The Andrews Sisters "Hold Tight"

[stevenscottoddballz]

Has anyone heard Carol Burnett & Betty White sing this? Airdate 11-22-1975

[AudiGal09]

my dad works in the seafood department at giant eagle and i showed him this song and he loves it

[donluchitti]

I was groovin eating this to some seafood... like I was chillin in Fuji-Yaki-Saki in 1942.

[brooklynsweb]

If you hate this, you hate MUSIC.

[beyoncetyratina]

I LOVE the Andrews Sisters. Just love them. I read Nimmo's biography of their lives/career and read there was an innuendo in this song (something about Fats Waller)... and I still don't get how this is an innuendo? Either Maxene or Patty said they were singing about some kind of fishing company. What was the innuendo? Still though, this song is awesome... and again, LOVE the Andrews Sisters!

[2agray]

With the massive amount of records they sold it's odd that this one & "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" are really hard to find on original 78. I've only found 1 copy of "Hold Tight" in 30 years. I guess people held onto them as favorites over the rest of them that are so plentiful.

[domproc]

does anyone remember a disney animation that accompanied this song? it was a weird short cartoon with a roller-coaster and it was awesome!

[Kelsie154]

back when they released this song they were actually forbid to do so because it wasn't about the war, but they did it anyways.

great choice on their part. lol

apparently it was controversial or something.

I think it was this song anyway.

[2agray]

@Kelsie154 - What? Uh...no. This record came out before WWII. You need to research a little better and figure out when the war years actually were. Even during the war the sisters put out records that weren't directly related to war material. It was not controversial and was based on some "icky" slang of the period.

[Kelsie154]

@2agray Hey I know what years the war was...

But I didn't know when this song came out.

I was just saying something my dad told me...

He told me that 8 years ago...

I might have been completely wrong on which song it was though. idk.

Note the last part of the comment:

"i THINK it was this song anyways"

It was probably a different song though.

[lillian834]

Move to Norfolk, Va. (worlds largest navy base) and you might have a clue.

[faklempt1]

Who writes a song about fish...is there some kinda veiled reference here? when i get home at night I get my favorite dish...fish

[stuffandnonsense2003]

Awesome harmonies and so much fun! The Good Lovelies are Canada's version of the Andrews Sisters... if you love these guys, you'll love them!

[pataphysician66]

Then there were the Boswell sisters just before The Andrews Sisters.

[FWsmplmnds]

I love this song! Nice video, thanks, hggjhgg. These sisters kick ass! at Holiday World amusement park in Santa Claus, Indiana, USA, this song is one of several on a loop played over the loudspeakers -- through the day, this is the only song where you can see park goers immediately start dancing/moving/grooving every time the song comes on, on their way to The Voyage roller coaster, voted the Number One Best Wooden Coaster in the World four years in a row. Great song -- phenomenal coaster!

[everybodylovesmybaby]

This was one of the 78s my family owned when I was a kid. Putting it on the phonograph was guaranteed to make everyone smile. I remember my cousins trying to sing along. Good times.

[parasiticproductions]

These girls are insanely talented vocalists. The only group that even comes close to this level of talent these days is Of Montreal.

[TudorRose85]

This song always gives me a seafood craving Yum!

[CDdaddy]

ya have to take it consideration of the times of the day when the Andrews Sisters ruled the music charts...they brought a great mood to the country when we as a nation needed it. We were fighting a war in Europe and Asia, not an easy thing to do. These great women brought us together. God bless them all.

[DVEVO]

@CDdaddy yes they did! the andrews sisters were great in their day

[beyoncetyratina]

OOH! This song was played in a movie "Summer of '42". I began freaking out when I heard this song playing on TV. This song is too catchy... they have such a great style that no one is able to copy them. Better Hold Tight 'cause they'll be blowing you off your feet!

[lindsaylu711]

Shrimpaz and rizas, zere veddy nice!!

[beyoncetyratina]

I just love this song TOO much...

[KaulitzLuver483]

Shrimps and rice, they're very nice :D

[whywasmysoultaken]

why food

[BostonCream45th]

my grand mah used to sing to me when I was a kid. Memories

[2agray]

@BostonCream45th - I remember my aunt used to sing the bits of it to me and I just thought she was crazy until I figured out there really was a song. LOL! There were several novelty songs with catchy lyrics like that and she would sing them all. "Cement Mixer" was another one.

[AndrewsSisters96]

when i come home late at night, i get my favourite dish...fish!

makes me laugh every time!

[mushroomagical]

It's funny listening to some of the older folks talking about this song as a song that represents some kind of "age of innocence," and in the same breath deride contemporary artists for their "lewd and lascivious" lyrics. I guess these people somehow didn't see the very obvious sexual innuendo in "Hold Tight." Fats Waller used sexual innuendo in many of his songs, and "Hold Tight" was even banned on some radio stations because at least a few people back then got it. Anyway, it's a great song

[Rumikoholic]

@mushroomagical Actually, it was sung during the great depression when the dustbowl still ravaged the middle of the United States. There probably weren't many things to eat, besides fish brought in from the coastal areas.

[AungusMacgyver]

@mushroomagical Well the thing is, if something was lewd or vulgar back then they banned it. Today they just say, yeah what ever no one will care.

[mushroomagical]

@AungusMacgyver , true indeed

[Handiman544]

People like to judge the past by present perversions...don't be too upset. You're the lucky one. You remember what lasts; they remember what's always forgotten.

[ziel4sz]

the video suxxxx all along

[thomasmoredamian]

Did Fats Waller write this? I love it (and I LOVE Fats!)

[bluehazer]

I cannot imagine these ladies singing this without realizing what the lyrics really imply! LOL! Somewhere in heaven, Fats is laughing himself silly....

[Mr1920s]

I hate how almost every song I like is ruined by perveted people. Congrats pervs.

[glennmiller2005]

@Mr1920s lol. i mean. it's a fact of life. lol. and i'm sure mr. waller was a connoisseur himself in his day. just look at cole porter lyrics.

[Mr1920s]

@glennmiller2005

lol now thats probably true.

[jazznik2]

Glad I finally found this. I've been wanting to know who did this song since hearing the beginning of it in the movie 'Summer of '42' (they play it early on in the beach scene).

Yeah, it does a have sexual nature to it, except you cant conclusively state what it is, and the fact that it's women (the acceptable Andrews Sisters, no less) singing instead of men makes it even harder. That's why they could get away w it (mostly).

[TheAce187]

this song is about oral sex.

[TeriquaU]

@TheAce187

You have a large imagination. These nice ladies would not sing a song about that!

[glennmiller2005]

@TeriquaU lol

[florylege]

@TheAce187

Wtf??!!

[glennmiller2005]

@florylege lol

[FritziRitz]

if it smells like fish....its a DISH!!!!

[mimsredjelly]

What exactly does Helen Shapiro have to do with seafood?

[Eddylonglegs]

Ha. When you think about it its kind of like something by the mighty boosh

[mykittykatmykittykat]

Chubby Checker did this song on one of his LPs -- believe it or not !

[KassurinReiChan]

Every time I listen to this I crave shrimp. Hm..

[cbrun67176]

its about getting ginia

[aldiakaroofus]

Still my favorite Andrews Sisters song!

[wardoff]

this is great, but my favorite version is Fred Sanford's.

[bizrat]

stimpy from ren & stimpy sang part of this song once lol it's a cool song =3

[aldiakaroofus]

I agree! I think the whole neighborhood heard me LOL when I heard an Andrews Sisters reference in a modern cartoon!

[FWsmplmnds]

LOVE this song -- these Sisters still kick a** !

[forrest702]

i will always prefer older music over new music......

this coming from a 15 year old

[scalpelSLUT]

ditto. 16 over here.

[orcanjus]

That's when I discovered it-young! Actually, Glenn Miller, 'cause I played trombone, then...........:)

[chettmansberger]

@orcanjus

then click onto Youtube's interview with my Dad, Zeke Zarchy. Dad palyed with all of the Big Bands (Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey, Etc), including the Andrew's Sisters, with whom he played during the USO tours before and during the war. He was also incredibly honored to receive one of the 1999 BBAA awards (for outstaning sideman) at the same ceremony that honored Patty Andrews on that same night. Long live Swing Music!!

Cheers to all who appreciate this wonderful group!

[MasterOutdoors]

Its all I listen too

[pgh45rpms]

That's Vic Schoen directing the band, which he did on most of the Andrews Sisters' hits. In the mid-50's he also directed the band for Patti Page.

[allenincollingo1]

its jimmy dorseys band one of the rare times they were together

[eldorado303]

yeepeeeee !!!

[nylilhotman]

my dad used to sing this to me when i was a toddler. love this song forever after!

[inmydramas]

my dad sang it to me it is precious

[pastafazool56]

My dad used to sing this too.

[inmydramas]

At my dad's memorial every one said something - I who am very shy and turn red very easily - looked straight at my sister and sang Hold Tight

[LittleFox6141]

drip drip drippin' on the windowpane, WASH it... hold tight

[TheJuicyfruitx]

@LittleFox6141 lool was that actually intended to sound that wrong

[McCrusthead]

Why did you stop?

[DAAAkIra]

Quel est le rapport avec les images ?

[DMgraduate09]

un chanson de poisson

[smoker4life06]

BEST SONG EVER!

[cbrun67176]

I always thought it was about a womans clam

[paul51]

I do not understand when writing comments, some feel it necessary to insult others. Move on.

[catchersmitt0]

@paul51 they are mentally, if not physically, children. Never reply to them because that validates them.

[RedDaVincy]

@paul51 He probably just had some bad oysters.

[00sheilagreasley100]

@paul51 That is because they did not get on you tube to enjoy themselves - there are human beings who are downright insultive by nature and they just cannot help themselves - you just have to ignore them

Sheila

[GuinnevereB]

Heh! In an interview, the Andrews Sisters told how Walter Winchell wrote a column denouncing this song as "obscene." He said, "If people only knew what 'brrrreakasaki' means!"

Thing is, it doesn't mean ANYTHING; that's not the part they found objectionable. But back then, people's heads would have exploded if they'd realized the song was a gay reference. Like Little Richard's songs, critics couldn't say how they knew it was lewd, without outing THEMSELVES, so the artists got away with it; HA!

[VergetenPareltjes]

What exactly does "brrrrreakasaki" mean?

[DerJayger]

I guess it's something like "lalala"

[meerlyb]

P.s. I don't know what the song is "about," and don't really care - the Fats Waller version is like unbridled joy -- for seafood or whatever else. :) Thanks for posting.

[meerlyb]

The Fats Waller piano version is awesome!

[tita4ewa]

This song in particular has a lot of amazing musical dynamics that bare appreciation! The Andrew Sisters were so amazing!

[cbrun67176]

whats do girls singing about it have to do with its about oral sex it was written by a man

[sunvana]

then why are girls singing it?

[imsixftsix]

I always liked to think it was about having a sailor.....Gay men used to refer to sailors as "seafood"

[rmo52]

I did this tune with Stardust, a girl trio from Chicago. We used to take it waaay up-tempo when I knew it would work. Great memories.

[stina10593]

I danced to this song about a year or two ago. It was a tap dance and it was really fun. My dance class did it then we preformed along with all the other dance classes that were part of the studio. I think our dance was pretty good. Our teacher did a good job choragrphing it.

[Fullperson]

yea fish and chips!

[FloydGGG]

My 2yo daughter loves this song and video. I like it except for the transvestite picture (41 sec)in the middle. Was that really necessary?

[nbtam]

it's from monty python's the meaning of life and he is saying "fishy, fishy, fishy,fish" that is probably why he added the clip

[FloydGGG]

OK, thanks for the clarification, now it makes a bit more sense

[FloydGGG]

that was for nbtam

[SuperBrianm]

Sure, why not? It's all in fun anyway and nothing is more fun than a funny transvestite or a drag queen.

[gds333]

I have this on 78 my grampa left it with me

[lindrafromthelake]

my father passed away last night he loved this song. I never heard it except when he sang it. Thanks - i have been playing it over and over. but somehow my dad sang it better!

[sillyjenniepenny]

my nan used to sing this in the kitchen all the time

i used to know every word

[thbeatgozon]

Listen to the back up lyrics to "Marie" that Tommy Dorsey's band does..there is a part about Petting in the park!

[gangsterlicousntan]

FISH!

[cbrun67176]

Did people really believe this song wasn't about sex???

[budseligsucks]

I love the song too, but let's be honest. It's about eating pussy.

[KingdomKupcake]

I loooove this song...the lyrics are a tasty treat!!!!!

[nightdreamer9897]

they have great voices and this song is really entertaining

[coyclown]

This is making me hungry!

[velmanharry]

thay are Fantastick i love them so MUCH thaks for uploading this can someone upload oh ooh boom please? thaks. im such a BIG FAN!!!

[kboyzrock]

Fantastic group they were, I was about 5 or 6 years old when I first heard them sing back in the late 40's, and have since loved their singing to this day, irreplaceable and brings back fond memories.

[morphine883]

This is my very very favorite of all of their songs. The low harmonies are next to impossible! So much fluctuation! Very commendable that you pulled it off! I listen as hard as I can and have a super difficult time picking out the low harmony because they're so close. They're just amazing, though. There's nothing like this around today and it came with such ease to them!

[vpotopotc]

I performed this on stage once with two friends of mine and our older partners! It was so mch fun! I was the low part, and it was hard to get the harmonies right, especially with six of us! but we pulled it off and people said we sounded almost as good as the sisters themselves!

[jawpoqb]

this is one of my favorite songs from them,even though im 29 i was raised with good music such as this and i apreciate you posting this so others can enjoy them too, by the way maxine is my favorite sis.

[gwenstraker]

seafooooooood, mama!

[olhole]

Classic Andrews Sisters!

[tomanyasses]

how can anybody not give this five stars get out of america anti white shit heads

[tomanyasses]

all these ladys look like my aunts my dad had five sisters and man ill tell ya that was real women then, there was no shit from dark ass holes invading america.

[radiopie]

I'm going to prentend that I know what they're saying...I <3 this song! LaVerne is my favourite!

[bbelvoir]

The Puppini Sisters do a great version of this at their live shows, sadly they haven't yet recorded it.

[chryblossom3]

my fav is boogie woogie bugle boy of company B and i have to do a dance for boogie woogie bugle boy of company B!!!

[agentolshki]

my dad used to play andrews sisters in the car, im 31 now and can still rmember a lot of the words. rumboogie my fave and house of blue lights.

[aldiakaroofus]

all great choices!

[mamasnobodysbaby]

I've liked the Andrews sisters, since I first heard them on my uncle's stereo in 1972. When my kid was born in '93, I started singing this song to her when she would let go of my hand. We used to sing it together; I have a video of us from when she was about four.

Recently they've had a resurgence with younger people. Some even dress up!

[MichaelPhillipWright]

It's good to know that young people are learning to appreciate the Andrews Sisters. Let's hope this trend continues and that Britney Spears, Eminem, Jacko, Madonna, the rappers, the hip-hoppers, and all the other miscreants will be discarded, as young people learn what real music is.

[CDdaddy]

you are exactly right!!! well said

[KillForCandy]

Your obviously a bunch of wrinkly old farts..Ive loved the Andrews sisters since I was 15 and I also appreciate the mastery of words from the likes of Eminem, the ability to reinvent hes self and stay ahead of the times. Its the this attitude the modern music is crap that makes the kids think you are idiots and as such wont taste classic artits like The Andrews Sisters,Nat King Cole,Yme Sumac etc..

[MichaelPhillipWright]

Idiots, you say? You can't even write the English language. You write: "...ability to reinvent hes self." The word is HIMSELF, idiot. You demonsrate more stupidity when you write: "the this attitude." You write: "classic artits." The word is ARTISTS, idiot. The trash noise that the meathead Eminem produces has obviously scrambled up your brain. Your use of obscenity also betrays you as disingenuous, to say the least. Did you ever get out of grade school?

[aldiakaroofus]

... says the temperamental fool with no valid argumentation to write back.

[UsedGuitars]

says the old person with no life

[Eugenica1]

thanks for the vid...

[leoseries]

Live is just so fine on the solid side of a line.

[Cheval52]

I saw a documentary on the Andrews Sisters in which they stated that the song "Hold Tight" was banned on several radio stations due to it's supposed 'Sexual Inuendos"

[AUGIENESS]

i have this on a orginal decca record

[clutchination]

this song rules.

[mamasnobodysbaby]

it's an amazing song!

[cherfansmiling]

this is my favourite andrews sisters song!! :P

[aldiakaroofus]

Hey, me too!!

[ticket88]

Thank you for posting this...

Love it!