The lyrics of "Holding Out" express the feeling of constantly waiting for the right time, for perfection, or for affection to come, while days pass by and opportunities are missed. The singer wonders if they will ever be present in the moment instead of always holding out for something better or different.

Meaning of "Holding Out" by Metric

The lyrics of "Holding Out" by Metric reflect the sentiment of feeling stagnant and stuck in a perpetual state of waiting for the perfect moment. The repetition of phrases like "Holding out for the right time" and questioning when it will be "my time" to be the one, signify a longing for significance and a fear of missing out on opportunities. The lyrics also touch upon the struggle of constantly being preoccupied, never fully present in the moment, which leads to a sense of being disconnected from reality. The use of phrases like "What are you doing tonight?" and "What do you wanna do right now?" highlight the urgency of living in the present and making the most of the current moment. Overall, the song conveys a sense of frustration with waiting for an ideal situation to unfold, urging the listener to embrace the now and take action towards shaping their own destiny.