James Bay - Hold Back The River 

I lost my dad 2 months ago. I'm in the end of my senior year of high school. I'm 17 and I never excepted to lose my dad. I thought Senior Year was the the last year to be a kid while you still are discovering who you want to become. I had a very close relationship with my dad, and I never expected him to die. He was diagnosed February 2018 with stage 4 esophageal cancer. It was hard seeing him for 10 months going from better to worse, not knowing how to help him. There would be times he would shows signs of recovery and then he showed signs of no recovery. I'm going through a lot of depression right now and I'm just missing my dad a lot. I came across this song on my Pandora and I completely related to the lyrics right away. The line "Trying to keep you close to me while life got in between" makes me think that I had no control over my dad's fate. It was God's plan for my dad and I know I will see him again. Maybe not in this life, but in the next.

I'm a 58 year old man at the end of a life I struggle to come to terms with. I don't sleep much anymore because of the idea of leaving my children behind . I was wanting to listen to something new while I was having another sleepless night and I ran across what I now consider the most beautiful song I have ever had the privilege of hearing. I thank God for taking me to the only song that has ever touched me and gave me such a desperately needed sense of calm. Thank you for sharing your gift with me and the whole world. God bless you and please never stop.

I miss these days 😢music is the closest thing we have to a Time Machine

The best song on PES 2017💚

My daughter fought leukaemia for two years. She was in a very dark place as I was. Her resilience was amazing. I listened to this song over and over again getting inspiration for the fight. Courtney is now 12 months in remission. James Bay's brilliance bought me hope and joy at a time where it was so hard to find. Thanks James.

6 years since this masterpiece was dropped but still get the chills whenever i listen to this!

Who's still listening in 2024??

This song brings me back to the good old days. Just beautiful.

2020, still here, still a banger 🤩

8 years later and this song is still not losing it's vibe. LOVE IT!

Very special song, actually the whole Chaos And The Calm album is very special to me. Takes me back to some of the best moments of my life and to the best people and person I've ever met, I miss those times so much. Forever grateful for this album even though sometimes it makes me feel kinda emotional when I listen to this and think back to then. An absolute incredible album and one of my all time favourite albums 😊

Just bumped into this song and I was like,"wait a minute!"7years already and still loving it 👏

I took me five years to realise that river is metaphor for tears

Dude Hozier and James Bay should make a song.

As I go through a difficult break up , this song brings me comfort in knowing that i'll be okay ..

It's 8 years old but still as touching, ethereal & captivating as ever. A modern-day masterpiece.

I found this guy by accident and i'm so fucking glad I did.

This is such a good song

Timeless classic masterpiece...

I remember singing this at the end of year 2 (grade 1) for an assembly. Whenever I hear it it takes me back. ❤️❤️ Going into year 10 (grade 9) in September. Time flies.

2014- i'm here 2015- i'm here 2016- i' m here 2017 i'm here 2018- i'm here 2019- i'm here 2020- i'm here (covid 19 times) 2021- im still hereee (covid 19 times still :(

( not looking for sympathy ) my dad died 3 months ago and this was a song he always listened to, I never listened to it until now. But I’m glad I listened to it cause it is a beautiful song

Even when I’m not listening this masterpiece, it’s never stopping sounds in my head. Loving it so so much.❤

This song always makes me sad, not because of the lyrics, but because It was me and my best friends favorite song, and I was listening to it hours before she passed away, which really fucked me up, and I just cry every time I listen to it

i cant stop listening to this song, LOVE IT!

Such an underrated artist. He is amazing

It's been 7y and its still a master piece! Who's still listening

Such an amazing song, can't get enough of it.

lyrics Tried to keep you close to me But life got in between Tried to square not being there But think that I should have been Hold back the river, let me look in your eyes Hold back the river, so I Can stop for a minute and see where you hide Hold back the river, hold back Once upon a different life We rode our bikes into the sky But now we crawl against the tide Those distant days are flashing by Hold back the river, let me look in your eyes Hold back the river, so I Can stop for a minute and be by your side Hold back the river, hold back Hold back the river, let me look in your eyes Hold back the river, so I Can stop for a minute and see where you hide Hold back the river, hold back Hold oho, oho Oho, oho Lonely water, lonely water, won't you let us wander Let us hold each other Lonely water, lonely water, won't you let us wander Let us hold each other Hold back the river, let me look in your eyes Hold back the river, so I Can stop for a minute and be by your side Hold back the river, hold back Hold back the river, let me look in your eyes Hold back the river, so I Can stop for a minute and be by your side Hold back the river, hold Lonely water, lonely water, won't you let us wander Let us hold each other Lonely water, lonely water, won't you let us wander Let us hold each other

Who here listening in 2024 🎉🎉🎉

This is the most beautiful song i have ever heard in my life. Absolutely in love. James Bay you killed it!!♥️

I can't believe this came out in 2014. Seems like just yesterday.

Takes me back to PES 2017.. Awesome tune ❤‍🔥

The passion and deepness makes this artist different from rest, not for the fame but for the music 🙏🎶

My son is 12 now but when he was about 3 years old…when this song came on ? Air guitar and his dads hat. So cool even back then. He lost his dad in 2013 a year after he was born. He only got one birthday and one Christmas….but his dad ? His hero. This was one of his dad’s favourites. My wee hero along with his big sister. ❤

My favorite part is 'Once upon a different life, we rode our bikes into the sky'. My older sister and I did, so whenever I hear those lines, it reminds me of being young and innocent and being able to have stupid fun. I miss that.

I just found out my cousin is the drummer for this guy, I feel so important rn :') great song

This song always calms me down when I feel bad.

Epic song for many years to come !! ☝️👊💪💥🔥

Love this song

The fact that this comment section is alive after 6+ years is amazing

hi! my dance group and i used this at our compettition and it was theme romeo and juliet! we are "juliet's """""funeral""""" (the fake one) and today is the show wish me luck!

This Songs Will Never Die❣️ Love From World 🌍🇳🇵

Hold Back The River" Tried to keep you close to me, But life got in between Tried to square not being in there But think that I should've been Hold back the river, let me look in your eyes Hold back the river, so I Can stop for a minute and see where you hide Hold back the river, hold back Once upon a different life We rode our bikes into the sky But now we're caught against the tide Those distant days all flashing by Hold back the river, let me look in your eyes Hold back the river, so I Can stop for a minute and be by your side Hold back the river, hold back Hold back the river, let me look in your eyes Hold back the river, so I Can stop for a minute and see where you hide Hold back the river, hold back Oh, oho, oho, oho, oho Oho, oho, oho, oho Lonely water, lonely water, won't you let us wander Let us hold each other Lonely water, lonely water, won't you let us wander Let us hold each other Hold back the river, let me look in your eyes Hold back the river, so I Can stop for a minute and be by your side Hold back the river, hold back Hold back the river, let me look in your eyes Hold back the river, so I Can stop for a minute and be by your side Hold back the river, hold Lonely water, lonely water, won't you let us wander Let us hold each other Lonely water, lonely water, won't you let us wander Let us hold each other

best song of PES 2017.

Every man has a song they keep private for those moments when you need to just have a cry and you need help getting it out, this is one of mine.

You really don’t know what you have until it’s gone… Miss you Nandhini❤

This is so wonderful I'm crying I can't hold back the river

James Bay is my new Ed Sheeran. Love love this guy. I bought his album "Chaos and the Calm" on iTunes.

This song helped me heal after a heartbreak , i moved away for a year , got my mind together about what I wanted in life & who I needed to be. Everytime I listen to it , it takes me back to that chapter & I am happy to be where I am now🙏🏻

Masterpiece ❤️

Courtney's determination is unparalleled. James' music encapsulates hope. Next week we go for 12 months remission. Thank you so much for your comments of support. So much love in this world.

when i was 8 years old, i went on holiday with me, mum, dad, aunt and my little cousin whos like my best friend, this used to be my favourite song, that everytime the 5 of us went in the car i would beg my dad to put this song on so i could sing my heart out with the car roof down and driving through beautiful places with beautiful sunsets, this was5 years ago now, but not one of us will forget that holiday, so i would say this song describes my child hood like nothing else has. thank you james :)

Listening to this brings back memories from the time I was playng PES 2017 with my siblings.

I've been going through hard times recently this song helped me a lot big respect to you legend

for some reason this song makes me cry

Me: trying to sleep My brain at 3am: hOlD bACk tHE rIvER

King Bob…. Loves this song

I could listen to this song on repeat for an eternity. I loved it then-I still love it. My favourite JB song 💕 x

Out of nowhere, this tune popped into my head today. Initially couldn’t work out what tune I was singing. Then I realised and felt compelled to come here! Cannot believe it is 7 years already!

Listening in November 2018. Why isn't this heavenly voice more popular?

Acordei com essa música na cabeça, vim ouvir. Como é bom relembrar esse sucesso! Muito feliz por isso. ♥️😃🙏🏾✨ Lindo ver os outros comentários das pessoas também. Estamos todos juntos.

This song is SO sentimental to me. It’s a beautiful song but this was playing at my work when I heard the news that my boyfriend try to take his life with a gun. I actually thought I did loose him…because it felt as he was speaking to me through this song. Maybe he was.

The past 2 months have been the roughest 2 months I've ever had... This song some how lifts my spirits

For anyone who is reading this: (This song made me think of this) Think what u have with u. What u love and who u want to be. Always know that there is someone who has it worse than u. Try to help. Be grateful for everything u have. Don't dwell on the bad things. If your struggling in life now there's a reason for it and u will be happy. And lastly remember this, THIS LIFE WAS GIVEN TO YOU BECAUSE SOMEONE KNEW YOU COULD LIVE THROUGH IT.

Still listen to this amazing song✨

It always comes on the radio with us, now I know who sings it. 😇

2019 Anyone? still love this song

This is one of the most beautiful songs, sings to my heart

Me and my son's mother's song. Even to this day makes me cry for some reason

Whose jamming to this hit, in September 2020....hold back the river...

I'm 58 years old ... every time I hear this music ... I can't stop dancing .... And feel happy!!

Am from Africa but I hear country music is good and guess who made me believe it was James , legendary masterpiece ❤

Who else miss 10's?

Johnny Deep + Harry Styles = James bay?

No TikTok, no Fortnite, no Corona. Good Times.

What a song. Nothing else needed to be said!!!

This song makes me Remember back to the days I lost my younger sister. I would place my headphones full volume and reminisce the good times I had with her. I would feel better

James Bay, George Ezra, Jake Bugg, Tom Odell, Lewis Watson, Laura Marling, Beans on Toast, Tom Rosenthal, Ben Howard, James Vincent McMorrow, Frank Turner, Luke Sital-Singh, Kodaline, Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran, Nina Nesbitt, Lauren Aqualina, Chloe Howl, The 1975, Passenger... etc. British Music is so big!

This and Take me to Church by Hozier are my obsession songs right now!!!

This has currently been on repeat. His vibe, energy ❤

The Mask Singer made me search for this song. Never heard it til I watched Macaw performed it on the grand finally. Very touching lyrics. I love it.

It'll be 7 years soon, and I'm still here! Love this masterpiece

My grandson Gage loves his song it's one of his favorites and he did karaoke to it at Applebee's you did an awesome job I'm proud of him every time I listen to this song go back the river I have a song pull back the river and others songs it's in my music gallery every time I play the song but think of him I just said he did an awesome amazing job to my grandson thumbs up you rock

This song really hits on another level when you have hold back your tears after watching a sad scene of a movie.

Tried to keep you close to me, But life got in between Tried to square not being there But it's there that I should've been Hold back the river, let me look in your eyes Hold back the river, So I can stop for a minute and see where you hide Hold back the river, hold back Once upon a different life We rode our bikes into the sky But now we're caught against the tide Those distant days all flashing by Hold back the river, let me look in your eyes Hold back the river, So I can stop for a minute and be by your side Hold back the river, hold back Hold back the river, let me look in your eyes Hold back the river, So I can stop for a minute and see where you hide Hold back the river, hold back Oh, oho, oho, oho, oho Oho, oho, oho, oho Lonely water, lonely water, Won't you let us wander? Let us hold each other? Lonely water, lonely water, Won't you let us wander? Let us hold each other? Hold back the river, let me look in your eyes Hold back the river, So I can stop for a minute and be by your side Hold back the river, hold back Hold back the river, let me look in your eyes Hold back the river, So I can stop for a minute and be by your side Hold back the river Hold... [Alternative line:] Hold back the river [Acoustic version's line:] Hold back... Lonely water, lonely water, Won't you let us wonder? Let us hold each other? Lonely water, lonely water, Won't you let us wonder? Let us hold each other?

his voice is just perfect and he himself is pure perfection

Like so I can come back and listen

This song will be immortal because the feelings are genuine and true. It's nothing but love and sadness and that is the core of a human being.

put your speed onto 1.25

There’s a handful of songs that I listened to several years ago as a man that was an addict, broken, sad, defeated, ashamed and exhausted from years or trying to portray someone who is “normal”. I love coming back to those same songs after years clean, In the best place I’ve ever been in (mentally, physically, emotionally, financially) and reflecting on where I was and where I’ve came. As much as I despise the person I was, the time I wasted and the people I hurt…I wouldn’t be me without those times of desperation.

Happy New Year James. I contemplated listen to you tonight because it usually makes me cry , time missed with my dad. But I’m not going to tonight because it’s New Year. I hope. Now I’m about to push play. . happy New Years dad ❤🎉🥂

Holyyy crap he's amazing. I have a few of his songs but every time I hear a new (to me) song I'm completely blown away by his talent. Hands down one of the best & talented artists out there.

This song brings back memories of simple times🥺😭

One of the best songs! On my top list...Thank you James...

I miss pes 2017 and master league 🥺

Why don’t they make music like this anymore :(

I don’t need a calendar.... I have RU-vid comments

I heard this music on stage maybe around 2013 in lisbon. It was a time that end in my life and another one that just get started. Another circles had closed and open for me. But this song remains in time. Our lifes always will have doors that are closed and others that will be opened. The teachers, the main ones, who really hurt us, will leads us to the greatest lessons. And we hold ourselfs. Theres only ourselfs to hold first

Just got this young man CD he’s incredible love his voice and music 🎶 great voice and awesome songwriter and guitarist. He’s my daughter age. This one of my favorite songs on the CD but I love them all🎶🎼🎸incredible music 🎵 🎶🎼👏🏼