In yesterday’s ‘One Hit Wonders’ post on the Blues Magoos, I told you Dear Readers my first concert was headlined by Herman’s Hermits, five non-threatening teens from Manchester, UK – Karl Greene, Barry Whitwam, Derek ‘Lek’ Leckenby, Keith Hopwood, and lead singer Peter Blair Denis Bernard Noone, known as Herman for his slight resemblance to cartoon character Sherman (of “Mr. Peabody and…’ fame). Their infectious, peppy pop rock and Herman’s toothy grin made the teenyboppers scream with delight, with hits like “I’m Into Something Good”, “Mrs. Brown You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter”, and “I’m Henry the VIII, I Am”. Even parents liked The Hermits, and they seemed destined to follow in the cinematic footsteps of The Beatles. MGM, who released their records stateside, concocted a ball of fluff for Herman and the lads called HOLD ON!, and any resemblance between that title and The Fab Four’s HELP! is strictly not
Whether one loves, likes, hates or is indifferent when it comes to AMC’s The Walking Dead tv series I haven’t heard much complaint from most about the producers on the show’s taste in music. This show has done a great job in picking an eclectic selection of tunes that fit the mood of the show as a whole or a particular episode. This past weekend’s new episode hasn’t broken that streak of quality choices and it’s the producers’ choice for this past episode that makes our latest “Song of the Day”.
“Hold On” by Tom Waits would’ve made this list even if The Walking Dead didn’t use it to end their latest episode. I mean it’s Tom Waits. He’s the only reason why. Again, he’s Tom Waits, enough said. So, “Hold On” is the latest song in this long-running feature and it didn’t just fit in with The Walking Dead episode, but it’s also by Tom Waits.
Once again, it’s Tom Waits.
“Hold On”
They hung a sign up in out town “if you live it up, you won’t live it down” So, she left Monte Rio, son Just like a bullet leaves a gun With charcoal eyes and Monroe hips She went and took that California trip Well, the moon was gold, her Hair like wind She said don’t look back just Come on Jim
Oh you got to Hold on, Hold on You got to hold on Take my hand, I’m standing right here You gotta hold on
Well, he gave her a dimestore watch And a ring made from a spoon Everyone is looking for someone to blame But you share my bed, you share my name Well, go ahead and call the cops You don’t meet nice girls in coffee shops She said baby, I still love you Sometimes there’s nothin left to do
Oh you got to Hold on, hold on You got to hold on Take my hand, I’m standing right here, you got to Just hold on.
Well, God bless your crooked little heart St. Louis got the best of me I miss your broken-china voice How I wish you were still here with me
Well, you build it up, you wreck it down You burn your mansion to the ground When there’s nothing left to keep you here, when You’re falling behind in this Big blue world
Oh you go to Hold on, hold on You got to hold on Take my hand, I’m standing right here You got to hold on
Down by the Riverside motel, It’s 10 below and falling By a 99 cent store she closed her eyes And started swaying But it’s so hard to dance that way When it’s cold and there’s no music Well your old hometown is so far away But, inside your head there’s a record That’s playing, a song called
Hold on, hold on You really got to hold on Take my hand, I’m standing right here And just hold on.
Through the Shattered Lens 