Popular Song on the Dancefloor: Ways of Hearing Disclosure's »Holding On« Featuring Gregory Porter

Abstract

This paper examines the diverse subjective interpretations of Disclosure's »Holding On,« featuring Gregory Porter, by a group of researchers from various musical backgrounds. Utilizing an intersubjective approach, the authors analyze how cultural and individual listening contexts shape responses to the song's production, structure, and vocal dynamics. The concept of affordance is employed to highlight moments of friction where differing interpretations arise, particularly concerning meter, section classification, and the role of the voice. This study underscores the complexity of meaning in popular music, suggesting that interpretations are collaboratively negotiated rather than fixed, reflecting the multifaceted nature of contemporary music on the dancefloor.