Hold On (Justin Bieber song)

Recorded
 Genre
 Length
 Label
* Jon Bellion
* Ali Tamposi
* Andrew Wotman
* Louis Bell
* Walter De Backer
 Producer(s)

 "Hold On" (*The Amazing World ofGumball: The Movie* version) on YouTube

"**Hold On**" is a song by Canadian singer Justin Bieber. It was released on March 5, 2021, by Def Jam as the fourth single from his sixth studio album, *Justice*. The song was written by Bieber alongside Ali Tamposi, Jon Bellion and producers Andrew Watt and Louis Bell. "Hold On" interpolates the 2011 song "Somebody That I Used to Know"; writers Walter De Backer and Luiz Bonfá were given official songwriting credits. A music video starring Bieber and Christine Ko was released alongside the song. The single has reached the top ten in twelve countries worldwide and has reached number four on the Billboard Global 200 chart. The song was reissued as the third single from the soundtrack of the 2022 animated film *The Amazing World of Gumball: The Movie*, and is played during the ending credits for the film.

## Background and release

Justin Bieber released the singles "Holy" and "Lonely" in 2020, followed by "Anyone" in January 2021. He announced his sixth studio album, *Justice*, the following month. Its track "Hold On" was written by Bieber, Ali Tamposi, Jon Bellion, and producers Andrew Watt and Louis Bell. The song interpolates "Somebody That I Used to Know" (2011), written by Walter De Backer and Luiz Bonfá, who thus receive official songwriting credits.

Def Jam Recordings released "Hold On" as a single for digital download and streaming in various countries on March 5, 2021. The same day, Universal Music Group serviced the song to contemporary hit radio stations in Italy. British radio station BBC Radio 1 added it to rotation on March 12, followed by its sister station BBC Radio 2 the next day.

On August 2, 2022, the song "Hold On" was selected by Cartoon Network, i am OTHER and Columbia Records to be released as the third single for the official soundtrack for the film *The Amazing World of Gumball: The Movie*.

## Composition and lyrics

"Hold On" is a mid-tempo synth-pop song with a driving pop rock beat. Chris DeVille from *Stereogum* wrote that the track "delve[s] into the synth-powered side of '80s rock". The song's verses have light synths laid down before eventually transitioning to a punchy chorus where the music drops and the percussion takes over, all layering under Bieber's vocals. Roisin O'Connor of *The Independent* stated that the song's synths faintly recall Alphaville's "Forever Young", while its bassline is in the style of Fleetwood Mac.

"Hold On" is about keeping faith during difficult and challenging times, with lyrics touching on Bieber's struggles with the spotlight over the years. In the chorus, Bieber promises that "Heaven is a place not too far away" and admits to "know[ing] how it feels to be someone who loses their way". Rachel Simon, writing for *NBC Think*, opined that on the track, Bieber "offers himself up as an example of how people can change for the better" and "act[s] as the support system his younger self wasn't lucky enough to have".

## Chart performance

"Hold On" debuted at number seven on the Canadian Hot 100 issued for March 20, 2021. The song peaked at number four in its third week on the chart. On the US *Billboard* Hot 100, it reached number 20. "Hold On" charted at number 10 on the UK Singles Chart. In Australia, the song peaked at number six and went Platinum. It reached number seven in New Zealand. "Hold On" peaked within the top 10 of national record charts, at number two in Denmark, number six in Malaysia, Singapore, number seven in Norway, number eight in Ireland, and number nine in Belgium, the Netherlands.

## Critical reception

"Hold On" received generally positive reviews by music critics. *Crimson* staff writer Angelina Shoemaker praised the track for "[refreshing] listeners with its straightforward message." This message, according to Shoemaker, "touches on an emotion close to many". Shoemaker also noted the musical rhythm and melody as a form of communication of feelings, with the feeling of loneliness conveyed by the track's "slow-wave rhythm" and the "expressive quality of his voice."

A review at *The Musical Hype* on March 8, 2021, three days after the track's release, rated the song 3.5 stars out of 5, and praised the lyrical content for offering "encouragement and support", as well as praising Bieber's messaging and writing and singing performance, stating that Bieber "sounds smooth and performs expressively". The reviewer's overall opinion of the song is largely positive, calling it a "winner for Justin Bieber."

Music blogger *Thomas Bleach*, who had previously reviewed other works of Bieber such as "Holy" and "Lonely", praised the message of hope and reassurance and enlightenment in the track's lyrics, noting its structural parallels to Gotye's 2011 top-hit "Somebody That I Used to Know", and further going on to praise Bieber's vocals. Overall, Thomas rates the song positively, and rates the song as a "strong and decisive moment", contrasting it to *Changes*, which Thomas rated negatively by calling it "monotonous."

## Music video

Colin Tilley directed the music video for "Hold On", which stars Bieber and Taiwanese-American actress Christine Ko. Bieber shared a teaser of the clip on Instagram ahead of its release, followed by a livestream celebrating its release. It premiered at midnight on March 5, 2021. The video begins with policemen chasing Bieber and successfully shooting him, followed by a flashback. It is then revealed Bieber is trying to arrange money to pay Ko's medical bills, as her character is suffering from cancer. He spray paints a gun and resolves to steal money from a bank.

The second video was specifically made for the 2022 film *The Amazing World of Gumball: The Movie*. It features Bieber performing while he and Ko are trapped in the void with characters such as the Watterson family dancing alongside them. It also contains footage from the film.

## Live performances

Bieber performed "Hold On" during his Tiny Desk Concert, which premiered online on March 17, 2021. The next day, he performed the song on *The Late Late Show with James Corden*, with a backing band, surrounded by the image of a winding road projected on a green screen. Bieber performed it at *Good Morning America* on March 22; Justin Curto of *Vulture* stated that Bieber "rocked the distanced *GMA* stage, jumping around and playing off his band's energy". Three days later, he released the official Vevo Live performance for "Hold On", which was held in a deserted forest in Los Angeles amid red mood lighting and green and white lightning. Bieber "dance[d] and [ran]" during it, backed by two guitarists, a keyboardist, and a live drummer. In May 2, he performed the song on *Big Brother Brasil 21*.

## Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.

* Justin Bieber – lead vocals, backing vocals, songwriting
* Andrew Watt – songwriting, production, backing vocals, bass, guitar
* Louis Bell – songwriting, production, backing vocals, programming
* Ali Tamposi – songwriting, backing vocals
* Jon Bellion – songwriting, backing vocals
* Luiz Bonfa – songwriting
* Walter De Backer – songwriting
* Colin Leonard – mastering
* Josh Gudwin – mixing
* Heidi Wang – assistant mixing
* Devin Nakao – recording
* Paul LaMalfa – recording

## Certifications

 Denmark (IFPI Danmark)
 New Zealand (RMNZ)
 United Kingdom (BPI)
 United States (RIAA)

## Release history

Release dates and formats for "Hold On"
* streaming
 Australia