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"Holding On for Life"
Single by Broken Bells
from the album After the Disco
Released	November 21, 2013
Recorded	2012–13
Genre	Neo-psychedelia, dream pop, synthpop
Length	3:56
Label	Columbia
Songwriter(s)	James Mercer, Brian Burton
Producer(s)	Danger Mouse
Broken Bells singles chronology
"Vaporize" (2011) "Holding On for Life" (2013) "After the Disco" (2014)

"Holding On for Life" is a song performed by American alternative rock band Broken Bells. Written by band members James Mercer and Brian Burton and produced by the latter, the song was originally recorded for the band's second studio album, After the Disco, on which it appears as the third track. It was released as the album's lead single on November 21, 2013. The song is featured in the soundtrack for the video game MLB 14: The Show.

Reception

Kory Grow of Rolling Stone described the song as "a Bee Gees-like indie-disco number," a sentiment also expressed by NPR's Bob Boilen, who wrote that he "heard Bee Gees in something like this." In an interview with Boilen, Danger Mouse concurred with this comparison, saying, "It sounded kind of like the Bee Gees a little bit, but so what? The Bee Gees had some good choruses."

Music video

A music video for the song was directed by Jacob Gentry, and stars Kate Mara and Anton Yelchin. The video serves as a sequel to the previously released video for the song "Angel and the Fool", also from After the Disco.

Charts

References

1. Minsker, Evan (November 12, 2013). "Video: Broken Bells: "Holding on for Life", Starring Kate Mara and Anton Yelchin". Pitchfork Media. Archived from the original on November 24, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
2. Grow, Kory (December 6, 2013). "Broken Bells Explore Sci-Fi in 'Holding On for Life'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
3. Boilen, Bob (November 4, 2013). "Broken Bells Shares New Song, Accidentally Channels Bee Gees". NPR. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
4. Breihan, Tom (November 21, 2013). "Holding on for Life Video". Stereogum. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
5. DeVille, Chris (October 29, 2013). "Broken Bells – After The Disco Short Film Part One: Angel And The Fool". Stereogum. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
6. "ARIA Report: Issue 1059" (PDF). ARIA. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 17, 2013. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
7. "Broken Bells – Holding On for Life" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved March 24, 2014.
8. "Broken Bells – Holding On for Life" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved March 24, 2014.
9. "Broken Bells Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
10. Broken Bells — Holding On for Life. TopHit. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
11. "Lista Przebojów Trójki - Polskie Radio Online". Archived from the original on February 26, 2014. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
12. "Broken Bells Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 24, 2014.
13. "Broken Bells Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
14. "Broken Bells Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 24, 2014.
15. "Broken Bells Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved January 23, 2014.
16. "Broken Bells Chart History: Hot Singles Sales". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 20, 2021. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
17. "Hot Rock Songs: Year End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
18. "Adult Alternative Songs: Year End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2014.

External links

• Music video on YouTube

• Broken Bells songs
• 2013 singles
• Columbia Records singles
• 2013 songs
• Songs written by Danger Mouse (musician)
• Songs written by James Mercer (musician)
• Song recordings produced by Danger Mouse (musician)