Hold On Tight (Electric Light Orchestra song)

For the debut album by Hey Monday, see Hold on Tight (album).

"Hold On Tight"
Song
B-side	"When Time Stood Still"

"Hold On Tight" is a song written and performed by Electric Light Orchestra.

The song is track twelve on the band's (1981) album Time and was the first song released as a single, becoming ELO's last major hit single. The song went top ten in most countries, hitting the top spot in Switzerland, number two in Germany, number four in the UK, and number ten on the US pop chart, as well as number two on the US rock chart. It is known for having a verse sung in French:

Accroche-toi à ton rêve
Accroche-toi à ton rêve
Quand tu vois ton bateau partir
Quand tu sens ton cœur se briser
Accroche-toi à ton rêve.

Translated, the verse is essentially a French-language reprise of the first verse of the song:

Hold on tight to your dream
Hold on tight to your dream
When you see your ship go sailing
When you feel your heart is breaking
Hold on tight to your dream.

Music video

The previous year, David Bowie had released his "Ashes to Ashes" music video which was considered as the most innovative to date at that time. But ELO were largely regarded to have surpassed that with their video for "Hold On Tight". At the time it was the most expensive ever made at around £40,000 and is an homage to serial films.

Pop culture

In the mid-1980s, the song was used in The Coffee Achievers television advertisements, which promoted the benefits of drinking coffee. This campaign from the National Coffee Association played in the United States starring David Bowie and Heart

In 2005, "Hold On Tight" was used in an Ameriquest commercial. The song was also featured in the season one finale of My Name Is Earl.

During 2007 and 2008, "Hold On Tight" was used in television promotions for the Honda Accord.

Chart performance

Chart (1976)	Peak position
UK Singles Chart	4
US Billboard Hot 100	10
Canada	3