Hold On was inspired by the work of textile artist Hannah Lamb.
Her 'Fragment of a Dress' artwork, commissioned by the Brontë Parsonage Museum in 2022, invited visitors to share stories about a significant item of clothing that they treasured, asking them to leave a hand written note about the item and what it meant to them. The touching and highly personal responses were then carefully embroidered onto silk organza, overlapping and layering a mesh of memories.
The words also provided inspiration for David Carpenter (The Argent Grub) to write this song. The lyrics take some phrases directly from the notes people left and which were subsequently embroidered onto the dress. The song was re-worked with Andy when it was recorded in the autumn of 2023.
LYRICS
Take me out tonight
Call a truce on this fight
Take me dancing tonight
Like we used to do
There's little comfort in this town
Put on your favourite party gown
The one she handed down to you
And what would she say if she were here today?
Hold on
Hold on
It's because I loved you true
That I passed this onto you
Hold on
Hold on
So get the dress down off the shelf
The one that makes you feel like yourself
Take me dancing tonight
Like we used to do
And what would she say if she were here today?
Hold on
Hold on
It's because I loved you true
That I passed this onto you
Hold on
Hold on
So hold on
Hold on
And hold on
Hold on
CREDITS
Written by David Carpenter and Andy Howe
Guitar and vocals Andy Howe
Backing vocals Andy Howe and Dave Carpenter
Recorded in AJStudios Pilling UK
ARTWORK:
Fragment of a Dress (detail) Hannah Lamb 2022.
Photo: Proud Fox