Few songs in the post-hardcore genre carry the emotional weight and enduring relevance of Pierce The Veil's "Hold On Till May." Released initially on their 2007 debut album, A Flair for the Dramatic, this track has transcended its musical roots to become a powerful, perennial anthem of hope, resilience, and suicide prevention, a message that feels particularly poignant and necessary in late 2025.
The song is more than just a fan-favorite deep cut; it is a foundational pillar of the band's legacy, often closing out their high-energy, sold-out live shows, including recent, massive performances at festivals like When We Were Young and Lollapalooza in 2024. This article dives deep into the official lyrics, the heartbreaking true story behind the title, and why its message continues to save lives well over a decade after its release.
Pierce The Veil: The Current Lineup and Band Biography
Pierce The Veil, often abbreviated as PTV, is an American rock band from San Diego, California, formed by brothers Vic and Mike Fuentes in 2006 after the dissolution of their previous band, Before Today. The band is a cornerstone of the modern post-hardcore and emo-rock scenes, known for its intricate guitar work, shifting time signatures, and the distinctive, soaring vocals of frontman Vic Fuentes.
The core lineup has remained largely consistent, creating a strong sense of internal chemistry that fuels their dramatic musical style. The official, long-standing members are:
- Victor Vincent "Vic" Fuentes: (Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Keyboards). Born February 10, 1983, Vic is the primary songwriter and co-producer, known for his high vocal register and emotionally charged lyrics.
- Tony Perry: (Lead Guitar). The band's lead guitarist, known for his technical, melodic, and often frenetic guitar solos that define the PTV sound.
- Jaime Preciado: (Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals). Jaime provides the driving bass lines and often contributes to the band's backing vocals, adding depth to their harmonies.
- Mike Fuentes: (Original Drummer). Vic's brother, Mike, was the band's original drummer, known for his energetic and complex drumming style. While Mike stepped away from the band in late 2022, his work is featured on all early albums, including A Flair for the Dramatic.
- Lionel Robinson: (Touring/Session Drummer). In their current touring cycle, including their 2024 shows, Lionel Robinson has stepped in as the session drummer.
The Profound and Heartbreaking Meaning Behind "Hold On Till May"
The lyrical content of "Hold On Till May" is a raw, poetic, and desperate plea for someone struggling with deep emotional turmoil, often interpreted as a conversation with a person contemplating suicide. The song acts as a lifeline, a promise of support, and a desperate attempt to convince a loved one to keep fighting.
Lyrical Themes: A Lifeline in Poetic Form
The track opens with the image of a girl "sitting up high surrounded by the sun," a powerful, almost spiritual image that quickly contrasts with the dark reality of her struggle: "And as the sun went down, we ended up on the ground / Now, don't be crazy / It gets you down." The lyrics are characterized by a sense of urgency and direct address:
- "I've been up here so long I'm going crazy!": This line, a spoken-word interlude in some versions, encapsulates the feeling of being overwhelmed and isolated.
- "If I were you, I'd take a deep breath / And hold on till May": This is the core message—a simple, temporal goal to survive the immediate crisis, offering a tangible deadline for hope.
- "You’re gonna be alright.": The song is punctuated by assurances, with Vic Fuentes’s vocals delivering the message with a blend of frantic energy and sincere empathy.
The True Story of the Title's Reference
While the overall meaning of the song is about saving a loved one from heartbreak or self-harm, the specific title, "Hold On Till May," has a tragic and deeply personal connection to the band's fanbase that emerged years after the song’s initial release.
The title is widely understood to be a reference to a fan named Olivia, who was struggling with mental health issues. According to fan accounts and community discussions, Olivia had reportedly attempted suicide on May 1st in previous years. The song's title became an unofficial message of hope and a dedication to her, urging her to survive past that critical date. This context transformed the song from a personal story (which Vic Fuentes has stated was originally about an ex-girlfriend) into a communal anthem for the PTV fanbase, often referred to as 'The May Message'.
The "Hold On Till May" Album Confusion and Enduring Legacy
For many casual listeners, "Hold On Till May" is mistakenly associated with Pierce The Veil's 2012 breakthrough album, Collide With The Sky, which featured the massive hit "King for a Day." This confusion stems from the fact that a version of the song featuring vocalist Lindsey Stamey was included on a re-release of the track and is the version often streamed on platforms like YouTube and Spotify.
However, true topical authority confirms the song's original home is the 2007 debut, A Flair for the Dramatic, released by Equal Vision Records. This album is a crucial piece of PTV history, showcasing a rawer, more experimental side of the band's post-hardcore sound, featuring other fan-favorite tracks like "Chemical Kids and Mechanical Brides" and "Yeah Boy and Doll Face".
The 2024 Revival: A Timeless Message
The song's continued relevance is powerfully demonstrated by its inclusion in Pierce The Veil's 2024 setlists. Performing "Hold On Till May" at major venues like Alexandra Palace in London and US festivals shows that the band recognizes its emotional weight over newer material.
The live performance of the song often sees the band inviting a fan up to the stage to sing the final chorus, a tradition that reinforces the song's message of community and shared vulnerability. This practice turns the song into a collective catharsis, where the crowd's energy becomes a physical manifestation of the lyrics' promise: "Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on till May."
Topical Entities and Related LSI Keywords
The impact of "Hold On Till May" is intrinsically linked to the broader landscape of the post-hardcore and emo genres. Its success paved the way for the band to develop their sound on subsequent albums like Selfish Machines and Misadventures. LSI keywords that naturally appear in discussions of this song and its album, *A Flair for the Dramatic*, include:
- Vic Fuentes's Vocal Range
- Equal Vision Records
- San Diego Music Scene
- Tony Perry Guitar Solos
- Suicide Prevention Resources
- "Bulls in the Bronx" (another hit song)
- Emotional Turmoil in Lyrics
- *Collide With The Sky* Tracklist
In a world where mental health struggles are increasingly visible, the simple, direct plea of "Hold On Till May" remains an essential piece of music. It is a reminder that there is always a reason to wait, to breathe, and to believe that you are going to be alright. The song’s legacy, cemented by its powerful connection to the fan community and its continued presence in the band's 2024 performances, ensures that this message of hope will endure for years to come.
Detail Author:
- Name : Trey Emmerich V
- Username : caesar.altenwerth
- Email : nfadel@terry.com
- Birthdate : 1978-07-03
- Address : 13088 Moses Cliff Suite 855 South Flossie, OR 85275
- Phone : 1-539-738-1125
- Company : Pfannerstill, Bogan and Mueller
- Job : Photographic Developer
- Bio : Laudantium ad non consectetur. Ipsa nesciunt ut fugit a nisi. Inventore sunt et inventore iusto quisquam. Quas vel numquam eveniet dolor enim est.
Socials
twitter:
- url : https://twitter.com/jeanne8971
- username : jeanne8971
- bio : Modi vel recusandae rerum perferendis. Impedit tempora est maxime a quis voluptate fuga. Optio nobis officia voluptatum explicabo eveniet rerum.
- followers : 3890
- following : 2013
tiktok:
- url : https://tiktok.com/@jeanne.reynolds
- username : jeanne.reynolds
- bio : Quibusdam rerum sunt eveniet omnis eveniet nostrum expedita.
- followers : 3573
- following : 2481
instagram:
- url : https://instagram.com/jeanne.reynolds
- username : jeanne.reynolds
- bio : Deleniti quis soluta ipsa nostrum soluta dolorem. Sunt praesentium consequatur qui nihil suscipit.
- followers : 3078
- following : 862
linkedin:
- url : https://linkedin.com/in/jeanne_reynolds
- username : jeanne_reynolds
- bio : Ducimus quasi quaerat qui inventore nobis.
- followers : 1663
- following : 1422
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/jeanne_real
- username : jeanne_real
- bio : Reiciendis atque tempore est voluptate impedit incidunt.
- followers : 2067
- following : 2917