Hold Me Down

"Hold Me Down"
General information
Artist	Halsey
Release Date	June 1, 2015
Genre	Electropop
Length	3:24 (See official versions)
Labels
Composer(s)	Ashley Frangipane, Joseph Khajadourian, Alex Schwartz, Ryan Lott
Producer(s)	The Futuristics
Album	Badlands
Badlands Chronology
"Castle"
"Hold Me Down"
"New Americana"
"Hold Me Down"

"Hold Me Down" is a song performed by Halsey. It is the second track of her debut album, Badlands, and was released as a promotional single on June 1, 2015.

The song has been certified gold by the RIAA on August 26, 2016 and platinum on June 9, 2020.

A live version of the song is featured on Badlands (Live From Webster Hall), which was released on August 28, 2020.

Background

The song was released alongside the album pre-order. Halsey explained the meaning and inspiration behind the song at a live show in June of 2015:

"I was meeting a bunch of mean, old men who thought they knew better than I. And I met this one guy in particular, a certain asshole who inspired this song. This song is a reminder that no matter how small you are or how small people may make you seem, you should never let anything hold you down."

—Halsey

The song is also about owning your own art, as she tweeted lyrics of the song directed towards the APG Divison of Atlantic Records.

Official versions

• Original version - 3:24
• Live From Webster Hall version - 4:04

Cross-references

• The song is referenced in the "Now Or Never" lyric "I want you to hold me down".
• It is also referenced in "Honesty".
• The devil is also a theme in "Coming Down", "Devil In Me" and "Not Afraid Anymore".
• The lyric "Throw me in the deep end, watch me drown" is similar to the "Young God" lyric "For a while now, drowning my thoughts out with the sounds".
• The song samples "Easy" by Son Lux.

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
My demons are begging me to open up my mouth
I need them
Mechanically make the words come out
They fight me, vigorous and angry
Watch them pounce
Ignite me
Licking up the flames they bring about

[Pre-Chorus]
I sold my soul to a three-piece
And he told me I was holy
He’s got me down on both knees
But it’s the devil that's tryna...

[Chorus]
Hold me down, hold me down
Sneaking out the back door, make no sound
Knock me out, knock me out
Saying that I want more, this is what I live for
Hold me down, hold me down
Throw me in the deep end, watch me drown
Knock me out, knock me out
Saying that I want more, this is what I live for

[Verse 2]
Selfish
Taking what I want, and call it mine
I’m helpless
Clinging to a little bit of spine
They rush me
Telling me I’m running out of time
They shush me (Shh)
Walking me across a fragile line
[Pre-Chorus]
I sold my soul to a three-piece
And he told me I was holy
He’s got me down on both knees
But it’s the devil that's tryna...

[Chorus]
Hold me down, hold me down
Sneaking out the back door, make no sound
Knock me out, knock me out
Saying that I want more, this is what I live for
Hold me down, hold me down
Throw me in the deep end, watch me drown
Knock me out, knock me out
Saying that I want more, this is what I live for

[Bridge]
Hold me down now
Hold me down now
Hold me do-o-o-o-own

[Pre-Chorus]
I sold my soul to a three-piece
And he told me I was holy
He’s got me down on both knees
But it’s the devil that's tryna...
[Chorus]
Hold me down, hold me down
Sneaking out the back door, make no sound
Knock me out, knock me out
Saying that I want more, this is what I live for
Hold me down, hold me down
Throw me in the deep end, watch me drown
Knock me out, knock me out
Saying that I want more, this is what I live for