On Hold

This article is about the song by the xx. For telephony, see on hold.

2016 single by the xx

"On Hold"

Single by the xx
from the album  I See You
Released| 10 November 2016 (2016-11-10)
Length| 3:44
Label| Young Turks
Songwriter(s)|

* Romy Madley Croft
* Oliver Sim
* Jamie Smith
* Daryl Hall
* John Oates
* Sara Allen

Producer(s)|

* Jamie xx
* Rodaidh McDonald

The xx singles chronology
| "Fiction"
(2013)  | "On Hold"
(2016)  | "Say Something Loving"
(2017)

|
|

Music video
"On Hold" on YouTube

"On Hold" is a song by English indie pop band the xx. It was released on 10 November 2016 as the lead single from their third studio album, I See You (2017). The song peaked at number 34 on the UK Singles Chart, and became one of their highest-charting singles internationally.

## Composition

[edit]

The song was produced by band member Jamie xx as well as frequent collaborator Rodaidh McDonald. The instrumental samples "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)" by Hall & Oates.[1] Vocals are sung back-and-forth between Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim.[2]

## Release

[edit]

"On Hold" was released on 10 November 2016 as the lead single promoting their third studio album, I See You (2017).[3] The xx performed the song live on the 19 November 2016 episode of Saturday Night Live.[4]

## Commercial performance

[edit]

"On Hold" entered the UK Singles Chart at number 38 on the week of 18 November 2016,[5] and eventually peaked at number thirty-four, matching their highest-charting position with "Islands".[6] It also peaked at number three on the UK Indie Chart. In the United States, the song entered the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 at number twenty, and eventually peaked at number 2; their third and highest entry on the chart,[7] and the Hot Rock Songs chart at number seven.[8] Elsewhere, the song peaked at number 22 in Belgium's Ultratop 50 Flanders chart, number 34 in Scotland, number 45 in Australia, and number 50 in both Ireland and Spain.

## Music video

[edit]

The music video for "On Hold" was directed by Alasdair McLellan and filmed in Marfa, Texas.[9][10]

## Remix

[edit]

On 12 September 2017, band member Jamie xx debuted his remix version of "On Hold" on Annie Mac's BBC Radio 1 show.[11] The remix was made available for online streaming on 13 September.[12] On 8 December, it was released as a limited-edition 12-inch single which also included Four Tet's remix of "A Violent Noise", another track from I See You.[12] The remix also received an updated music video, directed by Alasdair McLellan.[12][13]

Matthew Schnipper of Pitchfork said the remix "reaches for some dynamism, by way of Ibiza", and called it "a perfect song for hearing everywhere".[14] Writing for DJ Mag, Martin Guttridge-Hewitt stated the remix "offers a vibe more suited to peak-time club moments rather than its pop-infused source material".[15]

## Track listing

[edit]

Digital download / 7-inch singleNo.| Title| Length

|
|

1.| "On Hold"| 3:44

## Charts

[edit]

### Weekly charts

[edit]

| Chart (2016–17)  | Peak
position

|

Australia (ARIA)[16] | 45
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[17] | 11
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[18] | 7
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[19] | 57
Finland Airplay (Radiosoittolista)[20] | 99
France (SNEP)[21] | 52
Germany (GfK)[22] | 84
Iceland (RÚV)[23] | 16
Ireland (IRMA)[24] | 50
Italy (FIMI)[25] | 55
Japan (Japan Hot 100) (Billboard)[26] | 43
Mexico Airplay (Billboard)[27] | 44
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[28] | 86
Portugal (AFP)[29] | 49
Scotland (OCC)[30] | 25
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[31] | 77
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[32] | 50
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[33] | 3
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[34] | 50
UK Singles (OCC)[6] | 34
UK Indie (OCC)[35] | 1
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard)[36] | 2
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[8] | 7

### Year-end charts

[edit]

| Chart (2017)  | Position

|

Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)[37] | 89
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[38] | 35

## Certifications

[edit]

Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

Australia (ARIA)[39] | Gold  | 35,000‡
Belgium (BRMA)[40] | Gold  | 10,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[41] | Gold  | 40,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[42] | Gold  | 25,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[43] | Gold  | 15,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[44] | Gold  | 400,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

## Release history

[edit]

Country  | Date  | Format  | Label  | Ref.

|
|
|
|

United Kingdom  | 12 November 2016  | Digital download | Young Turks | [45]
9 December 2016  | 7-inch single | [46]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Sodomsky, Sam (10 November 2016). "The xx Share New Song "On Hold," Sample Hall and Oates: Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
2. ^ Boilen, Bob (10 November 2016). "The xx Is Back: Listen To 'On Hold' And Get Ready For A New Album". NPR. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
3. ^ Young, Alex (10 November 2016). "The xx announce new album, I See You, share "On Hold" — listen". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
4. ^ Crucchiola, Jordan (10 November 2016). "Kristen Wiig to Host Saturday Night Live With Musical Guest the xx". Vulture. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
5. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100 : 18 November 2016 - 24 November 2016". The Official Charts Company. 18 November 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
6. ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
7. ^ "The xx - Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart search". Billboard. Archived from the original on 28 May 2024. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
8. ^ a b "The xx Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
9. ^ Kaufman, Gil (28 November 2016). "Watch The xx Go Back to High School in 'On Hold' Video". Billboard. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
10. ^ Flynn, Paul (15 March 2017). "Out of the Shadows: An Interview with the xx". Beat Magazine. Retrieved 2017-04-23.
11. ^ Yoo, Noah (12 September 2017). "Listen to Jamie xx's New "On Hold" Remix". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
12. ^ a b c Murphy, Sarah (13 September 2017). "The xx: "On Hold" (Jamie xx remix)". Exclaim!. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
13. ^ Deville, Chris (13 September 2017). "The xx – "On Hold (Jamie xx Remix)"". Stereogum. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
14. ^ Schnipper, Matthew (13 September 2017). "The xx: "On Hold" (Jamie xx Remix)". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
15. ^ Guttridge-Hewitt, Martin (13 September 2017). "Jamie xx Has Remixed the xx's 'On Hold': Listen". DJ Mag. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
16. ^ "The xx – On Hold". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 24 December 2016.
17. ^ "The xx – On Hold" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
18. ^ "The xx – On Hold" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
19. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 47. týden 2016 in the date selector. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
20. ^ "Xx, The: On Hold" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
21. ^ "Le Top de la semaine : Top Singles Téléchargés - SNEP (Week 3, 2017)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
22. ^ "The xx – On Hold" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
23. ^ "Vinsældalisti Rásar 2 - RÚV". RÚV (in Icelandic). Archived from the original on 11 January 2017. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
24. ^ "Chart Track: Week 47, 2016". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
25. ^ "Tutti i successi del 2016" (in Italian). Hit Parade Italia. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
26. ^ "The xx Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
27. ^ "Mexico Airplay: Dec 17, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
28. ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
29. ^ "The xx – On Hold". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
30. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
31. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 03. týden 2017 in the date selector. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
32. ^ "The xx – On Hold" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
33. ^ "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 46". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
34. ^ "The xx – On Hold". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
35. ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
36. ^ "The xx Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
37. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2017". Ultratop. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
38. ^ "Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
39. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2017 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
40. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2017". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
41. ^ "Canadian single certifications – The xx – On Hold". Music Canada. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
42. ^ "Italian single certifications – The xx – On Hold" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
43. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – The xx – On Hold". Radioscope. Retrieved 19 March 2025. Type On Hold  in the "Search:" field.
44. ^ "British single certifications – Xx – On Hold". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
45. ^ "On Hold – Single on Apple Music". iTunes Store (UK). Retrieved 27 November 2016.
46. ^ "The XX On Hold vinyl at Juno Records". Juno Records (UK). Juno Records. Retrieved 14 December 2016.

* v
* t
* e

The xx

* Romy Madley Croft
* Oliver Sim
* Jamie xx

Studio albums|

* xx
* Coexist
* I See You

Singles|

* "Crystalised"
* "Islands"
* "VCR"
* "Angels"
* "Chained"
* "On Hold"
* "I Dare You"

Other songs|

* "Intro"
* "Shelter"

Tours|

* I See You Tour

Related|

* Discography
* Young
* Hideous Bastard
* Mid Air ("Strong")

* Category
* Commons

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz work
* MusicBrainz release group

|

*[No.]: Number
*[Ref.]: References
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