Hold My Hand

"Hold My Hand" dates to 1990, when Hootie & the Blowfish included it on a five-song cassette they sold at shows. They got a record deal with JRS Records the following year, but nothing came of it and they were dropped eight months later. In 1992 they released an independent EP called Kootchypop, again with "Hold My Hand" on the tracklist. This EP got the attention of Atlantic Records, which signed the band in 1993 and had them record a new version of the song that was released as their first single in 1994 and included on their debut album Cracked Rear View, which became the best-selling album in the label's history. Early versions of the song were more sparse, without the prominent background vocals heard on the hit. By the time the group recorded it for Atlantic, they had been playing it for years and had it polished to a sheen.

A band composition, this song is about being there for someone and facing life's challenges together. It's a sweet sentiment that played well with the easygoing melody.

David Crosby, famous for his work with Crosby, Stills, and Nash, sang backup on this and some other songs on the album. Crosby is known for his ability to harmonize.