Hearing Live’s music from their classic Throwing Copper record transports me back to Mornington in Southeast Melbourne and the golden age alt-rock scene. It seems to me ‘The Nineties‘ was a good decade in many respects and the music it contains reflect it. Extraordinarily, a previously unreleased track Hold Me Up is the third song to be presented here from Live‘s third studio record Throwing Copper after their previous entry All Over You. The album sold 8 million copies and hence certified 8× platinum. The cover art (see inset) is a painting by Scottish artist Peter Howson titled Sisters of Mercy. In 2005, it was sold for $186,000 by Christie’s in New York.
I think Hold Me Up is about the ebb and flow of a relationship, perhaps even some marriage vows, as the narrator says “All that to you in a church by the sea, Were late, but not in the same way, Were older today.” To me this sounds just like something that would be said at a marriage ceremony. Reading the lyrics from that perspective, they all make sense. He’s expressing his seemingly undying love for his partner. No matter the situation, he will always love her. In any case, it’s a very romantic song, set to rock.
Oh, and this song was played in the movie (during the sex scene) – Zach and Miri Make a Porno.
Hold me up in the palm of your hand
Lying to you is a river of sin
Your metaphors, your silent calls
Your feelings are too real
Let them spew, a fall from grace
Would do us good today
I’ll lift you up, we can love or cry
Hey, I’m in love, I’ll take you up again
Oh, oh…
All that to you in a church by the sea
We’re late, but not in the same way
We’re older today
According to songtell (written by A.I Help): Hold Me Up explores the complexities of a relationship, highlighting the desire for support, honesty, and growth, as well as the shared commitment to overcoming obstacles together. The song captures the vulnerability, love, and potential for redemption within the context of this connection….The repetition of “Images we cannot leave behind” and “Like two riversides we roll back” refers to the lingering memories and shared experiences between the two individuals.
References:
1. Throwing Copper – Wikipedia
2. Hold Me Up – Song Meanings
3. Hold Me Up – Songtell
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
Great song 🎵
Great album Tom. ‘All Over You’ and ‘Lightening Crashes’ are two other gems from it.
Good song and yet another reminder of how much of the ’90s were a black hole for me when it came to music – I had never heard of Live before.
Starting around the time this album came out, I had pretty much completely tuned out of what was then-contemporary music and lived happily in a retro music bubble, mostly listening to ’60s and ’70s music. The only exception would be “old artists” like Springsteen, Mellencamp or Sting when they came out with new albums.
As a result of my listening habits, I missed much of ’90s alternative rock at the time. Fortunately, my blogging has changed things, but I’m still catching up! 🙂
I point you to their 2 other songs from the record which have appeared here: ‘Lightening Crashes’ & ‘All Over You’.
I remember reading in your ‘About Page’ your obsession with 60’s and 70’s music. That’s cool man. The same could be said about my obsession with all things Dylan & to a lesser extent Springsteen (who you also prioritised) which obfuscated my deeper appreciation of other music genres and epochs.
Due to the influences of my anti-establishment friends in that 90’s period, I fortunately rode the crests of Alt and Grunge music. I’m glad you have made amends ‘on catching up’ due to your blogging venture. I have found that as well. Our music-walls broaden as we see what other like minded aficionados are into.