Hold On

Peter Greenstone

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##########THE NEW ALBUM IS FINISHED.#############
THIS IS NOT THE FINAL RELEASED VERSION OF THE TRACK.
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For Michelle, who wrote me those old letters from Never Neverland.

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Lyrics

I've got an old box but the label's gone
been too many years holding on
I packed it up when I was young
save it for the day I'm done

I've got an old letter in an envelope
But neither address works anymore
return to Never Neverland
That's what my love wrote
She moved on long ago

So, hold on
hold on
Save it 'til the day I'm done
So, hold on
hold on
don't open them until I'm gone

I've got an old song I don't sing anymore
I've forgotten the words and most of the chords
But I know it's somewhere in this old guitar
ringing in its hollow heart

So, hold on
hold on
Save it 'til the day I'm done
So, hold on
hold on
Could you sing it for me when I'm gone

Song Stats

Hits: 3212
Comments: 52
Fans: 24
Plays: 462
Downloads: 156
Votes: 20
Uploaded: Apr 07, 2007 - 07:19:24 PM
Last Updated: Jun 23, 2008 - 08:28:36 AM Last Played: Nov 01, 2009 - 05:56:32 PM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NoDerivs-NonCommercial

Song Actions

Keywords:

nostalgia (19), cello (64), slide (31), acoustic (589), guitar (1074), blues (499), love (1151), letting go (4), holding on (2), pencil tool (61)

Hardware:

G5 Mac, M-Audio 410 interface, Taylor guitar, Westbury electric guitar, Audio Technica MB4000C condensor mic, ART Tube Pre/Compressor, Line 6 POD

Software:

Comments

Scott Carmichael

Scott Carmichael said 961 days ago (April 7th, 2007)

Fine writing here
I've said it before, It all starts there for me... your writing just reveals bits and the atmosphere that you create fills in the rest... I love the etherial sounds that swirl in and around... is this a guitar or synth? I love this... very remenicant of somewhere over greenland...a personal fav... Peter you are a gifted writer... and everything in this production holds together extremely well

Check out my latest song called Good Morning

Peter Greenstone	Peter Greenstone said 961 days ago (April 7th, 2007)
	thanks Thanks, Scott. That means a lot coming from such a talented artist as yourself. There is an electric guitar part in there that has a pulsing kind of effect on it that gives it a slightly synth-like sound to it. I've used variations of the effect on other tunes of mine. --- www.petergreenstone.com Check out my latest song called From Nothing

	said 961 days ago (April 7th, 2007)
	Man This is so good I dont know what to say, excepts thanks

mikkinylund

mikkinylund said 961 days ago (April 7th, 2007)

This is it!
You've got a hit here Peter, and a fine one that is. I can't complain, this is one of the best mixes on here, and so perfectly performded. I've heard this song a few times around now, but I got to tell you, stop before it is too late. This is it. Please don't alter or change anything further (and I know how f-ing hard that is)... This sits. And it sits very well. This is a hit. I could have said the same thing about the last remix, so I'll have to leave it up to you to define further actions...but... This is as good as it gets. Bring this material into a studio and re-master it and that's it. I am VERY impressed. Your voice is better than ever. /Mikki

Check out my latest song called Fairyland (Satumaa)

Peter Greenstone	Peter Greenstone said 961 days ago (April 7th, 2007)
	thanks Thanks, Mikki. I won't mess with it anymore, at least not in any big way. It'll just be a matter of making sure it's mastered right for the CD. Some day I really would like to have you play one of your cool bellows organs on one of my tunes. --- www.petergreenstone.com Check out my latest song called From Nothing

Ed Hannifin

Ed Hannifin said 961 days ago (April 7th, 2007)

Gee, if you and Scott...
...formed a band, we could have an album that goes from 'No Better Day' to 'Hold On'... Yin and yang...

This is nicely simple, Peter... deceptively, in that there's more in this than there seems. One can go away from this with the false memory that it's just you and an acoustic guitar, maybe some piano, and be surprised to re-listen and discover how much is there... But it all serves the song, and it all sounds simple and integral... Nothing's fighting something else... And even though what you're doing changes, there's an ongoing Greenstone sound that carries over and is one of my very favorites in MacJam-dom...

Scott's right, and I say the same thing a lot... For me, too, it starts with the song being good, and once again you've got a good song, technically fine, well written, with just enough feeling to suit the lyric... And then on top of that, there's another PG vocal... Your vocals are always capable of carrying your tunes, and they do...

Personally, I've got an antique trunk in the basement...Letters, songs and photos...last time I went down, the mice had gotten to some of it...By the time I'm done, it'll prob'ly be shredded paper...

Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

Peter Greenstone

Peter Greenstone said 961 days ago (April 7th, 2007)

thanks
Thanks, Ed. Always great to get a comment from you.

I've been playing this song in my live webcast performances since January, just singing and playing the guitar. I decided to give it some real time before appraoching it for production so that I would have a better feel for the song. I think that was a good approach for this one.

It's a simple song but inspired. I wish I knew where the girl I knew long ago who used to write me those letters with the Never Neverland return address on them went.

---
www.petergreenstone.com

Check out my latest song called From Nothing

jesushairdo	jesushairdo said 961 days ago (April 7th, 2007)
	Top top top! Whoa! This is a pro-sound, Peter! And great great song-writing on top of it! Great vocal. Great guitars. Great piano. Great everything!! Loved it and downloaded instantly! Check out my latest song called Elephant in the Sky (Orchestra version)

Peter Greenstone	Peter Greenstone said 961 days ago (April 7th, 2007)
	thanks Thanks, jh. Good to hear from you! --- www.petergreenstone.com Check out my latest song called From Nothing

dajama	dajama said 961 days ago (April 7th, 2007)
	Great song Great song, and everything else is secondary to that. I love the line about the old song "somewhere in this old guitar ringing in its hollow heart". Terrific vocal performance as well, and overall nice vibe. Sweet. Check out my latest song called Across the Wire (MJRF)

8piscean8	8piscean8 said 961 days ago (April 8th, 2007)
	Atmosphere I really like the atmosphere you have created here. It reminds me of the time between sleep and wakefulness in the morning as the sun starts to rise. I really dig the ambient noises. Everything else is also superb. Your guitars sound great. Taylors are execellnt instruments. Very nice. Check out my latest song called The End

	said 961 days ago (April 8th, 2007)
	points Catastrophic failure is a sudden and total failure which not only cannot be recovered from (the system which experiences is destroyed beyond any reasonable possibility of repair), but also frequently causes injury, death, or significant damage to other, often unrelated systems.

Peter Greenstone	Peter Greenstone said 961 days ago (April 8th, 2007)
	pointless post If your purpose in posting this meaningless comment is so you can gain enough points to post your first song to this site then you will soon discover just how counter-productive that is. --- www.petergreenstone.com Check out my latest song called From Nothing

	said 961 days ago (April 8th, 2007)
	how so? i dont get it. i need the points the get the songs up. theyre not gonna approve themselves. --- Ill tell ya what im gonna do, and then i probably wont do it.

thoddi	thoddi said 961 days ago (April 8th, 2007)
	yes go for it:) Bravo! Check out my latest song called Don't tell me what I can't w/KTB and Ingve

said 961 days ago (April 8th, 2007)

Really nice
Peter this is great. Kinda gives a 'pang' in my heart, some memories of loves long ago, letters I wrote - some answered, a few never...

It's really cool the way you reflected and mirrored the sentiment for your guitar and the old song, what a clever play on the theme that is. Overall, just great songwriting shines out here

The fade out on the instrumentatin at the end is just simply superb, leaving your voice in the end to carry on. Really nicely done. Thanks for all of this

. - Harold

Peter Greenstone	Peter Greenstone said 960 days ago (April 8th, 2007)
	thanks I appreciate it. I'm so happy this new one has gotten such a positive response. --- www.petergreenstone.com Check out my latest song called From Nothing

musichead	musichead said 961 days ago (April 8th, 2007)
	String Bass The string bass sounds very real. This is the kind of production I look to. I mean this was done at home. Great job!!! Very pro guitars !!!nice writing!!! Check out my latest song called Lets Take a Holiday

Peter Greenstone	Peter Greenstone said 960 days ago (April 8th, 2007)
	thanks Thanks, Musichead. I used the fitch cello which has a nice texture to it. I'd really love to work with a real cello someday. --- www.petergreenstone.com Check out my latest song called From Nothing

bronco	bronco said 961 days ago (April 8th, 2007)
	Yeah! From the first notes I knew it would be a fav! Love your voice here. Sounds more downhome than anything you have done previously but still with your impeccable music ability. Great story lyrics also! Check out my latest song called Strange Feeling

composerclark	composerclark said 961 days ago (April 8th, 2007)
	Amazing Great lyrics -- you write some of the absolute best on this website -- you sing straight from the heart, and the production is mind-bogglingly good. Very clean, nothing unnecessary there. 10-10-10-10 Check out my latest song called Scarlet Nightfall

	said 961 days ago (April 8th, 2007)
	Thanx Touchy...shivered a bit through it... Very very very nice production across the board . Lena

Shimky	Shimky said 960 days ago (April 8th, 2007)
	Great Voice Great voice, Peter, and great lyrics. The music complements these perfectly. I thought the track ended very abruptly but then I realised I had pulled my headphones jack out! :O) Great production. Adn, most importantly, very nice to listen to. Soothing, I would say. Check out my latest song called Funeral

Peter Greenstone	Peter Greenstone said 959 days ago (April 9th, 2007)
	hehe Thanks, man. Careful with those plugs. --- www.petergreenstone.com Check out my latest song called From Nothing

	said 960 days ago (April 8th, 2007)
	the best I'v heard yet. This is a notch or two above.

grah3am	grah3am said 960 days ago (April 9th, 2007)
	Swirly It's the swirly guitars in the background that stamp this with that unique Greenstone style. The only other place I've heard anything like it is on the Beach Boys Holland album. I look forward to the next CD. Check out my latest song called Deep Depths

Peter Greenstone	Peter Greenstone said 959 days ago (April 9th, 2007)
	Thanks I'm glad you like it and appreciate that pulsing guitar part. I've used variations of that treatment on my electric guitar on a number of my tunes. So I think it's becoming a sort of signature effect for me even though I use it quite differently each time. --- www.petergreenstone.com Check out my latest song called From Nothing

dreadmon

dreadmon said 960 days ago (April 9th, 2007)

What you've done with it
Peter, this is really cool, having heard the original and then hearing what you've done since then (I missed the last version) - it's like Dorothy opening the door of her house and seeing technicolor Oz. The opening phaser effect is great, like you're wiping away the cobwebs from a memory and it becomes clear as the vocals come in. Nice. You remind me of Jim Croce here a little bit, I mean that in a good way. There are nice crescendoes that come in and then fade away, that's a really nice touch, an ebb and flow of emotion that never quite peaks, going hand in hand with the understated recollections infused in your lyrics. Top-notch music here, man.

Check out my latest song called Dive!

Peter Greenstone	Peter Greenstone said 959 days ago (April 9th, 2007)
	thanks Thanks, Dread. I really like the comparison to the Wizard Of Oz scene. There is often a great satisfaction in opening a box, pulling focus, or bringing the light up on something to reveal it. Hehe, I'll have to see if the music lines up with it now. --- www.petergreenstone.com Check out my latest song called From Nothing

moorlandt

moorlandt said 960 days ago (April 9th, 2007)

not one little quibble
I love the way the song starts off. The instruments that tend to fade away and then come together again to form a solid base for your vocals. Yeah, those vocals, very distinctively Peter Greenstone, with that top-notch recording and production quality that still makes me jealous :-)

I completely agree with Clark's comment about the lyrics: straight from the heart. Aaaah, the way it always should be...

- Walter

Check out my latest song called boundaries

pengui	pengui said 960 days ago (April 9th, 2007)
	Very solid I think this song is pretty well perfected. Wish I had the patience to spend this much energy on a song, but anyways, It sounds really good, and the solo section is cooly understated. Check out my latest song called Louder Than Words

Alannah	Alannah said 959 days ago (April 9th, 2007)
	Wowsers P .... .. for such a young guy ... you sing like an old soul !! The VOX are truly fabulous .... nice and clear and you are not afraid to throw enough volume on them so they SHINE through ! Great job fer sure! Check out my latest song called I'm Drownin' - Smokey VW (feat Alannah) + Outtaorbit

Jim Bouchard

Jim Bouchard said 959 days ago (April 9th, 2007)

Not too sure...
...only about that first little bit of the guitars where it goes through the processing. Sounded a little off...but then it went away. Sort of affected and I wasn't sure what the point was, but I might just be missing something. Nice slide guitar parts that hit just the right sort of feel, pretty much perfect. I would like the bass to have more presence (actually, is there any?) at some point in the song. This is very pro, but I feel like there could be more somehow, like a twist in the lyric that would hit a little deeper, or maybe even backing vocals or a repetition of the chorus. I'm just nitpicking, but I think you like the criticism since you always seem to be honing your craft to the nth degree. And usually getting there.

Check out my latest song called Weather or Not w/awigze

Jim Bouchard	Jim Bouchard said 959 days ago (April 10th, 2007)
	That sounded a bit overly critical It's really supa-dupa! Check out my latest song called Weather or Not w/awigze

Peter Greenstone

Peter Greenstone said 958 days ago (April 10th, 2007)

I get ya
No worry, Jim. I totally get what you are saying and I appreciate the nits. That last 5% of production is usually me nitpicking the mix for hours and days on end, tweaking the smalllest things, that sometimes make a huge difference, and sometimes call for meds on my part.

There actually is no bass guitar on this. I only use the cellos and piano for the deep bottom end. I experimented with my bass a little but decided it would probably overwhelm the cello. But it may be worth experimenting with again to see if there is a place for bass guitar that won't throw off the whole arrangement while adding to it overall.

I considered that the lyrics could easily go on for more verses, expanding on the concept, but I decided to resist and to keep it brief, at least for this rendition. Maybe someday I will add to it for an alterate, extended version.

Thanks for the feedback, Jim.

---
www.petergreenstone.com

Check out my latest song called From Nothing

TobinMueller

TobinMueller said 959 days ago (April 10th, 2007)

Compelling Vocal Personality
Fabulous vocals, full personality, unique vocal qualities, strength and focus, absolutely driven by the meaning of the words, which makes for such a compelling performance. Wonderful guitar sound, mix. The instrumental spaces after the choruses seemed a tad long in my ears; perhaps the slide guitar could be louder, perhaps more interesting melodically; or an acoustic guitar lead after "ringing in its hollow heart" as a sort of poetic flash of longing. There is no real build into the end, was disappointing/ordinary (and I always expect the extraordinary out of you); but this may work perfectly well as a technique if the song is placed well on an album, and does illustrate the hollowness, but not emotionally so. Still, a top notch recording, excellent performances, solid writing, wonderful track.

Check out my latest song called Forge A New Life (MJRF)

Macaudion	Macaudion said 958 days ago (April 10th, 2007)
	I like it in alot of different places... But mostly, I like when it just does me right all over... Thanks Macca Check out my latest song called 123 iGetU

falzaabi	falzaabi said 958 days ago (April 10th, 2007)
	wow nice song , u r professional man, I cant say much , u r in far way level,to say more than nice Check out my latest song called HOW NICE

I. Spike

I. Spike said 958 days ago (April 11th, 2007)

I'm broken... where's the duct tape!?
I love your stuff!
Great vocals, instrumentation, performance, production, lyrics...
I have only one complaint. I've heard so many songs with the title and hook of "hold on"...
It just seems that if you sat with this a bit longer you might find another way to say what it is you want to say.
I know I'm being way too picky here... I was probably abused by the the words "hold on" and now I hold a grudge against them... ignore what I say... I'm broken...
Who am I to talk - I'm king of clich�s! All right, where's the duct tape!?
Ciao amico!

Check out my latest song called Mighty Cracker Fly

jiguma

jiguma said 957 days ago (April 11th, 2007)

Love this!
Peter, first, I for one am really pleased you're back here posting songs again. As Bill says on the other version, you raise the bar here every time you post a new song. This is certainly up there with the tracks from your first CD. You've nailed the production here totally - the starting bars of guitar leading into the crisp acoustic is beautifully done. Vocals are if anything better than your earlier songs - clean, crisp and full of feeling. Lyrics are simple yet thought provoking. Playing and recording are superb.
Impressive stuff Peter!
Cheers,
Neil

Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

	said 957 days ago (April 12th, 2007)
	Yes... ...pro from start to finish. Fantastic vocals! Love all the background sounds. Kudos! Be well!

Ed_Moran	Ed_Moran said 956 days ago (April 13th, 2007)
	Pro all the way Peter what more can I say that hasn't been already said, great song great lyrics. Production is pro. Great job Check out my latest song called Cowboy (WIP)

lavalamp

lavalamp said 895 days ago (June 13th, 2007)

First of all.....
First of all, I've seen your name all over this site and have wondered who you are. I have to say you've got a very good song here. Strong voice (pro quality).
Love that backgroung slide guitar. It gioves it a nice feel.
Checking out the lyrics, and I think they are also quite strong.
It was a pleasure to finnaly hear a song of yours.
It reminds me of a last song on a album.
LL

Check out my latest song called Googolplex Times Zero

lavalamp

lavalamp said 895 days ago (June 13th, 2007)

First of all....
First of all, I've seen your name all over tis site and have wondered who you are. This is a very good song. I could hear it as a last song on an album. The slide guitar in the backgroun gives it a nice feel. Your voice is pro quality. Also, think this would be good for a soundtrack for a movie.
It was a pleasure to finnaly hear one of your songs. Will have to check out some more of your stuff in the future.
LL

Check out my latest song called Googolplex Times Zero

chipan	chipan said 847 days ago (July 30th, 2007)
	Hello I don't know how I missed your music so far, but I ran across it today and wow! I am really liking this. You created a really cool atmosphere. I specifically like the dissonance that happens just enough to make it interesting but not distracting. Your lyrics are also very poetic! I want to hear more of your stuff as time allows. chip Check out my latest song called Psalm 107

	eusdbra said 768 days ago (October 17th, 2007)
	Very nice composition As a newcommer to MACJAMS this is the best composition I have heard thus far. Easy listening and interesting lyrics. Wish you all the best with this composition. David

	eusdbra said 768 days ago (October 17th, 2007)
	Nice Composition As a newcomer to MACJAMS this is the best composition I have heard thus far. Easy listening and interesting lyrics. Wish you all the best with this composition. David

BossHook	BossHook said 698 days ago (December 26th, 2007)
	So strong Such a strong piece of songwriting. Performance and production is really perfect. Check out my latest song called You're Like Whiskey

Brian Weiland

Brian Weiland said 690 days ago (January 4th, 2008)

Damn!!!
This is sweet!

Your voice is stunning, your production is pro, and I LOVE the electric guitar in the background.

On the third listen, the thing that makes this so stunningly beautiful to listen to is the string thing in the background- cello? Bowed bass? I also really like the subtle piano, set perfectly back in the mix.

I kept waiting for the full drum set to kick in, but that would probably have killed the mood of the lyrics. This is absolutely top-notch, I would buy your album.

~Brian

Check out my latest song called The Gentle Maiden/Planxty Fanny Powers

Peter Greenstone	Peter Greenstone said 690 days ago (January 4th, 2008)
	Thanks Thanks, Brian. I'm happy you like the music and the production so much. I used a combination of bowed cello and bass in there. I like to use the Fitch Cello voice because of its course rosin sound. Check out my latest song called From Nothing

Remark80	Remark80 said 634 days ago (February 29th, 2008)
	Nicely put together Very well produced and arranged. I really like the sound of your guitar on this recording. Very touching song. Great vox Check out my latest song called Weighted Down

	said 625 days ago (March 9th, 2008)
	Great! Loved it very much, very great songwriter/singer you are! The playing and the background sounds fits really well. Thanks a lot for sharing .. Very fine! Take Care - Yeman A. Al-Rawi

Artist Info

Name: Peter Greenstone

I'm not a professional musician by any means. By day I work as an animator and 3D artist. Over the past few years I have developed a passion for songwriting and making music. I do it all myself in my home with a pretty simple setup. I just finish... [see more]

Check out some of my other songs:

Genre Info

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