Burning The Ground Exclusive
In 1986, a teenage guitar prodigy from Austin, Texas was already making waves in the rock and pop world. Charlie Sexton, only 16 years old at the time, released Hold Me as the third single from his debut album Pictures for Pleasure.
Produced by hitmaker Keith Forsey—best known for his work with Billy Idol and producing the Flashdance and Breakfast Club soundtracks—the track showcases Sexton’s blend of youthful energy, guitar-driven rock, and glossy mid-80s production. While his earlier single Beat’s So Lonely became his breakout hit, Hold Me revealed a more melodic and vulnerable side to his artistry.
Pictures for Pleasure positioned Sexton as both a guitar slinger and a rising pop star, balancing polished hooks with the grit of his bluesy Texas roots. It was an impressive debut for someone who, at an age when most were still figuring out high school, was already signed to MCA Records, touring internationally, and appearing on MTV.
Though Hold Me didn’t climb the charts as high as its predecessor, it remains a strong entry in Sexton’s early catalog—a testament to his undeniable talent and the industry’s faith in his star potential. Listening today, the single still captures that mid-80s blend of sophistication and youthful intensity, with Sexton’s vocals carrying both polish and passion.
Charlie Sexton would go on to work with an incredible roster of artists—eventually becoming a longtime member of Bob Dylan’s touring band—but Hold Me is a reminder of his remarkable beginnings. At just 16, he wasn’t just chasing the dream; he was living it.
SIDE A:
Hold Me (Long Version) 4:27
SIDE B:
Hold Me (Short Version) 3:56
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: MCA Records – L33-17149
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Promo, Single, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1986
Genre: Rock
Style: Pop Rock
CREDITS:
- Producer – Keith Forsey
- Written-By – D. Oppenheim*, I. Schuster*, L.J. Little*
NOTES:
Management: Tim Neece
From the Charlie Sexton Album “Pictures For Pleasure”
12″ Promotional Single Not For Sale
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
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DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
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SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
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Worth mentioning this was a big hit for PJ Proby in 1964.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hold_Me_(1933_song)
Thank you for posting this, Paul! Would you happen to have the UK 12″ of “Hold Me” as well? Charlie Sexton – Hold Me – Vinyl (12″, 45 RPM), 1986 [r2130720] | Discogs
It has the “Live Version” of “Hold Me” in addition to remixes of “Beat’s So Lonely” and “Impressed”.
Hi Jason, sorry I don’t have the UK 12″, but I do have this one: Charlie Sexton – Mixed Impressions: 12″, MiniAlbum For Sale | Discogs
No problem. Been looking for the “Live Version” of “Hold Me” (which, I assume is the version used in the video) for a long time. Thank you, anyway!
I’m loving these rock/pop mixes (of course)!! Charlie Sexton, lightyears ahead of his actual age, hit pay dirt with Beat’s So Lonely. A perfect blend of rock, New Wave, synths and moodiness. This single, Hold Me, and his previous one, Impressed, were more straight ahead rock without the New Wave flourishes. I’m thinking maybe that’s what limited his chart impact? That, and what I’ve said before: music was so spectacular that Charlie Sexton’s follow-up singles got lost in the flood of such a treasure trove. Not a bad way to go! On a side note, upon casual listen Charlie could… Read more »
Thanks, Retro Hound! I love how you put that—Charlie really was ahead of his age, and Beat’s So Lonely captured that perfect mix of rock, New Wave, and moodiness that hit the sweet spot for the time. You make a great point about Impressed and Hold Me leaning more toward straight-ahead rock. Without those New Wave touches, maybe they didn’t stand out as much on the charts. And yes, the flood of incredible music in ’86 didn’t make it easy for any artist to keep momentum. I’ve always thought the Bowie comparison was spot on too—Charlie had that same cool… Read more »
Charlie Sexton is awesome!! Ever since his debut single, I’ve been hooked!! I always regretted and couldn’t understand why he wasn’t bigger. And Paul, I didn’t know about the Bob Dylan connection which is fabulous!!
Thanks so much for keeping his discography alive!!
Jeff
Thanks, Jeff! I’m right there with you—Charlie had everything going for him: the looks, the voice, the guitar chops, and that polished production. It really is surprising that he didn’t become a bigger household name.
His later connection with Dylan is such a cool twist in his career—proof that even if mainstream success didn’t push him higher, his talent was recognized by some of the greatest. I’m glad you’ve been along for the ride since the debut single, and I’m always happy to spotlight his work here.
Appreciate your comment and your enthusiasm for keeping Charlie’s music spinning!
Love the diversity of music you post! Bob Dylan is my favorite artist ever, and Charlie Sexton was a key part of Dylan’s bands for many years over two different periods of time. But I don’t really know Charlie’s solo work. Thank you so much for sharing this !!
Thanks so much, Grant! I really appreciate that. Dylan is such a legend, and you’re right—Charlie’s role in his bands over the years was huge. His guitar work and stage presence really added something special to those live shows.
If you’re curious about Charlie’s solo material, his debut Pictures for Pleasure is a great place to start—it’s very different from Dylan, of course, but it really shows off his talent at such a young age. I’m glad to help shine a light on that side of his career!
Thank you for the tip!
I always wondered why his career didn’t take off into the stratosphere. He had the songs, the look, etc. great post! Now I’ve got to dig out the album!
Thanks, ING! I’ve wondered the same thing myself—he really did seem to have all the right ingredients for superstardom. Sometimes the music industry just works in mysterious ways. I’m glad this post gave you a reason to pull the album back out—such a great listen all the way through!
Thank you, Paul! I think Charlie Sexton would have been bigger, if the record label had released some real 12″ remixes. I think that’s what gave his first 2 singles that extra boost!
You’re welcome! I completely agree—those first two singles really benefited from the 12″ treatment. A few proper remixes for Hold Me and the later singles could have given them more traction on the dance and club charts. It’s one of those “what ifs” of the era. Still, what we did get shows just how much potential he had at such a young age!
Yeah, I think people also expected him to rock a bit harder based on his looks.
Amazing, thank you! I do have to wonder if all the Charlie Sexton masters burned in the UMG fire. Would explain why none of this album or singles have been reissued in hi-res or remastered form. Glad they can be preserved here. I would love to find a proper lossless version of the “Beat’s So Lonely” 6:10 extended video version. Good stuff!
Thank you! I’ve wondered the same thing about the UMG fire—it’s entirely possible that some of Charlie’s masters were lost, which could explain why Pictures for Pleasure and the singles haven’t had proper reissues or hi-res treatment. It’s a real shame, because the album deserves to be rediscovered by a wider audience. At least we can keep the music circulating and preserved here, so it doesn’t fade away completely.