For this week’s Thursday Inspiration prompt, Jim Adams has instructed us to respond to this challenge by either using the prompt word, hold, or or going with the above picture, or by means of the song “I’ve Gotta Get a Message to You” from The Bee Gees, or by going with another song that we think fits.

I’m going with the song by 38 Special titled “Hold On Loosely.” Written by Don Barnes, Jeff Carlisi, and Jim Peterik, it was released on the band’s 1981 studio album, Wild-Eyed Southern Boys. It reached number 3 on the Billboard Rock Tracks chart, and number 27 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The song was written about adult relationships. Lead singer, Don Barnes, was going through a difficult time in his marriage. He lamented that his wife was not being more supportive of his career aspirations. He presented a seed idea for a song to co-writer Jim Peterik, asking what he thought of the title “Hold On Loosely,” to which Peterik came back with, “…but don’t let go.”

Even though the song was about an adult relationship gone bad, when I saw the photo of the mother and the newborn, I realized that some of the lyrics present sound advice to a young mother.

Your baby needs someone to believe in
And a whole lot of space to breathe in

It's so damn easy, when your feelings are such
To overprotect her, to love her too much

Just hold on loosely
But don't let go
If you cling too tight babe
You're gonna loose control
Your baby needs someone to believe in
And a whole lot of space to breathe in
Don't let her slip away