Hold Your Head Up - The Zombies SXSW 2023 Stubbs Stage (Argent)

At SXSW 2023, TAM (Temple of Art and Music), who is attending with Dana Gillespie, had the opportunity to discover the legendary UK band The Zombies and their lead vocalist Colin Blunstone. TAM met them at the album release and acoustic set with founder Rod Argent at Waterloo Records, thanks to Dana Gillespie's introduction. After being impressed by their performance, TAM also attended their full-band show at Stubbs on March 16th, where the packed audience enjoyed their greatest hits, including "Hold Your Head Up." During the show, Argent shared the backstory of the song, revealing that it was written after The Zombies thought they weren't writing hits and had decided to disband.
Interestingly, the Zombies' album, "Odessey and Oracle," was released in 1968 when 'live' performances were crucial for most bands' income. Unfortunately, their popularity declined in the UK, and after the album's release, the band members decided to part ways, feeling that they weren't successful enough. The first two singles from the album even failed to chart. However, fate had other plans, and "Hold Your Head Up" became one of Argent's biggest hits, written with Chris White, who lived with Argent at the time. The chorus was inspired by White's wife, and Argent clarified that it's often mistaken as 'hold your head up woa,' but it's actually 'hold your head up woman'.
For those who missed the Zombies' show at Stubbs, there's still a chance to see them during SXSW 2023. They're set to perform on Friday, March 17th, at 5:30 pm. Additionally, fans of '60s and '70s music shouldn't miss Dana Gillespie, another British music legend. Gillespie will perform a song from that era that David Bowie wrote for her. Her original "Andy Warhol" features David Bowie on backing vocals and Mick Ronson on guitar, and she'll perform it with her London Blues Band, who have flown in from the UK for her first-ever SXSW. Catch her at The Continental Club SXSW Showcase on Saturday, March 18th, at 11 pm. She will also be doing a few 2nd Play showcases on Thursday and Friday.
Lyrics
And if it's bad
Don't let it get you down, you can take it
And if it hurts
Don't let them see you cry, you can make it
Hold your head up, woman
Hold your head up, woman
Hold your head up, woman
Hold your head high
Hold your head up, woman
Hold your head up, woman
Hold your head up, woman
Hold your head high
And if they stare
Just let them burn their eyes on you moving
And if they shout
Don't let it change a thing that you're doing
Hold your head up, woman
Hold your head up, woman
Hold your head up, woman
Hold your head high
Hold your head up, woman
Hold your head up, woman
Hold your head up, woman
Hold your head high
Hold your head up
Hold your head up
Hold your head up
Hold your head up
Hold your head up
Hold your head up
Hold your head up
Hold your head up
Hold your head up
Hold your head up
Hold your head up
Hold your head up
Hold your head up, woman
Hold your head up,oh
Hold your head up, woman
Hold your head high
Hold your head up, woman
Hold your head up, woman
Hold your head up, woman
Hold your head high
And if they stare
Just let them burn their eyes on you moving
And if they shout
Don't let it change a thing that you're doing
Hold your head up, woman
Hold your head up, woman
Hold your head up, woman
Hold your head up, woman
Hold your head up, woman
Hold your head up, woman
Hold your head up, woman
Writer/s: C. White, R. Argent
Publisher: BMG Rights Management
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