People Hold On

"People Hold On" is a song recorded by British band Coldcut and singer Lisa Stansfield, released as the first single from Coldcut's debut album, What's That Noise? (1989). It was written by Matt Black, Jonathan More and Stansfield, and produced by Coldcut.

For the 2015 film, see People Hold On (film).

"People Hold On"
Standard artwork; one of North American editions uses the white colour for the text
Single by Coldcut featuring Lisa Stansfield
from the album What's That Noise?
Released	13 March 1989
Recorded	1989
Genre	Acid house diva house[1]
Length	3:58
Label	Ahead of Our Time
Songwriter(s)	Matt Black Jonathan More Lisa Stansfield
Producer(s)	Coldcut
Alternative cover art(s)
UK/European 12-inch vinyl release of The Blaze Mix
Alternative cover
US limited edition 12-inch vinyl release of The Remixes
Coldcut singles chronology
"Stop This Crazy Thing" (1988) "People Hold On" (1989) "My Telephone" (1989)
Lisa Stansfield singles chronology
"Jackie" (1988) "People Hold On" (1989) "My Telephone" (1989)
Music video
"People Hold On" on YouTube

The song received positive reviews from music critics and became a commercial success. It was released as a single on 13 March 1989 and reached number eleven on the UK Singles Chart and number six on the US Billboard's Hot Dance Club Songs. The song was remixed by Blaze, Juan Atkins, Dimitri from Paris, Mark Saunders, Eric Kupper, Tyrone Perkins and Masters At Work. An accompanying music video directed by Big TV! was also released.

In 2003, "People Hold On" was included on Stansfield's compilation, Biography: The Greatest Hits. In 2006, Casuals Remix by Ceri Evans was included on Coldcut's album, Sound Mirrors (Videos & Remixes). In 2014, Full Length Disco Mix of "People Hold On" was included on Stansfield's People Hold On ... The Remix Anthology (also on The Collection 1989–2003).

Critical reception

Matthew Hocter from Albumism described the song as "an innovative dance track".[2] Greg Kot from Chicago Tribune noted Stansfield's "elastic" voice on it.[3] Tom Ewing from Freaky Trigger complimented her "as a house vocalist". He added, "Lisa Stansfield was a terrific find: she could play the belter with the best of them, but also provide a calm centre for Coldcut’s gleeful cut-and-mix pyrotechnics and pianos. Best of all, she sounded like she was having a tremendous time."[4] Music & Media wrote, "An effective mixture of Stansfield's soul voice and a rare groove/house backing. Great dance track with a strong melody."[5]

Fact put "People Hold On" at number 11 in their list of 21 diva-house belters that still sound incredible in 2014, writing:

Yeah it’s cheesy and loved up and utopian – and what? It really hit the spot back then, find yourself in the right situation now and it still does. Also the a cappella has found its way over so many different beats in bootlegs and DJ sets over the years, this track is woven into the very fabric of things.[6]

Mixmag ranked the song as one of the 20 best songs in their The 20 best diva house tracks list in 2019, adding:

The tune put the pair on the map and influential producers like Juan Atkins, Dimitri from Paris and Masters At Work, took notice of the UK duo's talent and each took shots at remixing the track. It's a clean and powerful dance track with a strong melody that marked the beginning of Coldcut's iconic career.[7]

Chart performance

"People Hold On" managed to make some impact on the charts in several countries. It peaked within the Top 20 in the United Kingdom, where it went to number 11 on April 9, 1989, in its fourth week at the UK Singles Chart. Additionally, the song was a Top 30 hit in Germany, a Top 40 hit in Belgium and the Netherlands, and a Top 50 hit in France. On the Eurochart Hot 100, "People Hold On" reached its best position as number 26. Outside Europe, it went to number 6 on the US Billboard Dance Club Songs, while reaching number 37 in New Zealand and number 78 in Australia.

Track listings

Australian/European 7" single

1. "People Hold On" – 3:58
2. "Yes, Yes, Yes" – 3:33

Australian/European CD single

1. "People Hold On" – 3:58
2. "People Hold On" (Full Length Disco Mix) – 9:24
3. "Yes, Yes, Yes" – 5:40

Australian/European 12" single

1. "People Hold On" (Full Length Disco Mix) – 9:24
2. "Yes, Yes, Yes" (Hedmaster Mix) – 5:40

European 12" single (The Blaze Mix)

1. "People Hold On" (New Jersey Jazz Mix) – 8:49
2. "People Hold On" (Speng Mix) – 6:34
3. "People Hold On" (A Capella) – 2:08
4. "Yes, Yes, Yes" – 5:40

European promotional 12" single

1. "People Hold On" (Full Length Disco Mix) – 9:24
2. "People Hold On" (Magic Juan's Dub Mix)
3. "People Hold On" (A Capella) – 2:08

European promotional 12" single

1. "People Hold On" (New Jersey Jazz Mix) – 8:49
2. "People Hold On" (Dimitri Remix) – 6:45

US 12" single

1. "People Hold On" (Full Length Disco Mix) – 9:24
2. "People Hold On" (Speng Mix) – 6:34
3. "People Hold On" (Radio Mix) – 3:58
4. "People Hold On" (New Jersey Jazz Mix) – 8:49
5. "People Hold On" (A Capella) – 2:08

US 12" single (Limited Edition)

1. "People Hold On" (NYC Club Mix) – 7:58
2. "People Hold On" (Dirty Piano Mix) – 5:33
3. "People Hold On" (Perk-Appella Mix) – 6:21
4. "People Hold On" (Radio Mix) – 3:58
5. "People Hold On" (NYC Club Edit) – 4:33
6. "People Hold On" (R.E.T.T. Dub) – 8:07

US 12" single (Masters At Work Mixes)

1. "People Hold On" (MAW Mix 1)
2. "People Hold On" (MAW Mix 2)
3. "People Hold On" (MAW Mix 3)
4. "People Hold On" (MAW Mix 4)

2006 UK 12" promotional single

1. "People Hold On" (Casuals Remix) – 4:32
2. "People Hold On" (Ricey Remix) – 5:57

Charts

Chart (1989)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)[8]	78
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[9]	32
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[10]	26
France (SNEP)[11]	45
Germany (Official German Charts)[12]	24
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[13]	37
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[14]	38
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[15]	11
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[16]	6

"People Hold On" (The Bootleg Mixes)

"People Hold On (The Bootleg Mixes)"
Single by Lisa Stansfield vs The Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
from the album Lisa Stansfield
Released	6 January 1997 (1997-01-06)
Recorded	1996
Genre	Dance
Length	3:42
Label	Arista
Songwriter(s)	Matt Black Jonathan More Lisa Stansfield
Producer(s)	The Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Lisa Stansfield singles chronology
"Dream Away" (1994) ""People Hold On" (The Bootleg Mixes)" (1997) "The Real Thing" (1997)
Music video
"People Hold On" (The Bootleg Mixes) on YouTube

In late 1996, "People Hold On" was remixed by British producers Dan Bewick and Matt Frost who called themselves The Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. The CD single with these Bootleg Mixes was released on 6 January 1997 and charted higher than the original version of the song in 1989. It peaked at number four on the UK Singles Chart and topped the UK Dance Singles Chart[17] and Billboard's Hot Dance Club Songs. The Dirty Rotten Scoundrels took their cue from Armand Van Helden's radical reworking of Tori Amos' "Professional Widow."

Because of this success, "People Hold On" (Bootleg Mix) was included on Lisa Stansfield's eponymous album (1997) as a bonus track. The music video, directed by Max Abbiss-Biro, does not include any new footage of Stansfield but uses small fragments taken from "Change" and "Someday (I'm Coming Back)" videos.

Later, "People Hold On" (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Mix) was also featured on The Remix Album (1998) and a limited edition of Biography: The Greatest Hits (2003). On 24 October 2006, Dance Vault Mixes of "People Hold On" were released digitally. In 2014, Jon Is the Don Mix of "People Hold On" was included on the deluxe 2CD + DVD re-release of Lisa Stansfield (also on The Collection 1989–2003).

Track listings

European CD single

1. "People Hold On" (Dirty Radio Mix) – 3:42
2. "People Hold On" (Jon Is the Don Mix) – 8:09

Australian/European CD maxi single

1. "People Hold On" (Dirty Radio Mix) – 3:42
2. "People Hold On" (Original 7" Version) – 3:58
3. "People Hold On" (Jon Is the Don Mix) – 8:09
4. "People Hold On" (Monjack Dub) – 7:59
5. "People Hold On" (Full Length Disco Mix) – 9:21

European 12" single

1. "People Hold On" (Jon Is the Don Mix) – 8:09
2. "People Hold On" (Original 7" Version) – 3:58
3. "People Hold On" (Monjack Dub) – 7:59
4. "People Hold On" (Full Length Disco Mix) – 9:21

2006 US digital Dance Vault Mixes

1. "People Hold On" (Dirty Radio Mix) – 3:42
2. "People Hold On" (Original 7" Version) – 3:58
3. "People Hold On" (Jon Is the Don Mix) – 8:09
4. "People Hold On" (Monjack Dub) – 7:59
5. "People Hold On" (Full Length Disco Mix) – 9:21

Other remixes

1. "People Hold On" (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Mix) – 6:11

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1997) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[18] 89 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[19] 40 Canada Dance (RPM)[20] 9 Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[21] 14 Ireland (IRMA)[22] 15 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[23] 71 Scotland (Official Charts Company)[24] 10 Spain Maxi Singles (PROMUSICAE)[25] 14 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[26] 4 US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[27] 1

Year-end charts Chart (1997) Position UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[28] 116 US Hot Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[29] 45

Cover and sampled versions

Manix sampled the song in their track "Living in the Past" from the album of the same name, which was released in 2013.[30]

Appearances in other media

The song appears in the video game Grand Theft Auto IV on the radio station Vice City FM.

See also

• List of number-one dance singles of 1997 (U.S.)

References

1. Muggs, Joe (23 January 2014). "Let's Fackin' Ave It! 21 diva-house belters that still sound incredible". Fact. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
2. Hocter, Matthew (17 November 2019). "Lisa Stansfield's Debut Album 'Affection' Turns 30: Anniversary Retrospective". Albumism. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
3. "LISA STANSFIELD PUTS AN APPEALING SPIN ON THE SOUL REVIVAL". Chicago Tribune. 23 May 1990. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
4. "LISA STANSFIELD – "All Around The World"". Freaky Trigger. 8 October 2010. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
5. "Previews: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 1 April 1989. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
6. Muggs, Joe (23 January 2014). "Let's Fackin' Ave It! 21 diva-house belters that still sound incredible". Fact. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
7. "The 20 best diva house tracks". Mixmag. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
8. "The ARIA Report issue 367, week ending 10th March 1997: Chartifacts column". ARIA. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
9. "Ultratop.be – Coldcut feat. Lisa Stansfield – People Hold On" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
10. "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
11. "Lescharts.com – Coldcut feat. Lisa Stansfield – People Hold On" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
12. "Coldcut feat. Lisa Stansfield - People Hold On" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
13. "Dutchcharts.nl – Coldcut feat. Lisa Stansfield – People Hold On" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
14. "Charts.nz – Coldcut feat. Lisa Stansfield – People Hold On". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
15. "Coldcut: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
16. "Coldcut Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
17. https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/dance-singles-chart/19970112/104/
18. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988-2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
19. "Ultratop.be – Lisa Stansfield vs. The Dirty Rotten Scoundrels – People Hold On" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
20. "Dance/Urban - Volume 65, No. 10, May 12 1997". RPM. Archived from the original on 6 July 2015. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
21. "The Eurochart Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media. 25 January 1997. Archived from the original on 11 March 2005. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
22. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – People Hold On". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
23. "Dutchcharts.nl – Lisa Stansfield vs. The Dirty Rotten Scoundrels – People Hold On" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
24. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
25. Fernando Salaverri (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
26. "Lisa Stansfield: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
27. "Lisa Stansfield Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
28. "Official Singles Chart 1993". Retrieved 20 May 2015.
29. The Year in Music. Billboard. 27 December 1998 – 3 January 1998. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
30. Manix, "Living In The Past" from WhoSampled