"Hold On, We're Going Home" is a song by Canadian rapper
Drake
Drake may refer to:
Animals and creatures
* A male duck
* Drake (mythology), a term related to and often synonymous with dragon
People and fictional characters
* Drake (surname), a list of people and fictional characters with the family ...
, featuring
R&B duo
Majid Jordan, released by
Young Money Entertainment
Young Money Entertainment is an American record label founded by rapper Lil Wayne in 2005. It was launched as an imprint of Cash Money Records — a joint venture colloquially branded as Young Money Cash Money Billionaires (abbreviated as YMCMB ...
,
Cash Money Records
Cash Money Records is an American record label founded in 1991 by brothers Ronald "Slim" Williams and Birdman (rapper), Bryan "Baby" Williams. The label gained prominence in the late 1990s for having signed and released albums for New Orleans– ...
, and
Republic Records
Republic Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group (UMG). Based in New York City, it was founded by Avery Lipman and Monte Lipman as an independent label in 1995, and was acquired by UMG in 2000. Republic was initially ...
and
OVO Sound
OVO Sound (short for October's Very Own) is a Canadian independent record label, founded in 2012 by rapper Drake, producer 40, and manager Oliver El-Khatib. The label operated as a subsidiary of Warner Music Group until 2022, after which it ...
on August 7, 2013 as the third single from Drake's third studio album, ''
Nothing Was the Same
''Nothing Was the Same'' is the third studio album by the Canadian rapper Drake (musician), Drake. It was released on September 24, 2013, through OVO Sound, Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records, and Republic Records. Work on the record ...
'' (2013). It was produced by Majid Jordan themselves, as well as OVO Sound cohorts
Noah "40" Shebib and
Nineteen85, all of whom co-wrote the song with Drake.
First released for digital download following the 2013 OVO Fest, the song was later serviced to mainstream and
rhythmic contemporary
Rhythmic contemporary, also known as Rhythmic Top 20, Rhythmic Top 30, Rhythmic Top 40, Rhythmic CHR or rhythmic crossover, is a primarily American music-radio format that includes a mix of EDM, upbeat rhythmic pop, hip-hop and upbeat R&B hit ...
radio on August 13 of that year.
"Hold On, We're Going Home" peaked at number one in South Africa, number four on the US
''Billboard'' Hot 100, the
UK Singles Chart, and in Denmark and Lebanon, as well as number five on the singles chart in his native Canada. It is certified Diamond in the US, eight-times Platinum in Australia, and Platinum or higher in seven additional countries. The song received praise from music critics, and was named the best song of 2013 by
Pitchfork Media
''Pitchfork'' (formerly ''Pitchfork Media'') is an American online music magazine founded in 1996 by Ryan Schreiber in Minneapolis. It originally covered Alternative rock, alternative and independent music, and expanded to cover genres includin ...
as well as number 21 on its "Best Tracks of the Decade" list. In 2021, it was listed at No. 129 on Rolling Stone's "Top 500 Greatest Songs of All Time".
Background
Before "Hold On, We're Going Home" was released, Drake had an interview with
MTV
MTV (an initialism of Music Television) is an American cable television television channel, channel and the flagship property of the MTV Entertainment Group sub-division of the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global. Launched on ...
News about the song during the 4th Annual OVO Fest saying, "It's me and 40 just channeling our Quincy Jones/Michael Jackson production duo,... Obviously no offense to the greats, I know we're not anywhere near that — it's just us kinda doing our thing, humbly attempting." He also added, "It's not a rap record,... It's not '
Versace
Gianni Versace S.r.l. (), usually referred to as Versace ( ), is an Italian luxury elite fashion company founded by Gianni Versace in 1978. The company produces Italian-made ready-to-wear and accessories, as well as '' haute couture'' under it ...
,' it's not '
Started from the Bottom.' In approaching this album I was like man, it would be great if we had a record that was played at weddings in 10 years or that people that are away from their families in the Armed Forces could listen to. Something that just
astimeless writing, timeless melody. So I did it with the group that we signed to
OVO called Majid Jordan."
Music video
The music video is labeled a short film and set in Miami in 1985.
[Watch The New Video For Drake's "Hold On, We're Going Home" – XXL](_blank)
/ref> It was directed by Bill Pope and released on September 24, 2013.[Rap-Up.com , , Video: Drake – ‘Hold On, We’re Going Home’](_blank)
/ref> In the video, Drake plays a kingpin whose lover (Ashley Moore) is kidnapped by a rival gang. Throughout the video, Drake does everything in his power to rescue her from mobster played by actor Micah Fitzgerald. Cameo appearances in the video included Fredo Santana, Steven Bauer
Steven Bauer (born Esteban Ernesto Echevarría Samson; December 2, 1956) is a Cuban American actor.
Bauer began his career on PBS, portraying Joe Peña, the son of Cuban immigrants on '' ¿Qué Pasa, USA?'' (1977–1979). He played Manolo "Ma ...
, Johnny Simmons
Johnny Simmons is an American actor. He is known for his roles as Dylan Baxter in ''Evan Almighty'' (2007), Chip Dove in '' Jennifer's Body'' (2009), "Young Neil" Nordegraf in '' Scott Pilgrim vs. the World'' (2010) and '' Scott Pilgrim Takes Of ...
, Majid Jordan and ASAP Rocky
Rakim Athelaston Mayers (born October 3, 1988), known professionally as ASAP Rocky ( ; stylized as A$AP Rocky), is an American rapper. Born and raised in Harlem, he embarked on his musical career as a member of the hip hop music, hip hop coll ...
among others.
Commercial performance
"Hold On, We're Going Home" debuted at number five on the US ''Billboard
A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertis ...
'' Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
The Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart ranks the most popular R&B and hip hop songs in the United States and is published weekly by '' Billboard''. Rankings are based on a measure of radio airplay, sales data, and streaming activity. The chart had 100 ...
chart, making it Drake's thirty-third top 10 hit on the chart. This accomplishment broke the tie for second-most top ten hits with singer R. Kelly, only trailing behind rapper Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. (born September27, 1982), known professionally as Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. He is often regarded as one of the most influential hip hop artists of his generation, as well as one of the greatest rappers of all ...
, who has 36. The song also made the top ten in the Canadian Hot 100
The Canadian Hot 100 is a music industry record chart in Canada for songs, published weekly by ''Billboard (magazine), Billboard'' magazine. It was launched on the issue dated March 31, 2007 as the standard record chart in Canada; a new chart ...
, peaking at number five, making it his highest-charting single in his home country. In the song's fifth week on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100, it became Drake's 13th top ten hit, climbing at number eight. This feat gave him the most top ten hits of the year with four, including "Fuckin' Problems
"Fuckin' Problems" (also censored as "Problems" and titled on the clean version "F**kin' Problems") is a song by American rapper ASAP Rocky, featuring Canadian rapper Drake and fellow American rappers 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar. It was release ...
" (number 8), " Started from the Bottom" (number 6), and " Love Me" (number 9). The song reached number four on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart, becoming Drake's first song to reach the top five of the Hot 100 since " Find Your Love". The song peaked at number one on the ''Billboard'' Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It sold over two million copies as of January 2014.
The song sold 207,000 copies in Canada in 2013.
The single reached a peak of number four in the United Kingdom, giving Drake his highest-peaking single there at the time (" One Dance" later reached number one in 2016). It also received heavy rotation on South African radio stations, peaking a number one on the South African Airplay Chart.
Cover versions
The song has been covered by British artist Dev Hynes under his Blood Orange moniker, English band Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys are an English Rock music, rock band formed in Sheffield in 2002. They comprise lead singer Alex Turner, drummer Matt Helders, guitarist Jamie Cook and bassist Nick O'Malley. The co-founder and original bassist Andy Nicholson ...
, Brooklyn
Brooklyn is a Boroughs of New York City, borough of New York City located at the westernmost end of Long Island in the New York (state), State of New York. Formerly an independent city, the borough is coextensive with Kings County, one of twelv ...
-based synthpop
Synth-pop (short for synthesizer pop; also called techno-pop; ) is a music genre that first became prominent in the late 1970s and features the synthesizer as the dominant musical instrument. It was prefigured in the 1960s and early 1970s ...
duo Holy Ghost!, The Saturdays
The Saturdays are an English-Irish girl group based in London, England. The group formed during the summer of 2007 and has been on hiatus since 2014. The lineup consists of Frankie Bridge, Una Healy, Rochelle Humes, Mollie King, and Vanessa Whi ...
, Lissie and Ella Henderson did a mashup of the song with John Newman's " Love Me Again". Conor Maynard
Conor Paul Maynard (born 21 November 1992) is an English singer. Born and raised in Brighton, he signed a recording contract with Warner Music Group in 2011. Maynard rose to fame in 2012 when he was nominated for, and subsequently won, MTV's ' ...
did a medley with the song along Miley Cyrus
Miley Ray Cyrus ( , born Destiny Hope Cyrus, November 23, 1992) is an American singer, songwriter, actress and director. Regarded as a contemporary pop icon, Cyrus has been recognized for her evolving artistry and image reinventions. She is ...
's "Wrecking Ball
A wrecking ball is a heavy steel ball, usually hung from a Crane (machine), crane, that is used for Demolition, demolishing large buildings. It was most commonly in use during the 1940s and 1950s. Several wrecking companies claim to have inve ...
" and Ellie Goulding's "Burn
A burn is an injury to skin, or other tissues, caused by heat, electricity, chemicals, friction, or ionizing radiation (such as sunburn, caused by ultraviolet radiation). Most burns are due to heat from hot fluids (called scalding), soli ...
". He later performed a separate cover for the song. In May 2014, ''The Voice'' contestant Christina Grimmie
Christina Victoria Grimmie (March 12, 1994 – June 10, 2016) was an American singer and internet personality. In 2009, she began posting covers of popular songs onto YouTube. After releasing her debut EP, '' Find Me'' (2011), her YouTube c ...
sang the song during the sixth season of the show. In June 2014, Foster the People also covered the song on BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It specialises in modern popular music and Contemporary hit radio, current chart hits throughout the day. The station provides alternative genres at night, including ...
's Live Lounge
The Live Lounge is a segment on the British radio stations BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 1Xtra. It was originally hosted by Simon Mayo, and later by Jo Whiley on her weekday mid-morning, and later weekend lunchtime radio shows, then by Fearne Cott ...
. In September 2014, Nick Mulvey also delivered an acoustic rendition of the song on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge. American singer Pia Mia also made a cover of the song and it went viral gaining over 10 million views.
In 2015, on the voice Australia Nathan Hawes did an acoustic version of this.
On 2020-04-03 UK Artist Nerina Pallot
Nerina Natasha Georgina Pallot (born 26 April 1974) is a British singer, songwriter and producer, who has released eight albums and over a dozen EPs. She was nominated for British Female Solo Artist at the 2007 BRIT Awards and nominated for an ...
released a compilation of the lockdown sessions covers titled "Best In Show" featuring "Hold On, We're Going Home" on track 6.
Track listing
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Decade-end charts
Certifications
Release history
See also
* List of number-one singles of 2013 (South Africa)
References
{{authority control
Drake (musician) songs
Majid Jordan songs
2010s ballads
2013 singles
2013 songs
Cash Money Records singles
OVO Sound singles
Republic Records singles
Contemporary R&B ballads
Song recordings produced by Majid Jordan
Song recordings produced by Nineteen85
Songs written by Drake (musician)
Songs written by Jordan Ullman
Songs written by Majid Al Maskati
Songs written by Nineteen85
South African Airplay Chart number-one singles
Synth-pop ballads