The song was born from a period of intense personal loss. Overstreet wrote it while grappling with two major life events:
is an emotional piano and acoustic-driven ballad that explores themes of grief, unconditional love, and the desperation of nearly losing someone. Released in February 2017, the song transformed Overstreet from a known Glee actor into a respected singer-songwriter. Inspiration and Meaning Chord Overstreet - Hold On
: While officially inspired by these combined experiences, Overstreet has also dedicated the song to his late Glee co-star Cory Monteith . Chart Performance and Milestones The song was born from a period of intense personal loss
Critics and fans alike have praised the song for its raw, storytelling approach, heavily influenced by Overstreet's father, Nashville songwriter . Inspiration and Meaning : While officially inspired by
: The song was certified Platinum by the RIAA in April 2020 and reached Double Platinum status in August 2021.
: The song gained massive exposure after being featured in the series finale of The Vampire Diaries . Composition and Reception
: During this same period, Overstreet lost a close friend to a drug overdose. He sat at a piano to capture the "what if" feelings of losing someone he still loved, even if they were no longer together.