Hold My Hand

"Hold My Hand"Single by Michael Jackson
General information
Featured artist(s)	Akon
Released	November 15, 2010
Recorded	December 2007-2008 2010
Studio	The Palms Recording Studio (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Length	3:32
Album	Michael
Label	Epic Records
Writer(s)	Michael Jackson Akon
Producer(s)	Akon Giorgio Tuinfort Michael Jackson
Singles chronology
Previous	"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008"
Next	"Mind Is the Magic"
Track list
Next	"Hollywood Tonight"
Music video

"Hold My Hand" is a previously unreleased song by Michael Jackson released as the first track from his first posthumous album, Michael. It was released as a single on November 15, 2010, serving as the lead single from the record. The track was co-written by the King of Pop and R&B singer Akon, who he previously sang with two years prior on "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008".

Background

"Hold My Hand" was written by Claude Kelly, sending it to Akon with intention for it to end up on a Whitney Houston record, although the he wanted to keep it for himself, and according to the songwriter, to eventually release it as a lead single from Akon's then-upcoming album, Freedom.

During his sessions with Michael at the Palms Recording Studio in Las Vegas, he presented it to him, saying it could be a massive hit, which Jackson agreed upon. The two worked on "Hold My Hand" from December 2007 'til 2008. In June of that year, someone at the studio got their hands on a demo and leaked it online. Both artists were devastated about it being available to the world in its unfinished state and decided to not release it. However, it seems as though Jackson changed his mind, as the title found its way on the "to-do" notes for his never-finished eleventh studio album.

Akon finished the track in 2010, adding previously unheard vocals provided by both him and Michael. This version also included way more synthesizers and had a shorter and more orchestral intro and outro.

Music video

Two days before the release of the Michael album, a clip for "Hold My Hand" was released on the official Michael Jackson YouTube channel. The video compiles footage of fans, Akon and older footage of the King of Pop.

Audio

Akon's solo demo of "Hold My Hand" leaked online in May of 2009.

• V1 (Akon Solo) - ( listen)
• V2 - ( listen)

Lyrics

[Intro]
Ooh
Oh, alright
Akon and MJ
Oh, yeah, yeah

[Verse 1]
This life don't last forever (hold my hand)
So tell me what we're waitin' for? (Hold my hand)
We're better off bein' together (hold my hand)
Than being miserable alone (hold my hand)

[Pre-Chorus]
'Cause I've been there before and you've been there before
But together, we can be alright (yeah)
'Cause when it gets dark and when it gets cold
We'll hold each other 'til we see the sunlight (ooh, yeah)

[Chorus]
So, if you just hold my hand
Baby, I promise (hold my hand) that I'll do all I can
Things will go better if you just hold my hand
Nothing can come between us (hold) if you just
Hold, hold my (hold), hold my
(Hold) hold my hand (hold my hand)

[Verse 2]
The nights are getting darker (hold my hand, oh)
And there's no peace inside (hold my hand, oh, yeah)
So why make our lives harder (hold my hand, yeah)
By fighting love tonight? (So, whoa, baby)

[Pre-Chorus]
'Cause I've been there before and you've been there before
But together we can be alright (alright)
'Cause when it gets dark and when it gets cold
We'll hold each other 'til we see the sunlight (yeah)

[Chorus]
So if you just hold my hand
Baby, I promise that I'll do all I can (if you just, if you just)
Things will go better if you just hold my hand (yeah)
Nothing can come between us if you just
Hold, hold my (hold, hold), hold my
(Hold) hold my hand (hold my hand)

[Bridge]
I can tell that you're tired of being lonely (yeah)
Take my hand, don't let go, baby, hold me (hold my hand)
Come to me and let me be your one and only (hold my hand)
'Cause I can make it alright 'til the morning (hold my hand)
I can tell that you're tired of being lonely (hold my hand)
Take my hand, don't let go, baby, hold me (ooh, hold me)
Come to me and let me be your one and only (one and only)
'Cause I can make it alright 'til the morning (hold my hand)

[Chorus]
Hold my hand (yeah)
Baby, I promise (hold my hand) that I'll do all I can (hold my hand)
Things will go (Hold) better if you just hold my hand (hold my hand)
Nothing can come between us if you just
Hold (hold), hold my (hold, hold), hold my
(Hold, hold) Hold my hand (hold my hand)

[Post-Chorus]
Hold my hand (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
All I can (hold my hand, hold)
Hold my hand (hold my hand, oh)
Nothing can come between us if you just
(Hold) hold my (hold), hold my
(Hold) hold my hand (hold, hold my hand)

[Outro]
Mm-hmm
Hold my hand

Gallery

Physical copies

CD back cover

CD

Other

Note with song titles on it

Trivia

• The hands on the single artwork form into an "M", referring to Michael's name.
• Even though the song is Michael's, Akon is given more lines to sing, just like on their previous collaboration. This was told to The King of Pop by his nephew, Taj, who upon hearing the recording for the first time, offered him to sing more lines in the chorus and near the end of the track.