"Hold Your Head Up" is a song by the English rock band Argent, first released as a single in 1971. The song was a Top 5 hit in the US, the UK, and the Canadian charts, peaking at No. 5 in all three countries. However, it was the band's only song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. Billboard ranked it as the No. 50 song for 1972. The song appeared on the third Argent album All Together Now (1972). The song was covered by Uriah Heep for their 1989 album Raging Silence.
Background, composition, and recording The song was written by Chris White"Hold Your Head Up" by Argent at SongFacts.com and credited to the songwriting partnership of White and Rod Argent.
Release and reception The song was warmly received by music critics. Record World called it an "infectious rocker" that should "have strong impact" in the U.S. Georgiy Starostin thought that it was the best track on All Together Now, the band's quintessential album. He called it "a solid, riffy tune whose main attractions are the gruff, almost war-march-style bassline" and praised Rod Argent's keyboard work. The Hammond B3 solo on the track has been described by keyboard-player Rick Wakeman as the "greatest organ solo ever."
Release history RegionDateUnited Kingdom1 October 1971 (EP)EuropeDecember 1971United KingdomFebruary 1972 (re-release)United States11 April 1972United States1 May 1972 (re-release)
Chart history
Weekly charts Chart (1972)PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)32Canada RPM Top Singles 5US Billboard Hot 1005US Cash Box Top 1005
Year-end charts Chart (1972)RankCanada 76U.S. Billboard Hot 100 50U.S. Cash Box 60
References