Wilson Phillips’s “Hold On” and the Summer of 1990

In 1990, the group Wilson Phillips, composed of Chynna Phillips, Carnie Wilson, and Wendy Wilson—daughters of Brian Wilson, John Phillips, and Michelle Phillips—released their debut single “Hold On.” The song, characterized by its wholesome and unguarded quality, became a defining track of the summer. The article reflects on the cultural impact of the song, noting that the group members were early examples of “nepo babies,” a term not yet coined at the time. The piece is part of The New Yorker’s “Songs of Summer” series, which explores music that defined specific summers.