Phoebe West

Phoebe West’s debut album Small Moments (1978) introduced her as a singer-songwriter with a keen sense of melody and storytelling. The lead single, “Hold On,” stood apart from the hushed ballads of the era: an upbeat, radio-friendly track with a hopeful chorus and jangling piano hooks. It quickly became her signature song, climbing into steady rotation on AM stations across the U.S. While it never cracked the Top 10 nationally, it built West a loyal following and became one of those instantly recognizable soft-rock staples of the early ’70s.

Born in Santa Rosa, California in 1949, West grew up balancing the folk traditions of the West Coast with the polished pop that dominated the radio. Her writing—vivid snapshots of everyday life, carried by a warm alto voice—helped her stand out in a crowded scene. Small Moments set the tone for her career: equal parts reflective and accessible, with “Hold On” proving she could write a song as catchy as anything on the charts.

In the mid-1980s, Canadian pop star Corey Hart covered the track, reimagining it with big drums and glossy synths, turning it into a Top 40 hit and introducing West’s songwriting to a new generation.

Although West stepped away from the industry in the early ’80s, her music never fully disappeared. Collectors, reissue labels, and soft-rock revivalists still regard Small Moments as a lost gem, and “Hold On” remains her most enduring contribution to the canon of 1970s singer-songwriters.