Hold On, I'm Comin' (song)

"Hold On, I'm Comin'"
Single by Sam & Dave
from the album Hold On, I'm Comin'
B-side"I Got Everything I Need"
ReleasedMarch 1966
Recorded1966
GenreMemphis soul[1]
Length2:35
LabelStax/Atlantic
S-189
Songwriter(s)Isaac Hayes
David Porter
Producer(s)Jim Stewart
Sam & Dave singles chronology
"You Don't Know Like I Know"
(1965)
"Hold On, I'm Comin'"
(1966)
"Said I Wasn't Gonna Tell Nobody"
(1966)

"Hold On, I'm Comin'" (officially registered as "Hold On, I'm Coming",[2] and shown on the original single release as "Hold On! I'm Comin'" and "Hold On! I'm a Comin'")[3] is a 1966 single recorded by soul duo Sam & Dave, issued on the Atlantic-distributed Stax label in 1966.

It was written by the songwriting team of Isaac Hayes and David Porter, who came up with the title of the song spontaneously when Hayes was trying to get Porter to hurry out of the Stax Studios restroom and get back to songwriting.[4] The original title was "Hold On, I'm Comin'", but some radio stations objected to its "suggestive nature", and labels on most copies of the single gave the title as "Hold On! I'm A Comin'".[3] Released as Stax 189 in the spring of 1966, the single peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Hot R&B singles chart and at number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.[4]

Following the instrumental introduction, Sam sings the first verse and is joined by Dave for the chorus. Dave sings the second verse and is joined by Sam for the chorus. In the bridge section, Dave sings the first part and Sam sings the second part, which is followed by a brief instrumental passage. Sam sings the third verse and is joined by Dave for the chorus. The introduction is repeated in the chorus, with both Sam and Dave singing until the song fades out.

A revamped version of the song, "Hold On, Edwin's Coming", was recorded by Sam & Dave as a promotional single for Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards' third election campaign in 1982. Three years later, Dave Prater teamed with new singing partner Sam Daniels as "The New Sam and Dave Review" and recorded "Medley/Hold On, I'm Comin'" for Atlantic Records.

Personnel

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Cover versions and samples

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Charts

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Japan 250,000[14]
United Kingdom (BPI)[15] Silver 200,000
United States (RIAA)[16] Gold 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Bradley, Larry (November 4, 2014). "The 1960s: Sam & Dave - "Hold On, I'm Coming". The Alternative Jukebox. Cassell. p. 20. ISBN 978-1-84403-789-6.
  2. ^ "Hold On, I'm Comin'". Repertoire.bmi.com. Archived from the original on 2012-07-13. Retrieved 2014-03-25.
  3. ^ a b "45cat – Sam And Dave – Hold On! I'm A Comin' / I Got Everything I Need – Stax – USA – S-189". 45cat.com. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
  4. ^ a b Hogan, Ed (2006). "Review of "Hold On! I'm Comin'". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-3-30
  5. ^ "Hold on I'm Comin' - Karen Silver | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic.
  6. ^ "RPM Top 100 - December 1, 1979" (PDF).
  7. ^ "RPM Dance Music - November 17, 1979" (PDF).
  8. ^ "RPM AC Playlist - October 20, 1979" (PDF).
  9. ^ "RPM Top 100 Singles - July 4, 1966" (PDF).
  10. ^ "Sam Dave Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  11. ^ "Sam Dave Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  12. ^ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles, June 11, 1966". Archived from the original on September 22, 2018. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
  13. ^ Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 24, 1966
  14. ^ "Cash Box - Japan" (PDF). Cash Box. January 4, 1969. p. 32. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  15. ^ "British single certifications – Sam & Dave – Hold On I'm Comin". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  16. ^ "American single certifications – Sam & Dave – Hold On, I'm Coming". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
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