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Broken Bells — Holding On For Life
Album: After The Disco
Avg rating:
7.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2229









Released: 2014
Length: 3:54
Plays (last 30 days): 4
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Girl, take a seat
Rest your weary bones
Your secret's safe
In my hands

Tell me about the years and
Let me buy an hour
Maybe help me to understand

Oh, ain't nobody calling
Ain't nobody home
What a lovely day to be lonely

You're holding on for life
Holding on for life, love
Holding on for love

You're holding on for life
Holding on for life, love
Holding on for love

Light another cigarette
Burning in the cold
Waiting on the street
For your man

You're trying not to look so
Young and miserable
You gotta get your kicks
While you can

And in the Latin quarter
Sitting on your own
What a lovely day to be lonely

You're holding on for life
Holding on for life, love
Holding on for love

You're holding on for life
Holding on for life, love
Holding on for love

Well,
you
might belong
to another time
Still you have to carry on, yeah

No
where
else to go
and you never know
what to hide and what to show, no

You're holding on for life
Holding on for life, love
Holding on for love

You're holding on for life
Holding on for life, love
Holding on for love
Comments (128)add comment
Broken BeeGees
Posted 3 months ago by Greenman    [ Reply ]
It still gives me the heebie-bee-gees!
Posted 7 months ago by awhfman    [ Reply ]
Nomen est omen? Hah, hah, hah, being alive, being alive!
Posted 10 months ago by Pitjes    [ Reply ]
 alrb1162 wrote:

I'm sorry, but all I hear when listening to this is the Bee Gees.


 Its all in the titleā€¦
Posted 1 year ago by Moonflower31    [ Reply ]
 photolew wrote:

Glad Im not the only one that had to look to see if this was the Bee Gees



EVERY SINGLE TIME!!  
Posted 1 year ago by lipsticknancy    [ Reply ]
 awhfman wrote:
This scares the BeeGeesus out of me! 


Well played! This made me chuckle for a few minutes!
Posted 1 year ago by chiefbrody    [ Reply ]
I'm going out on a limb here, but I do believe this is worthy of a +1 for having a cool band name.
Posted 1 year ago by Kajukenbo    [ Reply ]
For me..  No, on many levels, just no.
Posted 1 year ago by GingerandMe    [ Reply ]
I'm sorry, but all I hear when listening to this is the Bee Gees.
Posted 1 year ago by alrb1162    [ Reply ]
This scares the BeeGeesus out of me! 
Posted 1 year ago by awhfman    [ Reply ]
 adyboy94 wrote:

I Gibb it 2 thumbs up




  
Posted 1 year ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
BROKEN BELLS: Get back in the studio and write some more Bee Gees sounding songs!
Posted 1 year ago by timmus    [ Reply ]
 Lonestar wrote:
Barry Gibb


yep, i'm totally hearing bee gees!
Posted 1 year ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
All references to the brothers Gibb aside ...
Broken Bells are a true breath of fresh air.  This tune and Love On The Run which is heartbreaking are testament enough.  These guys are for real.
Posted 1 year ago by DW4554    [ Reply ]
Imagination bee
Posted 2 years ago by jasko    [ Reply ]
I thought after the disco the Bee Gees stopped playing.... 
Posted 2 years ago by TallCreative1    [ Reply ]
on my list of must-sees! these guys are really good. 
Posted 2 years ago by lynn01    [ Reply ]
Always been an 8. Might move this to 9. 
Posted 2 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
7 to 8 .  
Posted 2 years ago by smartn1    [ Reply ]
Posted 2 years ago by Danmayo    [ Reply ]
 timmus wrote:

Damn, the Bee Gees are recording again?  Damn that's a good song.  Oh wait, that's not them.



Almost as terribly good though!
Posted 2 years ago by thisbody    [ Reply ]
Damn, the Bee Gees are recording again?  Damn that's a good song.  Oh wait, that's not them.
Posted 2 years ago by timmus    [ Reply ]
 Hogtownmike wrote:

This is Barry good...



Haha! Yes, it's very gibb.
Posted 2 years ago by MayBaby    [ Reply ]
 kbs wrote:
I misread the artist as Broken Balls, which made the song title, artist and album titles a tad risque ... The falsetto adds another dimension 

Better broken than missing.

Tho I guess your don't miss what you never had.

Oops.  Never mind.
Posted 2 years ago by bruceandjenna    [ Reply ]
Love this songšŸ”„
Posted 2 years ago by Florin.caliciu    [ Reply ]
Broken Bells are fantastic and this song is excellent
Posted 3 years ago by tm    [ Reply ]
 black321 wrote:

Bee Gees, or Hall and Oates


It's nowhere near good enough for Hall and Oates.
Posted 3 years ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
After the Disco, it always seemed I was holding on for life. 
Posted 3 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
 rdo wrote:

I would bet money that 200 years from now, people will still be listening to the Bee Gees, and will long have forgotten over-rated (by critics) bands like the Rolling Stones and the Who.  I am not one of those people who think critics matter, Mr. Hater.  Don't cast me in that light.  Disco as a cultural phenomenon is fun to mock though.


In spite of you clearly targeting my other musical tastes to get a rise, I couldn't agree more with you on your point about Bee Gees appreciation 200 years from now.  That was the original point in the OP on the "Disco Sucks" mentality.  The Bee Gees were fantastic song writers and did it in multiple genre over multiple decades.
Posted 3 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
 kbs wrote:
I misread the artist as Broken Balls, which made the song title, artist and album titles a tad risque ... The falsetto adds another dimension 



Next level.
Posted 3 years ago by itsme_bygolly    [ Reply ]
I misread the artist as Broken Balls, which made the song title, artist and album titles a tad risque ... The falsetto adds another dimension 
Posted 3 years ago by kbs    [ Reply ]
This song would make for an excellent Flight of the Conchords episode.
Posted 3 years ago by jademon    [ Reply ]
I know better.... still think it is the Bee Gees every time this comes on.

Better than the Bee Gees.
Posted 3 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
"Hey-hey, we're the Bee Gees... And we do Bee Gee around..."
Posted 3 years ago by misterbearbaby    [ Reply ]
Glad Im not the only one that had to look to see if this was the Bee Gees
Posted 3 years ago by photolew    [ Reply ]
 xray38 wrote:


Perhaps some research on The Brothers Gibb is in order.  They had more than one life.
 
The HBO documentary "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart?" is required viewing. Though they gloss over some of the more delicate subjects (drug abuse, addiction, what the hell was with that Sgt. Pepper movie??), it's a very interesting watch. 
Posted 3 years ago by jkamm14    [ Reply ]
Oh, brother...

adyboy94 wrote:
I Gibb it 2 thumbs up
 

Posted 3 years ago by ShockwaveRider    [ Reply ]
They are great live - if you get a chance - GO!
Posted 4 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
 adyboy94 wrote:
I Gibb it 2 thumbs up
 

Clever dad joke :)
Posted 4 years ago by stegokitty    [ Reply ]
 Jelani wrote:

BeeGees weren't simply/just disco. Regardless, I think it would be kind of fun to see what a resurgence in 'disco' might churn up!
 
you know, just for fun i've gone back and listened to some of their music and i think it aged pretty well.  I don't know if disco got such a negative reputation because of the associated social scene , or what, but I think a lot of the music was actually pretty good.
Posted 4 years ago by bluefrog    [ Reply ]
I Gibb it 2 thumbs up
Posted 4 years ago by adyboy94    [ Reply ]
 daniel_rusk wrote:
BeeGees? Disco coming back? God help us!
 

Perhaps some research on The Brothers Gibb is in order.  They had more than one life.
Posted 4 years ago by xray38    [ Reply ]
 zurcronium wrote:
Is this the B-side to How Deep is Your Love?
 
How'd y'know?
Posted 4 years ago by jahgirl8    [ Reply ]
Is this the B-side to How Deep is Your Love?
Posted 4 years ago by zurcronium    [ Reply ]
"OMG!", thinks I, "Is BillG really playing the BeeGees?"
Posted 4 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
The skip button isn't enough. We need a 'put it out of it's misery' button. This song is truly awful.
Posted 4 years ago by ppopp    [ Reply ]
 daniel_rusk wrote:
BeeGees? Disco coming back? God help us!
 
BeeGees weren't simply/just disco. Regardless, I think it would be kind of fun to see what a resurgence in 'disco' might churn up!
Posted 4 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
Bee Gees, or Hall and Oates
Posted 4 years ago by black321    [ Reply ]
Heard their new track recently - very promising!
Posted 5 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
I wish that was Barry on the chorus
Posted 5 years ago by obankenobi    [ Reply ]
BeeGees? Disco coming back? God help us!
Posted 5 years ago by daniel_rusk    [ Reply ]
broken balls maybe?
Posted 5 years ago by hbs47    [ Reply ]
 baddog8it wrote:
thought it was the beegees.  Ugh!
 
Thought it was the beegeesā€¦.darn!  7+1 for the 'sounds like' Long Live RP!!
Posted 5 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
{#Music}
Posted 5 years ago by johnybladex    [ Reply ]
thought it was the beegees.  Ugh!
Posted 5 years ago by baddog8it    [ Reply ]
{#Devil_pimp}zesty ! channeling his inner gibb
Posted 5 years ago by primm    [ Reply ]
I like it, but also am feeling an overload of this "sound".  Between this and the new Black Keys and seems like there's another album that Danger Mouse has been involved with (but I am old and forgetful).  Like the multi-layared vocal sound of Edwin Sharpe, Monsters and Men and several others....   good, but enough is enough.

As I proof read it hits me that, Damn... I am a grumpy old man, aren't I?  Oh well, it's how I feel
Posted 10 years ago by GawgaBoy    [ Reply ]
The next song could be "Staying alive" (ha, ha, ha, ha)...
Posted 10 years ago by Orodrigues    [ Reply ]
Yup, my first thought -- the Bee Gees -- and yuck.  This is better though.
Posted 10 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
Falsetto aside.
Broken Bells are a great band.
Like all great Lp's they need more than a couple of listens.
Thank you Bill & Co.
Some pleasures need to seep in.
Posted 10 years ago by number7    [ Reply ]
(thanks for the lyrics -- now posted above -admin)
Posted 10 years ago by offroadbiker    [ Reply ]
"The Angel & The Fool" is the best tune on this album by far IMHO.
The first album is absolutely brilliant, this album is just ok.
{#Bounce} 
Posted 10 years ago by contractor07    [ Reply ]
 Jelani wrote:
Broken Bee Gee's ?

 
Ha Ha.... Too True.


Posted 10 years ago by zepher    [ Reply ]
Sounds like the Bee Gees, yes?  I think they were really good song writers...
Posted 10 years ago by shellbella    [ Reply ]
This is Barry good...
Posted 10 years ago by Hogtownmike    [ Reply ]
disco.....dis.....go.........actually not bad for a bge's worship piece.
Posted 10 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
 Despite sounding like the Bee Gees I sorta like it.
Posted 10 years ago by GeorgeMWoods    [ Reply ]
The band is OK, but so derivative. Bowie one song, BGs next, Black Keys another. Not unpleasant but whats the point?
Posted 10 years ago by The_Walrus    [ Reply ]
 WonderLizard wrote:

I have spent many a Sunday morning with Sunday Morning and expect to spend many more. A monumental work.

 
{#Cheers}
Posted 10 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
I guess that I'm one of those who can only take falsetto in tiny doses.  Every time I hear this I can't help thinking of:

 
Posted 10 years ago by crogers    [ Reply ]
 Something between the Bee Gees and the Beatles...interesting
Posted 10 years ago by Jdingman    [ Reply ]

When you hear stuff like this, it makes you appreciate how talented the Bee Gees actually were as songwriters.

Or at least that average-talent bands today can't just pull off what they did...


Posted 10 years ago by Hippostar    [ Reply ]
 Jelani wrote:
Broken Bee Gee's ?

  I don't mean that in a bad way. I like the BeeGee's. I like this as well. Just has a similar sound.


Posted 10 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
Liked it, didn't think of Bee Gees at all.
Posted 10 years ago by vaiodon    [ Reply ]
Sounds like some long-lost, experimental, early '80's Bee Gee's tune that never saw the light of day.
Posted 10 years ago by musikluvr    [ Reply ]
Did not like the BeeGees, dont like these guys either.
Posted 10 years ago by LawDude    [ Reply ]
Broken Bee Gee's ?
Posted 10 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
 rdo wrote:

I totally agree, so does Wallace Stevens...

There is not any haunt of prophesy,
Nor any old chimera of the grave,
Neither the golden underground, nor isle
Melodious, where spirits gat them home,
Nor visionary south, nor cloudy palm
Remote on heaven’s hill, that has endured
As April’s green endures; or will endure
Like her remembrance of awakened birds,
Or her desire for June and evening, tipped
By the consummation of the swallow’s wings.


(this just happens to be one of my very favorite passages in all of literature, it is from the poem Sunday Morning) 


 
I have spent many a Sunday morning with Sunday Morning and expect to spend many more. A monumental work.
Posted 10 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
 blotto wrote:
Not at all, I quite like the tune, and think they have a lot of balls for even putting it out. I'm sure they must've expected the Bee Gees comparisons.

The Bee Gees, is one of those bands/artists I didn't like much when I was younger but grew to appreciate their talent as I got older. Like Elton John and Depeche Mode, and many other bands.

 olivertwist wrote:


I guess you mean that in a bad way... Really, though, this isn't nearly as funky as the best Bee Gees in their dance music/disco period. Still, this is a pretty good tune.

 



 
Ah, I see. And you're probably right about them expecting that comparison.
Posted 10 years ago by olivertwist    [ Reply ]
Not at all, I quite like the tune, and think they have a lot of balls for even putting it out. I'm sure they must've expected the Bee Gees comparisons.

The Bee Gees, is one of those bands/artists I didn't like much when I was younger but grew to appreciate their talent as I got older. Like Elton John and Depeche Mode, and many other bands.

 olivertwist wrote:


I guess you mean that in a bad way... Really, though, this isn't nearly as funky as the best Bee Gees in their dance music/disco period. Still, this is a pretty good tune.

 


Posted 10 years ago by blotto    [ Reply ]
 blotto wrote:
Sons of Bee Gees.

 

I guess you mean that in a bad way... Really, though, this isn't nearly as funky as the best Bee Gees in their dance music/disco period. Still, this is a pretty good tune.
Posted 10 years ago by olivertwist    [ Reply ]
Sorry. Liking it. 
Posted 10 years ago by bmo    [ Reply ]
Anyone else think this should be the theme song for Barry Gibb Talk Show on SNL?
Posted 10 years ago by NWNative    [ Reply ]
Sons of Bee Gees.
Posted 10 years ago by blotto    [ Reply ]
Sounds like old BeeGee Disco stuff. Not for me thanks...
Posted 10 years ago by Mr_Fix_it    [ Reply ]
 Hasan wrote:

George Carlin said, "Never trust anyone whose way of thinking has a name."

That applies to music too, often enough.

 
I totally agree, so does Wallace Stevens...

There is not any haunt of prophesy,
Nor any old chimera of the grave,
Neither the golden underground, nor isle
Melodious, where spirits gat them home,
Nor visionary south, nor cloudy palm
Remote on heaven’s hill, that has endured
As April’s green endures; or will endure
Like her remembrance of awakened birds,
Or her desire for June and evening, tipped
By the consummation of the swallow’s wings.


(this just happens to be one of my very favorite passages in all of literature, it is from the poem Sunday Morning) 

Posted 10 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
 rdo wrote:

I would bet money that 200 years from now, people will still be listening to the Bee Gees, and will long have forgotten over-rated (by critics) bands like the Rolling Stones and the Who.  I am not one of those people who think critics matter, Mr. Hater.  Don't cast me in that light.  Disco as a cultural phenomenon is fun to mock though.

 
George Carlin said, "Never trust anyone whose way of thinking has a name."

That applies to music too, often enough.
Posted 10 years ago by Hasan    [ Reply ]
 h8rhater wrote:

"Disco sucks" is such a tired old trope. 

The 70's ended long ago with "Disco" in flames and its stars suddenly pariahs.  Strangely though, the music has lived on in many forms over the decades and is still beloved by many.  Perhaps that whole "disco sucks" thing was just a bunch of macho posturing from pubescent Punks and retro Rockers that, aided by the media (the same folks who pumped Disco up previously), went too far. 




 
I would bet money that 200 years from now, people will still be listening to the Bee Gees, and will long have forgotten over-rated (by critics) bands like the Rolling Stones and the Who.  I am not one of those people who think critics matter, Mr. Hater.  Don't cast me in that light.  Disco as a cultural phenomenon is fun to mock though.
Posted 10 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
 BlueBerryKush wrote:
Definitely BGesque and quite likeable!

 
True enough. Considerably less cheesy than the Bee Gees, and I would hope that the BB singers don't have welcome mats and medallions on their chests.
Posted 10 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
Broken Balls would be a nice name for a group.
Posted 10 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
Definitely BGesque and quite likeable!
Posted 10 years ago by BlueBerryKush    [ Reply ]
Can't quite figure out what to make of this song. Interesting juxtapositions, good hooks, strange BeeGee riffs. One problem is that it is getting a lot of airplay here in Boston, getting overplayed in my head
Posted 10 years ago by akiml    [ Reply ]
he really could have been a member of the BGs
Posted 10 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
It's catchy. The more I hear it...

Same general vein as Chromeo, Scissor  Sisters and them it seems to me. 
Posted 10 years ago by afrixluvguy    [ Reply ]
 pbrownyyc wrote:

No, as I recall, it really did suck. With a few exceptions.

 
Exactly. It's only current play is attributable to soccer moms and movies about the Seventies.
Posted 10 years ago by bc11    [ Reply ]
it does, it sounds like the BeeGees lol!
Posted 10 years ago by jocelynsart    [ Reply ]
First time I heard this I thought the Bee Gees had been sampled. A really great song tho' with a nice hook. {#Sunny}
Posted 10 years ago by katjazuu    [ Reply ]
 h8rhater wrote:
...  Perhaps that whole "disco sucks" thing was just a bunch of macho posturing from pubescent Punks and retro Rockers that, aided by the media (the same folks who pumped Disco up previously), went too far. 
 
No, as I recall, it really did suck. With a few exceptions.
Posted 10 years ago by pbrownyyc    [ Reply ]
Their first album is brilliant, I hope this is a good follow up {#Mrgreen}
Posted 10 years ago by contractor07    [ Reply ]
 spotcheckbilly wrote:

I didn't like disco the first time.{#Stop}

 
"Disco sucks" is such a tired old trope. 

The 70's ended long ago with "Disco" in flames and its stars suddenly pariahs.  Strangely though, the music has lived on in many forms over the decades and is still beloved by many.  Perhaps that whole "disco sucks" thing was just a bunch of macho posturing from pubescent Punks and retro Rockers that, aided by the media (the same folks who pumped Disco up previously), went too far. 



Posted 10 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
Had the volume low on my computer and thought the BeeGees had returned!  Not bad, though.
Posted 10 years ago by Tosko    [ Reply ]
Curent..and a retro feel, both at the same time.

Nice song!!

(probably even better with incense.) 
Posted 10 years ago by coolpeople_rule    [ Reply ]
Disco had it's run.  Done! Gone!
That is not disco.

It was falsetto voice.
Also, a great tune.

James Mercer has talent & a lot's of it.
Great stuff.
Thank you Bill, for your wonderful discerning taste.
Posted 10 years ago by number7    [ Reply ]
Right, get rid of the disco chorus and it sounds a bit like M83.
Posted 10 years ago by blue-ice    [ Reply ]
Yeah, I get it. 

Stayin' Alive. Holding On For Life.

Why not sing it in a Bee Gees-style falsetto? 
Posted 10 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
 rdo wrote:

Yeah, what is up with the disco revival?   Arcade Fire and Broken Bells and the new Arctic Monkeys....

 

What's up with that?

 

{#Ask}

 



 
I didn't like disco the first time.{#Stop}
Posted 10 years ago by spotcheckbilly    [ Reply ]
Hated the BeeGees, but I'm digging this! {#Bounce}
Posted 10 years ago by Steve    [ Reply ]
 rdo wrote:

Yeah, what is up with the disco revival?   Arcade Fire and Broken Bells and the new Arctic Monkeys....

 

What's up with that?

 

{#Ask}

 



 

the truth (for me) is that there were some real disco-gems in the disco era. Parliment, Earth Wind and Fire, Bee Gees,... even Gloria Gaynor and Leo Sayer all had some great stuff that has stood the test of time and deserves a place in music history.
Posted 10 years ago by scrubbrush    [ Reply ]
 dsd wrote:
I tried so hard not to like disco back in the day....but couldn't do it.  This one has some interesting elements infused into the formula.

 
Yeah, what is up with the disco revival?   Arcade Fire and Broken Bells and the new Arctic Monkeys....

 

What's up with that?

 

{#Ask}

 


Posted 11 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
 GeorgeMWoods wrote:
Is disco back?
 
Did it ever leave? 

Nothing wrong with disco at the correct time and place ;) 
Posted 11 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly    [ Reply ]
I tried so hard not to like disco back in the day....but couldn't do it.  This one has some interesting elements infused into the formula.
Posted 11 years ago by dsd    [ Reply ]
The parallels with the Bee Gees are pretty hilarious.  However, the melody is haunting and the lyrics get stuck in my head for most of the day after I hear this.  It's one of the bigger tracks currently playing on the Alt formats of Sirius XM so I have had exposure to this for some time now.  I absolutely adore it, a solid 9 and just about everything Broken Bells put out, I can get behind.  Love them.  {#Dancingbanana_2}
Posted 11 years ago by djblitz    [ Reply ]
sounds like they've been taking pills from the last bottle:

https://youtu.be/XYaymcp2YlE
Posted 11 years ago by apd    [ Reply ]
Barry Gibb
Posted 11 years ago by Lonestar    [ Reply ]
Is disco  back?
Posted 11 years ago by GeorgeMWoods    [ Reply ]
Dig it!  Such a talented, groovy new group that seems to make max use of the impeccable sonic sensibilities of these 2 musical geniuses!
Posted 11 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
Awesome...I did not know new BB was out....
Posted 11 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
 xtalman wrote:
Bee Gee's fans?

 
Works for me.
Posted 11 years ago by tonypf    [ Reply ]
 ottojschlosser wrote:
Gah, I thought the BeeGees had invaded RP...

 
this 
Posted 11 years ago by SmackDaddy    [ Reply ]
Yey, new Broken Bell!!
Posted 11 years ago by stephw    [ Reply ]