So this has been.my favorite song of OTEP's since it came out in 2004, and I always thought it was a song about a child's narrative of suffering in an abusive Christian home. But now that I am revisiting the lyrics, I am seeing something totally new.
This song could be gospel of John but from the perspective of Jesus.
Jesus was NOT having a good time up to and during the crucifixion. Everyone in the known world at the time looked to him with fear, admiration or disgust and he was constantly being asked questions. He spoke in "verses, prophesies and curses". He had made an enemy of the state, and believed the world was increasingly wicked and fallen from grace, or that he was in the "mouth of madness".
The spine of atlas is the structure that allows the titan to hold the world up. Jesus challenged the state and in doing so became a celebrated resistance figure. It also made him public enemy #1.
All of this happened simply because he was doing his thing, not because of any agenda he had or strategy.
And then he gets scourged (storm of thorns)
There are some plot holes here but I think it's an interesting interpretation.
You're not alone
Together we stand
I'll be by your side
You know I'll take your hand
When it gets cold
And it feels like the end
There's no place to go
You know I won't give in (ah)
No, I won't give in (ah)
Keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through
We'll make it through
Just stay strong
'Cause you know I'm here for you
I'm here for you
There's nothing you could say (nothing you could say)
Nothing you could do (nothing you could do)
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through
We'll make it through
So far away
I wish you were here
Before it's too late
This could all disappear
Before the doors close
And it comes to an end
With you by my side, I will fight and defend (ah)
I'll fight and defend (ah)
Yeah, yeah
Keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through
We'll make it through
Just stay strong
'Cause you know I'm here for you
I'm here for you
There's nothing you could say (nothing you could say)
Nothing you could do (nothing you could do)
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through
We'll make it through
Hear me when I say, when I say I believe
That nothing's gonna change
Nothing's gonna change destiny
Whatever's meant to be will work out perfectly
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
La da da da
La da da da
La da da da da da da da da
Keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through
We'll make it through
Just stay strong
'Cause you know I'm here for you
I'm here for you
There's nothing you could say (nothing you could say)
Nothing you could do (nothing you could do)
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through
We'll make it through (ah, ah)
Keep holding on (ah, ah)
Keep holding on
There's nothing you could say (nothing you could say)
Nothing you could do (nothing you could do)
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through
We'll make it through
Together we stand
I'll be by your side
You know I'll take your hand
When it gets cold
And it feels like the end
There's no place to go
You know I won't give in (ah)
No, I won't give in (ah)
Keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through
We'll make it through
Just stay strong
'Cause you know I'm here for you
I'm here for you
There's nothing you could say (nothing you could say)
Nothing you could do (nothing you could do)
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through
We'll make it through
So far away
I wish you were here
Before it's too late
This could all disappear
Before the doors close
And it comes to an end
With you by my side, I will fight and defend (ah)
I'll fight and defend (ah)
Yeah, yeah
Keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through
We'll make it through
Just stay strong
'Cause you know I'm here for you
I'm here for you
There's nothing you could say (nothing you could say)
Nothing you could do (nothing you could do)
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through
We'll make it through
Hear me when I say, when I say I believe
That nothing's gonna change
Nothing's gonna change destiny
Whatever's meant to be will work out perfectly
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
La da da da
La da da da
La da da da da da da da da
Keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through
We'll make it through
Just stay strong
'Cause you know I'm here for you
I'm here for you
There's nothing you could say (nothing you could say)
Nothing you could do (nothing you could do)
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through
We'll make it through (ah, ah)
Keep holding on (ah, ah)
Keep holding on
There's nothing you could say (nothing you could say)
Nothing you could do (nothing you could do)
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through
We'll make it through
Lyrics submitted by yakasushii
Keep Holding On Lyrics as written by Lukasz Gottwald Avril Lavigne
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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The way this song speaks to me🥺🥺when I sing it I feel like I relate
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This song is def a twin to "Unfair" (a song she has been quoted as saying is about falling in love with someone who is already in a relationship) so it is presumably about the same person. Given the references to buying an apartment and not being able to see her love interest "after tonight," it's most likely that she's moving away and she'll "wait a day to break the bad news" (i.e. notifying him that she's leaving once she's already gone).
And, of course, the fact that she sees in him a fellow "idealist" and "dreamer" (terms commonly given to people with the INFP personality on the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)) portends that she'll always be left wondering if they would've been perfect together.
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
To me, this song is about tough times.
"keep standing strong." stay strong "I'm here for you." Your here for them It could be about a couple going though tough times. Or just two friends, or just one person, wanting someone to help them though the pain Just my opinion haters
OMG! THIS SONG IS SOO INSPIRATIONAL AND AWSOME! Avril said that this song is supposed to be inspired about the movie. i think it's pretty much about never giving up and always thinking of the best of things. GO AVRIL!
I was never a person that was like Avril is FAKE.
b/c people call and called me fake for being punk or whatever.
im who i am , and avril has ALWAYS been who she IS. this song is just showing shes matured as a person singer/songwriter.
props. due credit. & all of the above. :]
loving this song. it makes me miss my boyfriend.
Thank you!!! Finally someone agrees with me that Avril doesn't care what other ppl think of her!! She is who she is and that's the way it is. I love this song, btw, it is so beautiful!!!
I couldnt agree with you two more. she is an amazing singer/songwriter no matter what people say.
This song has really helped me with one of my friends death, when she overdosed on Oxycontin. I was listening to this when she went into her coma, and it reminds me of her everytime i hear it. Not QUITE sure the meaning of the song but the "so far away, i wish you were here. Before it's too late this could all disappear" brings back the memory. But of course the "keep holding on" part helps the best. Great song from Avril.
Il start by saying im really not an Avril fan at all, infact il be honest and say i normally cant stand her. But theres just something about this song that i can really relate to.
I think most people can relate to this in a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship sense, but for me its my relationship between myself and my best friend. I moved and we now live in different cities but we speak all the time. He has Bipolar disorder and its sometimes a struggle to make him see how much of a wonderful person he really is. I tell him how im always here for him, that when he feels like killing himself that hes not alone and i stay strong and fight for him when he cant do it for himself.
This song just speaks to me.
I used to hate Avril... But, I really really love this song.
The chorus really sounds like that song from MCR doesn't it? She even uses the same trill...
which song? one doesnt come into my head..
she really grew as a singer - this is a very good song. what MCR song are you talking about rainydayz?
I really don't like her either but this song wow she improved alot in her writing and singing(if she wrote this song).
well i think every1 can relate 2 this song
even i can in a way
i don't really think that this is one of avril's best songs but it still good i think it talks about not losing hope