Let Me Hold You
{{Short description|2005 single by Bow Wow}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Let Me Hold You
| cover = letmeholdyou.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Bow Wow featuring Omarion
| album = Wanted
| released = {{start date|2005|03|11}}
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = {{flatlist|
| length = {{Duration|m=4|s=08}}
| label = Columbia
| writer = {{flatlist|
| producer = {{flatlist|
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title =
| next_year =
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = Bow Wow
| type = single
| prev_title = Baby It's You
| prev_year = 2004
| title = Let Me Hold You
| year = 2005
| next_title = Like You
| next_year = 2005
}}
{{Extra chronology
| artist = Omarion
| type = single
| prev_title = I'm Tryna
| prev_year = 2005
| title = Let Me Hold You
| year = 2005
| next_title = Entourage
| next_year = 2006
}}
{{Extra chronology
| artist = Bow Wow and Omarion
| type = single
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| title = Let Me Hold You
| year = 2005
| next_title = Girlfriend
| next_year = 2007
}}
{{External music video|{{YouTube|CX2Acz35XWY|"Let Me Hold You"}}
}}
}}
"Let Me Hold You" is a song by American rapper Bow Wow. It was the first single off his fourth album, Wanted (2005). Released on March 11, 2005, the song features American R&B singer Omarion (the first collaboration they did together). It was co-written and co-produced by frequent producer Jermaine Dupri and No I.D. and uses a sample of Luther Vandross' 1985 version of Brenda Russell's "If Only for One Night".
The song received positive reviews from critics. "Let Me Hold You" peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100, making this the first top 10 hit for both Bow Wow and for Omarion as a solo artist. It also became a number-one hit for both artists on the Hot Rap Songs chart and stayed there for seven weeks. The song also peaked at numbers 2 and 10 on both the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Mainstream Top 40 charts respectively, and reached the top 40 in countries like Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and the United Kingdom. The song was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling over 1,000,000 copies. A music video, directed by Bryan Barber, was made to promote the single and featured Bow Wow and Omarion hanging out at a house party.
Background
File:Omarion_LF.JPG (pictured).]]
Bow Wow had publicly announced his interpretation of the song's meaning as he stated in an interview with MTV:
"Basically the song is me talking to a girl and telling her, 'These are the things I can do for you. Let me hold you down. This is what I want to do for you as a man. These are the things I'm capable of doing for you if you get with me. Just hear me out.' I'm just really talking to the ladies. The song is really special to me, and I love that song."{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1500365/bow-wow-omarion-team-up-for-single-and-scream-iv-tour/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826122910/http://www.mtv.com/news/1500365/bow-wow-omarion-team-up-for-single-and-scream-iv-tour/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 26, 2014|title=Bow Wow, Omarion Team Up For Single And Scream IV Tour|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|work=MTV|publisher=Viacom|date=April 18, 2005|accessdate=August 23, 2014}}The collaboration began when Bow Wow was talking with producer Jermaine Dupri about the song and how he suggested on getting Omarion to appear on the track.
In a 2011 retrospective of his previous hits with Complex, producer No I.D. said that this was the first time he worked with Dupri and was asked by him to bring over his samples to pick one that would be used for a single to finish off the album. He played him the Luther Vandross sample and was hesitant about his initial reaction at first before thinking it over and seeing its potential as a smash hit.{{cite web|url=http://www.complexmag.ca/music/2011/12/no-id-tells-all-the-stories-behind-his-classic-records/bow-wow-f-omarion-let-me-hold-you|title=No ID Tells All: The Stories Behind His Classic Records - Bow Wow f/ Omarion "Let Me Hold You"|last=Barber|first=Andrew|work=Complex|publisher=Complex Media|date=December 23, 2011|accessdate=August 26, 2014}}
Composition
"Let Me Hold You" was co-written and co-produced by Jermaine Dupri and No ID. It features a sample of Luther Vandross' version of "If Only for One Night", written and originally performed by Brenda Russell.{{cite web|url=http://www.whosampled.com/sample/860/Bow-Wow-Omarion-Let-Me-Hold-You-Luther-Vandross-If-Only-for-One-Night/|title=Bow Wow feat. Omarion's Let Me Hold You sample of Luther Vandross's If Only for One Night|website=WhoSampled|accessdate=August 23, 2014}} The song is in 4/4 time and in the key of E♭ minor.
Critical reception
The song received positive reviews from music critics. AllMusic's David Jeffries put it alongside "Like You" as the album's highlights that work "on a more adult level."{{cite web|url={{Allmusic|class=album|id=r779805|pure_url=yes}}|title=Bow Wow - Wanted|last=Jeffries|first=David|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=September 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029194243/https://www.allmusic.com/album/wanted-mw0000190749|archive-date=October 29, 2020|url-status=live}} Steve 'Flash' Juon of RapReviews praised the production by Dupri and No ID for their clever take on the sample, Bow Wow's lyrics and Omarion's guest vocal performance.{{cite web|url=http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2005_08_wanted.html|title=Bow Wow :: Wanted :: Columbia/Sony BMG Music Entertainment|last=Jost|first=Matt|website=RapReviews|date=August 23, 2005|access-date=September 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230510184757/https://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2005_08_wanted.html|archive-date=May 10, 2023|url-status=live}} Angie Romero of Vibe praised the sing-song hook for making the track "undeniably catchy."{{cite journal|last=Romero|first=Angie|title=Bow Wow 'Wanted'|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9iYEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA236|accessdate=September 12, 2015|date=September 2005|journal=Vibe|publisher=Vibe Media|volume=13|issue=10|page=236|issn=1070-4701|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013183201/https://books.google.com/books?id=9iYEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA236&hl=en#v=onepage&q&f=false|archive-date=October 13, 2016|url-status=dead}}
Commercial performance
"Let Me Hold You" debuted at number 93 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week of May 21, 2005.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/62864/hollaback-has-singles-chart-staying-power|title='Hollaback' Has Singles Chart Staying Power|last=Jeckell|first=Barry|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|date=May 19, 2005|accessdate=August 23, 2014}} Three weeks later, it moved twenty-two spots from number 73 to 51 for the week of June 11, 2005.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/62645/carey-still-belongs-at-no-1|title=Carey Still 'Belongs' At No.1|last=Jeckell|first=Barry|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|date=June 9, 2005|accessdate=August 23, 2014}} It moved eleven spots from number 28 to 17 for the week of July 2, 2005.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/62417/carey-rebound-keeps-bice-from-hot-100-no-1|title=Carey Rebound Keeps Bice From Hot 100 No. 1|last=Jeckell|first=Barry|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|date=June 30, 2005|accessdate=August 23, 2014}} It moved four spots from number 15 to 11 for the week of July 16, 2005.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/62099/carey-stefani-peas-maintain-singles-lead|title=Carey, Stefani, Peas Maintain Singles Lead|last=Jeckell|first=Barry|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|date=July 14, 2005|accessdate=August 23, 2014}} It reached the top ten for the week of July 23, 2005, at number eight.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/62030/mariahs-together-holds-off-replay-charge|title=Mariah's 'Together' Holds Off 'Replay' Charge|last=Jeckell|first=Barry|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|date=July 21, 2005|accessdate=August 23, 2014}} It reached its peak at number four and spent a total of 24 weeks on the chart.{{cite web|url=http://acharts.co/song/808#stats|title=Bow Wow and Omarion - Let Me Hold You|website=aCharts.co|accessdate=August 23, 2014}} With the release of "Let Me Hold You", Bow Wow achieved his first top ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100, surpassing his 2003 hit "Let's Get Down" which peaked at number 14.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/61812/chart-beat|title=Chart Beat|last=Bronson|first=Fred|author-link=Fred Bronson|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|date=August 11, 2005|accessdate=August 23, 2014}} The song was also Omarion's first top-10 hit as a solo artist, although he previously had a number-one hit with "Bump, Bump, Bump" as a member of B2K.
"Let Me Hold You" was Bow Wow and Omarion's first entry on the Pop 100, where it peaked at number 14. On the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, the single peaked at number two. The song also became a number-one hit for both artists on the Hot Rap Songs chart for seven weeks{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/archive/charts/2005/rap-song |title=Rap Songs – 2005 Archive |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |accessdate=September 16, 2014}} and the Rhythmic Top 40 chart for five weeks."Let Me Hold You" August 13 – September 10, 2005:
- {{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/charts/2005-08-13/rhythmic-40 |title=Rhythmic: Aug 13, 2005 | magazine=Billboard |accessdate=September 16, 2014}}
- {{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/charts/2005-08-20/rhythmic-40 |title=Rhythmic: Aug 20, 2005 | magazine=Billboard |accessdate=September 16, 2014}}
- {{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/charts/2005-08-27/rhythmic-40 |title=Rhythmic: Aug 27, 2005 | magazine=Billboard |accessdate=September 16, 2014}}
- {{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/charts/2005-09-03/rhythmic-40 |title=Rhythmic: Sep 03, 2005 | magazine=Billboard |accessdate=September 16, 2014}}
- {{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/charts/2005-09-10/rhythmic-40 |title=Rhythmic: Sep 10, 2005 | magazine=Billboard |accessdate=September 16, 2014}} On May 14, 2006, "Let Me Hold You" was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling over 1,000,000 copies in the United States.{{Certification Cite Ref|region=United States|type=single|title=Let Me Hold You|artist=Bow Wow}}
Music video
The song's music video, directed by Bryan Barber, features Bow Wow attempting to woo a girl with mixed results. After surprising her at her house, the two attend a house party, but problems arise as she is less social than Bow Wow, who begins talking to other girls. After a brief reconciliation, the two argue again over the music at the party. Once again, the two are able to reconcile, but things remain awkward, and they do not communicate on their return home. The video appears to be an unresolved cliffhanger, but a "to be continued" title is shown as the video ends. (The video's story is continued in Bow Wow's next video, "Like You".) The video features a cameo from the song's co-producer, Jermaine Dupri and a young then unknown Future .
Live performances
"Let Me Hold You" was a staple at concerts for Bow Wow's 2005 summer tour Scream Tour IV.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1504350/bow-wow-omarion-roll-out-scream-iv-summer-dates/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826121400/http://www.mtv.com/news/1504350/bow-wow-omarion-roll-out-scream-iv-summer-dates/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 26, 2014|title=Bow Wow, Omarion Roll Out Scream IV Summer Dates|last=Harris|first=Chris|work=MTV|publisher=Viacom|date=June 20, 2005|accessdate=August 25, 2014}} It was performed at the 2005 American Music Awards on November 22, 2005, as part of a medley with Bow Wow's "Like You" and Omarion's "O".{{cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2005/11/08/captivating-combos-added-to-2005-american-music-awards-19742/20051108abc01/|title=Breaking News - Captivating Combos Added to "2005 American Music Awards"|work=The Futon Critic|publisher=Futon Media|date=November 8, 2005|accessdate=August 25, 2014}}
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
!Ceremony !Award !Result |
|---|
| rowspan="1"|2006
|2006 MTV Video Music Awards Japan |{{nom}} |
Track listings
US 12-inch vinyl{{cite AV media notes|title=Let Me Hold You|others=Bow Wow|year=2005|type=US 12-inch vinyl liner notes|publisher=Columbia Records|id=44 74625}}
- "Let Me Hold You" (radio version)
- "Let Me Hold You" (instrumental)
- "Let Me Hold You" (album version)
- "Let Me Hold You" (instrumental with background vocals)
- "Let Me Hold You" (radio version)
- "My Baby" (album version without intro)
Australian CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Let Me Hold You|others=Bow Wow|year=2005|type=Australian CD single liner notes|publisher=Columbia Records|id=676060.2}}
- "Let Me Hold You" (radio version) – 4:08
- "Let Me Hold You" (album version) – 4:08
- "Mo Money" – 4:06
- "Let Me Hold You" (instrumental) – 4:08
- "Let Me Hold You" (video)
Credits and personnel
Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Wanted.{{cite AV media notes|year=2005|title=Wanted|publisher=Columbia Records}}
Recording
- Recorded at Southside Studios, Atlanta, GA, Battery Studios, NY and The Record Plant, Hollywood
- Mixed at Southside Studios, Atlanta, GA
Personnel
- Jermaine Dupri – producer, mixer
- No ID – co-producer
- John Horesco IV – recording, assistant engineer
- Tadd Mingo – assistant engineer
- Brian McCarthy – assistant engineer
- Gelli – assistant engineer
- Phil Tan – mixer
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!Chart (2005–2006) !Peak |
| {{single chart|Australia|14|artist=Bow Wow feat. Omarion|song=Let Me Hold You|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Australiaurban|6|url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20051019140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20051020-0000/issue813.pdf|urltitle=Issue 813|rowheader=true|access-date=October 16, 2020}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} |
| scope="row"|Canada CHR/Pop Top 30 (Radio & Records){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2005/RR-2005-09-09.pdf|title=R&R Canada CHR/Pop Top 30|magazine=Radio & Records|issue=1623|page=32|date=September 9, 2005|access-date=October 16, 2020}}
|17 |
|---|
| {{single chart|France|40|artist=Bow Wow feat. Omarion|song=Let Me Hold You|rowheader=true|access-date=September 1, 2014}} |
| {{single chart|Germany|35|artist=Bow Wow feat. Omarion|song=Let Me Hold You|songid=111141|rowheader=true|access-date=March 13, 2019}} |
| {{single chart|Ireland2|16|song=Let Me Hold You|rowheader=true|access-date=January 22, 2020}} |
| {{single chart|New Zealand|8|artist=Bow Wow feat. Omarion|song=Let Me Hold You|rowheader=true|access-date=September 1, 2014}} |
| scope="row"|Netherlands (Urban Top 100){{cite web|title=The Urban Chart Top 100 - Urban Top 100|url=https://www.urbantop100.nl:80/|url-status=live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20050622022443/http://www.urbantop100.nl/|archive-date=June 22, 2005|access-date=March 29, 2020|website=urbantop100.nl}}
|37 |
| {{single chart|Scotland|46|artist=Bow Wow feat. Omarion|song=Let Me Hold You|date=20051022|rowheader=true|access-date=October 16, 2020}} |
| {{single chart|Sweden|26|artist=Bow Wow feat. Omarion|song=Let Me Hold You|rowheader=true|access-date=September 1, 2014}} |
| {{single chart|UK|27|artist=Bow Wow feat. Omarion|song=Let Me Hold You|date=20051022|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|UKrandb|2|artist=Bow Wow feat. Omarion|song=Let Me Hold You|date=20051022|rowheader=true|access-date=October 16, 2020}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardhot100|4|artist=Bow Wow|song=Let Me Hold You|access-date=August 23, 2014|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardrandbhiphop|2|artist=Bow Wow|song=Let Me Hold You|access-date=August 23, 2014|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardrapsongs|1|artist=Bow Wow|song=Let Me Hold You|access-date=August 23, 2014|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardpopsongs|10|artist=Bow Wow|song=Let Me Hold You|access-date=August 23, 2014|rowheader=true}} |
| scope="row"|US Pop 100 (Billboard){{cite magazine|title=Pop 100|magazine=Billboard|volume=117|issue=37|page=80|date=September 10, 2005}}
|14 |
| {{single chart|Billboardrhythmic|1|artist=Bow Wow|song=Let Me Hold You|access-date=September 1, 2014|rowheader=true}} |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!Chart (2005) !Position |
| scope="row"|US Billboard Hot 100"Year-End Charts: The Hot 100." Billboard 2005 Year In Music. Billboard. 2005.
|29 |
|---|
| scope="row"|US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2005/hot-r-and-and-b-hip-hop-songs|title=Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: 2005|magazine=Billboard|url-access=subscription|access-date=December 23, 2023}}
|24 |
| scope="row"|US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard){{cite magazine|title=2005 The Year in Charts: Top Mainstream Top 40 Songs|magazine=Billboard Radio Monitor|volume=13|issue=50|page=26|date=December 16, 2005}}
|61 |
| scope="row"|US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard){{cite magazine|title=2005 The Year in Music & Touring: Hot Rhythmic Songs|magazine=Billboard|volume=117|issue=52|page=YE-76|date=December 24, 2005}}
|13 |
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Bow Wow feat. Omarion|title=Let Me Hold You|award=Platinum|relyear=2005|certyear=2022|source=radioscope|access-date=January 15, 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Bow Wow|title=Let Me Hold You|award=Platinum|relyear=2005|certyear=2006}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streaming=true}}
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
!scope="col"|Region !scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Format(s) !scope="col"|Label(s) !scope="col"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="3"|United States
|March 11, 2005 |rowspan="4"|Columbia |{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/let-me-hold-you-featuring-omarion-single/187457146|title=Let Me Hold You (Featuring Omarion) – Single|publisher=Apple Music|access-date=June 2, 2021}} |
|---|
| May 16, 2005
|{{hlist|Rhythmic contemporary|urban radio}} |
| July 5, 2005 |
| scope="row"|Australia
|September 19, 2005 |CD |{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/issue812.pdf|title=The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 19th September 2005|publisher=ARIA|page=28|date=September 19, 2005|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20051019140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20051020-0000/issue812.pdf|archive-date=October 19, 2005|access-date=May 23, 2021}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} |
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Bow Wow}}
{{Omarion}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Bow Wow (rapper) songs
Category:Columbia Records singles
Category:Contemporary R&B ballads
Category:Music videos directed by Bryan Barber
Category:Song recordings produced by Jermaine Dupri
Category:Song recordings produced by No I.D.
Category:Songs written by Jermaine Dupri