Hold Up (Homecoming Live) – Beyoncé

Bam bam dilla, bam bam

I see y’all in the front row, hey

Bam bam dilla, bam

Hold up, they don’t love you like I love you

Slow down, they don’t love you like I love you

Back up, they don’t love you like I love you

Step down, they don’t love you like I love you

Can’t you see there’s no other man above you?

What a wicked way to treat the girl that loves you

Hold up, they don’t love you like I love you

Slow down

Hey, this such a shame

You let this good love go to waste

I always keep the top tier, 5 star

Backseat lovin’ in the car

Like make that wood, make that wood

Holly like the boulevard

Unpacking the Emotions in “Hold Up (Homecoming Live)”

Beyoncé’s live rendition of “Hold Up” at Homecoming is a powerful exploration of love, loyalty, and vulnerability. The repeated refrain, “Hold up, they don’t love you like I love you,” underscores a heartfelt plea and sense of betrayal. Beyoncé addresses her partner directly, emphasizing her unique devotion and questioning why that love is taken for granted. Her live performance adds an extra layer of raw emotion, as she engages with the audience and channels both strength and hurt. The playful, rhythmic chants at the beginning create a communal feeling, inviting listeners into her personal narrative while maintaining the energetic spirit of her live show.

Song Credits

“Hold Up (Homecoming Live)” is performed by Beyoncé. The original song was written by Beyoncé, Ezra Koenig, Emile Haynie, Joshua Tillman, MNEK, Diplo, Father John Misty, and others, and first released in 2016. This live version appears on the 2019 “Homecoming: The Live Album.”