Hold Back Tears Lyrics – Conway the Machine

Meaning of ‘Hold Back Tears’ Lyrics Explained

Intro Meaning:
Feeling emotional, trying not to cry.

Chorus Meaning:
He’s remembering people he’s lost or who are important in his life and feeling deep pain. Thinking about friends and family, including children who passed, makes him hold back tears because the memories are heavy. Some of these people were like family to him, and he misses them badly. Even though he might seem strong outside, inside he’s battling sadness and grief. The losses are constant reminders of love, loyalty, and connection. Every name he mentions brings back memories, showing how personal and real his emotions are, and he’s struggling to stay composed while thinking about them.

Refrain Meaning:
He’s recalling the pain of losing close friends, and it hits him so hard that he cries openly. Each death is still fresh in his mind, and he can’t hide the emotions that pour out. He’s showing that grief isn’t something that goes away quickly, and losing people he cared about deeply leaves a real and visible impact on him.

Interlude Meaning:
He admits he’s been depressed, and it’s not just in his music—it’s real life. Losing a child has left him feeling broken, and even love doesn’t feel genuine anymore. He’s struggling to cope with the weight of everything, and it’s taking a serious toll on him emotionally.

Verse Meaning:
He’s talking about the deep pain of losing people close to his heart and how that pain overshadows everything else. He would give up all his wealth just to bring back loved ones like Crazy Eight and his grandmother. He regrets that his grandmother didn’t live long enough to see his kids. He feels like nobody truly understands his struggles, and it leaves him spiraling and almost out of control. The music industry pressures him to keep producing, which makes him feel guilty when he isolates himself. He retreats to heal, but the process is painful, and he’s constantly reminded of his losses. Even if he looks fine on the outside, inside he’s hurting a lot. He wants to be worthy of mercy and is searching for some spiritual comfort while coping with grief, loneliness, and pressure.

Chorus Meaning:
He keeps thinking about lost friends and family and struggles to hold back his emotions. Every person he mentions is someone he loved or cared deeply about, from close friends to children and his grandmother. The memories bring up sadness, and he’s trying to stay strong while remembering how important they were to him. Even though it’s painful, he keeps their memories alive by thinking about them and honoring their impact on his life. His heart is heavy, but he continues to process the grief in small, quiet moments.

Refrain Meaning:
He remembers crying over each person he lost, and the grief is still intense. The tears come naturally because the memories are strong, showing that these losses still affect him deeply. He can’t ignore the pain, and it continues to hit him hard emotionally.

Outro: Crazy Eight Meaning:
He’s calling a friend to check in and show support, expressing love and pride for what they’re doing. He encourages his friend to keep going and not let anyone take advantage of them because they’ve had to fight for everything. The conversation is full of genuine care, brotherhood, and loyalty. He wants his friend to know they’re loved, respected, and appreciated, and that he’s there for them without judgment or expectation, emphasizing the bond they share.