On Hold – English Lyrics

• By: The xx
• Album: I See You

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the nuanced emotional landscape of The xx's "On Hold." This track offers a unique opportunity to explore English expressions of regret, denial, and moving on within relationships. Its compelling narrative, conveyed through the distinct vocal interplay of Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim, alongside Jamie xx's innovative production and an iconic sample, makes it a fascinating song for understanding contemporary indie pop vocabulary and thematic depth. Listen closely to how contrasting perspectives on a past love are articulated, providing rich context for real-life conversations about heartache and resolution.

[English]

I don't blame you

We got carried away

I can't hold on

To an empty space

Now you've found a new star to orbit

It could be love

I think you're too soon to call us old

When and where did we go cold?

I thought I had you on hold

And every time I let you leave

I always saw you coming back to me

When and where did we go cold?

I thought I had you on hold

Where does it stop, where does it stop

Where do you dare me to?

You've got the body, you've got the body

Dare me to, dare me to

Where does it stop, where does it stop

Where do you dare me to?

You've got the body, you've got the body

I thought I had you on hold

Where does it stop, where does it stop

Where do you dare me to?

You've got the body, you've got the body

Dare me to, dare me to

Where does it stop, where does it stop

Where do you dare me to?

You've got the body, you've got the body

Dare me to, dare me to

My young heart chose to believe

We were destined

Young hearts

All need love

Call it a lesson

The stars and the charts

And the cards make sense

Only when we want them to

When I lie awake staring into space

I see a different view

Now you've found a new star to orbit

It could be love

I think you're too soon to call us old

When and where did we go cold?

I thought I had you on hold

And every time I let you leave

I always saw you coming back to me

When and where did we go cold?

I thought I had you on hold

I thought I had you on hold

I thought I had you on hold

Where does it stop, where does it stop

Where do you dare me to?

You've got the body, you've got the body

Dare me to, dare me to

Where does it stop, where does it stop

Where do you dare me to?

You've got the body, you've got the body

You've got the body, you've got the body

Where does it stop, where does it stop

Where do you dare me to?

You've got the body, you've got the body

Dare me to, dare me to

Where does it stop, where does it stop

Where do you dare me to?

You've got the body, you've got the body

Dare me to, dare me to

And every time I let you leave

I always saw you coming back to me

When and where did we go cold?

I thought I had you on hold

I thought I had you on hold

I thought I had you on hold

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
hold /hoʊld/ A1	verb - to grasp or grip something with one's hand verb - to keep or maintain something in a particular state or position
cold /koʊld/ A1	adjective - low in temperature adjective - unfriendly or distant
orbit /ˈɔr.bɪt/ B1	noun - the path of a celestial body around another verb - to move around a center point
destined /ˈdes.tɪnd/ B2	adjective - certain to happen or intended for a particular purpose
lesson /ˈles.ən/ A2	noun - something learned from experience
star /stɑr/ A1	noun - a massive luminous ball of plasma held together by its own gravity noun - a famous or talented performer
body /ˈbɑd.i/ A1	noun - the physical structure of a person or animal
dare /dɛr/ A2	verb - to challenge or provoke someone to do something
young /jʌŋ/ A1	adjective - at an early stage of life or development
love /lʌv/ A1	noun - a deep affection or emotional attachment verb - to have a deep affection for someone
view /vjuː/ A2	noun - the ability to see something or the range of vision verb - to look at or see something
space /speɪs/ A1	noun - a continuous area or expanse that is free, available, or unoccupied
awake /əˈweɪk/ A2	adjective - not asleep verb - to stop sleeping
believe /bɪˈliːv/ A2	verb - to accept that something is true or real
chart /tʃɑrt/ B1	noun - a diagram or map
sense /sɛns/ A2	noun - a faculty by which outside stimuli are perceived verb - to perceive or become aware of something