At the 33rd Annual Grammy Awards, "Hold On" was nominated for Song of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group, losing in both categories.

[4] Chynna Phillips wrote the song's lyrics while battling substance abuse as well as being in a "really bad" relationship.

"[5] Producer Glen Ballard presented the track to the group, noting it needed lyrics.

Phillips based the lyrics off of the principles taught in AA, specifically the idea that things had to be taken "one day at a time."

The next day, Phillips returned with "Hold On" and sang it for the Wilsons and Ballard, who immediately loved it.

In Europe, "Hold On" peaked at number six on the UK Singles Chart; this was in large part due to a performance by the group on the legendary British music series Top of the Pops a week prior to the song's peak position.

Considine from The Baltimore Sun complimented it as "a tough-but-tuneful paean to self-reliance" and "irresistibly catchy".

[10] In 2020, Tony L. Smith from Cleveland.com wrote, "A decade or two ago, Wilson Phillips' inspirational anthem "Hold On" wasn't regarded as anything more than a cheesy (maybe the cheesiest) pop song from the Nineties.

"[11] The Daily Vault's Christopher Thelen stated in his review of Wilson Phillips, that it's the "defining moment" for the album, "setting the tone for what was to come as well as letting the listener know that all they have to do is sit back and enjoy the ride.

"[12] A reviewer from Music & Media called the song "melodic, well crafted and extremely catchy", and "everything you would expect from a band madeup of daughters of rock stars.

[15]In 2017, Billboard magazine ranked "Hold On" number 15 in their "100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time" list.

[53] The song was featured in the finale of the 2011 film Bridesmaids, performed by the band members as themselves, bringing renewed recognition to Wilson Phillips.