Hold On To Love

Jon Anderson's 'Hold On To Love' is a heartfelt plea to recognize and cherish the value of love in our lives. The song opens with a sense of regret and loss, as the narrator reflects on a love that seems to be slipping away. The imagery of holding love 'in the palm of your hand' suggests that love is something precious and delicate, easily lost if not carefully tended to. The repeated lines 'You want, you can't have / You need, you can't touch' emphasize the frustration and longing that often accompany love, highlighting the emotional turmoil that can arise when love feels just out of reach.

As the song progresses, Anderson urges the listener to 'hold on to love' and treat it as a 'good thing.' This advice is underscored by the notion that love is an 'electric feeling,' something vibrant and life-affirming. The lyrics suggest that love requires effort and dedication, as seen in the lines 'You work so hard / To be in love with her / She tries so hard.' This mutual effort is essential for maintaining a loving relationship, and the song warns against taking love for granted or letting it slip away in a 'world of make believe.'

The chorus, with its repeated exhortation to 'hold on to love,' serves as a powerful reminder of love's importance. Anderson's message is clear: love is a fundamental, irreplaceable part of life that should be cherished and protected. The song's closing lines reinforce this idea, urging the listener not to let love 'pass you by' and to always treat it as a 'good, good thing.' In a world where love can often be overshadowed by other concerns, 'Hold On To Love' is a poignant reminder to prioritize and nurture the love we have.