Download "On Hold"
On Hold by The xx
Release Date
Performed by
The xxProduced by
Rodaidh McDonald & Jamie xxWrited by
Jamie xx & Romy & Oliver SimAbout
“On Hold” is about trying to extend an already broken relationship. When you keep someone on hold during a phone call, they don’t know if they should wait for the call to resume or end the call by hanging up. This song paints a relationship the same way; the narrator thought their lover would wait u...
On Hold Lyrics
[Verse 1: Romy Madley Croft]
I don't blame you
We got carried away
I can't hold on
To an empty space
[Pre-Chorus: Oliver Sim]
Now you've found a new star to orbit
It could be love
I think you're too soon to call us old
When and where did we go cold?
I thought I had you on hold
[Chorus 1: Oliver Sim]
And every time I let you leave
I always saw you coming back to me
When and where did we go cold?
I thought I had you on hold
[Post-Chorus 1: Oliver Sim & Hall & Oates]
Where does it stop, where does it stop
Where do you dare me to (draw the line)?
You've got the body, you've got the body
Dare me to, dare me to
Where does it stop, where does it stop
Where do you dare me to (draw the line)?
You've got the body, you've got the body
You've got the body, you've got the body
I thought I had you on hold
Where does it stop, where does it stop
Where do you dare me to (draw the line)?
You've got the body, you've got the body
Dare me to, dare me to
Where does it stop, where does it stop
Where do you dare me to (draw the line)?
You've got the body, you've got the body
Dare me to, dare me to
[Verse 2: Romy Madley Croft]
My young heart chose to believe
We were destined
Young hearts
All need love
Call it a lesson
The stars and the charts
And the cards make sense
Only when we want them to
When I lie awake staring in to space
I see a different view
[Pre-Chorus: Oliver Sim]
Now you've found a new star to orbit
It could be love
I think you're too soon to call us old
When and where did we go cold?
I thought I had you on hold
[Chorus 2: Oliver Sim]
And every time I let you leave
I always saw you coming back to me
When and where did we go cold?
I thought I had you on hold
I thought I had you on hold
I thought I had you on hold
[Post-Chorus 2: Hall & Oates]
Where does it stop, where does it stop
Where do you dare me to (draw the line)?
You've got the body, you've got the body
Dare me to, dare me to
Where does it stop, where does it stop
Where do you dare me to (draw the line)?
You've got the body, you've got the body
You've got the body, you've got the body
Where does it stop, where does it stop
Where do you dare me to (draw the line)?
You've got the body, you've got the body
Dare me to, dare me to
Where does it stop, where does it stop
Where do you dare me to (draw the line)?
You've got the body, you've got the body
Dare me to, dare me to
[Chorus 2: Oliver Sim]
And every time I let you leave
I always saw you coming back to me
When and where did we go cold?
I thought I had you on hold
I thought I had you on hold
I thought I had you on hold
On Hold Q&A
Who wrote On Hold's ?
On Hold was written by Jamie xx & Romy & Oliver Sim.
Who produced On Hold's ?
On Hold was produced by Rodaidh McDonald & Jamie xx.
What do Hall & Oates think about being sampled on this song?
It’s always interesting to hear what somebody does with my songs. After a song is written, it belongs to the world and can be interpreted anyway they want. As long as I get paid, of course. Have fun and pay me.
Was the release date of any significance?
Our single release of “On Hold” was always planned for the day after [the U.S. election]. We were thinking about: Do we go ahead with it? Is it the right thing to do? Do we move it? It was difficult, but we decided to go ahead and put out the song. Music has been such an escape for me. It helps me d...