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Music critics were immediately impressed with today's Great Song of 1981: "Hold On Tight" by The Electric Light Orchestra.
Billboard called it "an "affectionate tip-of-the-hat to '50s rock 'n' roll inspired by the pumping piano style of Jerry Lee Lewis."
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Record World praised its "rockabilly lead vocals and soaring Beach Boys Harmonies."
"Hold on Tight" was the first single released from ELO's 1981 "Time" Album," and it was obviously a great choice. It quickly became a Top 10 hit in 15 countries... including the US, where it reached #2 on Billboard's Top (Album)Tracks Chart and #10 on the Hot 100.
Fun fact: Although part of the song is sung in French, it only reached #24 in France.
Go figure.
Fun Fact #2: The video was the most expensive ever made up to that point--costing nearly 40 Grand (in 1981 dollars). It was shot mostly in black & white, giving it a "film noir" vibe.
Unfortunately, "Hold On Tight was ELO's last appearance in the Top 10, but it was definitely one of their best songs in a long line of hits.
In other words: "Hold On Tight" was Great Song of 1981!
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