Hold Me Down

## *Badlands* Chronology

"**Hold Me Down**" is a song performed by Halsey. It is the second track of her debut album, *Badlands*, and was released as a promotional single on June 1, 2015.

The song has been certified gold by the RIAA on August 26, 2016 and platinum on June 9, 2020.

A live version of the song is featured on *Badlands (Live From Webster Hall)*, which was released on August 28, 2020.

## Background

The song was released alongside the album pre-order. Halsey explained the meaning and inspiration behind the song at a live show in June of 2015:

"*I was meeting a bunch of mean, old men who thought they knew better than I. And I met this one guy in particular, a certain asshole who inspired this song. This song is a reminder that no matter how small you are or how small people may make you seem, you should never let anything hold you down.*"
—Halsey

The song is also about owning your own art, as she tweeted lyrics of the song directed towards the APG Divison of Atlantic Records.

## Official versions

* Original version - 3:24
* *Live From Webster Hall* version - 4:04

## Cross-references

* The song is referenced in the "Now Or Never" lyric "I want you to hold me down".
* It is also referenced in "Honesty".
* The devil is also a theme in "Coming Down", "Devil In Me" and "Not Afraid Anymore".
* The lyric "Throw me in the deep end, watch me drown" is similar to the "Young God" lyric "For a while now, drowning my thoughts out with the sounds".
* The song samples "Easy" by Son Lux.

## Lyrics

[Verse 1]

My demons are begging me to open up my mouth

I need them

Mechanically make the words come out

They fight me, vigorous and angry

Watch them pounce

Ignite me

Licking up the flames they bring about

[Pre-Chorus]

I sold my soul to a three-piece

And he told me I was holy

He’s got me down on both knees

But it’s the devil that's tryna...

[Chorus]

Hold me down, hold me down

Sneaking out the back door, make no sound

Knock me out, knock me out

Saying that I want more, this is what I live for

Hold me down, hold me down

Throw me in the deep end, watch me drown

Knock me out, knock me out

Saying that I want more, this is what I live for

[Verse 2]

Selfish

Taking what I want, and call it mine

I’m helpless

Clinging to a little bit of spine

They rush me

Telling me I’m running out of time

They shush me (Shh)

Walking me across a fragile line

[Pre-Chorus]

I sold my soul to a three-piece

And he told me I was holy

He’s got me down on both knees

But it’s the devil that's tryna...

[Chorus]

Hold me down, hold me down

Sneaking out the back door, make no sound

Knock me out, knock me out

Saying that I want more, this is what I live for

Hold me down, hold me down

Throw me in the deep end, watch me drown

Knock me out, knock me out

Saying that I want more, this is what I live for

[Bridge]

Hold me down now

Hold me down now

Hold me do-o-o-o-own

[Pre-Chorus]

I sold my soul to a three-piece

And he told me I was holy

He’s got me down on both knees

But it’s the devil that's tryna...

[Chorus]

Hold me down, hold me down

Sneaking out the back door, make no sound

Knock me out, knock me out

Saying that I want more, this is what I live for

Hold me down, hold me down

Throw me in the deep end, watch me drown

Knock me out, knock me out

Saying that I want more, this is what I live for

## References

1. ↑ *RIAA* - "Hold Me Down" by Halsey
2. ↑ *Complex* - "Listen To Halsey's "Hold Me Down" Off Forthcoming Debut Album 'Badlands'"
3. ↑ *Twitter* - @halsey - "Beyond excited to announce you can pre order my album BADLANDS and get a new song RIGHT N O W http://iamhalsey.com/badlands"
4. ↑ *Twitter* - @halseyclips
5. ↑ *Genius* - "Hold Me Down" by Halsey
6. ↑ *Twitter* - @halsey - "DAMN. This is exactly who I wrote "Hold Me Down" about! "Sold my soul to a 3 piece" SPEAK! PROTECT UR ART.
7. ↑ *Genius* - "Easy" by Son Lux

 Standard