Holding Back the River

For other uses, see Hold Back the River.

Holding Back the River is the second studio album released by the Scottish pop rock quartet Wet Wet Wet. Released on 30 October 1989,^[8] the album, intentionally written as a lyrical follow-up to the band's debut album Popped In Souled Out, spawned the singles "Sweet Surrender", "Broke Away", "Hold Back the River" and "Stay With Me Heartache" and peaked at #2 on the UK Albums Chart.

Holding Back the River
Studio album by Wet Wet Wet
Released	30 October 1989
Recorded	1988–1989
Genre	Soft rock[1][2] sophisti-pop[3] blue-eyed soul[4]
Length	48:58
Label	Mercury
Producer	Wet Wet Wet
Wet Wet Wet chronology
The Memphis Sessions (1988) Holding Back the River (1989) Wet Wet Wet: Live (1990)
Singles from Holding Back the River
"Sweet Surrender" Released: 18 September 1989 "Broke Away" Released: 27 November 1989 "Hold Back the River" Released: 26 February 1990 "Stay with Me Heartache" Released: 30 July 1990

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[5]
Number One	[6]
Smash Hits	8.5/10[7]

Aside from the nine tracks found on the standard album, "How the Hell Did They Get There" appears as a hidden track on the CD and digital download versions, having previously been released as a B-side to the album's lead single, "Sweet Surrender". Outside of the UK, the album saw particular success in Australia, where it was certified Gold and re-released in the form of a limited edition coloured vinyl.^[9]

"Broke Away" was released on 27 November 1989, entering the charts at number 39 the following Sunday. It peaked four weeks later at number 19.^[10]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Clark/Cunningham/Mitchell/Pellow, except "Maggie May", by Martin Quittenton & Rod Stewart. All tracks produced by Wet Wet Wet.

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Sweet Surrender"	6:00
2.	"Stay with Me Heartache (Can't Stand the Night)"	4:10
3.	"Blue for You"	4:51
4.	"Broke Away"	4:45
5.	"You've Had It"	5:12
6.	"I Wish"	5:04
7.	"Keys to Your Heart"	4:23
8.	"Maggie May"	6:02
9.	"Hold Back the River"	4:45
10.	"How the Hell Did That Get There" (hidden track)	3:38

Holding Back the River – B-Sides

No.	Title	Length
1.	"This Time" (live version)	4:59
2.	"Sweet Surrender" (extended version)	6:50
3.	"You've Had It" (Louis Silas club mix)	7:02
4.	"Sweet Surrender" (Ben Liebrand club mix)	6:51
5.	"And Now for Something Completely Different"	2:43
6.	"Keys to Your Heart" (original demo)	4:15
7.	"With a Little Help from My Friends" (live, Wembley Arena, 14/12/89)	5:11
8.	"I Can Give You Everything" (live, Wembley Arena, 14/12/89)	5:25
9.	"Party City"	5:05
10.	"I Feel Fine"	5:02
11.	"Hold Back the River" (acoustic)	4:15
12.	"Stay With Me Heartache" (Young T.C. & T mix)	5:58
13.	"Stay With Me Heartache" (Stay Where You Are mix)	4:35
14.	"Stoned Me" (Tonight Live with Steve Vizard)	4:07

Charts

Weekly chart performance of Holding Back the River

Chart (1989–1990)	Peak position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[11]	12
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[12]	28
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[13]	34
UK Albums (OCC)[14]	2

Year-end chart performance of Holding Back the River

Chart (1990)	Position
European Albums (Music & Media)[15]	94