"Hold On" is a song written and recorded by Canadian singer Sarah McLachlan. It was released in February 1994 as the second single from her album, Fumbling Towards Ecstasy (1993). In 2008, "Hold On" was included on McLachlan's greatest hits compilation, Closer: The Best of Sarah McLachlan.
Background McLachlan was inspired to write "Hold On" after watching a 1992 Canadian documentary titled A Promise Kept. The documentary told the story of a married couple, Blair and Karin Donnan, and how Karin cared for and supported her husband after his diagnosis with AIDS in 1987 through to his death in 1989. She made him a promise to raise awareness of the disease and the stigma against it by telling their story publicly. In addition to the documentary, Donnan spent a few years touring all over Ontario to hold talks at schools. She was diagnosed with HIV in 1994 and developed AIDS in 1996, forcing her to give up her talks. McLachlan was inspired by the couple's "great and tragic love story" and, in particular, Karin's "passion, empathy and strength". During her appearance on VH1 Storytellers in 1998, McLachlan said:
Track listing Canadian CD single "Hold On" – 4:06 "Hold On II" – 3:39 "Mary" (Early Demo) – 3:57
US promotional single "Hold On" (New Version) – 3:56 "Hold On" (Live Version) – 4:10
Other versions "Hold On" – 4:21, "Hold On" (Freedom Sessions) – 6:43, "Hold On" (Live) – 5:18, "Hold On" (BT Mix) – 7:44, "Hold On" (Live) – 5:53,
Commercial performance "Hold On" debuted on the RPM Canadian Singles Chart in February 1994 and peaked at number 59 in April 1994. It also entered the US Alternative Songs Chart in January 1995 and reached number 29 the next month.
Charts Chart (1994–95)Peakposition
References