"Hold My Hand" is a previously unreleased song written and produced by American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson, released as the first track from the first posthumous album, Michael. It was released as a single on November 15, 2010, serving as the lead single from the album.
"Hold My Hand" features Akon, whom Jackson previously sang with two years prior on the 2008 remix of "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'".
Background[]
"Hold My Hand" was written by Claude Kelly, sending it to Akon with the intention for it to end up on a Whitney Houston record, although the latter 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.[1]
Akon presented "Hold My Hand" to Jackson during sessions with The Palms Recording Studio in Las Vegas. He said to Jackson that the track could be a massive hit, which Jackson agreed upon. The two worked on "Hold My Hand" between December 2007-Mid 2008. In June 2008, 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 not to release it. However, it seems as though Jackson changed his mind, as the title found its way on the "to-do" notes.
Akon finished "Hold My Hand" 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 Michael, 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 Jackson.
Audio[]
Akon's solo demo of "Hold My Hand" released digitally on May 15, 2008.[2]
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[3]](/wiki/File:Holdmyhandcdback.jpg "Holdmyhandcdback.jpg (78 KB)")
![CD[3]](/wiki/File:Holdmyhandcd.jpg "Holdmyhandcd.jpg (56 KB)")
Other[]
Trivia[]
- The hands on the single artwork form into an "M", referring to Michael's name.
- Akon sings more lyrics than Jackson, just like on their previous collaboration. Upon hearing the recording for the first time, Michael's nephew Taj offered him to sing more lines in the chorus and near the end of the track.[4]
References[]
[]
| Michael | ||
|---|---|---|
| "Hold My Hand" • "Hollywood Tonight" • "(I Like) The Way You Love Me" • "Best of Joy" • "(I Can't Make It) Another Day" • "Behind the Mask" • "Much Too Soon" | ||
|