Hold on Tight

Infobox Single
Name = Hold On Tight


Artist = Electric Light Orchestra
from Album = Time
B-side = "When Time Stood Still"
Released = 1981
Format = 7"
Recorded = 1981 Musicland Studios, Munich
Genre = Rock
Length = 3:06
Label = Jet Records
Writer =
Producer = Jeff Lynne
Certification =
Chart position =
* #1
* #2
* #4
* #5
* #10
Last single = "Don't Walk Away" (1980)
This single = "Hold On Tight (1981)
Next single = "Twilight" (1981)
Misc = Extra tracklisting
Album = Flashback
Type = compilation
prev_track = "Getting To The Point"
prev_no = 10
this_track = "Hold On Tight"
track_no = 11
next_track = "So Serious"
next_no = 12

"Hold On Tight" is a song written and performed by Electric Light Orchestra.

The song is track twelve on the band's (1981) album "Time" and was the first song released as a single, becoming ELO's last major hit single. The song went top ten in most countries, hitting the top spot in Switzerland and number ten in the United States. It is known for having a verse sung in French:

Accroche-toi à ton rêve
Accroche-toi à ton rêve
Quand tu vois ton bateau partir
Quand tu sens -- ton coeur se briser
Accroche-toi à ton rêve.

Translated, the verse is essentially a French-language reprise of the first verse of the song:

Hold on tight to your dream
Hold on tight to your dream
When you see your ship go sailing
When you feel your heart is breaking
Hold on tight to your dream.

The previous year, David Bowie had released his "Ashes to Ashes" music video which was considered as the most innovative to date at that time. But ELO were largely regarded to have surpassed that with their video for "Hold On Tight". At the time it was the most expensive ever made at around £40,000. [UK Midlands Central TV News, August, 1981] , and pays homage to 1930-40s serial films.

In the mid-1980s, the song was used in the Coffee Achievers television advertisements, which promoted the benefits of drinking coffee. This campaign from the National Coffee Association played in the United States. In 2005, "Hold On Tight" was used in an Ameriquest commercial. The song was also featured in the season one finale of "My Name Is Earl".

During 2007 and 2008, "Hold On Tight" was used in television promotions for the Honda Accord.

References