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’ Backing Tracks | Chord Analysis
Above, you’ll find backing tracks to use when learning Hold On, I’m Comin’. I’ve used stem-seperation to extract the guitar while keeping the drums, bass, keys, horns, and vocals intact.
After studying the chords and TAB, use my backing tracks to prepare for playing this tune with a band.
Should you want to play along with the original recording instead, you need to tune your guitar to 438Hz. In the backing tracks, I’ve done this job for you by tuning it to 440Hz.
Chord Progressions – What’s Going On?
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) |
Further down this guitar lesson, we weave the horn line and guitar licks into this section using 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
Let’s go through all sections using TAB.
Intro + Chorus
Here’s the intro and first chorus. We’re using the beginning of the Ab minor pentatonic here. You could also see it as I – bIIIx – IV.
Power comes from the power chords, with the snap on beat 4 played as a triad.
Here’s chorus 2 and the outro. We start in the same way but then build tension using a driving rhythm. There are dots over the 8th note on beat 4—this means “play short”.
Verse
Here’s the verse. This is such a fun rhythm to play—make sure you stay disciplined!
Middle 8
Next up is the middle 8. Knowing these sections and nailing them is what will make you sound super pro.
Here, I’ve worked out the horn part for the first four bars, then the guitar lick in bar five, followed by a driving rhythm that ascends.
The last two chords feature a unique E shape where we play the b7 on top.
Solo
Lastly, here’s the solo, or instrumental section, which comes after the middle 8. Again, we have the horn part and a guitar lick that you must play claw-style—pick on string 3 and use your middle finger on string 1; don’t rake over the strings.
All the 8th notes in the rhythm part at the end need to be short and snappy!
When you can play all parts, try it along with the backing tracks and chord chart above.
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
Step-by-step Guitar Courses
Master guitar by studying real tunes. Build your skills with video lessons, eBooks and practice routines that connect theory with the music you love!
Explore SpyTunes step-by-step Guitar Courses.
Five similar tunes | Chords + Lyrics
