I Can't Hold Back

About I Can't Hold Back

"I Can't Hold Back" is a song recorded by the rock band Survivor. It was the first hit single from their 1984 album Vital Signs (their first album with vocalist Jimi Jamison). The song peaked at #13 in December 1984 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and remained #73 on the 1985 Year-End Billboard Hot 100. It also peaked at #1 for three weeks on the Billboard Top Rock Tracks chart. Like most of Survivor's hits, this song was written by guitarist Frankie Sullivan and keyboard player/guitarist Jim Peterik. While their relationship was becoming strained, they managed to set aside their differences during songwriting sessions. According to Peterik, the writing of this song was the high point of their collaborations, with Sullivan coming up with guitar riffs and Peterik forming melodies and writing most of the lyrics. Peterik had the title in mind for two years before they were able to craft it into a song. After Sullivan came up with a riff, Peterik sang the first line, "There's a story in my eyes." Sullivan then chimed in with the next line, "Turn the pages of desire." From there, they put together this song about a guy whose heart is filled with desire. Jim Peterik says the pre-chorus on this song is what gives it a killer hook: "I can feel you tremble when we touch..."  more »