. I feel he's better as a solo, instead of with Men At Work.  This is getting a 10, up from 9. Take THAT, Stingray! {#Jump}
 Stingray wrote:
POSSIBLY THE MOST HORRIBLE THING
I EVER,...EVER HEARD ON RP!

LUDOVICO is a hero - in comparison!

ppffffffffff....!!!!
 
Dude, you need to go back on your med's... seriously!  I can see your veins popping as I write this.
 Jelani wrote:
I don't know how he does it, but this guys songs really move me.
 
 

Agreed.
Nothing fancy or difficult just a good song.

I don't know how he does it, but this guys songs really move me.
 
Plainly this guy is a love/hate taste, like Vegemite. Sadly, even the smell of Marmite (UK's version of Vegemite) makes me retch. An insta-mute.
 Stingray wrote:


SORRY...??

This is a beginner's tune!

Wake me from a nightmare,
and I play this over my head,
and the wrong hand!
 
Aaaah - Excelsior's protegé strikes again. {#Rolleyes}  So - where are your millions from being able to play better than Colin Hay?  Why are you living in a flat instead of a mansion, if you've got such a musical gift?  Honestly, Stingray - sometimes you astonish me so thoroughly that all I can do is laugh...{#Roflol}

And BTW - I gave this song an 8, with potential for a 9 upon more listens. And I can't even play it left-handed, behind my head, on one foot, with both eyes closed, while whistling "Johnny B. Goode" (which, I'm sure, you can do but modestly chose not to mention it.) {#Mrgreen}
Well, I like it.  And for those who do not - it will be over soon.
 Kittee wrote:
Dude can play that guitar can't he?
 

SORRY...??

This is a beginner's tune!

Wake me from a nightmare,
and I play this over my head,
and the wrong hand!
POSSIBLY THE MOST HORRIBLE THING
I EVER,...EVER HEARD ON RP!

LUDOVICO is a hero - in comparison!

ppffffffffff....!!!!

Yep, Colin James Hay is very good for the ears!{#Sunny}
What did she say?

 
stevo_b wrote:
Perfect for today.....  Gonna ask her....
 


This just keeps growing on me. A little sappy for some, maybe, but a lovely tune.
It kinda comes off as an "Apres Ski" tune.
 rolland69 wrote:
<snip>

Talented songwriter and musician and down to Earth guy in my opinion.

 
Mrs. Lizard saw him on a GNO a couple of years ago. Very strange lady doing free form dance behind him while he was performing. Turns out to be his wife. "Very odd," sez Mrs. L. Otherwise, what you said: genuine, engaging, grounded. BTW, we're children of the 50s, and first saw him and Men At Work on their first US tour some 25+ years ago. Great band.

He's got a such a great voice.....this is a great song.
 stevo_b wrote:
Perfect for today.....  Gonna ask her....
 

Go fer it Stevo. Good Luck!
Perfect for today.....  Gonna ask her....
That was beautiful.
 Gryn wrote:
Colin transcends nearly all other songs with this one.

Good job, Colin!
 
I prefer several of his other ones to this one.  It just doesn't have that umph!

 redstorm wrote:
reminiscent, of "flock of seagulls" {#Think}
 
Reminiscent of a saw going through a log {#Sleep}
Colin transcends nearly all other songs with this one.

Good job, Colin!
reminiscent, of "flock of seagulls" {#Think}
 mattt wrote:
Tiresome. From Colin Hay, this is disappointing.
 
Indeed! Great singer, lame song.....
Tiresome. From Colin Hay, this is disappointing.
PLEASE PLAY "BEAUTIFUL WORLD"!!!!

It was my anthem for the week I spent on Molokai.
Love Colin....thank you for playing!
If you ever get a chance to see Colin Hay in concert, don't miss it!  Not too long ago I saw Colin Hay's solo acoustic show at a small venue, and he puts on a great show.  In addition to the music, his "patter" is hysterically funny and he really connects with the audience. 
Dude can play that guitar can't he?
 DoctorHooey wrote:
I really like the song "Down Under"
But this tripe makes me want to chunder
Writing it was a massive blunder
Ya better run if someone does a cover
 
I wish I wrote this! Doctor Hooey's verse, I mean. Not -this- song. This is Hallmark meets Folk.
Please feel free to never play this track again. :)
I too had no idea he was a solo act.. Really really really digging his solo stuff.

Loved his cameo on Scrubs too.
 rolland69 wrote:
I loved Men at Work as a kid (child of the 80's here). I had NO Idea Colin was a solo act.
Until RP and Scrubs.

A few years ago I heard his work on Scrubs and loved his guest role and solo version of Overkill. Then I noticed some of his work on RP.

No joke within a week I saw an episode where his song Real Life to Begin was sang by a female guest star (Gabrielle Carteris I think). Next thing I know I am hearing him on the New Jersey Soundtrack.

Long Story short.

Last year I saw him live with the Jacksonville (FL) Symphony Orchestra. He and his band fronted the entire orchestra for an evening. The band and orchestra performed his songs Old and New flawlessly. Ok there were some technical glitches, but they added some flavor to the show and resulted from this being the first time they had done this for a crowd. At one point between songs the entire auditorium went dark. Colin went on telling his story and strumming his acoustic.

In a crowd of 2000+ there were about 17 of us who knew WHO he was. And his between song stories were hilarious; some of the older attendees were not amused and didn't get some of his pop culture references.

It was an incredible night that ended with him meeting people in the atrium after the show. The 17 of us who cared about his music got to purchase some of his CDs and get autographs and just had a blast talking to him and the band.

Talented songwriter and musician and down to Earth guy in my opinion.

Rock On True Believers


  I like hearing stories like this....too many stars are full of themselves.


Oh, my. These lyrics really resonate for me today. You have such heart, you're the precious one And you will have your day I know there is no justice now There's nothing left to say If you don't believe in the setting sun If you've lost your faith in the holy one If you're feeling like you need a friend You can hold on Yes you can hold on Hold on to my hand Don't let go
He takes my breath away. Every time.
rolland69 wrote:
I loved Men at Work as a kid (child of the 80's here). I had NO Idea Colin was a solo act. Until RP and Scrubs. A few years ago I heard his work on Scrubs and loved his guest role and solo version of Overkill. Then I noticed some of his work on RP. No joke within a week I saw an episode where his song Real Life to Begin was sang by a female guest star (Gabrielle Carteris I think). Next thing I know I am hearing him on the New Jersey Soundtrack. Long Story short. Last year I saw him live with the Jacksonville (FL) Symphony Orchestra. He and his band fronted the entire orchestra for an evening. The band and orchestra performed his songs Old and New flawlessly. Ok there were some technical glitches, but they added some flavor to the show and resulted from this being the first time they had done this for a crowd. At one point between songs the entire auditorium went dark. Colin went on telling his story and strumming his acoustic. In a crowd of 2000+ there were about 17 of us who knew WHO he was. And his between song stories were hilarious; some of the older attendees were not amused and didn't get some of his pop culture references. It was an incredible night that ended with him meeting people in the atrium after the show. The 17 of us who cared about his music got to purchase some of his CDs and get autographs and just had a blast talking to him and the band. Talented songwriter and musician and down to Earth guy in my opinion. Rock On True Believers
Thanks for this! I'd love to see him live. Love Scrubs, BTW :)
I loved Men at Work as a kid (child of the 80's here). I had NO Idea Colin was a solo act. Until RP and Scrubs. A few years ago I heard his work on Scrubs and loved his guest role and solo version of Overkill. Then I noticed some of his work on RP. No joke within a week I saw an episode where his song Real Life to Begin was sang by a female guest star (Gabrielle Carteris I think). Next thing I know I am hearing him on the New Jersey Soundtrack. Long Story short. Last year I saw him live with the Jacksonville (FL) Symphony Orchestra. He and his band fronted the entire orchestra for an evening. The band and orchestra performed his songs Old and New flawlessly. Ok there were some technical glitches, but they added some flavor to the show and resulted from this being the first time they had done this for a crowd. At one point between songs the entire auditorium went dark. Colin went on telling his story and strumming his acoustic. In a crowd of 2000+ there were about 17 of us who knew WHO he was. And his between song stories were hilarious; some of the older attendees were not amused and didn't get some of his pop culture references. It was an incredible night that ended with him meeting people in the atrium after the show. The 17 of us who cared about his music got to purchase some of his CDs and get autographs and just had a blast talking to him and the band. Talented songwriter and musician and down to Earth guy in my opinion. Rock On True Believers
Definitely not up to snuff compared to other things he's written.
When did Colin Hay start doing Christian Rock?
I really like the song "Down Under" But this tripe makes me want to chunder Writing it was a massive blunder Ya better run if someone does a cover
lousy lyrics. trite. raspy. mediocre. who cares.
Like it. Bought it. "Waiting for My Real Life to Begin" is even betterer.
Saw him live just two weeks ago. One of those musicians who deserves more fame or at least acclaim than he's getting. See him if you can! (but don't bring the kids. he's hilariously funny, but quite profane, in between songs. :) )
Geecheeboy wrote:
Reminds me vaguely of "It Ain't Me, Babe."
Me too!
Reminds me vaguely of "It Ain't Me, Babe."
meydele wrote:
An astonishingly good songwriter who deserves far more acclaim than he gets. Even his not as good songs (like this one) are far better than most everything else out there, and his good stuff is trancendant.
Very well said, ya der hey.
An astonishingly good songwriter who deserves far more acclaim than he gets. Even his not as good songs (like this one) are far better than most everything else out there, and his good stuff is trancendant.
please make it stop
Nice.
RedGuitar wrote:
37-string??
The Paraguayan Harp
Sounds like Sting at his worst. And then some.
Tux wrote:
No. Just plain boring. Is this a live recording? If this is studio work, I don't understand why it sounds so empty.
That's your soul, Tux.
cyberphiliac wrote:
Radio Paradise KICKS ASS! I just discovered it a few days ago (from the Doc Searls / Linux Journal interview) and have since been listening to it pretty much non-stop when I'm up. But this song prompted me to sign up & send some cash RP's way. Why? Well... I was a Men at Work nut back in the 80s (I had a portable double-deck cassette player & would loop "Business as Usual" & "Cargo" over and over...). So the name "Colin Hay" was not unknown to me. I was in a record store sometime around '90 or so looking for something else and I happened to notice the name "Colin James Hay" on one of the albums - I thought "hey... that name..." - and sure enough, there was his picture on the cover. It was "Looking for Jack" and I bought it "sound unheard." It was fantastic. A few years later, same situation (record store, looking for something else) and I notice "Colin Hay Band" on one of the albums ("Wayfaring Sons" this time). Again, "sound unheard." Again, it was fantastic. Anyway, my point is that the only way I even knew Colin Hay had any solo stuff out there at all was by utter serendipity. I've NEVER heard his stuff played - or even referred to - anywhere else. Certainly not on McRadio! Although the Internet has allowed me to rectify the hit-or-miss way in which I acquired Hay's work before (I now have all his albums), it is still *supremely* cool to hear, for the first time ever, my favorite singer / songwriter played by someone other than myself! Did I mention Radio Paradise KICKS ASS!? Oh, yeah, I did. OK, well, I'll stop yapping now and send RP some money.
Great story from a great local Golgafrinchamian, home of the Great Circling Poets of Arium Yea, he's good, granted.
so much better than MAW
Radio Paradise KICKS ASS! I just discovered it a few days ago (from the Doc Searls / Linux Journal interview) and have since been listening to it pretty much non-stop when I'm up. But this song prompted me to sign up & send some cash RP's way. Why? Well... I was a Men at Work nut back in the 80s (I had a portable double-deck cassette player & would loop "Business as Usual" & "Cargo" over and over...). So the name "Colin Hay" was not unknown to me. I was in a record store sometime around '90 or so looking for something else and I happened to notice the name "Colin James Hay" on one of the albums - I thought "hey... that name..." - and sure enough, there was his picture on the cover. It was "Looking for Jack" and I bought it "sound unheard." It was fantastic. A few years later, same situation (record store, looking for something else) and I notice "Colin Hay Band" on one of the albums ("Wayfaring Sons" this time). Again, "sound unheard." Again, it was fantastic. Anyway, my point is that the only way I even knew Colin Hay had any solo stuff out there at all was by utter serendipity. I've NEVER heard his stuff played - or even referred to - anywhere else. Certainly not on McRadio! Although the Internet has allowed me to rectify the hit-or-miss way in which I acquired Hay's work before (I now have all his albums), it is still *supremely* cool to hear, for the first time ever, my favorite singer / songwriter played by someone other than myself! Did I mention Radio Paradise KICKS ASS!? Oh, yeah, I did. OK, well, I'll stop yapping now and send RP some money.
Schmackdown wrote:
Yes. He plays the six string, twelve string and thirty-seven string. I believe he keeps putting out acoustic/solo albums b/c he doesn't really have the $ to get a bunch of musicians together to record stuff, or isn't so inclined. His "band" albums contain some of his best work, though, IMO.
37-string??
Wow... great song! For a second I thought it was Peter Gabriel but, like many others have commented, "what a pleasant surprise!" :) I really like his guitar playing and the lyrics are touching too. Nice one! Another one to add in the "to be (re)discovered" list. ;)
dmax wrote:
I like his other solo record, "Looking for Jack." He seems like a latter day Ray Davies.
He's done quite a few since Men at Work finished+: 1986 - Looking for Jack (as Colin James Hay) 1990 - Wayfaring Sons (as Colin Hay Band) 1992 - Peaks and Valleys 1994 - Topanga 1998 - Transcendental Highway 2000 - Going Somewhere 2002 - Company of Strangers 2003 - Man @ Work You can download MP3 extracts from several of the albums from his own web site. + well, Colin and Greg Ham did tour as "Men at Work" in 1996, and a live CD Brazil was released, but it's only two of the five...
Should definately give it another listen, it grows slowly on you. Also give "Overkill" & "beautiful World" by the same guy a listen. Two great tracks, simple but powerful lyrics. catmaven wrote:
An affecting love song, but no tune at all. Is this lounge music? Also, his singing gets worse as the song goes on. I am just curmudgeonly re love songs. Maybe I will feel diff next time I hear this.
An affecting love song, but no tune at all. Is this lounge music? Also, his singing gets worse as the song goes on. I am just curmudgeonly re love songs. Maybe I will feel diff next time I hear this.
Wow! This is wonderful. I like.
attended an acoustic performance/songwriting jam in a tiny eclectic coffee bar in my neighborhood a few months back. and although i was never a men at work fan, i was quite impressed.
No. Just plain boring. Is this a live recording? If this is studio work, I don't understand why it sounds so empty.
orpheus wrote:
ditto, pleasantly surprised! :nodhead: (but is that him strumming, I wonder?)
You betcha it's him strumming. He played guitar with Men At Work, too, if you'll remember. This WHOLE ALBUM is acoustic - just a guitar and Colin -- some new stuff, some self (Men At Work/solo work) covers. Saw him in concert a couple years ago at a Rockford, IL club. Just him and his guitar. This excellent song/performance is typical of the whole album, as well as a earlier acoustic effort, also excellent.
orpheus wrote:
(but is that him strumming, I wonder?)
Yes. He plays the six string, twelve string and thirty-seven string. I believe he keeps putting out acoustic/solo albums b/c he doesn't really have the $ to get a bunch of musicians together to record stuff, or isn't so inclined. His "band" albums contain some of his best work, though, IMO.
camarkim wrote:
Hey. This is pretty good.
ditto, pleasantly surprised! :nodhead: (but is that him strumming, I wonder?)
mwhip wrote:
Men at Work
thanks!!!
sugarbrown wrote:
was he a part of another band before this? i too like his solo work
Men at Work
earthbased wrote:
Saw him do a solo show last year. It was great. I really like him as a solo singer/songwriter. Dan
was he a part of another band before this? i too like his solo work
It's a mistake!
Please play more Colin. He cheers me up! Dan
It's a foot-tapper for sho'
His voice has matured wonderfully! I'm liking the recent solo work that's been in the playlist.
Thought this was Wheat Kings by the Hip when I first caught ear of it. This is cool, too, though.
quite a decent surprise.
like it, even though it sounds like he's been jamming a lot with luka bloom ...
This is the second time through for me on this song, and I must say that it is growing on me. I like the emotion he puts into his singing and song writing. It is a pity that his Men At Work days will work against him in trying to get momentum in his solo career. I hope that he continues to put out good stuff like this!
This isn't the best from Colin Hay but this isn't bad. He's a really great solo artist. I like what he's done lately. He's getting very mature in his art.
Saw him do a solo show last year. It was great. I really like him as a solo singer/songwriter. Dan
fluorophore wrote:
Sounds like Colin's been listening to the Goo Goo Dolls a little too much.
Actually, I'm thinking more Del Amitri, who were a lot bigger prior to this recording. Whatever happened to them, anyway? Pretty song. Colin's one talented singer.
Hmmm, I wonder if I might be related to him ... my mother's maiden name was Hay. And NO, I do not have a wall-eye!
Sounds like Colin's been listening to the Goo Goo Dolls a little too much. Yeah.. let it slide, Colin!
Of course I loved Men at Work, because I was 13 and didn't know better... I am really enjoying this and if someone has the whole album, I would appreciate a review..!!
Hey. This is pretty good.
thermion7 wrote:
I didn't like Men at Work. Colin's voice does work very well accompanied by accoustic guitar alone. Is the rest of the album as good?
I prefer Transcendental Highway as an album - but Colin is an extremely good performer in an acoustic setting and an excellent songwriter. I have most of his solo work and enjoy all of it.
I didn't like Men at Work. Colin's voice does work very well accompanied by accoustic guitar alone. Is the rest of the album as good?
vaguely stinglike.
Nice tune. This guy has a voice that sticks with you. I heard it and immediately thought Men at Work