Still Holding On
Encyclopedia
"Still Holding On" is the title of a song recorded by American country music
singers Clint Black
and Martina McBride
, written by Black along with Matraca Berg
and Marty Stuart
. The song was the first single from Black's 1997 album Nothin' but the Taillights
, as well as the 26th single release of his career. It was also included on McBride's Evolution
album.
that Joe Galante, then the chairman of RCA Records, suggested that he record a duet, because he thought that it would be a good time in Black's career for him to release one. Due to her busy schedule, McBride cut the duet vocals with Black in one day.
The song received a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals
at the 40th Annual Grammy Awards in 1998.
magazine reviewed the song favorably, saying that Black's and McBride's voices "blend beautifully, and when they soar into the chorus, it's goosebumps time." She goes on to call the song "the clearest possible definition of a hit."
In Canada, the song debuted at number 83 on the RPM
Country Tracks charts on the week of June 16 and peaked at number 1 on the week of August 18. In addition, it peaked at number 50 on the same publication's Adult Contemporary chart.
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
singers Clint Black
Clint Black
Clint Patrick Black is an American country music singer-songwriter, record producer, multi-instrumentalist and occasional actor. Signed to RCA Records in 1989, Black made his debut with his Killin' Time album, which produced four straight Number One singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country...
and Martina McBride
Martina McBride
Martina McBride is an American country music singer and songwriter. McBride has been called the "Céline Dion of Country Music" for her big-voiced ballads and soprano range....
, written by Black along with Matraca Berg
Matraca Berg
Matraca Maria Berg is an American country music singer and songwriter. She has released five albums: three for RCA Records, one for Rising Tide Records and one for Dualtone Records, and has charted in the top 40 of the U.S. Billboard country charts with "Baby, Walk On" and "The Things You Left...
and Marty Stuart
Marty Stuart
John Martin "Marty" Stuart is an American country music singer-songwriter, known for both his traditional style, and eclectic merging of rockabilly, honky tonk, and traditional country music...
. The song was the first single from Black's 1997 album Nothin' but the Taillights
Nothin' but the Taillights
Nothin' but the Taillights is a 1997 album by country singer Clint Black. Black co-wrote many of the songs with others and played much of the guitar himself for this album....
, as well as the 26th single release of his career. It was also included on McBride's Evolution
Evolution (Martina McBride album)
Evolution is the fourth album released by Martina McBride. It was released in 1997 via RCA Records. It included the hit singles "Happy Girl", "A Broken Wing" and "Valentine", the latter of which became her first single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 as well as her first major crossover hit...
album.
History
Black told BillboardBillboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
that Joe Galante, then the chairman of RCA Records, suggested that he record a duet, because he thought that it would be a good time in Black's career for him to release one. Due to her busy schedule, McBride cut the duet vocals with Black in one day.
The song received a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals
Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals
The Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals was an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to quality country music collaborations for artists who do not normally perform together...
at the 40th Annual Grammy Awards in 1998.
Critical reception
Deborah Evans Price, of BillboardBillboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
magazine reviewed the song favorably, saying that Black's and McBride's voices "blend beautifully, and when they soar into the chorus, it's goosebumps time." She goes on to call the song "the clearest possible definition of a hit."
Chart performance
On the Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts in the United States, "Still Holding On" debuted on the chart dated for the week ending June 14, 1997. It spent twenty weeks on that chart, peaking at number 11.In Canada, the song debuted at number 83 on the RPM
RPM (magazine)
RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,...
Country Tracks charts on the week of June 16 and peaked at number 1 on the week of August 18. In addition, it peaked at number 50 on the same publication's Adult Contemporary chart.
| Chart (1997) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks | 11 |
| Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 1 |
| Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary | 50 |