Someone to Hold


"Someone to Hold" is a song co-written and performed by American contemporary R&B singer Trey Lorenz. It was also written and produced by Mariah Carey and Walter Afanasieff. It is the opening track from his eponymous debut album and also was issued as the album's first single on September 1, 1992 by Epic Records. The song was his only hit on the Billboard Hot 100 as a solo artist, peaking at #19 in 1992.
European releases of the song were backed with "Wanna Girl," Lorenz' original version of a song which became an international hit in 1993 for Jeremy Jordan.

Background and release

Epic Records promoted "Someone to Hold" as the lead single from Trey Lorenz. It released it in the United States on September 1, 1992, and in the United Kingdom on November 9, 1992. The label issued 7-inch vinyls, cassettes, and CDs in both countries. A mini CD followed in Japan on November 21, 1992. The single has the album track "Find a Way" as a B-side and certain releases also include "Wanna Girl". To promote "Someone to Hold", Lorenz starred in a music video directed by Michael Borofsky. He appeared on the American late-night television program The Arsenio Hall Show, sang on It's Showtime at the Apollo, and performed on the British television series Friday Night with Wogan.

Music and lyrics

Situated in pop and R&B music, "Someone to Hold" is a slow jam with a synth-laden production. In the lyrics, a narrator expresses joy in finding the woman that is his soulmate. Critics considered the composition "soothing" and "sensitive" and described Lorenz's vocal delivery as "smooth" and "soulful".

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Trey Lorenz
Recording
Personnel
  • Trey Lorenz – songwriter, lead vocals
  • Mariah Carey – songwriter, producer, arranger, vocal arranger, background vocals
  • Walter Afanasieff – songwriter, producer, arranger, keyboards, Synclavier programming, acoustic guitar
  • Dan Shea – additional producer, keyboards, synth bass, rhythm programming
  • Dana Jon Chappelle – engineering, mixing
  • Manny LaCarrubba – additional engineering
  • Katherine Miller – vocal engineering
  • Jim Caruana – second engineering
  • Thom Kadley – second engineering
  • David Gleeson – second engineering
  • Gary Cirimelli – Akai programming, Macintosh programming, Synclavier programming
  • Ren Klyce – additional programming
  • Michael Landau – guitars
  • Cindy Mizelle – background vocals
  • Audrey Wheeler – background vocals
  • Will Downing – background vocals
  • Bob Ludwig – mastering

Charts

Chart Peak
position
Australia 177
Canada Retail Singles 14
Canada Contemporary Hit Radio 11
Canada Hit Tracks 29
Europe Dance Radio 21
Europe Hit Radio 35
Netherlands Tipparade 3
Netherlands Single Top 100 47
New Zealand Singles 11
Norway Airplay 4
UK Singles 65
UK Airplay 30
US Hot 100 Singles 19
US Hot Adult Contemporary 18
US Hot R&B Singles 5
US Top 40/Mainstream 21
US Top 40/Rhythm-Crossover 21
US Top 100 Pop Singles 13
US Top 100 R&B Singles 21
US Adult Contemporary 18
US Top 40 10
US Top 40/Urban Crossover 4
US Urban Contemporary 5
US Adult Contemporary 15
US Contemporary Hit Radio 6
US Urban Contemporary 3

Chart Position
US Hot R&B Singles 70
US Adult Contemporary 93
US Urban Contemporary 55
US Adult Contemporary 89
US Contemporary Hit Radio 69
US Urban Contemporary 47