Bailey Zimmerman‘s most vulnerable song to date is a swelling introspection called “Holding On.” Find him asking (pleading?) for help throughout this relationship crossroads song-story.
“Holding On” isn’t another stay-or-leave kind of power ballad. Austin Shawn and Blake Whiten have penned a lyric that finds one half of a relationship in despair. The wrinkle makes it unique in country music outside if you’re not named Jelly Roll.
“Will you be strong and keep holding on / If this was your last breath, would you waste it on me,” he asks to begin each chorus.
Warner Music Nashville
It’s always a risk when a young artist approaches mature emotions, but Zimmerman finds a pocket to breathe in without overexerting. There’s not enough detail to parse out any particular life-story from his past, which is good, because songs like this are best when a listener can wear the lyrics.
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Sonically, the arrangement builds in a manner his fans will recognize. It’s pretty easy to ignore the particulars of his message and still feel the positivity of the “Holding On.” It’s TBD if the song gets radio airplay, but this new track is sure to be a favorite for some on whatever kind of album or EP Zimmerman releases next.
Bailey Zimmerman, “Holding On” Lyrics:
There was a time when I had the fight / And I could have made it through one more night / But I’m losing my mind and can’t find the light / Then you take my hand and make it alright / If we had the choice to block out the noise.
Chorus:
Will you be strong and keep holding on / If this was your last breath, would you waste it on me / Stick around when I’m in the dark / Be the angel that comes down and picks up my heart / When it’s all wrong, can we be strong / And keep holding on / And keep holding on.
It’d been a while since I could’ve felt / Anything other than this kind of hell / But you hang your halo, and everything lets go / That’s been pulling me down this low.
Repeat Chorus
Holding on, holding on, holding on.
Repeat Chorus
Top 20 Songs of 2024, Ranked (So Far)
New country artists rule this Top Country Songs of 2024 list, but that doesn’t mean traditional country isn’t represented early and often.
Airplay charts, sales data and streaming numbers helped make this list of country music’s Top 20 Songs of 2024, but staff and Taste of Country reader opinion were most influential.
Songs included on previous Top Country Songs lists were not eligible. A song may have been released in 2023, but it had to have the majority of recorded airplay or impact this year to count.
Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes
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