Hold My Hand

"Hold My Hand" is a duet performed by American recording artist Michael Jackson and Senegalese-American singer-songwriter Akon, from Jackson's first posthumous album Michael. The song was originally recorded by Akon and Jackson in 2008 and was set to be the first single from Akon's 2008 album, Freedom. Akon recorded additional vocals for the song in 2010. The song was an international top 20 hit in nations such as Germany, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Background


Co-writer Claude Kelly told HitQuarters that "Hold My Hand" was originally written with Whitney Houston in mind. Akon and Kelly had been in the studio working on songs for Houston's I Look to You album and while on his own Kelly completed the song from a track Akon had left. After hearing the song later, Akon said that he loved it and wanted to keep it for himself, so he wanted to record his own version of it. Shortly afterwards Akon went to Las Vegas to work on what would have been Michael Jackson's next album. While there Jackson heard the song and loved it, and decided he wanted to contribute to it. When Kelly was asked what he thought it was about the song that struck a chord with both Akon and Jackson, he said that it was the song's theme of friendship and togetherness.

"Hold My Hand" was recorded by Jackson and Akon in 2008. Akon finished the rest of his vocals for the song in 2010, a few days before the release.

A handwritten note from Jackson belonging to his Estate indicated his desire that “Hold My Hand” be the first single on his next project. However, in its unfinished state, the song leaked out in 2008. This would be the last new song leaked during Jackson's lifetime. Due to the leak, the song was subsequently pulled from Akon's track listing for his 2008 album, Freedom.

Akon commented, “The world was not ready to hear ‘Hold My Hand’ when it leaked a couple years ago. We were devastated about it. But its time has definitely come; now in its final state, it has become an incredible, beautiful, anthemic song. I’m so proud to have had the chance to work with Michael, one of my all time idols.”

Before the official release of the song, Akon stated on Twitter that the final version would have more of Jackson's vocals. The song was released globally on Monday, November 15, 2010, at 12:01am EST. It was available to stream from Jackson's official website.

Jackson's nephew, Taj Jackson, posted a message saying that his uncle was proud of the song. "I'll never forget that smile he had on his face as the song played through the speakers [in his room] at the Palms Hotel in Vegas."

The song is the second collaboration between the two artists and the second consecutive duet single release for Jackson, following "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008". That song proved a commercial success and charted within the top 20 in several countries.

Music Video


On Monday, November 22, 2010, the filming for the official video began in Tustin, California, a main filming location being the airship hangars at Marine Corps Air Station Tustin. There was a casting call posted up on Jackson's official website, saying that they were "looking for his fans of all ages who want to be a part of this iconic event."

On December 4, 2010, a 30-second teaser of the video was released on Michael Jackson's official YouTube channel and the official website. It featured clips from Jackson's Live in Bucharest: The Dangerous Tour DVD and clips of fans dancing.

The video debuted at midnight December 9, 2010 on worldwide websites, including MichaelJackson.com.

The video showed Jackson in concert (from Dangerous World Tour in Bucharest and HIStory World Tour in Munich), Akon singing and children dancing in the dress of Jackson, as well as sentimental scenes of children, families, and elderly people holding hands and a woman weeping. The video was directed by Mark Pellington.

Critical Reception


The song received mostly positive reviews in contrast to the negative reviews of the previous promotional single "Breaking News."

Ashante Infantry, entertainment reporter for the Toronto Star, called it a "catchy, well-meaning addition to Jackson's catalog." She also wrote, "Buoyed by strings and a backing chorus, the singer applies his angelic tenor to soaring phrasing that models the uplifting purport of the tune’s love and unity lyrics in the spirit of 1995’s "You Are Not Alone", Jackson’s last No. 1 hit."

Huffington Post commentator Joe Vogel praised it as "a simple, but powerful song that embodies so much of what fans loved about Michael Jackson... making the personal something more profound and universal", and Vogel stated as well that "With its catchy chorus and majestic crescendo it has all the makings of a big hit." Vogel also noted the first line of the song, "This life don't last forever," was a "poignant reminder of the transience of life."

MTV's Gil Kaufman stated that "the uplifting 'Hold My Hand' is one of Jackson's classic love ballads, a heart-stirring call to unity," and that it ended with "a majestic feel."

Newsday music critic Glenn Gamboa said that the tune "finds Jackson in fine voice." He also remarked, "Now this is more like it."

Gerrick D. Kennedy of the Los Angeles Times music blog wrote that the "mid-tempo uplifting track is classic M.J."

Negative reviews however came from Yahoo! Music, where commentator Chris Willman argued that the single stole elements from the Hootie & the Blowfish song of the same name, and Minneapolis City Pages where commentator Ray Cummings said "there's no way to reasonably avoid being disappointed and dispirited by its thinness."

Boston Herald critic Jed Gottlieb described the song as "an average, Auto-Tuned Akon croon" without "the snap, crackle and pop of a finished King of Pop product." Gottlieb also wrote, "Jackson is grumbling from his grave."

Jason Lipshutz from Billboard said, it "isn't a classic Jackson single," but Michael Jackson's "diehards should delight in hearing a stylish pop production that doesn't dwell on the singer's troubled life."

Commercial Performance


The song debuted at number 53 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart the week of November 27, 2010. It also became Michael Jackson's 48th hit on Billboard Hot 100, and debuted at number 84. It debuted on the Adult R&B chart at number 16 as the chart's highest start in 2010 the same week. The song is Jackson's first top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 since 2002's "Butterflies". The song debuted at number 24 on the Billboard Jazz Songs Chart on the week of January 15, 2011, as Jackson's first single on this chart, it peaked at number 16. According to SoundScan, the song has sold 304,000 copies by the middle of January 2011.


Track Listing


European CD Single
No. Title Length
1. "Hold My Hand" 3:32
2. "Hold My Hand" (Vocals & Orchestra) 3:44
3. "Hold My Hand" (Alternative Mix) 3:48
4. "Hold My Hand" (Instrumental) 3:32
Total length:
13:56


Promotional CD Single
No. Title Length
1. "Hold My Hand" 3:32
Total length:
3:32

Chart Performance


Charts


Chart (2010-11) Peak Position

Australia (ARIA) 37
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 75) 9
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) 10
Belgium (Ultratop 40 Wallonia) 8
Canadian Hot 100 16
Czech Airplay Chart (IFPICR) 13
Denmark (Tracklisten) 3
Finland (IFPI) 16
France (SNEP) 27
German Singles Chart 7
Hungary (Single Top 10) 10
Italy (FIMI) 4
Ireland (IRMA) 21
Japan Hot 100 13
Netherlands (Mega Single Top 100) 28
New Zealand (RIANZ) 6
Norway (VG-lista) 9
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 5) 2
Polish Dance Chart (ZPAV) 40
Scotland (Official Charts Company) 17
Spain (PROMUSICAE) 7
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) 8
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) 9
UK R&B (Official Charts Company) 3
UK Singles (Official Charts Company) 10
US Billboard Hot 100 39
US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs 33
US Billboard Pop Songs 38
US Billboard Jazz Songs 16


Year-end Charts


Chart (2010) Position

German Singles Chart 91
UK Singles Chart 168


Chart (2011) Position
Hungarian Airplay Chart 28


Certifications


Region Certification Sales/shipments
Italy (FIMI) Gold 15,000

Release History


Austria

November 15, 2010 Digital download

France

November 15, 2010 Digital download

New Zealand

November 15, 2010 Digital download

Australia

November 15, 2010 Digital download

Italy

November 15, 2010 Digital download

Belgium

November 15, 2010 Digital download

Sweden

November 15, 2010 Digital download

Germany

November 15, 2010 Digital download

Denmark

November 15, 2010 Digital download

Spain

November 15, 2010 Digital download

China

November 17, 2010 Digital download

Poland

November 18, 2010 Digital download

United States

November 18, 2010 Digital download

Austria

December 3, 2010 CD single

Germany

December 3, 2010 CD single

United Kingdom

December 5, 2010 Digital download
December 6, 2010 CD single

France

December 6, 2010 CD single

Personnel


Written by Aliaune Thiam, Giorgio Tuinfort and Claude Kelly
Produced by Akon and Giorgio Tuinfort
Co-produced by Michael Jackson
Vocals recorded by Mack Woodward, Justin Pintar, Matt Paul, Miguel Scott, Kory Aaron, Eelco Bakker and Ryan Wiese
Mixed by Serban Ghenea
Programming and Finisher: Akon, Giorgio Tuinfort
Arrangement by Franck van der Heijden
Orchestra by Dennis Krijnen
Violin: Arlia de Ruiter, Pauline Terlouw, Erica Korthals-Altes, Vera Laporeva, Sarah Koch, Linda Dumessie, Dennis Koenders, Seija Teeuwen, David Peijnenborgh, Wim Kok, Elizabeth Liefkes Cats, Feyona van Iersel, Vera van der Brie and Erik Jan Kromhout
Grand Piano: Giorgio Tuinfort
Alt Violin: Mieke Honingh, Isabella Petersen, Iris Schut, Rani Kumar and Arjen de Graaf
Celli: Emile Visser, Maarten Jansen, Michiel Weidner and Jascha Albracht
Contrabas: Erik Winkelman
Horns: Pierre Buizer and Iris Oltheten
Choir: Alan Austin, Anthony Brice, Antoria Caston, Richard Dale, Eric Echols, Charlene Gillead, Valencia Green, Cynthia Jones, Iris McGhee, Felicia Peavy, Michelle Roberts, Gina Taylor, Leo Wheat Jr, Dana Widener, Terance Wilson and Sandra Wright
Choir Director: Leo Wheat Jr
String Arrangement: Franck van der Heijden