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Neko Case — Hold On, Hold On
Album: Fox Confessor Brings The Flood
Avg rating:
7.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2910









Released: 2006
Length: 2:36
Plays (last 30 days): 3
The most tender place in my heart is for strangers
I know it's unkind but my own blood is much too dangerous
Hangin' round the ceiling half the time
Hangin' round the ceiling half the time

Compared to some I've been around
But I really tried so hard
That echo chorus lied to me with its
"Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on"

In the end I was the mean girl
Or somebody's in-between girl
Now it's the devil I love
And that's as funny as real life

I leave the party at three a.m.
Alone, thank God
With a Valium from the bride
It's the devil I love
It's the devil I love
And that's as funny as real life
And that's as real as true love

That echo chorus lied to me with its
"Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on"

That echo chorus lied to me with its
"Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on"
Comments (494)add comment
We had tickets to see Neko Case in OKC. On the day of the show, while walking in to the venue, I was stopped by the manager and she informed us the show was canceled because she didn’t care for the sound system. I was so annoyed. If you’re that particular, research or (BYOSS)  bring your own sound system! She’s playing again soon. I’m torn now. 
8 -> 9
 MiMa wrote:

way too short, anyway a great track


She's not that short - I think she's around 5' 7" or so.  Great tune.
Now I know who's Best Coast is modeled on.
 maxvonevil wrote:
Perhaps it's supposed to be a night sky/horizon, but when I glanced at the album cover, first thought was "Man, that hairdo is completely bent out of shape - must have been a windy day". Am I the only one seeing this? 
 
I cannot unsee that hairdo forevermore. 😄
 chinaski wrote:

Over the years I've seen her in concert in a variety of venues small, medium and large, both indoor and out. It is a combination of the venue acoustics, sound system and sound engineer at the board to get her voice to stand out and yes, a smidgen of reverb is used. Like any performer sometimes her voice is strained from too many nights on the road and I've heard a few of those shows too. Her upcoming performance with K.D. Lang and Laura Veirs here in Dallas ought to be interesting. I'll be seated center of house and I expect the audio mix to be flawless.

If you ever have the opportunity to generally mill around during a concert or pre-select your seating you ought to try and find yourself over by the venue sound board in order to hear the mix the engineer creates for the house. It is at that location where you are going to hear the optimal mix of instruments and voice and oftentimes it is absolutely amazing live sound.




I had the opportunity to finally hear Neko (because we are, of course, on a first name basis) in a medium-sized theater and I was blown away by how excellent her voice was live. I'm a big fan, and hearing her live made me appreciate her even more. 
this is my fav song by neko. just something about it.

hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on.
 smartn1 wrote:


Tacoma, Washington? Tacoma is a major city up here. 


"Major" is a relative term.

The glass blowing museum is nice there.
You won’t hear this on commercial music radio with their SSDD
Hangin' round the ceiling half the time.
What a line, what a song. My favorite of hers.

This has blown me away every time I've ever heard it; I've forever meant to write how much it affects me -- THIS IS FIRE!
 jacopo777 wrote:

Her origin is Tacoma. I like to say I have been to Tacoma. And not everyone can say that.



I live a little more than an hour away. 
I like her voice and the music's pretty good, but the lyrics are purest bollocks.
 jacopo777 wrote:

Her origin is Tacoma. I like to say I have been to Tacoma. And not everyone can say that.



Tacoma, Washington? Tacoma is a major city up here. 
 chinaski wrote:

Over the years I've seen her in concert in a variety of venues small, medium and large, both indoor and out. It is a combination of the venue acoustics, sound system and sound engineer at the board to get her voice to stand out and yes, a smidgen of reverb is used. Like any performer sometimes her voice is strained from too many nights on the road and I've heard a few of those shows too. Her upcoming performance with K.D. Lang and Laura Veirs here in Dallas ought to be interesting. I'll be seated center of house and I expect the audio mix to be flawless.

If you ever have the opportunity to generally mill around during a concert or pre-select your seating you ought to try and find yourself over by the venue sound board in order to hear the mix the engineer creates for the house. It is at that location where you are going to hear the optimal mix of instruments and voice and oftentimes it is absolutely amazing live sound.





Good tip 
 maxvonevil wrote:

Perhaps it's supposed to be a night sky/horizon, but when I glanced at the album cover, first thought was "Man, that hairdo is completely bent out of shape - must have been a windy day". Am I the only one seeing this? 



That 'hairdo' is the night sky, just as in Mozart's Magic Flute... 'Queen of the Night'.
way too short, anyway a great track
outstanding and wonderful
One of the best voices in music. 
Such a talented musician.
Nuff said.
Perhaps it's supposed to be a night sky/horizon, but when I glanced at the album cover, first thought was "Man, that hairdo is completely bent out of shape - must have been a windy day". Am I the only one seeing this? 
 philinnz wrote:

while it is a great song, Neko is possibly past the age ot child bearing
 
And if you told her that she might make it impossible for you to have children either!
 Captain-Fishy wrote:


Outstanding in all ways!
 

Absolutely gorgeous, IMHO. Even at a half century!!
That's gotta be the Sadies playing in the background.
God I love her voice
Her origin is Tacoma. I like to say I have been to Tacoma. And not everyone can say that.
"That echo chorus lied to me... " Story of my life. Sigh.
"In the end I was the mean girl
Or somebody's in-between girl"

 I truly hope I never need an in-between girl, but if did...
What an absolutely fantastic musician!
 Lazarus wrote: 
while it is a great song, Neko is possibly past the age ot child bearing
 justin4kick wrote:
Lazarus (wherever you may roam) I am with you on this one.
 
Thank you, justin4kick!  I wish Neko Case would have my baby...  love this song soooo much...
She has such an interesting voice. Yep, understatement, I know.
hold on hold on hold on

{#Dancingbanana_2}
 Proclivities wrote:

The majority of people who "love" her voice probably don't feel that way because of the reverb used in some of her recordings, especially if they've seen her perform live.

 
I realize now I love her voice any way I can get it. At the time I first posted, I wondered whether the echo reverb effect contributed more to my awe of her singing. I think it makes her sound bigger and more powerful but she's amazing even without it. 
Starts out sounding like The Airplane and really takes off from there.Grace Slick was great but did not have Neko's voice or talent
How can I forget what a pleasure it was to discover songs like Stinging Velvet and Deep Red Bells, and then to be blown away by this?
Interesting, hearing this after Bob Dylan — I've always thought that her deep, incisive poetry and timing of delivery reminded me of him
lovely lovely voice - sweet song{#Clap}

Over the years I've seen her in concert in a variety of venues small, medium and large, both indoor and out. It is a combination of the venue acoustics, sound system and sound engineer at the board to get her voice to stand out and yes, a smidgen of reverb is used. Like any performer sometimes her voice is strained from too many nights on the road and I've heard a few of those shows too. Her upcoming performance with K.D. Lang and Laura Veirs here in Dallas ought to be interesting. I'll be seated center of house and I expect the audio mix to be flawless.

If you ever have the opportunity to generally mill around during a concert or pre-select your seating you ought to try and find yourself over by the venue sound board in order to hear the mix the engineer creates for the house. It is at that location where you are going to hear the optimal mix of instruments and voice and oftentimes it is absolutely amazing live sound.


 Lazarus wrote:

very good guitar work...  this really is an excellent song...  and then there is the voice...  sigh...
 

 
Lazarus (wherever you may roam) I am with you on this one.
Saw her live last summer (2015) during the Three Rivers Arts Festival. She did this and Deep Red Bells. She was great AND personable. 
Gawd, I love her voice...  And I have not had the pleasure of seeing her live...  8 > 9
 kcar wrote:

{#Jump}   (The nodding head emoticon is missing! What fresh hell is this?)

I have to wonder how much of love for her voice is due to the echo effect, but what the hey...

 
The majority of people who "love" her voice probably don't feel that way because of the reverb used in some of her recordings, especially if they've seen her perform live.
Overplayed. 
Complete opposite experience here. I saw her a couple of years ago when she opened for The National. I would say her live performance was extremely close to her recorded music with just one notable exception: it was live and thus infinitely better. 


ThePoose wrote:
Love her recordings, but was sorely disappointed when I saw her live. Never experienced such a discrepancy between the recorded and the live artist. 
 


 n4ku wrote:

Our experience seeing her perform at the 2013 Forecastle Festival couldn't have been more different. It was a wonderful show. She was personable, funny, and sang like an angel, despite it being about 90 degrees and as humid as I have ever felt it in this part of the world.

I hope you give her another chance.

 
Agreed.  Saw her a couple years ago in Baltimore and she was great.  Her back-up singer's band opened up for them and they were very good as well.  Fantastic evening of live music.
 gillespp wrote:
I love her phrasing; it snaps back and forth around the melody.

 
{#Jump}   (The nodding head emoticon is missing! What fresh hell is this?)

I have to wonder how much of my love for her voice is due to the echo effect, but what the hey...
I just love the way she gives it her all, somewhere between Patsy Cline and Lucinda Williams, and gets the music in crescendo, WOW!
 lewie221 wrote:

Here's the thing...

Bands I like: only 6 plays in the 30 days? C'mon Bill, step it up!
Bands I dislike: 6 plays in 30 days? Give it a rest, BIll!

 
{#Roflol}{#Clap}
Everybody in my alien space craft loves this song...  time flies when we're having fun...
 Jannne wrote:
     Useless trivia:    
     NEKO means 'cat' in Japanese and is pronounced Ne (as in neck)  and ko (as in coffee). 
     btw, not overly-fond of her music

 
always glad to claim another cat.
pronunciation: like necco wafers? or echo with an N?  
not useless trivia! thank you 
loving her soothing voice.. {#Music}
 ThePoose wrote:
Love her recordings, but was sorely disappointed when I saw her live. Never experienced such a discrepancy between the recorded and the live artist. 
 
Our experience seeing her perform at the 2013 Forecastle Festival couldn't have been more different. It was a wonderful show. She was personable, funny, and sang like an angel, despite it being about 90 degrees and as humid as I have ever felt it in this part of the world.

I hope you give her another chance.
Love her recordings, but was sorely disappointed when I saw her live. Never experienced such a discrepancy between the recorded and the live artist. 
Love love love Neko...no matter how you pronounce it!!!
     Useless trivia:    
     NEKO means 'cat' in Japanese and is pronounced Ne (as in neck)  and ko (as in coffee). 
     btw, not overly-fond of her music
 lewie221 wrote:

Here's the thing...

Bands I like: only 6 plays in the 30 days? C'mon Bill, step it up!
Bands I dislike: 6 plays in 30 days? Give it a rest, BIll!

 
LOL
 zoopmama wrote:
Like Neko, but she's overplayed on RP. More variety please, Bill. So much great music in the world to explore...

 
Here's the thing...

Bands I like: only 6 plays in the 30 days? C'mon Bill, step it up!
Bands I dislike: 6 plays in 30 days? Give it a rest, BIll!

very good guitar work...  this really is an excellent song...  and then there is the voice...  sigh...
 
Like Neko, but she's overplayed on RP. More variety please, Bill. So much great music in the world to explore...
 dig wrote:
Chris Isaac into Neko Case. Two of my favorite chill inducing singers.
 

The voices of angels...  love this song...
 
Chris Isaac into Neko Case. Two of my favorite chill inducing singers.

beautiful voice...  great guitar work...  smart lyrics...  perfect...
 

beautiful song...  love it...  love her...  sigh...
 
just picked up tix for her next pass through Boston in Nov
can't wait, just love her voice, songs, and she's not too bad to look at either 
Love.  And the cover art and album title are just perfect complements.
10

marvelous...  sigh...
 
I love her phrasing; it snaps back and forth around the melody.
The tune grows on me.
 dig wrote:
It's called good taste. Check it out sometime. 

Or it may have to do with being slightly hearing impaired. Maybe the frequencies her voice broadcasts on are not received by everyone. Which I would find surprising, since given the amplitude, I would assume that there are Martians that know Neko Case.
The return of the foghorn. I honestly cannot judge whether I like the music. Her voice makes me shut down my ears.
 Flipmode wrote:
horrible. how can so many RP fans like Neko Case? I think her voice is so annoying. 
 
That's love, people just get irrational...
 Lazarus wrote:


I still want Neko Case to have my baby...
 
You, RabbiPhil and your hotel roommates should form a Neko Case Dancing Stalker Fan Club. 
 Lazarus wrote:


beautiful...  sigh...  love this song...
 
 
Always one behind.
OK.  So just vote for Bill (and me) becuase we both clearly have the crush.  Play Neko all the time Bill and its good with me.  When will a new album drop?
 Flipmode wrote:
horrible. how can so many RP fans like Neko Case? I think her voice is so annoying. 
 

It's called good taste. Check it out sometime.
still waitin to hear "mood to burn bridges", my fav NC song.  But I do love this one too.
 ProjectGemini07 wrote:

 

beautiful...  sigh...  love this song...
 
I don't care how many people complain about hearing Neko too often - she is the Nazz.

 

"But I'm gonna put a cat on you ...
was the coolest, grooviest, swingin'est, wailin'est,
strumminest, swingin'est cat that ever stomped on this jumpin' green sphere.

And they called dis here cat ... Da Nazz!

(low) He was a ...

He was a carpenter kittie.

Now, The Nazz was the kind of a cat that come on so cool
and so groovy and so with-it
that when he laid it down ...

WA-BOM!!

... it ~stayed~ there"
Lord Buckley's The Nazz.      


 coachc wrote:
She is dreamy.


Lazarus wrote:


I still want Neko Case to have my baby...
 
 

Now this song, Sunday morning, and "The Killing" are now forever linked.......9
 coachc wrote:
She is dreamy.

Disappointed that she was never with New Pornographers the times I saw them. Saw a solo show in Minneapolis though which was awesome.

 

Very cool!

Love this song...


 Flipmode wrote:
horrible. how can so many RP fans like Neko Case? I think her voice is so annoying. 

 
+1...
She is dreamy.

Disappointed that she was never with New Pornographers the times I saw them. Saw a solo show in Minneapolis though which was awesome.


Lazarus wrote:


I still want Neko Case to have my baby...
 


 oldsaxon wrote:

Oh.....wherefore art thou?
 

I still want Neko Case to have my baby...

 lily34 wrote:
i love this song. and i absolutely love the lyrics.
 
Just...yeah...could not agree more.
Neko is amazing. Absolutely love her.
i love this song. and i absolutely love the lyrics.
 Garyohh wrote:

I need this song a least once a week...

 
I am in complete agreement.
 (former member) wrote:

Yes!  Love this song...

 
 
Oh.....wherefore art thou?
Hey Neko! When is  the next album coming out??
 joelbb wrote:
I second Rockit's take, maybe in spades.  I'm a Boomer Geezer.  NC is my "discovery" since tuning in RP.  "Big Red Bells" is just stunning.  This cut is ace as well.
 

And I second your second....or...well you know what I mean. Love NC. Discovered NC on RP. {#Jump}

I need this song a least once a week...


I second Rockit's take, maybe in spades.  I'm a Boomer Geezer.  NC is my "discovery" since tuning in RP.  "Deep, Red Bells" is just stunning.  This cut is ace as well.
 Flipmode wrote:
horrible. how can so many RP fans like Neko Case? I think her voice is so annoying. 
 

Now hold on there Flippy!
 reggiepdavison wrote:
Damn.  I wish this song was longer!
 
I'd wish for an extended guitar solo, but then I wouldn't get to hear Neko's voice.
reggiepdavison wrote:
Damn.  I wish this song was longer!
   Agreed! Most of her songs are quite short....saw her in concert this summer...she's a nut!
( a good kind of nut)
horrible. how can so many RP fans like Neko Case? I think her voice is so annoying. 
 reggiepdavison wrote:
Damn.  I wish this song was longer!
 
Hold on, hold on!
Damn.  I wish this song was longer!
Where is that damn 11 option?? {#Sunny}
Never get tired of her voice!
gets better every time i hear it.
i so relate.
 onelittlemoose wrote:
Alone, Thank God!!  My favourite line. 
 
I leave the party at three a.m.
Alone, thank God
With a valium from the bride
It's the devil I love
And that's as funny as real love
And that's as real as true love
....Really?
Mostly like Neko Case and what RP plays, but I'd wish She would write more life-affirming songs.  Love your voice but might find love if you looked for something more genuine rather than who has the fix at the end of the night. —>  https://www.salon.com/2011/02/22/neko_case_male_groupies/


{#High-five} 
WhiteWater wrote:
9  —>  10
 


 Xstar wrote:

But not as distracting or uninspiring as your posts.
 
Get 'em Xstar.
Insert standard Neko praise here >

I saw her in Albany NY back in 2008. Very good.
 gormeister wrote:

i reiterate one of my earlier pontifications about no more neko case, or did I just imagine that I posted that? crap.  in any case no more neko.  saw her in RVA and she was lame-o.  distracted and uninspiring.........

 
But not as distracting or uninspiring as your posts.

i reiterate one of my earlier pontifications about no more neko case, or did I just imagine that I posted that? crap.  in any case no more neko.  saw her in RVA and she was lame-o.  distracted and uninspiring.........


9  —>  10
In addition to its many other wondrous qualities, RP is good for strep throat. Dancing doesn't feel good, but lying with my head near excellent music is helping a lot...
 caobhin wrote:
luv luv luv
 
So good....
luv luv luv
Really like this song!
 salide wrote:
I want to have her baby!
 

Copy cat!  :P
 Proclivities wrote:

I think it's more of an arbitrary, melodic phrase occurring within a minor-key, song structure.  It's not like sampling a unique phrase like "Strangers in the night..." or "Someone left the cake out in the rain...", which could require "permission".  To allege "theft" implies that Neko Case sat down and composed an entire tune based on one eight-note phrase she heard in that song.  I find that scenario unlikely, but I suppose anything is possible.  Whether or not she even knows of that Madrugada tune is speculative, and the phrases are not wholly identical.  All of the notes are parts of minor scales, and that sort of melodic phrase (repeated alternation between adjacent notes, followed by a descending turn) existed in many songs long before either artist composed their respective tunes - it's kind of a slowed-down trill.  Both artists compose many songs in traditional folk or "roots" music structures, so it's not surprising if their work sometimes sounds similar.  
 

It's true I am speculating.  It's just that I am such a big fan of that song by Madrugada.  I appreciate your analysis.  You know what you are talking about.  These melodies really resonate with me sometimes, though.  I can recognize it without knowing the technical aspects of music.  It just so happens I am in the middle of a great book on this very topic (Gaddis's The Recognitions).   I say she borrowed it, even if not consciously.  She may not have crossed the line, but she is walking right up to it.  I get the feeling from your comments in general that you think that there should not be a line at all (?).  I'd take issue with that.  If we don't have some rules, then there is less incentive to create and promote great works of art and we all lose.  I know many artists really do care about this kind of thing.


I want to have her baby!
 gypsyman wrote:
We all love Neko.    {#Group-hug}
 
Not really, no.
 rdo wrote:

Madrugada's notes on the line in the Lost Gospel "I never ever want this thing to pass.."  and Neko's here on the line "Hanging round the ceiling half the time..."  are identical, they are not just similar.  I call that theft really, when it is that close.  Did she get persmission I wonder? 

 
I think it's more of an arbitrary, melodic phrase occurring within a minor-key, song structure.  It's not like sampling a unique phrase like "Strangers in the night..." or "Someone left the cake out in the rain...", which could require "permission".  To allege "theft" implies that Neko Case sat down and composed an entire tune based on one eight-note phrase she heard in that song.  I find that scenario unlikely, but I suppose anything is possible.  Whether or not she even knows of that Madrugada tune is speculative, and the phrases are not wholly identical.  All of the notes are parts of minor scales, and that sort of melodic phrase (repeated alternation between adjacent notes, followed by a descending turn) existed in many songs long before either artist composed their respective tunes - it's kind of a slowed-down trill.  Both artists compose many songs in traditional folk or "roots" music structures, so it's not surprising if their work sometimes sounds similar.