I Hold On
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| "I Hold On" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Dierks Bentley | ||||
| from the album Riser | ||||
| Released | August 26, 2013 | |||
| Recorded | 2013 | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length |
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| Label | Capitol Nashville | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) | Ross Copperman | |||
| Dierks Bentley singles chronology | ||||
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"I Hold On" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Dierks Bentley. It was released in August 2013 as the second single from his 2014 album Riser.[1] Bentley wrote the song with Brett James.[2]
The song describes the singer staying true to what he enjoys and is comfortable with, including an old truck, an old guitar, and his lover. The truck and guitar referenced are still used by Bentley today. In his Sounds Of Summer tour, he played his old guitar that has a hole in it. Part of the video in the background while he played the song showed his 1994 Chevy Silverado that he and his late father drove to Nashville.
Critical reception
Billy Dukes of Taste of Country gave the song three out of five, writing that "one senses him trying to do something new, something totally unique, but still not quite wanting to give up the sound and style his longtime fans appreciate." Dukes stated that "lyrically, he starts strong, but levels off, relying more on attitude than substance by the midway point."[3] Matt Bjorke of Roughstock gave the song four stars out of five, saying that "with low booming bass lines and a percussive arena-rock melody backing up Dierks Bentley's lyrics, 'I Hold On' is the kind of song that showcases Dierks Bentley in a new way." Bjorke called it "a strong lyrical song, a song which showcases the artistry of Dierks Bentley that sometimes gets dismissed when he's chasing radio airplay but is held up when he records and release stuff that doesn't."[4] In 2017, Billboard contributor Chuck Dauphin placed "I Hold On" at number one on his top 10 list of Bentley's best songs.[5] In 2024, Rolling Stone ranked the song at #182 on its 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time ranking.[6]
Live performances
Bentley debuted the song when he co-hosted The View on July 26, 2013.[7] He also performed it on the season finale of America's Got Talent on September 18, 2013.[8] On January 3, 2014, he also performed during halftime of the 2014 Orange Bowl.
Music video
A live music video was directed by Ryan Silver and premiered on October 31, 2013.[9] The official music video was directed by Wes Edwards and premiered on October 31, 2013.[10]