Kansas – “Hold On” (1980) Review | You Must Be Born Again, Baby
Kronomyth 8.01: Hold on loosely based on scripture.
The band’s best music was behind them, but they still had enough of the old magic to make the hairs on your neck stand. Hold On may be their last truly “classic” song. Steve Walsh gives it everything he has and the band’s arrangement crackles with energy. Written by Kerry Livgren, the references to Christianity are subtle but there if you look for them (e.g., “Outside your door he is waiting for you”). And, as usual, Walsh sings it like a love song. The band had such a strange dynamic, honestly. The B side is Don’t Open Your Eyes, also from the new album, Audio-Visions. There is some showmanship afoot in it (Robby Steinhardt’s violin is in fine form), though it’s not one of the more memorable tracks from the album. Neither song differs from the elpee versions. I know, what a perfunctory review, right? I have a cold, so I guess my taste is off tonight.
The Product
A1. Hold On (Kerry Livgren) (3:45)
B1. Don’t Open Your Eyes (Steve Walsh/Rich Williams/Kerry Livgren/Phil Ehart/Dave Hope) (4:03)
The Plastic
Released on 7-inch single in September 1980 in the US and Canada (Kirshner, ZS9-4291), Japan (Kirshner, 07SP 515) and the Netherlands and Spain (Kirshner, KIR-9062) with regional picture sleeve. Reached #40 on the US charts (charted on September 20, 1980 for 11 weeks).
