The song "Holdin' On to Yesterday" by Ambrosia is about the narrator struggling to let go of the past and move on. They continue to hold onto memories and feelings from a previous relationship, even though they know it's wrong. They express their loneliness and longing for the person they are missing, and lament that the days they spent together will never come alive again. Despite not being able to reach or see this person anymore, they wish they had known they would need them and would have held onto them like before. The song concludes with a realization that their yesterdays have all passed them by.

Meaning of "Holdin' On to Yesterday" by Ambrosia

"Holdin' On to Yesterday" explores the universal theme of holding onto the past and the struggles that come with letting go. The narrator admits to still being emotionally attached to a previous relationship and finds it difficult to move forward. They acknowledge that they are wrong to hold onto yesterday and recognize their own loneliness, but they cannot seem to escape the memories and thoughts surrounding this past connection. The lyrics convey a sense of longing and regret, as the narrator reflects on the days they spent with the person they miss and realizes that those moments will never be revived. The line, "Lord I don't know when I'll see you, I can't reach you anymore," expresses a sense of distance and separation from the person they yearn for. They contemplate how things could have been different if they had known the significance of this person in their life and vow to hold onto them if given another chance. The final line, "My yesterdays have all gone by," signifies a realization that time keeps moving forward and the past cannot be reclaimed. Despite this understanding, the narrator's emotional attachment to the memories remains strong. Overall, the song captures the struggle of letting go and the complexities of human emotions when it comes to relationships and nostalgia.