Chords + Lyrics | Hold On I’m Comin’
Intro
| Ab | B | Db | Ab |
Verse 1
| Ab7 | Ab7 | Ab7 | Ab7 |
Don’t you ever, be sad. Lean on me, when the times are bad.
| Db9 | Db9 | Db9 | Db9 |
When the day comes and you are down, in a river of trouble and about to drown.
Chorus 1
| Ab | B | Db | Ab |
Just hold on, I’m comin’. Hold on, I’m comin’.
Verse 2
I’m on my way, your lover. If you get cold, yeah, I will be your cover.
Don’t have to worry, ’cause I’m here, no need to suffer, baby, ’cause I’m here.
Chorus 2
||: Ab | B | Db | Ab :||
Just hold on, I’m comin’. Hold on, I’m comin’.
Hold on, I’m comin’. Hold on, I’m comin’. Let me hear you!
Middle 8
| Db7 | Db7 | Db7 | Db7 |
Reach out to me, for satisfaction, yeah. (Let me hear you, Dave, what else you’ve got to do?)
| B | B | Db7 | Eb7 |
Call my name, yeah, for quick reaction. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Solo
| Ab | Gb | B | Db |
| Ab | B | Db | Ab |
Verse 3
Now, don’t you ever, be sad. Lean on me, when the times are bad.
When the day comes and you’re down, baby, in a river of trouble and about to drown.
Chorus 3 (as chorus 2)
Just hold on, I’m comin’. Hold on, I’m comin’.
Just hold on (don’t you worry), I’m comin’ (here we come). Hold on (we’re about to save you), I’m comin’ (yeah).
Hold on (don’t you worry), I’m comin’ (here I come). Hold on (for satisfaction).
Hold On, I’m Comin’ Chords: Utilising the bIIIx + bVIIx Chords
In Hold On, I’m Comin’, we find a great example of the bIIIx chord (also famously used in Smells Like Teen Spirit). It sits a minor third above the I chord and gives the tune much of its distinctive flavour.
Intro + Chorus
Here it appears as a B chord, acting as the second chord of the chorus:
||: Ab (I) | B (bIIIx) | Db (IV) | Ab (I) :||
Verse
The verse follows the classic I–IV progression (number one on my top 10 list), but with dominant 7ths, giving it a strong blues character.
Middle 8
The middle eight starts on IV, drops to bIIIx, rises again, and finally resolves to V:
| Db7 (IV) | Db7 | Db7 | Db7 |
| B (bIIIx) | B | Db7 (IV) | Eb7 (V) |
In the course, we weave the horn line and guitar licks into this section using TAB. → Hold On, I’m Comin’ – Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Solo
The middle eight then leads into the solo section, introducing new chords before returning to a chorus without vocals:
| Ab (I) | Gb (bVIIx) | B (bIIIx) | Db (IV) |
| Ab | B | Db | Ab |
That Gb is the bVIIx chord, adding yet another layer to the tune’s unmistakable sound.
Here’s a chord chart.
Hold On, I’m Comin’ Chord Chart | PDF + iReal Pro Download
You can download my chord chart either as a static PDF or in the more flexible iReal Pro format:
Hold On, I’m Comin’ TAB | Course Preview
In the course, you’ll find TAB for all sections of Hold On, I’m Comin’, showing how to play the chords in an authentic, groove-driven way.
As a preview, here’s the intro and first chorus. Notice how the chord on beat 4 has a dot above it—this means “play short”, like a 16th note. I notate it this way to make the rhythm easier to read.
The power comes from the first chord, while the snare emphasises the stab.
Sam & Dave’s First Hit
Released in 1966, Hold On, I’m Comin’ was Sam & Dave’s breakthrough single. Although they had released other singles before, this was the track that finally propelled them into the spotlight.
Written and produced by Isaac Hayes and David Porter, and backed by Stax’s legendary house band, Booker T. & the M.G.’s, it marked the moment the duo truly found their sound.
A year and a half later, they released Soul Man, which catapulted them to worldwide fame.
On a soul band’s setlist, Hold On, I’m Comin’ fits right in alongside other high-energy classics like (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher, Respect, Can I Get a Witness?, and Get Ready.
Hold On, I’m Comin’ Chords: Continue Learning
Want to master this song? Check out the full TAB lesson here: Hold On, I’m Comin’ (Sam & Dave) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Alternatively, here are five similar tunes you might enjoy:
