Louis Tomlinson has been staying low on the professional side of things since One Direction began their hiatus at the end of 2015. He’s been seen in a number of countries making appearances and visiting friends and family but he’s kept his official projects off the radar. Fans were waiting patiently all year to find out if he’d be doing more behind the scenes with music, or if we’d get his incredible voice on a solo track.
Louis was behind some of the most loved One Direction songs in terms of writing, and his vocal abilities gave the band their unique and beautiful sound. He was vastly underrated but his fans had faith that he’d do something special during the band’s hiatus, they were holding out for his solo work.
When Louis began hanging out with Steve Aoki, fans wondered if their budding friendship may have something to do with future projects as well. The two were seen at a number of events together and even on a private plane and it was clear that they’d hit it off well. Steve’s music is classified as ‘electro house’ music and while it’s not the path fans originally anticipated Louis taking; it became incredibly easy to see him follow that path as time went on.
On December 9th fans of Louis learned that his mother Johannah passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on the 7th of December. She was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia which ‘required immediate and constant treatment’. Hospitalized since May, the mother of seven and angel on earth painted a brave smile on her face for her loved ones and that smile is something that will be treasured for the years that must be lived without her.
Rumors of Louis’ debut single began to swirl earlier in the week, many saying that he’d be performing on The X Factor stage during the finale. After news of his mother’s passing, this was confirmed. It was something that Johannah wanted to see Louis do again, perform on the same stage in which she saw his dreams come true. Now, she’s got the best view in the world.
The single was released on iTunes hours before the finale aired and the lyrics to the song definitely play homage to Johannah, it’s clear that she was on his mind while writing this and after his friendship with Steve began to manifest; there’s no one else that could have done this song justice alongside Louis. Steve canceled shows this week to make it to London to perform with Louis for his mother, the gesture means more to Louis and his fans than Steve will ever know.
wish you could build a time machine
so you could see the things no one can see
feels like you’re standing on the edge
looking at the stars and wishing you were them
what do you do when a chapter ends
do you close the book and never read it again
where do you go when your story’s done
you can be who you were or who you’ll become
“If it all goes wrong, darling just hold on…
The sun goes down and it comes back up
the world it turns no matter what
if it all goes wrong, darling just hold on…
it’s not over til it’s over said it’s not over til your dying breath
so what do you want them to say when you’re gone
that you gave up or that you kept going on
what do you do when a chapter ends
do you close the book and never read it again
where do you go when your story’s done
you can be who you were, or who you’ll become
if it all goes wrong, darling just hold on…
the sun goes down and it comes back up
the world it turns no matter what
if it all goes wrong, darling just hold on”
We know Johannah is looking down at Louis right now, more proud than ever; and it’s safe to say that she knew the song was for her long before his fans did. Louis, now it’s your turn to just hold on.
You can buy Just Hold On on iTunes and stream it soon on Spotify – lets help get this song to number one to show Louis our support.