Burning The Ground Exclusive
By 1986, Sheila E. had already carved out a unique space in the pop and R&B landscape. Known for her explosive percussion work and high-energy hits like “The Glamorous Life” and “A Love Bizarre,” she shifted gears with something far more intimate on Hold Me — the lead single from her third self-titled album, Sheila E.
Interestingly, the song had a somewhat complicated early release history. It first appeared in Canada under the title Touch Me, and in Japan as the B-side to Holly Rock. The title was later changed to Hold Me for wider release, reportedly to avoid confusion with Samantha Fox’s international hit Touch Me. It’s one of those small but fascinating details that collectors and longtime fans will appreciate — a reminder of how marketing decisions could shape a song’s identity across different territories.
Released at a time when glossy production and dancefloor dominance were the norm, Hold Me stands out as a smooth, heartfelt R&B ballad. It’s a vulnerable moment in her catalog — trading in the bold, rhythmic punch she was known for in favor of a softer, more emotional delivery. The track leans into late-night quiet storm territory, with lush instrumentation and a restrained vocal that showcases a different side of Sheila’s artistry.
Despite its understated approach, Hold Me found solid success on the charts. The single climbed to No. 3 on the U.S. Hot Black Singles chart, proving her appeal within the R&B audience, while also reaching No. 68 on the Billboard Hot 100. It may not have been a massive crossover hit, but it resonated strongly where it counted.
Flipping the record over reveals The World Is High, a non-album B-side that offers a striking contrast. Where Hold Me is reflective and tender, The World Is High is an upbeat dance track, much closer in spirit to Sheila’s earlier, more energetic work. It’s the kind of pairing that made 12″ and 7″ singles so exciting — giving listeners both sides of an artist’s range in one release.
Collector’s Note: The A-side is labeled as an “Extended Version,” but this is actually the standard album version. For the 7″ single, the track was edited down, making the so-called “Extended Version” designation a bit misleading — and a detail that vinyl collectors will definitely want to take note of.
As far as I can tell, no official music video was produced for “Hold Me,” which may have contributed to its lower profile on the pop charts, despite its strong showing on the R&B side.
For collectors, it’s yet another example of why physical formats remain so essential. Between alternate titles, regional variations, and exclusive B-sides, releases like this tell a deeper story than the charts alone ever could.
As always, it’s these kinds of releases — the overlooked singles, the unique pressings, and the hidden gems on the flip side — that make digging through vinyl so rewarding.
SIDE A:
Hold Me (Extended Version) 5:04
Written-By – Constance Guzman, Eddie Minnifield*, Sheila E.
SIDE B:
The World Is High 3:24
Written-By – Levi Seacer*, Sheila E.
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
| Chart | Peak Position | Date |
|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot Black Singles | #3 | 1986 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | #68 | 1986 |
| US Billboard Hot Dance Music / Maxi-Singles Sales | #22 | 1986 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Warner Bros. Records – 92 05790, Paisley Park – 92 05790
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1986
Genre: Electronic, Hip Hop
Style: RnB/Swing, Downtempo, Synth-pop
CREDITS:
NOTES:
Side A: from the LP Sheila E.
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND
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Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
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SOFTWARE:
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Hey Paul, sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you used the wrong release on Discogs for the catalog number and Buy link. That was a Canadian Cinram pressing with the wrong country entered (fixed now), whereas you have a US pressing made by SRC or ARC. If I’m not mistaken, your labels are red and have “0-20579” as the catalog number. Please check the spine and see if it says that or “9 20579-0”. If that alternate format of cat# is on the spine, please add it to the Discogs data for whichever US pressing you have.… Read more »
Hi mjb, so technically what you’re saying it could be either https://www.discogs.com/release/1069965-Sheila-E-Hold-Me or https://www.discogs.com/release/19720735-Sheila-E-Hold-Me?
Hi Paul, or is this indeed the Canadian pressing?
Thanks both!
Yes, that’s what I am saying. Paul’s back cover scan shows the US jacket (the Canadian one has different fine print) so I assume he has one of those.
This is such a great Sheila E. track. Total love flight, smooth, slow jam. Would be perfectly at home on the soundtrack to a noir-ish 80’s romance. I have to admit, I like it better than some of her other attempts at singles! I see how it could be similar to a Sade groove but it feels too different to me. Interestingly, Hold Me is really light on the signature Sheila E. percussion but it works here. She tried something a bit different and really nailed it. Thanks for pointing out the name change, likely due to the Samantha Fox… Read more »
JP, this is such a great take—really enjoyed reading your thoughts on this one. I love that “noir-ish 80s romance” description—that fits perfectly. It really does have that late-night, cinematic feel to it. And I’m with you, this one stands out because it pulls back on the signature percussion you’d expect from Sheila E., but somehow that restraint is exactly what makes it work so well. Interesting comparison to Sade too—I can hear where you’re coming from, but you’re right, it still feels like its own thing. Sheila definitely took a risk here, and I agree… she nailed it. And… Read more »
Whoa Paul, you dug deep for this smooth groove from ‘86. I was a freshman in HS! A pleasant surprise from you! I completely forgot about this track. Thank You!
DMoody, I love that—nothing better than a track bringing back those kinds of memories!
1986 was such a great time for music, and this one definitely slipped through the cracks a bit. Glad I could help bring it back for you—sometimes those forgotten gems hit even better the second time around.
Really appreciate you stopping by and giving it a listen!
On first listen Hold Me definitely gives a smooth pop Sade vibe. In fact, if this came on the radio I would probably guess Sade over Sheila E any day. It was certainly bold of her to switch gears like this, which did pay off with some chart success. Looking forward to the exclusive B-side as well. Thank you Paul!
Retro Hound, I can totally hear that comparison too—it really does have that smooth, sophisticated vibe that could easily be mistaken for Sade on first listen.
It was definitely a bold move for Sheila E. to dial things back like this, especially when fans were used to her more rhythm-driven sound—but like you said, it paid off, especially on the R&B charts.
Glad you’re looking forward to the B-side—that one brings a bit more of her signature energy back into the mix!
Thanks for stopping by!
Delightful bit of quiet storm that I don’t recall hearing before.
Dean, that’s exactly how I felt revisiting this one—it kind of flies under the radar but really delivers if you’re in the right mood.
It’s definitely a different side of Sheila E., but she pulls it off beautifully. One of those quiet storm gems that sneaks up on you.
Glad you enjoyed it!
This song is familiar to Japanese fans because it was used in a commercial for National (now Panasonic) VCRs at the time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5Fk-rPYInU
This is “Love On A Blue Train.” The man who appears partway through is a Japanese actor (Masatoshi Nakamura).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tn3x6ywUkGk
They may have featured a musician in an effort to highlight the VCR’s high-quality sound (the Japanese tagline suggests this).
That’s fantastic info—thank you, hato! I love learning about these regional connections. It makes total sense that the track would stick with Japanese fans if it was tied to a National/Panasonic VCR campaign—those commercials were everywhere at the time.
And thanks for sharing the clips too! Really interesting to see how Love On A Blue Train was used in that context. Featuring Masatoshi Nakamura is a great touch—definitely adds to that “premium sound” angle they were going for.
Always appreciate you adding these insights!
Congratulations, Paul, on the success of your Fundraiser! I also want to thank your followers as well for helping out. It goes to show what a wonderful thing you do with your site. It’s truly (for me) Heaven on Earth!! Love it that you’re spotlighting more, Sheila E. on your webpage. This single really is quite different than what I expect, but I always respect artists furthering their sound! I do love “Quiet Storm” releases as they are a sensual ambiance to physical couplings! They set the mood and, sometimes, the tempo for pelvic percussions! Looking forward to the flipside… Read more »
Jeff, thank you so much—that really means a lot to me. I’m incredibly grateful for the support from you and everyone here. This community is what keeps Burning the Ground going, and I couldn’t do it without you. I had a feeling this one might catch you off guard a bit—Hold Me is definitely a different side of Sheila E., but that’s part of what makes it so interesting. I agree, there’s something special about those Quiet Storm tracks—they create a whole mood that’s hard to replicate. And yes… the flipside brings a bit of that funkier energy back into… Read more »
I arrived late to Sheila E. I heard Love Bizarre and went back to her music, and found some great gems. Looking forward to listening to this!! Even the Sex Cymbal album has some really strong/fun tracks that are really worth a listen. Thanks for posting this!!
Greg, that’s a great way to discover her catalog—‘A Love Bizarre’ is such a perfect entry point, and it really showcases what makes Sheila E. so unique.
You’re absolutely right about Sex Cymbal, too—some seriously underrated tracks on that album don’t get talked about enough. It’s always nice when people go back and dig a little deeper and find those hidden gems.
I think you’ll enjoy this one—it’s a bit of a departure, but that’s part of the charm.
Thanks for stopping by and for the kind words!
I love the song! listed to this a few times today, and man, it is just great! thanks for posting.
Ah! I really was infatuated with her at this juncture and immediately bought the 7” single upon its release in the states. The US 7” is a less complicated cover of the same photo that would also grace the Sheila E. album cover… had the full body poster on my wall at on point as well. Not sure my somewhat racist stepdad was super happy about it… (side note: he picked Vanessa Williams as the winner for Miss America so he was a confused man lol) I thought it was a gorgeous song at the time and a bold pick… Read more »
ING, I love this—what a great memory! That era really was something special, and it sounds like you were all in from the start. The U.S. 7″ sleeve and that album imagery are both so iconic—having the poster on your wall just completes the picture. I agree with you too, it was a bold choice for a single, especially coming off the more high-energy material associated with Sheila E. and her work around Prince. But that’s part of what makes Hold Me stand out—it showed a different side of her artistry. And yes—the B-side really balances things out nicely with… Read more »